Henry Denhardt
Henry Denhardt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 34th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office December 11, 1923 – December 13, 1927 | |
| Governor | William J. Fields |
| Preceded by | S. Thruston Ballard |
| Succeeded by | James Breathitt Jr. |
| 36th Adjutant General of Kentucky | |
| In office March 14, 1932 – December 10, 1935 | |
| Governor | Ruby Laffoon |
| Preceded by | William Henry Jones Jr. |
| Succeeded by | George Lee McLain |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 8, 1876 Bowling Green, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 20, 1937 (aged 61) Shelbyville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Cumberland University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Kentucky National Guard |
| Years of service | 1898-1935 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | |
Henry Herman Denhardt (March 8, 1876 – September 20, 1937) was an American politician and military officer, who served as the 34th lieutenant governor of Kentucky from 1923 to 1927, under Governor William J. Fields. He later served as the 36th Adjutant General of Kentucky from 1932 to 1935 under Governor Ruby Laffoon.
Denhardt was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1876. In November 1936, he was charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Verna Garr Taylor, and tried in New Castle, Kentucky. The trial ended with a hung jury. Before Denhardt could be retried, he was shot and killed by Taylor's three brothers at the Armstrong Hotel in Shelbyville, Kentucky on September 20, 1937. The brothers were later acquitted of killing Denhardt.[1][2]
Denhrdt is also a suspect in the possible murder of Patricia Wilson. Her body was found in the elevator shaft of the Seelbach Hotel, having fallen over six floors. A coroner concluded that Wilson had caused her own death through recklessness. However, Denhardt was seen at the hotel that night, arguing on the eighth floor with a young woman. He was reportedly the last man seen by Wilson.[3][4]
See also
[edit]Sources
[edit]- The Political Graveyard
- Louisville Courier Journal
References
[edit]- ^ Butler, Telia (October 31, 2019). "Throwback Thursday - Hendry Denhardt and an 80-year-old unsolved murder". WNKY News 40 Television. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ Ian Punnett. A Black Night for the Bluegrass Belle, 2016, Acclaim Press, ISBN 978-1942613473
- ^ Bratton, Chris (October 5, 2023). "Throwback Thursday: Was Henry Denhardt a serial killer? Two nearly 90-year-old cold cases". WNKY News 40 Television. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
- ^ Theiss, Nancy Stearns (March 1, 2016). "Murder at Seelbach? Ghost tale tied to '36 death". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
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