stone creek – Tuscarawas County Stories

In the Line of Duty: The Murder of Deputy Myers

AI generated image depicting Herbert Krebs' home in flames in May 1940. (Source: Google ImageFX)

A tense standoff between a veteran sheriff’s deputy and an unstable Tuscarawas County farmer ended in deadly tragedy. Martin L. Myers (1890-1940) was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Victor E. Myers (?-1892) and Ella McBarnes Myers (1872-1943). After his father’s death in 1892, young Martin grew up in Dennison, Ohio, where he livedContinue reading “In the Line of Duty: The Murder of Deputy Myers”

The Poisoning of Mary Hoffman

AI generated image depicting John Jacob Hoffman sprinkling arsenic poison on meat in the Hoffman kitchen, 2025 (Source: ImageFX)

A Tuscarawas County immigrant couple’s quiet farm life was shattered with arsenic and suicide in 1855. 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 find helpContinue reading “The Poisoning of Mary Hoffman”

“Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Conclusion

AI generated image depicting Ellen Crites Athey sitting in her cell at the Columbus State Hospital for the Insane in 1903. (Source: ChatGPT)

The tragic aftermath of Mary Senff’s murder unfolded not only in the haunting fate of Ellen but in ghostly legends that lingered in the community. Read Part Four Note on spelling: Not surprisingly, the Senff surname is spelled differently across many of the historical documents, newspaper articles, headstones, etc. For consistency, I have decided toContinue reading ““Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Conclusion”

“Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Four

AI generated image depicting Mary Senff and Ellen Crites Athey arguing in Mary's bedchamber the night of May 28, 1880. (Source: Microsoft Designer)

The murder of Mary Senff inside the Athey farmhouse in May 1880 was one of the most brutal crimes in Tuscarawas County history. Read Part Three Note on spelling: Not surprisingly, the Senff surname is spelled differently across many of the historical documents, newspaper articles, headstones, etc. For consistency, I have decided to use theContinue reading ““Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Four”

“Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Three

AI generated image, altered, depicting the discovery of Mary Senff's body in the Sugar Creek in 1880.

When missing Mary Senff’s body was discovered in June 1880, the attention of investigators quickly turned to the Athey and Crites families. Read Part Two Note on spelling: Not surprisingly, the Senff surname is spelled differently across many of the historical documents, newspaper articles, headstones, etc. For consistency, I have decided to use the spellingContinue reading ““Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Three”

“Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Two

AI generated image of two young women walking along a dirt path under the soft glow of a full moon on a spring night in 1880, in rural Ohio. They are returning from an evening spent at a cozy, lantern-lit farmhouse, which is visible in the background, nestled among rolling fields and budding trees. The women wear period-appropriate dresses with delicate lace trims and shawls draped over their shoulders, their skirts gently swaying as they walk. The night sky is speckled with stars, and fireflies flicker in the cool night air. Their expressions convey warmth and quiet conversation as they make their way home.

The second part of the story of the 1880 murder of 18-year-old Mary Senff by a member of a prominent local family that ignited a national sensation. Read Part One Note on spelling: Not surprisingly, the Senff surname is spelled differently across many of the historical documents, newspaper articles, headstones, etc. For consistency, I haveContinue reading ““Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part Two”

“Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part One

AI generated image depicting the discovery of the body of Mary Sneff in 1880. (Source: Chatgpt)

The 1880 brutal murder of 18-year-old Mary Senff by a member of a prominent local family ignited a national sensation. Note on spelling: Not surprisingly, the Senff surname is spelled differently across many of the historical documents, newspaper articles, headstones, etc. For consistency, I have decided to use the spelling that appeared on the 1850Continue reading ““Murder By Female Fury”: The Mary Senff Killing, Part One”

Fallen Heroes: Private William Border

There are many soldiers who train as medics or corpsman so that they can aid their fellow soldiers wounded in the heat of battle. Unfortunately, in this case, one of those trained soldiers never had the chance. The Border family can trace their Tuscarawas County roots back to the arrival of Christopher Border (1800-1856) andContinue reading “Fallen Heroes: Private William Border”