Murder or Misfortune? The Death of Katie Barnes

A servant’s tragic death in 1892 from a seemingly minor wound ignited scandal, sympathy, and controversy in New Philadelphia.

There is not a lot of information on the short life of Katherine “Katie” Barnes (1873-1892) other than what was reported in the newspapers at the time of her death. She worked as a domestic servant in the household of William J. Loutzenheiser (1858-1910) and his wife Cornelia Sargent Loutzenheiser (1861-1926) in 1890. William was the New Philadelphia agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company and Cornelia came from a respected New Philadelphia family. They were married in Tuscarawas County in 1882 shortly after the death of William’s first wife.

In December 1890, in what was described as a moment of panic, Mrs. Loutzenheiser hurled a pair of shears at Katie after being startled by her. The shears struck Katie on her leg just below the knee and caused a small wound. The wound seemed minor, and Katie initially told neighbors she had scratched her leg on a nail. Within days though, she became gravely ill, and showed signs of blood poisoning. She remained with the Loutzenheisers for several months before she eventually moved to her brother Albert Barnes’ home. More than a year after the incident, on March 24, 1892, Katie Barnes died and her death was attributed to blood poisoning from the old wound.

The Loutzenheisers had since relocated to Akron but after prodding by Katie’s brother Albert, New Philadelphia authorities responded by issuing a warrant for Mrs. Loutzenheiser’s arrest. A Marshal from New Philadelphia was sent to escort her from Akron back to Tuscarawas County. The charge of murder shocked the community and was pushed forward by Albert Barnes, the victim’s brother. While the Loutzenheisers maintained that no animosity had ever existed between them and their servant, the case gained traction in both Akron and New Philadelphia newspapers.

Yet, even as the case unfolded, Mrs. Loutzenheiser found support in her former hometown. On April 16, 1892, a letter signed by prominent citizens and officials of New Philadelphia—including county officers, bankers, merchants, and even the mayor—was published, testifying to her good character, Christian values, and their belief that she was entirely innocent of the charge. Their letter called the prosecution “unwarranted and outrageous,” and urged the people of Akron to view her sympathetically if she faced trial.

Ultimately, a grand jury in New Philadelphia declined to indict Mrs. Loutzenheiser. In May 1892, it was reported that no true bill was found against her, and she was discharged from custody. With the legal case collapsed, Cornelia Loutzenheiser was free, though the ordeal had left her and her family marked by scandal and sorrow. Cornelia and William Loutzenheiser went on to raise a family in Canton, Ohio. William died in April 1910 and Cornelia in December 1926. Katherine “Katie” Barnes was buried in Fair Street Cemetery and her death remained a tragedy, but the courts determined it was not murder.

Enjoy my stories?

© Noel B. Poirier, 2025.