Henry Milne Fenner

1879 - 1943  (63 years)

• Name	Henry Milne Fenner
  Birth	13 Sep 1879	Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA
  Gender	Male
  Death	07 Jan 1943	Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA
  Burial	Swan Point G309, Lot 2, Providence, Rhode Island
  Person ID	I342223124464	Tripp Family Genealogical Website | Joseph Tripp 2

  
  

  Father	Henry Smith Fenner,   b. Smithfield
  Mother	Mary Jane Milne,   b. 28 Jan 1854, Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA d. 02 Sep 1935, Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA (Age 81 years)
  Marriage	12 Dec 1878	Fall River, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA
  Family ID	F51603	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Henry Milne Fenner is my 8th Cousin, one time removed. He attended public schools, graduating from B.MC.Durfee High in 1897. He was honored with the Davis Medal for highest scholarship. He graduated from Brown University in 1901, Phi Beta Kappa, with an A.B. degree. he went to work for his grandfather's newpapaer, the Fall River News. He started in a low position on the staff and worked his way up through the ranks. On 3 may 1903, he was given a raise from $12. per week to $14. In 1907 he became the Bedford Street reporter. Then 13 February 1911 he "gave up most street work, except. Bedford Street, to become assistant to Emory," the city Editor. He would later become the Telegraph Editor, and was a wizard at handling the reports coming in on the wire in Morse Code. He was also an editorial writer, and turned down opportunities to become City Editor (although he occupied that postiion during Emory's absences or illnesses) and Editor-In-Chief. When the News merged wiwith the Herald in 1926, he left the newspaper and founded his own insurance agency. Beginning in 1902 and continuing for fifteen years, Henry Milne kept a daily diary. It is somewhat disappointing, in that it only records a few cold, hard facts, and offers almost no commentary on the passing events (The best example is the note for 6 April 1917: "War delcared. Mother to Prov."), but it offered a few insights into the events of the day. The diary tells of some important events in the n newspaper business in Fall River. A morning edition of the rival Herald was begun 25 January 1904, but folded 23 April 1904. On 16 March 1907, a 12 page daiy edition of the News was published for the first time, using a special press attachmentnt. Then 14 September 1915, a 20 page paper ("biggest yet") was printed for the opening of Fashion Week. Henry M. sent pictures and articles to the New Bedford Standard and to the Boston Globe, some of which were printed. In 1906 the City Council appropriated $1000.00 for the puposes of recording the history of the City of Fall River. Henry M. Fenner and Benjamin Buffington were chosen to author the volume and they worked several nights a week for a number of months on the project. A c committee of citizens was selected to oversee the work, and to check its authenticity and reliability. Henry M. red the history to them at it completion. The committee approved and on 9 July 1906 the manuscript was sent to Smiley Brothers of New York City to be published. The proofs were returned 1 August 1906, and the printed volume arrived 4 October 1906. The Daily Globe (7 October 1906: "It is an attractive volume, not in any way bulky, a valuable addition to any library." The rival Daily Herald (12 October 1906): The book was "prepared under the encouragement of Mayor John T. Coughlin and the City Council." There was "evidence of haste in preparation." And, according to this review, only 400 copies were printed. Henry M.'s own newspaper, the News, perhaps told the story behind the headlines: 'doubless there were distinct limits within what the editor...performed his work and the history probably does not show what he would have produced had he been free of spacace and inclination, "but note that it was " a readable and approximately accurate history.: In 1911, the year of the Cotton Centennial, Henry M. edited his original history into a smaller version, a copy of which was presented to President Taft when he visited the city on 23 June 1911. Henry M. lived at home with his mother, during her liftme. They wee assisted by live-in help, but the diary notes some of the problems with keeping a good staff. In 1904, they were without a cook for ffour weeks. In 1906, there was no "girl" from "September to December, when the "first colored girl entered our employ." Then, in 1908, a series of notation: 7 October: "cook left, intox--trouble getting her out. (The story goes that the famly was sitting at the dining room table and the meal was later than usual. There was loud singing in the basement, where the kitchen was located, so Henry M. went to investigate. He found the cook stark naked and drunk, singing at the top of her lungs.)"; 15 October "new cook arrives."; 22 October "new cook leaves (No.2 series 2)"; 24 October "new cook arrives (No.3, series 2)." Henry M. was a kind and thoughtful man. He stepped into his father's shoes when Henry S. suffered his first strokoke in 1903. He began to act as father to the other children and he paid particular attention to the youngest, George. He accompanied his mother to social events. He handled the details and finances of his sister's wedding. This information comes from Richard Greene Howland Knight III, and is much appreciated for this record for posterity. Herman Willima Tripp--Remembering......