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”
Tag Archives: true crime history
Murder or Misfortune? The Death of Katie Barnes
A servant’s tragic death in 1892 from a seemingly minor wound ignited scandal, sympathy, and controversy in New Philadelphia. There is not a lot of information on the short life of Katherine “Katie” Barnes (1873-1892) other than what was reported in the newspapers at the time of her death. She worked as a domestic servantContinue reading “Murder or Misfortune? The Death of Katie Barnes”
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”
Lost to the Rails: The 1939 Murder of Roy German
He may not have lived in New Philadelphia long, but his death shook the community. Very little can be definitively ascertained about the early family history of Roy William German (1920-1939) prior to his murder in the fall of 1939. Some can be pieced together from the newspaper accounts of his death and from hisContinue reading “Lost to the Rails: The 1939 Murder of Roy German”
Carbon Monoxide Mystery: The Death of Harvey E. Decker
Harvey E. Decker’s life ended in mystery, his death and disputed will sparking unanswered questions. 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 help forContinue reading “Carbon Monoxide Mystery: The Death of Harvey E. Decker”
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 Fatal Obsession of Harvey Colvin
Jealousy erupted into violence when Harvey Colvin attacked Maud Shaffer with a hatchet in a New Philadelphia home. 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. Click hereContinue reading “The Fatal Obsession of Harvey Colvin”
Indicted but Never Convicted: The Murder of Antonio Di Simone
In 1919, Italian immigrant Antonio Di Simone was murdered near Dennison, Ohio—two suspects were arrested, but justice never came. I have chosen to use the surname Di Simone as opposed to the others that appear in the historical record. It was the surname under which Antonio Di Simone was buried by his friends and itContinue reading “Indicted but Never Convicted: The Murder of Antonio Di Simone”
Murder on the Wheeling & Lake Erie
The 1911 murder of Tony Gerriod remains a mystery in Tuscarawas County history. Tony Gerriod’s surname was spelled a number of ways in the newspaper including Geraid and Gerald. I have chosen the spelling that appeared on the only legal document associated with him, his death certificate. His nationality is also vague, sometimes reported asContinue reading “Murder on the Wheeling & Lake Erie”
Eleven Years a Thief: The Goshen Robbery Plot
A cunning thief plotted a midnight robbery, but shared his plans with the wrong man and paid the price. John F. Myers (1799-1875) and his wife Elizabeth (1800-1872) were Moravians who migrated from Pennsylvania to Tuscarawas County in the first half of the 19th century. The family settled in southern Goshen Township and northern WarwickContinue reading “Eleven Years a Thief: The Goshen Robbery Plot”
Tuscarawas County Stories 