Died On This Date

May 4
Howard (Horwitz), Moe (Moses Harry)
b. June 19, 1897 d. May 4, 1975
Actor. From a very early age he was interested in acting, a talent that was helped along by his voracious memory and capacity for memorizing just about anything, including all of the many books he read and all of the plays he saw when he was skipping school. His parents, however, were displeased by his constant truancy and his desire to have a career in show business, so he enrolled at the Baron DeHirsch Trade School in New York, where he took a class in electric shop. Cause of death: Lung cancer

McDowell, Irvin
b. October 15, 1818 d. May 4, 1885
Civil War Union Major General. Class of West Point 1838 (23 out of 45) Artillery Officer. Was Gen. Wools A.D.C. during Mexican war and was Brevet Captain for bravery. Later served on the Western Frontier until 1856 when he was sent to the Army HQ in Washington with rank of Major. Named Brig. Gen USA May 14th 1861 Give comand of the Union troops south of the Potomac. Was defeated at the battle of 1st Bull Run he was appointed Comander of McDowell's Division.

Hettinger, Karl
b. October 29, 1934 d. May 4, 1994
Former Los Angeles Policeman and Kidnap victim. Karl Hettinger was the survivor of the attack made famous in Joseph Wambaugh's book "The Onion Field." He was taken at gunpoint on the night of March 9, 1963 with his partner, Officer Ian Campbell, by Gregory Ulas Powell and Jimmy Lee Smith in Hollywood. In a 1985 interview, Hettinger told a Los Angeles Times writer, "I didn't want to give up my weapon, but my partner had a gun in his back."

Merritt, Jerry Lee
b. 1934 d. May 4, 2001
Rock Musician. A member and lead guitarist for the musical group, 'Gene Vincent's Legendary Blue Caps.' The band formed in Norfolk, Virginia, and recorded there first album in Nashville, Tennessee, in May 1956. The band also included, Gene Vincent, John Meeks, Tommy Facenda, Cliff Gallup, 'B-Bop' Harrell, 'Jumpin' Jack Neal, Paul Peek, Willie Williams, and Andrew 'Duck' McDonald. The band recorded on several record labels including Magnum Force and released several songs.

McGuffey, William Holmes
b. September 23, 1800 d. May 4, 1873
Author, Educator. With his Brother Alexander, he wrote the “McGuffey Readers”, while a professor at Miami (Ohio) University from 1823-1836. He served as President of Cincinnati College from 1836- 1839, and President of Ohio University from 1839 to 1843. From 1843 to 1845 he served as President of Woodward College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He became Professor of Philosophy at the University of Virginia in 1845 and served in that capacity until his death in 1873.

Kinser, Elbert Luther
b. October 21, 1922 d. May 4, 1945
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. On May 4, 1945, Okinawa, Sergeant Kinser, was acting leader of a rifle platoon, serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. While moving up a strategic ridge holding newly won positions, Sergeant Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sergeant Kinser threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the full charge

Lyman, Joel H.
b. May 11, 1845 d. May 4, 1922
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Union Army. He was awarded the Medal of Honor as a Quartermaster Sergeant in Company B, 9th New York Cavalry for action on September 19, 1864 at Winchester, Virginia. His citation reads "In an attempt to capture a Confederate flag, he captured one of the enemy's officers and bought him within the lines."

Foy, Richard
b. 1905 d. May 4, 1947
Actor, Entertainer. Son of actor Eddie Foy Sr. and one of "The Seven Little Foys" vaudeville act.

Palmer, Potter
b. May 20, 1826 d. May 4, 1902
Architect. A prominent Chicago social leader, he was the primary developer of State Street, and built the Palmer House Hotel.

Ely, John
b. January 26, 1816 d. May 4, 1869
Civil War Union Brevet Major General. He served in the Civil War first as Colonel and commander of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, then as Colonel and commander of the 21st Veterans Reserve Corps. For a time near the end of the war he was the Assistant Provost Marshal for Trenton, New Jersey. On April 15, 1865 he was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers for "gallant services in the field", and Major General, US Volunteers for "faithful and gallant conduct throughout the war".

Earles, Harry 'Harry Doll'
b. April 3, 1902 d. May 4, 1985Actor. He was a member of the famous Doll Family of midgets. Kurt and his three sisters, Frieda, Hilda, and Elly all appeared in the classic 1939 motion picture, "Wizard of Oz." Harry appeared in the role of a Lollipop Guild member. Harry and Hilda also appeared in the cult-classic horror film "Freaks." After touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus, the Doll Family retired to Florida. Elly "Tiny Doll" Schneider, was the last surviving member of the Doll Family, when she died on September 6.

Douglas, Marjorie
b. April 7, 1890 d. May 4, 1998
Environmentalist. She was nicknamed the "Mother of the Everglades" for the extensive work she did during her lifetime to preserve the Everglades. She graduated from Wellesley College and was married briefly. She moved to Miami in 1915 and worked for her father at the Miami Herald where she became a society reporter and editorial columnist. Through her writing, she became a champion of various causes including equal rights and conservation.