An unsettling, tragic story from family – about my great-grandfather, Michael Lynch, an immigrant from Kerry, Ireland. The story passed down, was that the young father of four children and husband to a pregnant wife, died in a work-related accident. My research uncovered quite another story which was lost, or more likely, hidden.
Dies Two Days After Arrest
Man Taken Ill at Police Station: Autopsy Shows Skull Fracture
Michael Lynch, 49 Groton Street, who was arrested by police of the Third Station on Aug. 14 and sent to the Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, died there yesterday afternoon of cerebral hemorrhage, probably caused by a fall.
Until late last evening he was unidentified, though it was thought that his name was Michael Lynch or Leach. Immediately after his death the police of the Third Precinct were asked to investigate, and a short time later Lieut. J.J. Toole received a phone call from Mrs. Lynch inquiring about the man. She later called at the hospital and identified the body as that of her husband.
Medical Examiner C.H. Griffin was called and after viewing the body, ordered an autopsy performed. This disclosed the fact that Lynch had received a skull fracture at the base of his skull. In the opinion of the medical examiner the man probably fell while under the influence of liquor, and the fracture received caused cerebral hemorrhage.
Lynch was arrested on Wickenden Street Aug. 14 by the police of the Wickenden Street Station and locked him up on a charge of intoxication. He became ill in the cell and Dr. Griffin, Police Surgeon, was called. He found evidence of cerebral hemorrhage and ordered the man removed to the hospital. The patient never fully regained consciousness, but at one time he mentioned the name Michael and at another, while partially conscious, gave the name Lynch or Leach.
The man was shabbily dressed. No one about the Wickenden Street Station knew him or remembered having seen him before he was taken in charge.
-from the Providence Daily Journal 8/30/ 1912.
Visiting the Relatives 