new phila – Tuscarawas County Stories

Field of Mystery: The 1965 Killing of Ronald Weigand

Newspaper image of the field where Ronald Weigand was killed in July 1965.

The tragic 1965 shooting of teenager Ronnie Weigand remains a haunting, unsolved Tuscarawas County mystery. On the afternoon of July 29, 1965, 16-year-old Ronald “Ronnie” Weigand (1948-1965) left his home with a sense of accomplishment. Just that morning, he had received credits from summer school, officially making him a senior for the upcoming fall term.Continue reading “Field of Mystery: The 1965 Killing of Ronald Weigand”

Before the Titanic: John E. Joss and the City of Rome

Image of the SS City of Rome striking an iceberg in 1899 from the New York Journal newspaper. (Source: loc.gov)

Thirteen years before the Titanic disaster, a New Philadelphia jeweler survived a terrifying North Atlantic iceberg collision. In April 1912, as the world reeled from the news of the Titanic disaster, John Ernest Joss (1873–1961) came forward to share a chillingly similar experience from thirteen years earlier. A prominent jeweler and optometrist in New Philadelphia,Continue reading “Before the Titanic: John E. Joss and the City of Rome”

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”

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”

Theodore Umstead’s Secret

Ai enhanced and upscaled image of Theodore Umstead, 2025. (Source: Google Gemini)

Theodore Umstead’s death in 1910 revealed a twenty-five year old secret. Theodore Umstead (1846-1910) was a well-known resident of New Philadelphia’s West End, a cabinet maker who served as a private in the 12th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. He lived a seemingly quiet life until his death on February 27, 1910, atContinue reading “Theodore Umstead’s Secret”

“I May As Well Give Up”: The Final Hours of James Ferguson

Ai generated image depicting the Ferguson car chase, 2026. (Source: ImageFX)

In October 1953, James Ferguson kidnapped his estranged wife, sparking a 50-mile police chase that ended tragically. 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 here for resources to findContinue reading ““I May As Well Give Up”: The Final Hours of James Ferguson”

An Auctioned Image, A Local Life: Edwin P. Parr

Postcard image of West High Street in New Philadelphia, Ohio, early 20th century. (Source: eBay.com)

You never know what local gems, and stories, you’ll discover on online auction sites. While recently searching for Tuscarawas County material on eBay, I stumbled across a photograph of a young New Philadelphian and thought I would explore his life if possible. The photograph was of Edwin P. Parr, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia,Continue reading “An Auctioned Image, A Local Life: Edwin P. Parr”

The Black Ghost of Minnich Avenue

The story of a shadowy “black ghost” captivated the imagination of New Philadelphians. For about two weeks in March 1914, a neighborhood in the city of New Philadelphia found itself captivated by an unlikely visitor. A mysterious “black ghost” was said to be wandering the neighborhood around Minnich Avenue. Residents discussed the appearance of aContinue reading “The Black Ghost of Minnich Avenue”

The 1913 Death of John Vlohasthanal and an Unmarked Grave

Ai generated image depicting an argument between two men in an alley in 1913. (Source: Microsoft Designer)

In 1913 New Philadelphia, a Greek immigrant’s American dream ended in violence and controversy. John Vlohasthanal’s name is, not surprisingly, presented a number of ways in the period documents. I have chosen to use the spelling as it appeared on his official death certificate. John Vlohasthanal (c. 1868–1913), reported in newspapers as John Vlohas, wasContinue reading “The 1913 Death of John Vlohasthanal and an Unmarked Grave”

One House’s Story: The McGregor Apartment Building

The McGregor Apartment building as it appeared on Google Maps in 2019. (Source: google.com)

The construction of Jack’s House of Hope by the Friends of the Homeless of Tuscarawas County motivated me to take a look at the history of this building, discovering something innovative in its design was not expected. In June 1919, New Philadelphia became the site of an innovative construction experiment when the McGregor Apartment Building, thenContinue reading “One House’s Story: The McGregor Apartment Building”