Allen County, Ohio - Genealogy Trails

The Van Wert Daily Bulletin
Oct 24, 1929

Four Children Killed by Gas

Five Members of One Family Victims of Fumes

     Hamilton. Oct. 24. (INS)- Their lives claimed by gas, which, coroner
Edward C. Cook says had been turned on by
their father in a murder attempt, four little children are dead here today
and their mother and another child are
fighting for their lives in a hospital, where, doctors said, they will
probably die.
     Charles King, Sr. aged 36, a barber, the father and husband, is being
sought by police and the coroner said he
would be charged with murder when captured.
     Authorities at Coldwater, Mercer county, where the family recently
resided, have been notified as it is believed
King may have fled to friends there for shelter from the far-reaching arm of
the law.
     The four dead are Keith, aged 5; Paul, aged 10; Leon, aged 12; and
Robert aged 14. Mrs. Sarah King, the mother,
and a fifth child, Charles, Jr., aged 6, are seriously ill in the hospital
and will probably succumb.
     The tragedy occurred in the family's rented five-room modest frame
dwelling here. The bodies of the two victims
were found when a neighbor, Edward Osborne, detected the odor of gas and
broke into the house.
     He found the mother and Charles, Jr., laying of the floor in a
downstairs room. The bodies of the four children
were found in their beds upstairs.
     Police were immediately summoned and they found that the top of a gas
pipe had been taken off, allowing the fumes
to tilter through the entire dwelling. Coroner Cook declared that the cap
on the pipe could not have fallen off or
been knocked off accidentally.
     Authorities strenghtened their supposition of murder when an unsigned
note, which was said to be in the
handwriting of the husband and father, was found. It read: "to the law: I
did this because I had to. I was poor but
happy. Some want to part us. I have insurance to pay expenses. Don't look
for me. I leave you with Ethel and the
boys."
     Ethel was the middle name of his wife. The insurance which he alluded
to, were small policies he had taken out
last month.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Van Wert Daily Bulletin
Oct 24, 1929

Hamilton, Oct. 24. (INS)-While a pond here is being dragged for the
body of Charles King, aged 36, a barber, who,
police said, turned on the gas in his home causing the lives of four of his
children to be snuffed out. Mrs. Sarah
Ethel King, the wife and mother, died to-day from effects of inhaling the
Ethel fumes bringing the "murder" toll to five.
Police believe the man committed suicide after taking the cap from a
gas pipe in his home.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Times Recorder
(Zanesville, Ohio)
Oct 25, 1929

Will Drag Streams for Body of Murderer of His Wife and Children

     Hamilton, O., Oct. 24-Prparations were made by police tonight to drag
nearby streams, the Miami and Erie Canal and
a pond for the body of Charles King Sr., 36 barber, whose wife and four
children were asphyxiated at their home here
yesterday.
     Police said they were not positive that King had ended his life but
they had received a report he had drowned
himself and would drag the places in an effort to verify the rumor. All
other attempts to locate King have been futile.
     Neighbors forced an entrance into the King home yesterday, after
smelling gas, and found the bodies of Robert, 14, Leon, 12 and Keith, 5.
     Paul, 10 died at a hospital last night and Mrs. King succumbed this
morning. Charles, Jr. the only other child,
is in a critical condition. Coroner Edward C. cook said death was caused by
inhaling gas fumes and that a heavy gas
cap had been removed from a pipe, allowing fumes to filter through the house.
     Police also announced that William Jamieson of Fort Recovery, Ind.
brother of Mrs. King came here today and
informed them King was alleged to have been involved in check forgeries.
Police learned that King had received a letter
from the Peoples Banking company, Coldwater, O., demanding payment of a $270
note dated Sept. 1, 1928. the letter said
there was a question about the signature of King's mother and asked payment
before legal proceeding were started.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Van Wert Daily Bulletin
Dec. 5, 1930

Hamilton, O., Dec. 5 (INS)-Convicted of the first-degree murder of his
son, Robert, aged 14, Charles King, 39-year -old Hamilton barber, to-day awaited a sentence of death in the electric chair. During his trial, however, King denied that the knew his wife and
children had been aspyxiated. He contended that he was at the home of his mother at Lima the night of their deaths.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima News
April 3, 1931

Death Stay Granted King

Execution of Barber is set for April 30

Attorneys Win Petition for Hearing Before Oho Supreme Court

Two Motions are Files

Former Lima Man Faces Chair for Murder of Family in Hamilton

     Charles King, son of Mrs. Rose A. King. of 435 E. McKibben-st,
sentenced to die in the electric chair at Ohio
penitentiary next Tuesday night was granted a stay of execution until april
30, by the state supreme court late
Thursday afternoon.
     Attorneys for King filed a motion for the stay in order to file a
petition in error. The high court granted the
petition and set April 17 as the date for hearing.
      King was convicted of a murder charge growing out of the death of his
son, who, together with King's wife and
three other children died when King entered the home in Hamilton while the
family was asleep and removed a cap from a
gas jet. Only on member of the family, a son, escaped asphyxiation.
      Following the tragedy, King left Hamilton and came to Lima early the
following day but, after a brief visit with
friends, left the city.
      A nation-wide search for him was started and several months late he was
apprehended, while working in a barber
shop in a village near Painesville.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima News
April 23, 1931

Former Lima Man to Die in Chair April 30

     Charles King, former Lima barber, Thursday faced certain death in the
electric chair April 30 for the murder of
his wife and four children unless Gov. George White intervenes.
     By overruling hs motion for leave to file a petition in error, the Ohio
supreme court late Wednesday upheld the
verdict of Butler-co courts which found him guilty and sentenced him to death.
     King actually was convicted only of the murder of his son, Robert,
altho his wife and three other children also
were found to have died from asphyxiation. It was charged that King turned
on the gas, causing their death.
     King, missing when the bodies were found, and was not located until a
year later.
     Before the supreme court, attorneys for King argued that his wife was a
drug addict and she might have turned on
the gas.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima News
April 25, 1931

White Fails to Commute King Death Sentence

Former Lima Man Must Die For Slaying Son at Hamilton

     Charles King, Hamilton barber, formerly of Lima, Saturday had exhausted
his last weapon to escape the electric
chair next Thursday.
     After the supreme court had rejected his appeal from the death sentence,
Gov. George White Friday refused to
commute his sentence to life imprisonment. Unless the governor changes his
mind before the execution, King has no
other recourse.
     King was sentenced to death for the slaying almost two years ago of his
son. Altho he was tried and convicted
only on that one charge, he was accused of slaying his wife and three other
children at the same time. Their bodies
were found at the King home, with gas jets in the house turned on. They had
been asphyxiated.
     Attorney Paul A. Budin of Hamilton, King's attorney, said no motive was
established and contended Mrs. King might
have turned the gas on herself to fulfill threats she was alleged to have
made on her own life and those of her
children.
     Prosecuting Attorney Zelmer G. Morganthaler, of Butler-co stressed a
not left in the house by King saying he could
not "stand it any longer." Budin said King's confession was made to escape a "third degree." and
that he received an unfair trail due to public sentiment.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima News
April 29, 1931

Boyhood Chum Hopes to Save Charles King

Pleas for Commutation of Death Sentence Filed with Governor

TRIAL ERRORS CHARGED

Celina Attorney tells of Suicicde Threats Made by Mrs. King

      Columbus, April 29-A boyhood friend today came to the assistance of
Charles King, Hamilton barber, who is
scheduled to die in the electric chair at Ohio Penitentiary tomorrow night
for the murder of his son, almost two years
ago.
     Using all the legal ability at his command, Burl A. Myers, Celina, Oho,
attorney, who was born not more than two
miles from Coldwater in Mercer-co where King was reared, appealed to
Governor George White for commutation of the death
sentence to life imprisonment.
     Myers declared that the death of King's wife and four children from
asphyxiation might have been the fault of Mrs.
King. She had often threatened to commit suicide and to take the lives of
her children, he asserted.
ERRORS CHARGED
     Myers also charged that the Butler-co trial in which King was found
guilty of the murder of one son, Robert, was
not properly conducted and that testimony about alleged threats of suicide
by Mrs. Kin was not allowed.
     King' s fate, it appeared evident, rest upon the result of the
eleventh-hour effort of his boyhood friend. Other
appeals to the governor, made last week by Hamilton attorneys, were rejected.
      Myer's assistance was offered voluntarily, it was reported, after
other attorneys failed to obtain commutation or
further consideration of the case. King was charged with turning on the gas
that caused the death of his son, but was
never tried for the death of others in the family. He disappeared
immediately after the bodies were discovered and was
not found for a year.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima News
Thursday, April 30, 1931

Fate Rests with Governor

Last Plea to Commute Death Penalty Put Before White; Execution set for Thursday

156 Residents of Coldwater in Petition Ask Mercer for Barber

New Evidence Sited

"I am innocent." Statement of prisoner Awaiting End in Electric Chair.

     Columbus, O., April 30 (AP)-Charles King, 39, Hamilton barber, must die
in the electric chair tonight for the
slaying two years ago of his wife and four children, Governor White decided
late today.
     The chief executive refused to intercede after hearing arguments of
Attorney Burl Myers, of Celina, a friend of
the family, who sought a reprieve of 60 days in which to make further
investigation of the deaths of the five members of
the family in a gas-filled house at Hamilton.
----
     The fate of Charles King, 39-year-old Hamilton barber and former Lima
resident, doomed to die Thursday night in
the electric chair in Columbus for the slaying of his wife and four children
nearly two year ago, was placed in the
hands of Governor George White Thursday morning in an eleventh hour plea to
save the convicted killer.
     The case was placed before the governor for a second time today after
his secretary had heard the plea of Burl A.
Myers, Celina attorney and life-long friend of Kin, who asked commutation of
the sentence to life imprisonment. PETITION TO GOVERNOR
     Altho he declined to intervene last week after the state supreme court
affirmed King's conviction, the governor consented to hear Myers' claim that new evidence showed that Mrs. King might have killed the children and committed suicide.      A petition signed by 158 residents of Coldwater, O., King's former home, also was presented to the governor. It said that King was "always kind to his family and a good provider" who must have been mentally unbalanced, if he committed the crime. The governor's final decision was expected shortly after noon.
      Meanwhile, King, in death row at Ohio penitentiary, reiterated a
statement made at his trial, "I am innocent." Mrs. King and four children were found asphyxiated in their home at
Hamilton, October 24, 1929. The state charged
that King opened gas jets in the house but he insisted he had come to Lima,
Ohio, the night of the tragedy. Captured in Fairport Harbor, O., in October, 1930. King admitted
knowledge of the death of his family but said he had remained in hiding only because he became frightened when he learned he had been charged with the slayings. His attorneys questioned the authenticity of an alleged confession which the state said King left in the gas-filled home. King was tried only for the killing of his son, Robert, 9.

Submitted by
Tina Hursh

The Lima Daily News
June 2, 1920

The marriage of Neal Fivehouse, bookkeeper at the Tigner cigar factory, and Miss Helen Roof, cigar-maker, took place in Toledo, on Decoration day. The couple went to Toledo to spend the holiday. They returned to Lima, Tuesday night, and will make this city their home.

The Lima Daily News
June 8, 1920

The condition of Henry Maisch, 335 w. Kibby-st, who was painfully injured Sunday when he was struck by the handle of a hand car, was reported to be little improved Tuesday. The blow tore the ligaments in the back of his neck loose.

The Lima News
Jan. 8, 1930
Delphos

John Murray, Sr, died Wednesday morning at his home on Cass-st. Funerals arrangements have not yet been made.

Fred Bowsher, sign painter, who suffered a broken leg Christmas Eve when he fell from a ladder while erecting a sign, submitting to an operation at St. Rita's hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Ed Kane, of Broadway-st, who underwent an operation Monday at St. Rita's hospital is reported improving.

The Lima News
Jan. 4, 1929

Deaths

Kathleen Lucille Butler, 307 Park-av, 11 months-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Butler, Complications, Thursday

James E. Nelson, 71, R. F. D. 5, complications, Friday.

Mrs. Melville Corall, 24, 811 E. Third-st, pneumonia, Thursday, St. Rita's hospital.

Frank M. Groves, 47, 778 Atlantic-av, complications, Thursday, residence.

Mrs. Leona Boyd, 617 N. Main-st, is confined to her home suffering from severe scald on the shoulders and arms when she upset a kettle of beans from a gas stove at 3 p.m. Thursday. She was thrown against the stove, when the chair she was standing on broke. A son, Roy, summoned Mrs. J. l. Holden, a trained nurse, who applied first aid until the physician arrived.

The Lima News
Jan. 5, 1929

Deaths

Mrs. E. M. Hall, 29, 835 N. Elizabeth-st, City hospital, uremic poisoning, Thursday.

The Lima News
Jan. 13, 1937

Myrtle M. Drennan vs Walter J. Drennan - divorce

Lillian Branigan vs Fred A. Branigan - divorce

Colleen Liddie vs Donald L. Liddie - divorce

Clarence F. Mines vs Miriam Mines - divorce

The Lima News
Jan. 14, 1937

Lloyd S. Lora vs Mary M. Lora - divorce

Raymond Veigel vs Martha Veigel - annulment

The Lima News

Dec 22, 1912

Mrs. Harl Mann, died at her home on Kibler street, Wednesday forenoon at (:30. Mrs. Mann was formerly Florence Althaus. Mrs. Mann suffered with papalysis for about three years. Mrs. Mann was 31 year, 2 months, and 2 days of age. Mrs. Mann was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs Peter Althaus. She is survived by husband, mother, sister and three brothers: Mrs. Ed Paul, of Lewisburg, Amos Althaus, of Oregon and Henry and Wilbur Althaus of Bluffton.Funeral services were held at the First Mennonite, Friday afternoon at one o'clock; interment in Maple Grove cemetery.

Dorothy L. Agin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Agin, died at the home of her parents on Jefferson street, Dec. 13, 1912. The little one was suffering with whooping cough. Age 8 months, and 9 da. Funeral services were held at the Reformed church Sunday afternoon, Rev. Laher officiating; interment in Maple Grove cemetery.

Samuel T. Golden, 56, laborer and Mrs. Sarah A. Cook, 46, nurse. The Rev. Mr. Stolzfus to officiate.

General News

Lima News, 1898

Edward Harper and Miss Lillie Harper attended the funeral of their cousin, Mr. Eli Garwood. Deceased was a well known engineer on the P. F. W. & C. railroad.

Lima Times Democrat (Lima, Ohio) Wednesday, August 12, 1903

Miss Carrie Schwilk went to Lima Monday, where she joined Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schwilk and daughter, Edna, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Harper and little daughter, all of that place, and left this afternoon over the Pennsylvania road in company with them for San Francisco, Ca. Miss Schwilk will return after a several weeks' visit, but the other members of the party expect to locate in the Golden Gate city -Wyandot Chief.

Submitted & Transcribed by Kathy Jones

Newark Advocate
Jul 2, 1901
Lima

Madison Mitchell and John Poling, young farmers living on adjoining farms southwest of the city, were both accidentlly killed Monday. Poling was riding on top of a load of hay to his barn when he fell off, head first. He was picked up unconscious and died in a few minutes. Mitchell a few minutes later was leading his team of horses into the barn when one of them animals suddenly turned around and kicked him in the abdomen. he was picked up dying, and lived only a short time.

The Lima News
Jan 10, 1920

Miss Wilma Cordier, student of Central Hi School, suffered serious burns on the arm, and Miss Mildred Jackson suffered a nervous shock as the result of the accident that occurred in the chemistry laboratory, Friday. While performing an experiment in the laboratory a boiling solution of nitric acid was overbalanced and fell on one of the girls arms. Miss Jackson's clothes was ignited but immediately extinguished.

Lima Daily News
Apr 4, 1906

Mrs. Jackson Myers of 718 west Elm street, is very ill and is not expected to recover as she is quite old and very feeble. She is the mother of Marcus Myers, the east High street grocer.

Mrs. L. J. Cox, of south Main street, cigarmaker at Jackman's the gas in the stove last evening, was severely burned about the face and hands by the flash.

A woman well known about the city as "Dutch Rose", her true name Rose Emminger, whose place of residence is 819 north Union street, while descending the stairs leading from the first to the ground floor of the Metropolitan block last night about ten o'clock, lost her balance and pitched headfirst to the tile floor below. She had just delivered washings to some of the roomers of the block and from their testimony it seems was under the influence of liquor. when assistance reached her it was found that her neck had been broken, causing instant death. The remains were removed to the undertaking parlors of Williams & Davis and prepared for burial. The funeral will be held from the residence tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock and burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery.

T. S. Rabe, of 925 Reese avenue had the large bone of his instep broken in an accident in the blacksmith department of the Lima Locomotive Works.

Lima Daily News
Jun 2, 1920

Delbert J. Clapper, R.F.D. 4, enlisted at the local army recuiting station Tuesday and was assigned to the Seventh Field Artillery at Camp Taylor, Ky.

Lima News
Apr 22, 1930

James Collins, 72, an inmate of the Allen-co home for the past six years, died at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. The body is at Eclert mortuary.

Lima Daily News
Apr 11, 1912

Word was received in this city today of the death of Mrs. J. L. McDonald, 46, at St. Vincent hospital. On March 14, while lighting a gas stove Mrs. McDonald dropped the match into a pile of papers. Her clothing caught fire and she was terribly burned. She lingered between life and death at the hospital last evening, when she passed away. Mrs. McDonald was a native of Lima and well known here. She is survived by the bereaved husband and two sons, John of this city, and Leonard of Cleveland; a brother, J. C. Clifford, conductor on the C. H. & D. , and a father, Cornelius Clifford of Toledo. The body will arrive in this city at 9:30 Friday morning and will be taken to the home of Mrs. Scott Watkins, 832 north Union street. Funeral services will be held at St. Rose Catholic church at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

William A. Scaub, aged 47, died at the Memorial hospital after suffering for four weeks with a severe attack of typhoid fever complicated with pneumonia.

Lima News
Apr 22, 1930

James Collins, 72, an inmate of the Allen-co home for the past six years, died at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. The body is at Eckert's mortuary.

Lima News
Apr 4, 1930

Death of Michael Tomeo, 40, of Columbus, an inmate of the Lima State Hospital, on March 23, was caused by peritonitis two days after he had had a physical
encounter with another patient, Dr. W. H. Vorbau, superintendent of the hospital, revealed Friday. Whether Tomeo's death was the result of the encounter could
not be determined. Dr. Vorbau asserted. There were no visible bruises on the body, he explained. The other patient suffered no ill effects, both were considered
violently deranged.
The altercation took place as the patients were proceeding to the dining room on March 26. Several blows were struck before attendants could separate the men. Tomeo had been received at the hospital only a short time before.

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