Samuel Hartley Dulany

Born in Nebraska (or perhaps Oklahoma Territory) raised in rural Oklahoma Territory at Ponca City, s. of Kansas line. Family settled in Omaha, Nebraska. Enlisted in USArmy, rose to 1st Sgt.(Master Sgt?) Served in China, Phillipines, Scoffield barracks, Hawaii, then to France when US entered WWI. Gassed twice by Germans. Post-WWI, returned to Kansas. Served under Lt. Eisenhauer and Major MacArthur early in their careers. When left Army, became an electrician in Detroit where his father worked for the city as building inspector. Formed partnership in Jacksonville, Fla. Became a Mason. Owned big house, private tennis court, domestic servants. Partner absconded with the $$$. Drove the family back to Detroit in 1930 in his Lasalle. Wiped out on ice in Cumberland Gap, TN. Family completed the trip on a bus with 'just what they could carry'. Changed birth record in family bible to show 1899 & got job with Detroit Police. Wounded in his leg during raid on a Blind Pig. Debt collectors tracked him to Detroit & he was forced to pay off electrician partner's debts during depression. Retired from police force in 1953 and moved to Homestead, Florida about 1954. Worked part-time as watchman at building site of the new Homestead AFB. Migrated to North Miami Beach (crossing guard), Clearwater, & Frostproof, Fla. Supported himself by odd jobs, handyman. Built screen & sun porches, hurricane shutters, etc thru every subdivision he moved into. Then moved on to the next. Feared hurricanes and moved inland to Frostproof. He also feared snakes. Could not swim. Treated at Tampa VA hospital prior to death in 1971.

Per E-Mail 7/08 from Detroit Police Dept: (Note: Sam 'perhaps' may have embelished his resume to get this depression-era job, EG: DOB 1899 vs 1894.)

Records of the Detroit Police Personnel Unit reveal that Samuel H. Dulany had been a member of the police department from June 3, 1930 to July 15, 1953, when he retired with a non-duty disability retirement. He had been promoted to the rank of sergeant on August 16, 1940.

Records show he was born on November 23, 1899, in Nebraska. His father and mother were born in Ireland. He is listed as married, with one dependent. He had two years of college. He was a veteran.

He died on July 29, 1971, of unknown causes.

No further information is available. You may be able to obtain a photo of Mr. Dulany by contacting the Central Photo Unit of the Department at (313) 596-1956. Mr. Dulany's photo number is 7563.

It you have any questions, please contact me.

Sergeant Mark Henning

Detroit Police Personnel

14655 Dexter Det. Mi. 48238

Office: (313) 596-2810

Fax: (313) 596-2715