murder investigation – Tuscarawas County Stories

A Killing on 9th Street: The 1918 Death of Albert Cordrey

ai generated image of East 9th Street in Uhrichsville, Ohio based on the 1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 2026. (Source: Google Flow)

A fatal 1918 lawn-mowing dispute leads to a sensational manslaughter trial and ultimate exoneration. The life of Nellie Rhodes Claycomb (1886-1934) took a dramatic turn several years after her marriage to George A. Claycomb (1890-1953) on October 21, 1913. George was originally from Oklahoma, and Nellie was a housewife who already had a daughter fromContinue reading “A Killing on 9th Street: The 1918 Death of Albert Cordrey”

Mystery on Factory Street: The 1930 Death of Gilbert Lloyd

ai generated image depicting the Lloyd Filling Station on Factory Street in Dover, Ohio, c. 1930. (Source: Google Flow, 2026)

Eight bullet holes, a fatal 1930 “accident,” and the constable who walked away entirely free. Gilbert Sunkle Lloyd (1899-1930) was a Cleveland native who established a life in Dover, Ohio, as a family man and business owner. Lloyd was a well-known local figure, operating a gas station on the 300 block of Factory Street whileContinue reading “Mystery on Factory Street: The 1930 Death of Gilbert Lloyd”

Fight of His Life: The 1915 Trial of Frank Rose

Ai generated image of rural Ohio brickyard in the early 20th century, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

A young Italian laborer fought for his life twice; first in a Bolivar boarding house and then in a court of law. Frank Rose (1895-?), born Francesco Russo in Caronia, Italy, immigrated to the United States aboard the S.S. Italia, arriving at the Port of New York in April 1913. A laborer described as 5’4”Continue reading “Fight of His Life: The 1915 Trial of Frank Rose”

The 1914 Killing of Joseph Reed on Beaver Avenue

Ai generated image depicting mimicking a postcard image of Beaver Avenue, 2026. (Source: ChatGPT)

A New Philadelphia teen desperately defended his family from his abusive stepfather. 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 story begins with Catherine Swan Nelson (1867-1957), a Swedish immigrant who, after being widowed fromContinue reading “The 1914 Killing of Joseph Reed on Beaver Avenue”

The Fatal Pursuit of Charles Canter

Postcard image of Dennison, Ohio, 1908. (Source: ebay.com)

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”

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”

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”

Two Shots in the Morning: The 1913 Death of Antonio Repici

Ai generated image of a rural Ohio working class community, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

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”

Midnight at the Dover Hotel: The Unsolved Slaying of Harry Snyder

Early 20th century postcard image of Factory Street in Dover, Ohio. (Source; ebay.com)

An unsolved 1940 slaying left Tuscarawas County questioning if a “total stranger” or hidden secrets killed Harry “Hetz” Snyder. The town of Dover, Ohio, was shaken in early May of 1940 by a fatal confrontation that ended the life of well-known Harry “Hetz” Snyder (1901-1940), a 39-year-old divorced Wooster Avenue gas station owner. Snyder spentContinue reading “Midnight at the Dover Hotel: The Unsolved Slaying of Harry Snyder”

Murder in Newcomerstown: The 1917 Nickles–Mayer Case

Ai generated image depicting a night watchman making his rounds on an industrial site in the 1910s. (Source: ImageFx)

An early-morning confrontation at an Ohio foundry in 1917 ended two lives in different ways. Content warning: This post contains a historical discussion of ethnicity and race in Tuscarawas County. Very little is known about William “Bud” Nickles (1871-1925) other than what newspapers reported about him at the time. He was born in Louisville, KentuckyContinue reading “Murder in Newcomerstown: The 1917 Nickles–Mayer Case”