| Submission declined on 6 October 2023 by Johannes Maximilian (talk). This submission is not adequately supported by reliable sources. Reliable sources are required so that information can be verified. If you need help with referencing, please see Referencing for beginners and Citing sources.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Mark M. Hennelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Mark Murray Hennelly November 26, 1916 |
| Died | September 1, 1983 (aged 66) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Alma mater | St. Louis University Washington University School of Law |
| Known for | President of Missouri Pacific Corp., Vice-President and General Counsel of Missouri Pacific Railroad |
| Political party | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Spouse | Marguerite Mary Raemdonck (1942)[1] |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Thomas Eagleton (first cousin once removed) James Gunn (great-nephew) Sean Gunn (great-nephew) Matt Gunn (great-nephew) Brian Gunn (great-nephew) Mark Gunn (great-nephew) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years served | 1941–1945 |
| Unit | Military Intelligence Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Signature | |
 | |
Mark M. Hennelly (November 26, 1916 – September 1, 1983), born in St. Louis, Missouri, was a prominent American attorney and corporate executive, best known for his tenure as the President of Missouri Pacific Corp., and vice-president and General Counsel of Missouri Pacific Railroad. Hennelly led his company to victory arguing in front of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, Petitioner, v. City of Palestine, Texas, et al.[2]
Early Life and Career edit
Born to a poor, working-class family of Irish immigrant parents, Mark M. Hennelly grew up in north St. Louis, where his father worked as a streetcar motorman. He attended St. Louis University and Washington University School of Law.[3] He was put through law school by his cousin, Mark Eagleton, father of United States senator Thomas Eagleton of Missouri.[4] "I grew up with the memory of endless stories of how the British beat on my Irish-Catholic ancestors," says Hennelly " There was always the talk of the plight of the downtrodden and exploited. You come out of that with a tradition of feeling for the underdog."[4]
Throughout World War II, Hennelly played a key role in the Military Intelligence Corps (United States Army). Following the surrender of the Axis armies, he was discharged from the Army and began his career as a lawyer. He first worked as a trial lawyer in the office of Morris Shenker before establishing his own law firm as a criminal defense lawyer. From 1947 until 1956, Mr. Hennelly gained a reputation for an impressive record of acquittals, trying about 30 major felony cases a year, often two cases a week. Most of his clients were acquitted.[3]
Missouri Pacific Railroad and Corp. edit
In 1956, Hennelly joined the legal staff of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, eventually becoming vice-president and general counsel in 1961[5]. Hennelly assumed the presidency of Missouri Pacific Corp. in August 1982. He resigned from his position in July the following year and returned to private law practice, joining the firm of Bryan, Cave, McPheeters & McRoberts.[3]
Advocacy for James "Slick" Stidham edit
Hennelly and Stidham met in the mid-1950s when Stidham was one of seven convicts wrongfully accused of the murder of Walter Lee Donnell during a 1954 prison riot[6]. Hennelly, believing in their innocence, decided to take up their case.
When James "Slick" Stidham and the other convicts were convicted for the murder in 1954, Hennelly relentlessly advocated for them, despite their criminal pasts. He dedicated a substantial amount of his personal time and resources, believing that a miscarriage of justice had occurred.[7]
In addition to his role as president of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Hennelly took the bold step of arranging polygraph tests for the convicts, administered by Carroll Price, a specialist in the field. Despite the courts refusing to accept these results, Hennelly continued his pursuit of justice for these men.
Hennelly's relentless advocacy over the years led to multiple parole opportunities for the convicts. However, there were also instances of parole violations and subsequent convictions. Despite these setbacks, his commitment to the case never wavered, even as public interest and legal support for the convicts remained minimal.
After Hennelly's death in 1983, new evidence came to light suggesting the men's innocence. Irv Thompson's sister came forward, claiming that her brother had confessed to the murder of Donnell before his death. Yet, even this revelation did not lead to significant action or attention.[7]
As one of Stidham's lawyers and his most dedicated advocate, Hennelly stood by him throughout the decades-long legal battle. The New York Times reported that Hennelly had spent upwards of $150,000 of his own money fighting the case. Despite the challenges, Hennelly's tireless pursuit of justice for James "Slick" Stidham and the other six convicts remains a testament to his unwavering belief in their innocence and his commitment to the principle of justice.[7]
Political Involvement edit
In addition to Hennelly's legal and corporate work, he was active in the Democratic Party. Hennelly campaigned for Harry S. Truman in the 1948 United States presidential election, and Sen. Thomas C. Hennings Jr., D-Mo., in the 1950 United States Senate election in Missouri. In 1951, he was an unsuccessful candidate for president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen.[3] Through his life, Hennelly remained close friends with John L. McClellan, a tenured United States senator from Arkansas. In addition to being relatives, Hennelly shared a strong friendship with Thomas Eagleton, an American lawyer and United States senator, who also held a brief stint as Democratic vice presidential nominee under George McGovern in 1972.[8]
Personal Life edit
Hennelly died at the age of 66 at St. Mary's Health Center following a heart attack at his home.[9]
Hennelly had four children with his wife, Marguerite. He is the great-uncle of filmmakers James Gunn and Sean Gunn.
References edit
- ^ "Marriage". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
- ^ August 08; AM, 2022 at 12:00. "Union Pacific Railroad v. City of Palestine". Texas Lawyer. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d "Obituary for Mark M. Hennelly (Aged 66)". Newspapers.com. 1983-09-02. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b Gavzer, Bernard (1973-02-21). "The Outcasts of the Legal World: Criminal Defense Lawyers". Miami News Record. p. 25. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ "Mark M. Hennelly, who resigned in July as president... - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ Post-Dispatch, TIM O'NEIL St Louis (2022-09-22). "Sept. 22, 1954: Seething Missouri inmates go on a rampage". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b c "In the Wake of a Riot Crime Magazine". www.crimemagazine.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ Gunn Sights by Tom Gunn - Ebook | Scribd.
- ^ Upi (1983-09-03). "MARK M. HENNELLY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-17.