Henry Plummer, 1834-1904.  His wife, Lizzie, 1842-1910, Spring Hill Cemetery, Mercer County, Kentucky

from The Harrodsburg Herald, Mercer County, Kentucky

Thursday, January 21, 1904

Found Dead in Bed – His Death Causes Much Sorrow

The entire community was shocked Wednesday morning by the announcement that Dr. Henry Plummer had been found dead in bed at his office, which he had used as a sleeping apartment for some months. He had been complaining two or three days previous. Early Monday morning he called up Dr. W. D. Powell, whose office adjoined his own. He seemed to be suffering with an acute attack of indigestion and Dr. Powell relieved him. On Monday night he again called up Dr. Powell by telephone, and again later in the night. Dr. Powell then took him to his room where he remained the balance of the night. On Tuesday night Dr. Powell called on him and they talked for an hour or two, and on leaving Dr. Powell asked him to again occupy his room. Dr. Plummer replied that he felt so much better that he would remain in his own room, saying that if he needed him he would call him up. At 7 o’clock Wednesday morning, Henry Speaks, the colored man who attended the office, went into the room and found Dr. Plummer on his left side, with one hand extending down the side of the bed. The boy at once notified Dr. Powell. From indication he had passed away without a struggle, and had been dead but a short time. Deceased was a native of Fleming County. He enlisted in Captain Ben Desha’s Confederate Infantry. He was medical officer of the company and remained in the hospital at Bowling Green until February, 1862, when, on the retreat, he was assigned to an Arkansas battalion as surgeon. He was at Shiloh, Perryville and Chicamauga. After the war he located here and married Miss Lizzie Mills, daughter of Major Benjamin Mills, who had charge of the arsenal at Harper’s Ferry at the time of the John Brown raid, whom he met while caring for wounded soldiers after the Battle of Perryville. Dr. Plummer had served as President of the Central Kentucky Medical Society, also as President of the Mercer County Medical Society and as school trustee and was a leading Mason. Two children, Mrs. Arthur Wiseman, of Shelbyville, and Mrs. Bowen Jones, of Lexington, survive him. All Masons are requested to meet at their hall at 1 o’clock this (Thursday) afternoon to attend the funeral, which will take place at 2 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Vaughn of the Methodist Church will preach the funeral, Dr. Hunter being too ill to officiate.