2020 RETA Breeze Nov-Dec

On the night of Tuesday January 10th 1893, there would be a shooting at the family residence, 521 Monroe Street in Chicago, Illinois. David’s daughter Mary had shot David’s son Henry. Apparently, David had guaranteed Henry the right to stay at his mother’s home. Apparently, his mother would only honor the guarantee if Henry was sober, a rare occurrence. Henry was arrested many times in the months proceeding the shooting for making a disturbance and damaging the family home while intoxicated. But as some mothers do, she had refused to prosecute Henry for these charges. On the 10th, Henry arrived at the residence in a state of inebriation and with a revolver in his pocket. After finding the door locked. Henry used the revolver to break the door pane. Fortunately, he could not release the security chain. He then proceeded to break the door down with his shoulder. Now having gained access to the breeze way, he was met with a stern warning from Mary who had taken position behind the second door. After being warned to stop, Mary fired twice through the door. Both shots missed. Henry broke through the second door. Mary retreated up the stairs, while Clarence Fisher, a family friend, fought with Henry eventually disarming him. But if only that were the end of the story. Mary shouted to Mr. Fisher “Give me that pistol, then you go away. I can deal with him”. Fisher complied “Confound you. You’ve got the guns, but I’ve got a knife and I’ll cut your heart out when I get up there,” exclaimed Henry. Brandishing Henry’s own weapon, Mary shouted one more warning and began firing. The first 4 shots missed. But the fifth bullet would

Circa 1891 Ice Machine manufactured by the Pennsylvania Iron Works

notes, and articles. The information used to generate this article is believed factual. Should you have any corrections or additional information pertaining to this article please forward them to the editor. The Refrigeration Historian roams, the library of Vern M. Sanderson (Wagner- Meinert LLC), often dusting old tomes and lamenting the early days of refrigeration.

find Henry’s shoulder. Believing she had killer her brother, Mary fainted. Henry was treated at a local hospital and then escorted to the jail. When interviewed, Henry was quoted as saying “They wouldn’t let me in and I got mad”. Apparently, genius is not hereditary. Regardless of his legal difficulties and family antics, David Boyle will forever be likened to the advent of ammonia compression and the history of refrigeration. Information for this article included information from Ice and Refrigeration Illustrated, various newspaper articles, the United States Patent Office, Adventures in Heat and Cold: Men and Women Who Made Your Lives Better, historical

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