Martin Kenny, 14 - missing October 10, 1959 from Perry, Nebonaionquet Township, Ontario, Canada

Martin Joseph Kenny is the second eldest of 14 children born to Francis "Frank" Alfred Kenny and Emelia Marie (Burns) Kenny.

Actual photo of Martin Kenny

At the time of his disappearance, Martin was 14 years old, turning 15, on October 27, 1959. He was described as being 5'7", 125 - 130 pounds, fair complexion, brown hair which was fairly long with curls over his forehead, brown eyes, slim in appearance, had a tendency to roll his eyes, and chew his fingernails.

Artistic rendering with colour and curls on his forehead depicted

In the fall of 1959, Martin moved from his family home in Hawk Junction to his aunt's home in Sault Ste. Marie, to attend St. Mary's College.

Martin Kenny was attending St. Mary's College in Sault Ste. Marie in the fall of 1959

On September 20, 1959 Martin wrote a letter to his mother. He told her he got a job on September 19 at Memorial Gardens selling pop and chips. He was paid a penny for each item he sold and had worked from 7 - 11 pm that night, making $2.20. He told her he was working again on September 28 when a hockey game was being played at Memorial Gardens. This would have been an exhibition game between the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Sault Ste. Marie's Thunderbirds of the newly formed Eastern Professional Hockey League.

He also asked his mother to have Vincent send down a couple of partridges as he (Martin) would not be able to go hunting for two weeks. As police would learn during their investigation, Martin was very good in the bush and spent a great deal of his free time there. He was also a great swimmer.

In this letter, Martin also told his mother: "Victor Evans (his cousin) and I are planning to go up some week and hunt, returning on the Saturday night freight".

Friday, October 9, 1959

On Friday, October 9, 1959, Martin, then 14, and his cousin, Victor, 17, hopped aboard freight No. 11 of the Algoma Central Railway, in Sault Ste. Marie, headed to Hawk Junction (mile marker 165) to see their families over the Thanksgiving weekend.

At Eton (mile marker 120), the freight car Martin and Victor were riding was shunted onto a siding. Realizing the train was leaving without them, the cousins sprinted to catch the moving train. Victor was able to hop on, but Martin was left behind.

Determined to make it home for Thanksgiving, Martin began walking north along the railway tracks, towards Hawk Junction.

At mile marker 120, Eton, the freight car Martin was riding in was shunted onto a siding. He was unable to get back on the train and started his walk north along the railroad tracks to mile marker 165 , Hawk Junction

Saturday, October 10, 1959

Victor arrived home at about 3 or 4 am, but did not notify Martin's parents that Martin had missed the train and was left behind.

The first person who encountered Martin walking along the tracks was Mrs. Rutton in Tabor (mile marker 141). She reports that Martin asked her what time it was. She asked Martin what he was doing in this part of the country. He explained about the freight being shunted and missing the train. She then asked him if he was alone. Mrs. Rutton reports that he told her "another boy was with him." She says she inquired if he had seen or talked to anyone before he got to her house, and he said that he had not. Mrs. Rutton advised Martin that there were some camps at ANJIGAMI (the next stop) and that he could make it there before dark and get a place to sleep there. She says Martin left and began walking north, but she called him back to give him food and a drink, and he came running back to accept her offer.

Martin was seen by Mrs. Rutton at mile marker 141 Tabor

Worried about Martin, Mrs. Rutton called the section foreman at Perry (mile marker 150) around 5 pm, asking him if he had seen Martin yet. He said he had not. She asked him to have Martin stay the night there. She then called the Hawk operator, Bill Marcil, and asked to be put through to James Mulheron, a police officer in Hawk Junction. Mr. Marcil informed Mrs. Rutton that he could not reach Mr. Mulheron anywhere. Mrs. Rutton then asked Mr. Marcil if he knew of a family by the name KENNY in Hawk. He said he knew Martin Kenny well, so Mrs. Rutton asked Mr. Marcil to deliver a message to his parents, to let them know that Martin was on his way home. Unfortunately, Mr. Marcil never informed the family right away that Martin was on his way home.

Martin reached Perry (mile marker 150) at 5:20 pm, where he had a smoke with REDACTED. According to the police report, Martin had refused the offer to stay the night at Perry, saying he wanted to get to Hawk Junction as soon as possible. Approximately half a mile from Perry, REDACTED, who was hunting in the area, saw Martin, gave him a drink, and talked to him for a few minutes.

This is the last reported sighting of Martin Kenny.

The last reported sighting of Martin Kenny was just north of mile marker 150, Perry

Sunday, October 11, 1959

Martin's father, Frank, sent two of Martin's brothers, Paul and Phillip, walking along the tracks to meet Martin, certain that he would be coming along shortly. But Martin never arrived.

Frank Kenny reported Martin missing on October 11, 1959 at 8:50 pm via telephone call to Constable G.M. Hill of the Ontario Provincial Police.

In a police report dated October 19, 1959, Constable Hill states that he immediately patrolled to Hawk Junction with REDACTED, a local man who volunteered to search. From Hawk Junction, REDACTED, and the boy's father accompanied him to Perry, where all the cabins and shacks along the tracks were checked with no results. Constable Hill remarks, "as it had snowed and rained since the boy was lost, it was impossible to track him."

Monday, October 12, 1959

In the same October 19th report, Constable Hill writes, "Approximately 1.5 miles north of Perry, the railway crosses the Michipicoten River. The River at this point is approximately 150 feet wide and very deep in spots, with fast water. This area was searched by myself on October 12, 1959. As I knew the boy smoked and had cigarettes and matches on him, I flew over the area in a White River Airways plane, hoping to spot some smoke if the boy was lost in the bush. Nothing was spotted."

Construction on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) in northern Ontario in 1959 (likely early fall based on the light shade of deciduous trees). The Michipicoten River bridge is about 8 km (5 mi) south of Wawa, and was the last piece of Highway 17 to be completed in 1960. Source: https://www.thekingshighway.ca/PHOTOS/Hwy17photos2.htm

October 19, 1959

In the October 19th report, Constable Hill confirms, "The search continued, and I interviewed all the people along the track, hoping to get results with no results. The Michipicoten River has been checked by myself with no results. The search has continued these past eight days with no results. All of the boys' relatives and friends have also been interviewed with no results. It was learned by the writer (Constable Hill) that Martin did run away from home to Sault Ste. Marie once this year. It is also learned that he is very good in the bush as he has spent a great deal of his free time in the bush." Police would later learn that Martin was experienced at hunting and trapping and had even acted as a guide several times in the area where he was last seen.

October 22, 1959

A patrol was made to Hawk Junction via Algoma Central Railway by Corporal J.P. McDonald of the Ontario Provincial Police, where he connected with Constable Hill. They interviewed Martin Kenny's parents and learned of the letter Martin had sent to his mother. They also learned that Martin knew the bush area in the vicinity of Perry on the Algoma Central Railway where he was last seen by REDACTED and REDACTED, located at Perry. They also learned that Martin was a great swimmer. In his report dated October 31, 1959, Corporal Hill notes, "Just north of Perry, a person walking the tracks would have to walk across the Eagle River and the Michipicoten River, which are both crossed by a railway bridge. It would be possible to trip and fall from a bridge of this type."

October 23, 1959

On October 22 and 23, 1959, Constable Hill and Corporal McDonald searched the Michipicoten River by boat, from McPhail Falls, where there is a dam across the river, up to the Algoma Central Railway, with no results. Great Lake Power workers also searched the Michipicoten River with long pike poles, just west of the railway bridge.

October 24, 1959

All the bush roads in the Perry, Cat Falls, and Anjigami area were checked, as were all the tourist camps, lumber camps, and abandoned buildings where a person could seek shelter or food. No sign of Martin was found. The banks of the Eagle River, which was shallow but fast, were walked to the point where it would be impossible for a body to pass. There was no sign of Martin.

October 31, 1959

Police learned that REDACTED at Limer (mile marker 156), which is approximately 8 miles north of Perry on the Algoma Central Railway, did not see Martin walk past Limer on October 10, 1959. REDACTED stated that it would be possible that Martin could have walked past without being seen, as it would be dark by the time Martin passed Limer. REDACTED, also of Limer, did not see him that evening.

Two people at mile marker 156, Limer, told police they did not see Martin Kenny walk through Limer

The police report states that on October 10, 1959, a work train was located approximately two miles north of Perry on the Algoma Central Railway. Constable Hill checked the men at this point, at the time Martin was reported missing, and the men said they had not seen Martin. Constable Hill and others searched the bush in this area.

Police advise that a Missing Person Circular be issued as Martin has not been located in the area he was last seen or in the area between Sault Ste. Marie and Hawk Junction. They suggest that Martin left the area to find employment.

The police report from this day states that a trapper in the Perry area (name REDACTED) was questioned and stated that he had heard that Martin was missing and had searched for him to no avail. He said his friends had done the same to no avail.

REDACTED, the last person to see Martin, said he saw Martin on October 10, 1959, walking north on the tracks, just north of Perry at 5:20 pm (6:20 pm DST), and that the sun was still out, providing plenty of daylight.

November 4, 1959

At this point, since no trace of Martin had been found, it was thought that Martin may have left the area by freight train to known relatives living in other areas of the province. Martin's grandmother advised police she doubted Martin would have visited these relatives as he was not acquainted with them or aware of their addresses. Police obtained a list of relatives and their addresses to confirm whether Martin was with them.

Police note in their report that a thorough search of the following areas resulted in no trace of Martin Kenny: along the railroad tracks, the bush and waters between Perry and Hawk Junction, and all the cottages along the Algoma Central Railway and construction camps between Hawk Junction and Sault Ste. Marie.

November 9, 1959

James Mulheron writes to Constable Hill:

December 15, 1959 - file closed

Constable Hill writes a report saying that to date, nothing has turned up regarding the whereabouts of Martin, and the area where he was last seen was being checked periodically by Constable Hill. He continues to state that if something new is discovered that could help locate the boy, it would be reviewed and another report written, but as of this date, Martin Kenny's file is considered closed.

February 27, 1967 - file reopened

Detective Sergeant E.L. Schroeder of No. 14 District Headquarters received info from Inspector Robert McEwen of the Sault Ste. Marie City Police Department that REDACTED, who is Martin's REDACTED, knew what happened to Martin.

In light of this information, D.S. Schroeder and now Sergeant McDonald questioned REDACTED A on February 1, 1967 at Hawk Junction, Ontario. As of this date, REDACTED A was employed by the Algoma Central Railway Company as a shop worker in the REDACTED. REDACTED A stated that his REDACTED B told him, about a year and a half ago (so in the latter half of 1965), that he had seen two men, REDACTED C and another man walk out of the bush just north of the Michipicoten River Bridge on the west side of the tracks carrying a shovel, and seemed surprised when seen. REDACTED A stated that he had repeated this story to others. He stated that in 1959, he was working for the Algoma Central Railway and was staying with REDACTED D at the time. REDACTED D was now working as a REDACTED for Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie.

REDACTED A said that he was not in the Michipicoten River Bridge area until after REDACTED Martin Kenny was reported missing, and went down on Monday, October 12, Thanksgiving Day, 1959, to search for him. REDACTED A said he knew nothing of how Martin was killed and knew no other person who may have information on Martin's disappearance. REDACTED A stated that he had been off work on Saturday, October 10, 1959, and Sunday, October 11, 1959, and that he was not hunting in that area. REDACTED A was asked why he had used the term "was killed" when the boy was just missing. He stated that he believed the boy must have been killed, as he was not found. REDACTED A said that he has a trap line which runs both north and south of Hawk Junction but does not extend much south of his cabin on Grant Lake, which is about 4 miles south of Hawk Junction.

REDCATED B, the Algoma Central Railway REDACTED, was questioned February 2, 1967, in Hawk Junction regarding what he knew of Martin's disappearance. He stated that he had been heading north on the Algoma Central Railway with REDACTED, also an Algoma Central Railway employee, about a week after Martin was reported missing. They were driving a rubber-tired car that ran on the rails. He told police that they saw two men emerge from the bush just north of the Michipicoten River Bridge at the first cut, on a rise, on the west side of the tracks. One was REDACTED brother (believed to be REDACTED), and the other, an American tourist. Both were carrying pack-sacks, but no rifle. REDACTED B stated that he did not see a shovel in their packs. He offered the men a drive, which they accepted. He asked them if they got a moose and REDACTED C replied that they had. During the drive, the American did not speak, and REDACTED C said very little. They were both dropped off at mile 155 at REDACTED. REDACTED B told police he thought it strange at the time, but did not report the matter to police. He told police that REDACTED C purchased REDACTED shortly after this. REDACTED B advised that he did not search the area where he saw the two men come out of the bush.

View map with key locations in the disappearance of Martin Kenny

Detective Sergeant Schroeder questioned both REDACTED and REDACTED in Sault Ste. Marie, but no further information was obtained. REDACTED B told him that he knew nothing of what happened to Martin, and REDACTED said he remembered picking up the two men but did not think much of it at the time as he knew REDACTED C, and figured he might be in that area in connection with his work. Police note that they feel this area should be checked again. Sergeant McDonald notes that he and Detective Sergeant Schroeder would search the area in early June 1967, when the snow was gone, and they would submit another report after their search was completed.

June 23, 1967

On Friday, June 23, 1967, Constable R.G. Sandie and Sergeant McDonald searched the bush area in Township 28, Range 23, Algoma District. The area searched was at mile 153 on the Algoma Central Railway on the west side of the tracks which was identified as the area that REDACTED B saw two men emerge from the bush, one believed to be REDACTED C, the other an American moose hunter.

Sergeant McDonald states that in this location, 1 mile north of the Michipicoten River Railway Bridge, there is a small pot hole lake and swampy area on the west side of the tracks so the two men could have been looking for moose in this area, as it was a likely location in which to find moose, and also only 2 miles south of REDACTED, located at mile 155 on the Algoma Central Railway.

The train marks mile marker 152 Michipicoten and the Michipicoten River Bridge. The first red marker the approximate location two men were seen coming out of the bush about a week after Martin disappeared. The second red marker marks the approximate location of mile marker 153. This area was searched in June of 1967.

Sergeant McDonald notes in his report that REDACTED C was not able to be interviewed at this time as he was presently REDCATED. REDACTED C was to be interviewed when he returned to the Wawa area in the fall. Sergeant McDonald noted that no further useful information was obtained as a result of the search.

December 20, 1967

REDACTED C was interviewed on this date concerning the statement made by REDACTED of Ontario and REDACTED of Ontario that they had seen REDACTED C and an American tourist emerge from the bush, just north of the Michipicoten River Bridge, about a week after Martin was reported missing. REDACTED C stated that he could recall the time Martin was reported missing and that he would be REDACTED in the area at the time. He could not recall being picked up by REDACTED B and REDACTED but stated that had received a ride on many occasions, so it was quite possible they might have picked him and the American tourist up. REDCATED C could not remember the name of the American tourist, nor could he provide any useful information about Martin. He also could not remember the date well enough to confirm why he was in the area.

May 28, 1968

Police attempt to obtain dental charts and medical info for Martin Kenny. Unfortunately he had not had any dental work or any x-rays, etc. The family gave police the only photo they had of Martin, which police returned to them.

June 17, 1968

Constable R.G. Sandie writes in his report, "No further useful information is available for Central Records Branch, Toronto, to indicate whether the remains of the body on hand in Toronto, is that of Martin Kenny.

August 12, 1988 - supplementary report to statement by REDACTED B on February 2, 1967

This report was written by Constable D. LaLonde who says, "Due to the time span involved in this occurrence, the writer (Constable LaLonde) contacted Sergeant Fred Smith of the Michipicoten Township Police, who advised that he was a childhood friend of Martin Kenny. Sergeant Smith advised further that after the time of the disappearance, people in the area had speculated that Martin may have been killed along the tracks in a hunting accident, and that the hunters had hidden his body, fearing the consequences of their actions."

In his statement, REDACTED B also referred to seeing REDACTED C and an American hunter shortly after Martin went missing, in the general area of his disappearance. To ascertain the validity of REDACTED first statement concerning the REDACTED, the Algoma Central Railway was asked to provide a record of lands leased out to REDACTED. These records did not show a purchase of REDACTED, but they did show the REDACTED by REDACTED, which would be in the same general area where Martin went missing. Police attempted to ascertain the name of the American hunter alleged to have been seen coming out of the bush with REDACTED B. Police reached out to the Ministry of Natural resources for records of Americans who hunted in Canada in 1959, but were informed that they kept such records for only three years and were therefore unable to assist in this regard.

May 30, 1997

A friend of Martin's brother wrote him a letter saying that he surveyed the area and looked for Martin on May 29 and 30, 1997, and was able to nail down the location where the two guys came out of the bush. Unfortunately, he has since passed away, but he provided a map of the area as it was in May of 1997 when he was there, which is very useful. Please see his map below:

View map of key locations in the disappearance of Martin Kenny

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Martin Kenny, please contact any of the following:

1. Superior East OPP OPP MPUB 1-877-934-6363; 1-705-330-4144; tips@missing-u.ca; opp.isb.resolve@opp.caReference Case#: RM11077205

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

RESOURCES:

Canada's Missing | Case details

Old Time Trains

Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Company (1959)

Google map of key locations

RELATED POSTS:

Patrick Weymouth Paddon, 17 - November 29, 1969 - Upper Stewiacke/Burnside area, Colchester County, Nova Scotia

New Brunswick's 8 Long Term Missing Children: The Faces We Must not Forget (the disappearance of Martin Corbet (number 4 on this list)

If you have information on this case, please contact any of the following:

1. Superior East OPP OPP MPUB 1-877-934-6363; 1-705-330-4144; tips@missing-u.ca; opp.isb.resolve@opp.caReference Case#: RM11077205

2. Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS(8477) or online at https://www.canadiancrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/submit-a-tipCrime Stoppers provides anonymous tipping

3. Send email to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains at: canadasmissing-disparuscanada@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

REFERENCES:

Rolly Martin Country: Hawk Junction on the Algoma Central Railway, June 1991

Algoma Central Railway: Map, Logo, Timetable, Rosters

Hawk Junction Railway Stations – Ontario Railway Stations

Algoma Central Railway

Photo Gallery - Algoma Central Railway

Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Company (1959) : Algoma Central and Hudson Bay Railway Company : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive (1959)