During Prohibition, a desperate search for alcohol led two men to drink a toxic concoction. On the night of Monday, January 19, 1931, Kentucky-born Ben McAtee (1881-1931), an unemployed laborer and former railroad worker, met with Adam P. Ludwig (1900-1931), an unemployed pipe fitter, in Dennison, Ohio. During the time of national Prohibition, both menContinue reading “Accident or Foul Play: The Dennison Poisonings”
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A Fatal Eviction: The 1954 Murder of Harvey Johnson
Kicked out of his apartment, a Dennison man took his rage out on the World War Two veteran who evicted him. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Click hereContinue reading “A Fatal Eviction: The 1954 Murder of Harvey Johnson”
The Twin City Bomber: The Life and Crimes of George McKane
A lifetime criminal terrorized the Twin Cities with a series of random bombings in the 1920s. George McKane (1887-1937) was born in Dennison, Ohio, to Jeremiah “Jerry” McKane (1846-1920) and Christena Koontz McKane (1850-1907). He grew up in a large family that included his five siblings, three sisters and two brothers. His criminal reputation beganContinue reading “The Twin City Bomber: The Life and Crimes of George McKane”
Death at the Packing Plant: The 1941 Killing of Ferdinand Sandry
Workplace ‘kidding’ at a Dennison meat packing plant in the spring of 1941 sparked a fatal explosion of violence. Frank McGuire (1895-1955), born in Tuscarawas County, was a long-time resident of the Dennison area with a diverse work history. He married Emma Robinson (1898-1970) in 1914 and supported his family through various roles including clayContinue reading “Death at the Packing Plant: The 1941 Killing of Ferdinand Sandry”
A Dream Crushed: The Story of Antonio Lemoni
The story of an Italian immigrant who spent years laboring in Ohio to reunite his family in America, only for a tragic accident to strike just weeks before his dream could come true. Antonio Lemoni (c. 1875-1910), an Italian laborer born in Milan, began his journey to Tuscarawas County years before the tragedy that wouldContinue reading “A Dream Crushed: The Story of Antonio Lemoni”
The Fatal Pursuit of Charles Canter
A drunken shooting spree leads to a fatal police pursuit, a murder indictment, and a hopelessly divided jury. On a Monday night in February 1888, Charles “Dock” Canter (1863-1888), a railroad brakeman from Buchtel Furnace, Ohio, arrived in Dennison. Though his fellow employees typically considered him a peaceable man when sober, he frequently became cantankerousContinue reading “The Fatal Pursuit of Charles Canter”
Two Shots in the Morning: The 1913 Death of Antonio Repici
The death of a popular Dennison man in June 1913 left the Tuscarawas County community searching for the truth. Content warning: This post contains references to suicide and domestic assault. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. ClickContinue reading “Two Shots in the Morning: The 1913 Death of Antonio Repici”
Child Movie Star or Clever Runaway? Who was Maquesa D’Glarey?
A mysterious thirteen-year-old captivated Tuscarawas County in the summer of 1925 by claiming to be a famous movie star’s stranded cousin. A thirteen-year-old girl identifying herself as Maquesa D’Glarey arrived in the Twin Cities of Dennison and Uhrichsville in June 1925 and sparked a month-long sensation. She claimed to be a child movie star andContinue reading “Child Movie Star or Clever Runaway? Who was Maquesa D’Glarey?”
Fallen Heroes: Private Clarence R. Benson
A young railroad fireman turned soldier, Clarence Benson, answered his nation’s call and made the ultimate sacrifice. Clarence Russell Benson (1895-1918) was born in Uhrichsville, Ohio, the youngest child of David Benson (1856–1939), an Ohio-born railroad car carpenter, and Rebecca Jane Hefling Benson (1863–1943), also a native of Ohio. He grew up in Uhrichsville, whereContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private Clarence R. Benson”
Isa Musetta Heavilin: A Christmas Mystery from 1895
Isa Musetta Heavilin’s young life, shaped by deep county roots and new beginnings, ended in a Christmas mystery. Isa Musetta Heavlin (1874-1895) was born in Stock Township, Harrison County, Ohio in February 1874. She was the second child born to farmer William Heavilin (1848-1916) and his wife Mary Ann Layport (1849-1929) who were married inContinue reading “Isa Musetta Heavilin: A Christmas Mystery from 1895”
