Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1916 — HANK GRANGER DIED SUDDENLY SATURDAY [ARTICLE]

HANK GRANGER DIED SUDDENLY SATURDAY

Well-Known Resident of Thayer Dropped Dead While Visiting Daughter—Funeral at Thayer; Henry Granger, of Thayer, better known as “Hank” Granger, the Thayer citizen whose name had been associated with a numiber of crimes but who was never convicted, died suddenly last Saturday while visiting his daughter in Hammond. The body was returned to Thayer today, Monday, and presumably the funeral is to take place Tuesday although we were unable ■to learn about this. Granger had for many years been a resident of Thayer and was known as a hunter and fisher and maintained a camp at the juncture of the Kankakee, river and the Gifford railroad. He was about 60 years of age. He was a very large man, being somewhat over 6 feet tall and weighing 285 pounds. His reputation for lawlessness was based upon many allegations that he hunted illegally, that he sold liquor in violation of the law, that he inspired and conspired in various other crimes. Last year he was charged with operating a “fence” for stolen automobiles. From, every charge filed against him he came out with flying colors and his demeanor on the witness stand always indicated his innocence, in fact, many who went to the court house to see the “notorious” Hank Granger were moved to sympathy for him when he testified to his good habits and his purity of motives. His death removes the most picturesque of the river residents and it is probalble that hjs funeral will be attended by a large number of persons, including many hunters from Chicago and other places. Mr. Granger went Saturday to the home of his married daughter in Hammond and it is understood that he dropped dead of heart failure. The body was to be returned to Thayer today, Monday. Granger lived along the river and in the woods. He was a hunter who knew every inch of the river country and as guide and companion he was sought by many hunters. It is said that he never used tobacco or liquor in any form, although he conducted a saloon for some time and was accused many times of clanedstine sales. On one occasion his place was raided and a quantity of intoxicants confiscated. They were placed on the train and Granger was .being taken to Kentland for trial. Before-the train reached Kentland the confiscated liquors had all disappeared. It was believed that confederates had thrown them from the’ train. The conviction rested upon the goods as evidence and there was nothing to do but to dismiss the cases.