Benjamin Franklin Kenney

Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney

Baltimore's Senior Police Captain Dead

The Sun (1837-1987); Oct 1, 1883; pg. 4

Baltimore’s senior police Capt. Dead Capt. Benjamin Franklin Kenney, of the Eastern Police District, died suddenly, at his home, number 47 South Washington St., about 11:30 o’clock on Saturday night (29 Sept 1883), from an asthmatic attack and heart disease.

Capt. Kenney left the Eastern stationhouse a short while after 9:00-9:30 o’clock and retired soon after he reached his home. About 11:00 o’clock he complained of feeling unwell and got up. While sitting in a chair, a few minutes afterward, he fell forward and died almost immediately.

Capt. Kenney was born in Easton, Talbot County, Maryland, and at the time of his death was 62 years old. His father was Capt. Richard Kenney, one of the first steamboat captains in the Chesapeake Bay, he having for a long while commanded the steamer governor Walcott. At an early age, he came to Baltimore and learn sail making with the late Samuel ready. It is early life Capt. Kenney was a sail maker on the old United States Frigate Delaware in the Mediterranean, when the squadron headquarters or at a Port Mahon, on the island of Minorca. He was possessed of a fund of interesting information bearing upon the last days of the sailing frigate’s which during his service comprised the United States Navy. Capt. Kenney was also in the East India trade as sail maker of the Boston clipper, and was at the bombardment of Vera Cruz Mexico, on a supply ship sent out by the government which stores.

Capt. Kenney originally entered the police force as a Lieut. of the Eastern district under Marshal Kane. The present (1 Oct 1883) Police Marshall, John T. Gray, was made Lieut. with him in the same district. He remained Lieutenant until the federal soldiers ousted the police, in 1861. He returned to his trade of sail making to make ends meet until 23 April 1867, at the reorganization of the new police system. He was appointed Capt. of the Eastern District, and at the time of his death was the senior Capt. on the police force.

Capt. Kenney was universally respected and esteemed by all with whom he was a gentleman possessing many noble qualities. To the poor, he was particularly a friend, and in their time of need, he was foremost in searching them out through his subordinates and alleviating their distress. The officers under him were greatly attached to him, for although a disciplinarian, he tempered his application of the department rules with discretion and kindness.

He left behind a wife, a son, and a daughter. His son was a clerk in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Locust point.

The flags of the different Station Houses and in the parks were half-mast yesterday (30 Sept 1883) in respect to his memory. The monumental social club passed resolutions of respect and placed the colors at half-mast on their halls.

241 South Bond St. The funeral took place Wednesday 3 Oct 1883.

The Article was published on 1 Oct 1883, the Saturday before would have been 29 Sept 1883