Death By Bar Fight

Harry Hurshel Worden was the son of James Clarence Worden & Clara Louise Linn. He was working as an electrician when, at the age of 21, he enlisted in the Army during WW1 and earned the rank of Corporal by the time he was released.

In 1921 he married Myrtle Martha Shannon, the daughter of Samuel P Shannon & Martha A Toler and they had 5 children before they divorced.

His death was reported in local paper and 3 days later, manslaughter charges for the suspect were dropped - he was sentenced to 6 months at the penal farm and a $50 fine.  

Myrtle died in 1955 and both were buried at the Old Leo Cemetery

courtesy of TamLynnBarnes - Ancestry

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne Indiana) Sat Jan 17, 1942

STREET FIGHT INJURIES FATAL

Harry Worden Dies of Skull Fracture; Assailant In Jail

Harry Worden, 43, of R.R. No. 2, Fort Wayne, died about 4:15 Friday at Methodist hospital of injuries sustained in a fight early Wednesday in front of the Downtown tavern, 621 Calhoun street. His opponent in the altercation, Carl Kenneth Cochren, 26, of 814 West Superior street, has been in custody since shortly after the affray. The charge was assault and battery with intent to kill. Officials indicated Friday night that the charge likely would be changed to manslaughter. Cochren is in the Allen county jail under bond of $5,000. Dr. A. R. Savage, deputy Allen county coroner, said after conducting a post mortem examination that Worden's death was caused by an extensive skull fracture associated with a brain abscess.

Verdict Left Open

Dr. A.P. Hattendorf, coroner, announced after a conference with Dr. Savage that he will leave his verdict open, and that "in all probability" a manslaughter charge will be filed. Acting Captain of Detectives Rex Morton had said before Worden's death that should the injured man not recover a manslaughter charge would eventuate, Definite decision will be made today at a conference between police, Dr. Hattendorf and Prosecutor James Ballou. Cochren has given authorities a statement. He said that he and Worden became involved in an argument in the tavern and that as Worden left he made some remarks that were offensive to Cochren. He followed Worden to the street, Cochren's statement continued, and struck him. Worden fell, he went on, and apparently his head struck the curbing. He did not examine the fallen man, Cochren said, but when on home. He believed Worden drunk, he said. Tavern employees said Worden left about 12:05 a.m Thursday. Worden was discovered lying on the sidewalk about 12:15 a.m. by an unidentified woman. Other passersby came up and raised Worden to a sitting posture until the police ambulance arrived. The man never regained consciousness. Detective Sergeant Martin Kammeyer and Plainclothes Officer Robert Hire arrested Cochren.

Victim Was Veteran

The dead man was a member of the 126 Infantry regiment in the World War and served overseas for two years. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include the mother, Mrs. Clara Worden, R.R. No 2, Fort Wayne; the father James Worden, Decatur; one daughter Miss Wanda Worden, this city; three sons, Harry J., Edward and Dickie Worden, all of this city; four brothers, Charles of Homer, Mich., Floyd of Albion, Kenneth of Roanoke and Arthur of this city, and three sisters, Mrs. Chauncey Putt of R. R. No 2, Mrs. Eli Andrews of Decatur and Miss Norma Worden of Fort Wayne. The body was removed to the C.M. Sloan and Sons funeral home, where it may be viewed after 5 o'clock this afternoon. The funeral services will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. from the funeral home, Rev. Leroy Geiger officiating with burial in the Leo cemetery.

The following articles are from the Kokomo Tribune 20 Jan 1942

Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, Tuesday, August 2, 1955, page 2, col. 2
Mrs. Myrtle M. Worden, 57, of 216 E. Wallace St., died at 11 a.m. yesterday in St. Joseph's Hospital. An employee of the Magnavox Co. for 14 years, she had left the firm three weeks ago. She was a member of the First Evangelical Church. The husband, Harry H., preceded her in death. Survivors include three sons, Harry S., Edward and Richard; a daughter, Wanda; five brothers, Preston F., Grover, Harry and Alton Shannon, all of Fort Wayne, and Raleigh Shannon, Mishawaka; a sister, Mrs. Florence (Albion James) Johnson, Fort Wayne, and three grandchildren. Friends may call at the Klaehn Funeral Home after 6 p.m. today. The auxillary to American Legion Post 47 will hold services at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.