Ulman Owens
Encyclopedia
Ulman Owens was an American
lighthouse keeper
. He is chiefly remembered today for the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. Owens became a lighthouse keeper in 1911, and served much of his career at the Holland Island Bar Light
; little else is known of his life.
1) Ella _harding____ in Somerset County, MD in 1899. They had two children: Mildred G. Owens (b. 1901) and Sicci G. Owens (b. 1904). Ella died in Somerset County, MD on 10 MAY 1908.
2) Lucy H. Bounds in Somerset County, MD on 19 MAY 1909. They had two children: Murdice L. Owens (b. 1914) and Ella O. Owens (b. 1916). 2nd wife, Lucy died in Somerset County, MD on 29 JUN 1923.
He was raised as a waterman until joining the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1911.
, noticed that the light at Holland Island Bar was not lit. Having no radio, he had to wait until he was able to flag down a passing ship for help. Sterling eventually attracted the attention of the crew of the Winnie and Estelle, whose first mate, H. J. Garner, agreed to go out to the lighthouse and investigate. Garner was soon joined by oyster boat captain John Tawes Tyler; together, the two men soon reached the lighthouse. They were met with a horrible scene.
Owens lay dead in the kitchen, which was in disarray; it appeared that there had been some sort of fight. Blood stains were in evidence all around the room, and there was a bloody butcher's knife near the body. The dead man, however, bore evidence only of scraping and bruising, with no gunshot or stab wounds visible.
ruled that the keeper had suffered some sort of fit, which killed him. However, on the night of the murder, a local captain saw a vessel cruising without running lights
; presumably, this was some sort of rum runner
. The boat's wake led directly back to the lighthouse. A later autopsy
complicated matters still further, revealing that Owens had suffered a cracked skull. And a federal agent would later testify that he overheard a suspected rum runner, Guy Parkhurst, say, "There go the rats that turned us in. Well, the lighthouse keeper got in the headlines. We did that. What these rats get will be worse."
Owens was also a known womanizer, who counted among his lovers two women who had left their husbands. Some felt that one of these jilted men may have killed the keeper. In the event, the autopsy revealed an enlarged heart, suggesting that Owens had suffered from heart disease
. The verdict of natural causes stood, and the case was closed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lighthouse keeper
Lighthouse keeper
A lighthouse keeper is the person responsible for tending and caring for a lighthouse, particularly the light and lens in the days when oil lamps and clockwork mechanisms were used. Keepers were needed to trim the wicks, replenish fuel, wind clockworks and perform maintenance tasks such as cleaning...
. He is chiefly remembered today for the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death. Owens became a lighthouse keeper in 1911, and served much of his career at the Holland Island Bar Light
Holland Island Bar Light
The Holland Island Bar Light was a screw-pile lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay which existed from 1889 to 1960. It is remembered for the unexplained death of one of its keepers, and for being "attacked" by United States Navy pilots during a training exercise....
; little else is known of his life.
Early Life
Ulman Owens was born as "Royal Ulman Owens" in Somerset County, MD on 24 APR 1878. He was the oldest son of Samuel J. & Priscilla (White) Owens; He married:1) Ella _harding____ in Somerset County, MD in 1899. They had two children: Mildred G. Owens (b. 1901) and Sicci G. Owens (b. 1904). Ella died in Somerset County, MD on 10 MAY 1908.
2) Lucy H. Bounds in Somerset County, MD on 19 MAY 1909. They had two children: Murdice L. Owens (b. 1914) and Ella O. Owens (b. 1916). 2nd wife, Lucy died in Somerset County, MD on 29 JUN 1923.
He was raised as a waterman until joining the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1911.
Death
On March 11, 1931, Henry Sterling, keeper of the Solomons Lump LightSolomons Lump Light
Solomons Lump Light is a lighthouse in the Chesapeake Bay, the abbreviated remains of a caisson light built in 1895. That structure replaced a screw-pile light built on the same spot in 1875, which in turn superseded the Fog Point Light.-History:...
, noticed that the light at Holland Island Bar was not lit. Having no radio, he had to wait until he was able to flag down a passing ship for help. Sterling eventually attracted the attention of the crew of the Winnie and Estelle, whose first mate, H. J. Garner, agreed to go out to the lighthouse and investigate. Garner was soon joined by oyster boat captain John Tawes Tyler; together, the two men soon reached the lighthouse. They were met with a horrible scene.
Owens lay dead in the kitchen, which was in disarray; it appeared that there had been some sort of fight. Blood stains were in evidence all around the room, and there was a bloody butcher's knife near the body. The dead man, however, bore evidence only of scraping and bruising, with no gunshot or stab wounds visible.
Investigation
Investigators found that Owens had been unwell in the days before his death. The inquestInquest
Inquests in England and Wales are held into sudden and unexplained deaths and also into the circumstances of discovery of a certain class of valuable artefacts known as "treasure trove"...
ruled that the keeper had suffered some sort of fit, which killed him. However, on the night of the murder, a local captain saw a vessel cruising without running lights
Running lights
On vehicles, running lights are designed to increase visibility while moving. It may refer to:* Automotive lighting, for running lights for cars* Bicycle lighting, for running lights for bicycles...
; presumably, this was some sort of rum runner
Rum-running
Rum-running, also known as bootlegging, is the illegal business of transporting alcoholic beverages where such transportation is forbidden by law...
. The boat's wake led directly back to the lighthouse. A later autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
complicated matters still further, revealing that Owens had suffered a cracked skull. And a federal agent would later testify that he overheard a suspected rum runner, Guy Parkhurst, say, "There go the rats that turned us in. Well, the lighthouse keeper got in the headlines. We did that. What these rats get will be worse."
Owens was also a known womanizer, who counted among his lovers two women who had left their husbands. Some felt that one of these jilted men may have killed the keeper. In the event, the autopsy revealed an enlarged heart, suggesting that Owens had suffered from heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
. The verdict of natural causes stood, and the case was closed.