Walter Coon and the Music of

"The Lansing Hotel Fire"

WALTER COON   

BORN: MARCH 2, 1899

DIED: APRIL 9, 1950

 Walter’s Great Grandfather George Coon brought his family to Michigan from New York in 1844, settling in Genesee County.  In 1890 Walter’s Grandparents James H. Coon and Genelia (Kelly) Coon moved their family to Saginaw.  At this same time Walter’s mothers family Henry & Elizabeth Cole, moved to Saginaw from Plymouth Michigan.  Walter was the first of seven sons, 2 died as infants, born to James Frederick Coon and Vena Mable (Cole) Coon.  He spent the first few years living with his parents at his maternal grandparents home at 646 Bundy.

He worked as a cabinetmaker for a Cash Register Company also as a baker for Wolfarth Bakery in the early 20’s.  In 1922 he married and lived at 1116 ½ Hoyt Ave. with his wife Marie.  Sometime after 1923 moved to Flint and worked in an Auto Factory.  In 1931 Marie passed away and Walter moved to the Detroit area where he sang what they use to call Hillbilly music. He did this on radio and at what use to be called beer gardens.

He was on WEXL in Royal Oak every Monday morning at 9:15.  He was also known as the Arkansas rail-splitter.  He also worked on radio shows such as the Lone Ranger.

In 1935 He wrote the words and music for the song Lansing Hotel Fire.  It is based on the Kern’s Hotel that burned.

In 1940 he met Fanny Margaret (Hudson) Wulotz while singing.  They married in Jan 1941.  They had a daughter August 1, 1942 Margaret Ann Coon and a son September 18, 1948 Walter Thomas Coon.

He worked at singing and at Tip Top Bakery on the East side of Detroit, until he cut the tip of his index finger off in an accident with a biscuit cutting machine.  After this he could not play the guitar as well.   His health also started failing.  Unknown to him he had two heart attacks and on April 9, 1950 a third killed him.