April 2026 – Tuscarawas County Stories

Death Ends a Family Quarrel: The Ware Case of 1928

Ai generated image depicting William and Willa May Ware arguing in their kitchen, 2026. (Source: Google Flow)

After years of abuse, a Newcomerstown woman took the law into her own hands. Content warning: The following story contains references to domestic violence. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or violence and need help, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Willa May Kennedy (1909-?), born in Nashville, Tennessee moved to Ohio with her parents.Continue reading “Death Ends a Family Quarrel: The Ware Case of 1928”

Twenty-Two Years a Chief: Abraham L. Espich

Image of New Philadelphia, Ohio City Hall with an image of Chief of Police Abraham Espich.

I often write about the various criminal activity of Tuscarawas County and thought it was only right to share the history of one of the men who fought that crime. Elijah Abraham Lincoln Espich (1861-1945), often referred to as A. L. or by his popular nickname “Lige,” was born in Ragersville, Ohio, to Charles FredericContinue reading “Twenty-Two Years a Chief: Abraham L. Espich”

Glasgow Tragedy: The Conley Killing of 1875

Ai image depicting the mob that looted Gilbert Linsey's Glasgow store room, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

A deadly confrontation, a mob, and a Civil War veteran’s fight for survival ignite a two-year legal battle that divided the village of Glasgow. In the village of Glasgow during the spring of 1875, tensions simmered among the men working at the Glasgow-Port Washington Furnaces. Gilbert Linsey (1839-aft. 1890), an Ohio native born to parentsContinue reading “Glasgow Tragedy: The Conley Killing of 1875”

American Dream Ended: The Murder of Arnold Abbuhl

Ai image depicting Arnold Abbuhl saying goodbye to his family the morning of his murder, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

A Swiss immigrant’s American Dream ended with a blast of buckshot in 1885. Arnold Abbhul (1848-1885) and his family arrived in the village of Barnhill shortly after their immigration from Switzerland in April 1885. Arnold sought a new life for his family in Ohio, only to find a labor conflict brewing when he arrived. TwoContinue reading “American Dream Ended: The Murder of Arnold Abbuhl”

From Argument to Amputation: The Mishler Case of 1945

Ai generated image depicting the argument between Howard and Olive Mishler, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

An inheritance dispute led to a shotgun blast that shattered an Ohio family. Content warning: The following story contains references to domestic violence. If you are experiencing domestic abuse or violence and need help, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Howard (1909-1987) and Olive Viola Horn Mishler (1910-1964) lived a seemingly ordinary life near Gilmore,Continue reading “From Argument to Amputation: The Mishler Case of 1945”