Flint is well known for its modern violent crimes but Flint's history is filled with little known stories that read stranger than fiction. Gruesome murders, weird accidents, and violent deaths. Join us every Thursday as Joe Schipani details some of the odd but true deaths he found in Flint's archives.
Dinner Table August 17th, 1923
Edward and Jennie Hart both worked at the Fisher Body plant. The couple rented an upstairs apartment on Red Arrow from Jennie’s brother and lived there together with their fourteen year old son.
The Hart’s spent numerous nights quarreling over Edward’s jealousy of his wife’s close friendships with other women. He often accused her of having sexual relations with them. He wanted all of her time.
Earlier in the spring of 1923, Edward’s mother purchased land for him so he could farm it, hoping it would relieve some of his tension. The farming business seemed to be a failure right away. Edward could not manage to get any crops to grow.
The failing farm business caused more tension between the couple. Edward left his job at the Fisher Body plant to start the farm, leaving his wife to provide for the family. When Edward returned to the plant a few months later after his farm failed, he grew suspicious of his wife’s new friendships.
According to police reports, Jennie’s brother claimed that the arguing had gotten worse after Edward returned to work at the plant.
On the afternoon of August 17th Jennie spent most of the day at a friend’s house. Jennie returned home in the evening to cook dinner for her family. Edward’s car had broken down earlier that day. Just before dinner he sent his fourteen year old son Eldon to fix it and bring it home.
Eldon was still not home when dinner was ready, so Jennie decided to start eating without him. According to the police report, Jennie’s brother and sister-in-law once again heard the couple fighting. Edward again accused his wife of having sexual relations with a woman. Jennie’s brother stated later that he heard Edward say it was going to end tonight, just before hearing the gun fire. Edward shot Jennie three times: in the arm, in the back, and through her breast right into the heart, killing her instantly.
After shooting Jennie he turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger.
Jennie’s brother and sister then rushed into the apartment and found Jennie lying dead on the floor and Edward dead on the table.
One of the neighbors called the police. During the investigation they found a note in Edward’s shirt pocket. The note asked to have the Fisher Body Plant give both his and his wife’s final paychecks to their son Eldon.
Eldon arrived home after fixing his dad’s car to find an ambulance taking his parents’ bodies away.
Edward had sabotaged the car by pulling a cable on the motor. The murder/suicide was clearly premeditated.
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