A Night Gone Wrong: The Fatal Shooting of Caesar White

What began as a lively winter gathering in Dennison ended in a shocking fatal shooting. Caesar White (1913-1933) was born in Dennison, Ohio, the son of Italian immigrants Frank (1882-1922) and Antoinette White (1882-1944), who both came to the United States in the 1890s. The Whites married in 1899 and settled in Tuscarawas County byContinue reading “A Night Gone Wrong: The Fatal Shooting of Caesar White”

The Brightside Road Killing: The Death of Asbury S. Fowler

A feud between two Tuscarawas County neighbors ended violently on a Goshen Township road in 1924. Asbury S. Fowler (1870-1924) was born in Warwick Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the son of George W. Fowler and Susan B. Burroway. He grew up in the Uhrichsville area alongside several siblings and half-siblings. Fowler married Eva Stempfly inContinue reading “The Brightside Road Killing: The Death of Asbury S. Fowler”

“You Want Your Divorce”: The 1949 Murder of Mary Covic, Part Two

The trial of Andrew Covic was one of the most talked about trials of the era, garnering attention from the entire county. 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. The trial of Andrew Henry CovicContinue reading ““You Want Your Divorce”: The 1949 Murder of Mary Covic, Part Two”

“You Want Your Divorce”: The 1949 Murder of Mary Covic, Part One

In July 1949, Andrew Covic ended his troubled marriage to Mary Covic with a fatal gunshot. 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. Andrew Henry Covic (1884-1966) and Mary Elizabeth Getchey Covic (1888-1949) were aContinue reading ““You Want Your Divorce”: The 1949 Murder of Mary Covic, Part One”

$100 for a Life: The Aul Case of 1930

A quarrel between cousins at an Tuscarawas County brickyard in 1930 ended with one cousin dead. John Christian Aul (1904-1930) was born in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the son of Conrad Henry (1866-1940) and Emma Margo Aul (1871-1952). He grew up in a large family that included several brothers and sisters and spent hisContinue reading “$100 for a Life: The Aul Case of 1930”

Fatal Blows: The Case of Edwin Ulrich

On New Year’s Eve 1930, a night of drinking in Tuscarawas ended in sudden violence and a man’s death. Edwin Ulrich (1885-1930), son of New York–born coal miner Philip Ulrich (1855–1929) and Ohio-born Emma Rowley (1856–1926), was born and raised in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. In 1908 he married Ethel Saunders (1888-?), but the marriage endedContinue reading “Fatal Blows: The Case of Edwin Ulrich”

A Daughter’s Testimony: The Killing of Ella Lenarz

Ella Lenarz’s life ended in violence, her family torn apart, and justice proved painfully short-lived. Oella “Ella” Kelley (1900-1936) was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, to James Kelley (1880-1930) and Catherine Brannan (1881-1968). She grew up in a working-class family that endured both hardship and loss. Her early years were marked by the birthContinue reading “A Daughter’s Testimony: The Killing of Ella Lenarz”

The Cistern Secret: The 1919 Clara Shroyer Case

A shocking discovery in a city cistern would unravel the dark, hidden chapter of young woman’s short life. Clara Madge Shroyer (1897–1930) was born in Mineral City, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the daughter of Henry Shroyer (1872–1930), a local farm laborer, and his wife, Selena Emma Fisher Shroyer (1876–1937). She grew up in a rural farmingContinue reading “The Cistern Secret: The 1919 Clara Shroyer Case”

Adam Lantzer and The Newlywed Killing of 1913

A moment of joy between a Dover couple was shattered by a drunken driver on Wooster Road. Verna C. Dawson (1892–1923) was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, the daughter of Robert E. Dawson (1862–1916) and Etta Little Dawson (1874–1949). Her father, once employed at a pipe works in Newcomerstown, later returned to farming as theContinue reading “Adam Lantzer and The Newlywed Killing of 1913”

Innocence Buried: The Feutz Tragedy of 1935

The lives of a Dover family unraveled in 1935 with a secret birth and a tragic crime. Content warning: The post contains discussion of infanticide. Mary Warther (1887-1969) was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the daughter of Swiss immigrants Jacob Godfrey Warther (1844-1888) and Elizabeth Anna Haney (1855-1938). Her early years were marked by theContinue reading “Innocence Buried: The Feutz Tragedy of 1935”