Henning Knife

The Tale of the Henning Knife

by Carl Crabtree "Do you want to eat with the Henning Knife?" I can remember my grandma saying to my brother or me. Eat with a knife? We would think... cool! Then I am sure an argument would ensue between my brother and me as to who would get to use it. I would guess we were somewhere between 8 to 12 years old at the time. Grandma (Mildred Johnson Crabtree) would usually settle the argument by some agreement in sharing the prized knife. Then, of course, Grandma would proceed to tell us about Mr. Henning, his old silly ways, and how he lived by himself around Roxbury, southeast of Lindsborg Kansas. That is where my grandmother was born and raised. Grandma loved to tell stories of when she was young and growing up with her four sisters and six brothers, and no father. We heard that story and others many times, and it never seemed to get old.In looking through Grandma's things after her death in 1998, I ran across the old knife. It was heavy and simple, with a wide blade and plain handle. A faint inscription on the blade reads, "Rogers Nickel Silver." I suppose it was perfect if you used your knife as a spoon or fork. I was recalling this tale to Betty Parker, my father Robert Crabtree's cousin. Betty still lives in Lindsborg, Kansas. We visit Betty's home when we returned for the Swedish festival named Hyllningsfest, every other fall. Betty remembered Henning and the story. It was exciting to once again hear the story my grandmother told over and over again. The following is Betty's recollection of the Henning story.

On many Sunday afternoons looking west from Grandma's (Bettie Johnson b.1870 in Sweden d.1947 and buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg) back yard one could see a man crossing the pasture towards the house. Henning, a bachelor, lived a mile or two from the Johnson's. He was a simple man - always dressed in the same black suit, it was so dirty it could have stood by itself. He came calling at mealtime and seldom said anything. Our grandma was a very neat and clean person so she had a special table service for Henning. He always ate with his knife so grandma kept that knife aside just for him. No one else used it, hence "The Henning Knife."

Brother Dan recalled the time

Grandma, Dan and Carl had a contest

on who could keep the most peas on

the blade and make it to their mouth.

He also recalls ballancing the

"Bill-ding" crew set on the wide blade.