Wood County WV
Crime News
Wood County WV
Crime News
January 17, 1879
Chester Daily Times, Chester Pennsylvania
The town of Parkersburg, W. Va., has been excited for several days by the dissemination
of printed charges of a scandalous nature against prominent citizens and married ladies of the highest social standing.
A committee was appointed to search for the scoundrelly authors, and on Wednesday night an ex-detective, named
James Baker, was arrested and lodged in jail. An excited crowd would have lynched him but for the determination
of the police.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
March 5, 1880
Chester Daily Times, Chester Pennsylvania
The trial of William Conkle for the attempted murder of Rufus Ralston and Conkle's own family on Thanksgiving night,
at Parkersburg, W. Va., on Wednesday, resulted in a verdict of guilty, and he was sentenced to four years in the
penitentiary.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
April 23, 1883
Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur Illinois
Desperate Deeds of Highwaymen.
Chicago, April 23-Early Saturday Goodwin Van Winkle, of Parkersburg, W. Va., was attacked
by highwaymen and robbed and thrown into the river. By superhuman exertions he manager to reach shore, where he
was found and taken to the City Hospital. He is in a critical condition.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
February 21, 1884
The Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia Ohio
At Parkersburg, W. Va., David C. Keller, pilot of the Scioto, sunk in collision near Mingo Junction, July 4, 1882,
fifty-four lives being lost, was found guilty on the 14th of voluntary manslaughter, but recommended to mercy.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
May 8, 1885
Newark Daily Advocate, Newark Ohio
Nathan Hutchinson, a farmer living near Parkersburg, W. Va., confessed that the set fire to and burned his barn
to get the insurance money-$3,000.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
January 17, 1888
Newark Daily Advocate, Newark Ohio
At Parkersburg, W. Va., Sherman Lynn shot Carrie Berg, whom he mistake for her sister Lizzie, who refused to marry
him.
Sherman Lynn has been arrested and jailed at Parkersburg, W. Va., for shooting Miss Carrie Berg, a sister of the
girl who refused to marry him.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
February 7, 1889
Decatur Daily Republican, Decatur Illinois
Taylor Moton was arrested at Parkersburg, W. Va., on Tuesday, charged with deliberately filling a stove with powder
to destroy a family named Harmon. When one of the family kindled the fire the stove was blown to atoms. The house
was shattered and a boy terribly burned. Taylor had threatened to blow up the house.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
October 10, 1889
The Ohio Democrat, New Philadelphia Ohio
Etta Robinson, aged 17, is on trial at Parkersburg, W. Va., for horse stealing. She has stolen a number of horses,
from no other motive than simply the love of excitement and adventure.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
August 28, 1890
The Indiana Democrat, Indiana Pennsylvania
A Sad Experience
A Young Boy Stolen by Tramps and Kept Several Weeks
Parkersburg, W. Va., Aug 25-City Detective James R. Mohan Saturday found John Cordner, a little
fellow about 13 years old, who had been stolen by a gang of tramps from his home at Columbus, O., some weeks since.
When found the boy was half starved, ragged and in bad physical condition. The little fellow says his father lives
at 665 Congress street, Columbus, and that he was decoyed away from his home by the gang of tramps who were captured
and jailed with him.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]
October 4, 1890
Decatur Morning Review, Decatur Illinois
Police at Parkersburg, W. Va., arrested six tramps and took from them a 12 year old boy. The lad said he had been
kidnapped from Ottawa, Ont.
[Submitted by Shauna Williams]