Marietta Deaths, 1814 - 1825

American Friend, May 7, 1814:
The body of a young woman apparently, 16 or 17 years of age was found on Wednesday the 4th instant, near the mouth of Bull Creek, Virginia, about seven miles above this place; Her cloathing were as follows: A linsey gown drawn over a cotten crossbarred dress, with a checked apron on, and a leno cap upon her head, a little key was tied to her side.
On the 29th of April last, a short distance above there was found, a bonnet made of paste board and changeable silk, now supposed to have belonged to the above described deceased person.
She was taken out of the river, and decently interred on the land of Mr. Solomon Harness, on the same day. The cloaths she had on when found are now in the hands of Mr. Harness near Bull Creek.
The above is communicated to inform her relatives and friends (if she can be known by the description) of her untimely fate.

American Friend, June 25, 1814:
Communication.
Drowned in the Ohio River, near the house of Philip Witten Esq. in Grandview, on the 12th inst. -- George Edwards. He fell out of Peoples's boat Lady Washington, on board of which he had shipped at Limestone, having come there in Lawwille's boat from Louisville, said he was a shoemaker by trade, twenty-one years of age last April, and had parents living at Beargrass settlement near the Falls of Ohio. His body was taken out of the water in about 20 or 30 minutes, and every exertion used to restore him to life, but in vain. He was decently interred on the 13th.
For the information of his friends, the Editor of the Correspondent at Louisville Ky. is requested to publish the above.

American Friend, December 17, 1814:
About the 18th of November last, the body of a drowned man was found in a parcel of drift-wood, by Capt. James Cumpton, near his farm, on the Virginia side of the Ohio, about four miles above Marietta. His dress was a blue coatee with steel buttons; a pair of checked cotton pantaloons; no hat stockings nor shoes – supposed to be about thirty years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high, stout and well made. He was taken out of the water by Robert Wells, Esq. and Capt. Cumpton; and his pockets were examined by Capt. Cumpton, Robert Wells, Esq. and Hedgman Triplett, but nothing found therein except a large nail. His face was badly bruised, and much disfigured. By his appearance he must have lain in the water 3 or 4 weeks. The body was decently interred near the land of Capt. Cumpton.
The above description is given of the person and dress of the deceased, in order, if possible, to let his friends know of his unhappy fate.

American Friend, April 11, 1815 [masthead dated March 31; paper not published due to freshet]:
Drowned on Thursday the 30th ult. In a run, a small distance below Point Harmar, Mr. Samuel McClintick, a respectable citizen of this town. The water being about three feet on the bridge, and a traveler moving with a wagon, insisted on the assistance of Mr. McClintick in driving the wagon over the bridge – he had but just got on the bridge, when he had driven too near the edge, the wagon, horses and Mr. McClintick went in together; the traveler in vain attempted to rescue Mr. McClintick, who with two of the horses were drowned; he was shortly after taken out of the water and every exertion used to restore him to life, but it was too late – he was interred the next day – has left a wife and a numerous family of children to lament his untimely fate.

American Friend, April 21, 1815:
Murder. On Friday last as some persons were ascending the Muskingum river in a canoe, within half a mile from its mouth, something near the shore attracted their attention – on examining it, it was found to be an infant, which, by its appearance had never been dressed, and probably had lain in the water five or six days. A coroner’s inquest was immediately held over the body, and returned a verdict of murder by some person or persons unknown. An act so inhuman, so much worse than brutal, we hope will not pass over without the strictest enquiry, that the perpetrator may, if possible, be found and brought to condign punishment.

American Friend, June 9, 1815:
On Thursday the 1st inst. The ferry-flat (which is attached to the rope extended across the Muskingum, and is propelled by the force of the current,) owing to the sudden rise of the river and the incapacity and mismanagement of the ferryman, had proceeded but 60 or 70 yards from the shore, when, by the violence of the current the boat filled and sunk, having on board Mr. H. L. Prentiss, the ferryman and a black servant girl belonging to General Willcox. Mr. P. (who had used every exertion, in vain, to save the negro girl) and the ferryman were saved by boats from the shore, but the girl had sunk before they could reach her, and was probably washed into the Ohio. She had on a straw hat, light brown woolen great coat, and a dark brown, domestic manufactured, cotton gown; if she is found it is requested that information may be given to Gen. Willcox of this place.
It is very fortunate the boat was not crowded with persons, especially women, as it frequently is, as all, or the greater part, must inevitably have been lost.
It is hoped the proprietors of ferries will provide suitable persons to manage their boats, as they assume a great responsibility in the conveyance of passengers at their respective ferries.

American Friend, June 7, 1816 :
Horrid Accident!
We have a painful duty to perform in recording an unparalleled scene of human misery and anguish which occurred on board the steam-boat Washington, lately built at Wheeling, Va. and commanded by Capt. Shreve. She started from Wheeling on Monday last and arrived at this place on Tuesday evening following, at about 7 o'clock, and safely came to anchor opposite Point Harmar, where she continued until Wednesday morning. The fires had been kindled and the boilers sufficiently hot preparatory to her departure when, the anchor was weighed and the helm put to larboard in order to wear her and place her in a position to start her machinery, but having only one of her rudders shipped at the time, its influence was not sufficient to have the desired effect, and she shot over under the Virginia shore where it was found expedient to throw over the edge at her stern to effect it. This being accomplished, the crew were then required to haul it again on board, and were nearly all collected on the quarter for that purpose. At this unhappy, fatal moment, the end of the cylinder towards the stern, exploded and threw the whole contents of hot water among them, and spread death and torture in every direction. The captain, mate, and several others were knocked overboard but were saved, with the exception of one man who is still missing, by boats from the town and by swimming to the Virginia shore.
The whole town was alarmed, by the explosion - every physician with a number of the citizens went immediately to their relief. On going on board, a melancholy and really horrible scene presented itself to view - six or eight were nearly skinned from head to feet, and others slightly scalded, making, in the whole, seventeen. In stripping them off their clothes the skin pealed off with them to a considerable depth; added to this melancholy sight, the ear of the pitying spectator was pierced by the screams and groans of the agonizing sufferers, rendering the scene horrible, beyond description.
The cause of this melancholy catastrophe may be accounted for by the cylinder not having vent through the safety-valve which was firmly stopped by the weight which hung on the lever having been unfortunately slipped to its extreme, without being noticed, and the length of time occupied in wearing before her machinery could be set in motion whereby the force of the steam would have been expended - these two causes united, confined the steam till the strength of the cylinders could no longer contain it, and it gave way with the greatest violence.
The steam-boat was warped across the river and safely moored in deep water at Point Harmar, where it is probably she will stay several weeks, till her boiler can be repaired.
As her cylinders were all on deck, the boat has received no material injury from the explosion.
The following is a list of the sufferers.
Capt. Shreve, slightly.
Mr. ____ Clark, (Engineer.) do.
Rev. Mr. Toler, (passenger.) do.
James Blair, do.
Amos Bennet, do.
George White, do.
Notley Drown, badly.
Enoch H. M'Feely, do.
Israel Morehead, do.
Joseph Walsh, severely.
*Peter Laufer, do.
*Barney Harvey, do.
*Thomas Brown, (painter.) do.
*James Nutter (passenger, of Nicholasville, Kentucky.) do.
*Samuel Wait, (carpenter,) do.
Joseph _____ missing, supposed to have been knocked overboard and drowned - it is said he was from New Hampshire.
*Jacob (a black man) severely.
*Since dead.
There are one or two of the others who are not expected to survive.
At a meeting of the citizens, convened on the occasion, a committee was appointed to provided for the sick, and to make arrangements for the burial of the dead. Six of the unfortunate sufferers having died on Wednesday night, were interred yesterday, attended by a very numerous concourse of citizens.

American Friend, June 14, 1816 :
The body of a man was found on the evening of the 8th inst. about one mile below Parkersburgh in the Ohio river near the Virginia shore; he appeared to be about thirty-five years of age, was about five feet eight inches high, black hair, beard and whiskers; he had on pantaloons of Pittsburgh Cord, striped waistcoat, coarse shoes and a large knife in one of his pockets. A coroners inquest was held over the body on the 9th - the opinion was that he came by his death by scalding.
It is probably the above described body is the same mentioned in our last as missing, and from the circumstance of his appearing to be very much scalded, there can be no doubt but he was on board the steam-boat Washington at the time of the late unfortunate occurrence.

American Friend, July 26, 1816
Suicide.
On Saturday last the body of Mr. Nathan Cole, of Warren in this County, was found in a well in this town. After being taken out, a Coroner's inquest was held over the body whose verdict was that “he came to his death by throwing himself into the well, in a state of insanity.

American Friend, August 16, 1816 :
Murder. The body of a man was found in the Ohio river on Saturday last, about one and a half miles below town and about three rods from the Ohio shore, by a man who was descending the river in a canoe. He drew the body to shore and came immediately to town with the information. A coroners inquest was held and by the evident marks of violence on the face and temple, were unanimously of opinion that he was murdered by some person or persons unknown.
The deceased was recognized to be a stranger who stopped in town on Thursday last and purchased a canoe for the purpose of descending the Ohio to the falls - while in town he fell company with one Levi Davis, who agreed to accompany and row him safely down. They both had drank freely and delayed commencing their journey till the late hour of nine o'clock in the night, at which time they started. The next morning Davis was seen descending the river alone, and went no farther than Parkersburgh before he sold the canoe and clothing which belonged to the deceased, but never intimated that such a person was missing, and continued there till Saturday, when he went a few miles further and shipped on board a boat to go to Pittsburgh - the boat arrived at Marietta on Sunday - Davis was known and immediately arrested. On Monday he was examined before Esquires Sharp, Buell and Fairlamb. Although no positive proof was adduced, circumstances were very strong and he was committed to prison to await his trial before the Supreme Court, to be holden at Marietta in October next.

American Friend, September 6, 1816:
We are informed that a man by the name of William Reece, of Newport in this county was accidentally killed on Monday last, by the falling of a stick of timber from a barn he was assisting to raise.

American Friend, September 6, 1816:
Two women, at Wooster, who were riding through the woods on Friday last in the time of a thunder shower, were both knocked down by a flash of lightning which struck a tree near at hand. One of their horses were killed and the women considerably injured. The women suppose they lay on the spot senseless for the space of an hour.

American Friend, November 22, 1816:
On Thursday the 14th instant, Miss Corinna Elizabeth Laidley, twin sister to Alexander T. Laidley and daughter of James G. Laidley, Esq of Parkersburgh, Va. aged 9 years and 7 months.
This amiable child was snatched away in a few hours from the arms of affectionate and disconsolate parents by one of those dreadful accidents that so strongly display the uncertain tenure of human life; but which no prudence could foresee, nor care prevent.
While attending the Parkersburgh School conducted by the Rev. J. McA'Boy, during the hours of play, in the absence of the tutor on Tuesday last, her clothes suddenly caught fire, and notwithstanding all the efforts of her schoolmates, and teacher, to whose house at some little distance from the school, she fled for succor from the devouring element; she became so dreadfully burned, as to occasion her death on Thursday about 1 o'clock P.M. Her remains were interred the following day at the burial ground of Mr. Joseph Cook, attended by the children of the school, and a very respectable number of her friends and acquaintance - to whom her afflicted parents now take the opportunity of returning their sincere thanks for the last tribute of respect to a much loved child.
Corinna! Dear departed maid!
Thou'st sought the realms of heavenly rest;
By the redeemer's love convey'd
To the bright mansions of the blest.
I. T.
Parkersburgh, Va. Nov. 17th, 1816.

American Friend, December 6, 1816:
Trial for Murder. - The trial of Levi Davis, who was charged with having committed a murder a short distance below this place, on the body of a man whom he had engaged to convey down the river in a canoe, (the particulars of which were noticed in the American Friend of August 16th,) came on before Court of Common Pleas, of this County, on Saturday last and continued during the day. The chain of circumstances was so strongly connected, as given in testimony by persons acquainted with them, left not a doubt in the breasts of the Court, Jury or the numerous spectators who attended the trial, that he, for the purpose of gain, took the life of the unfortunate stranger. The jury, however, had not sufficient proof that it was a premeditated act, which would have been murder in the first degree, and punishable by hanging - and could therefore only find a verdict of “murder in the second degree,” which they did after having retired about half an hour. The Court then pronounced his sentence - to be confined in the Penitentiary at hard labor, twenty-one years from the day of trial.
Since his trial and sentence, he has confessed the fact.

American Friend, May 30, 1817:
Fearing, May 22d, 1817.
Sir – My anxiety to have those who are guilty of the atrocious crime of murder apprehended and brought to receive their just dues, induces me to communicate to you a description of three foot travelers who passed through this place on the 11th inst. and said they were from Zanesville; whose peculiar deportment excited a suspicion in those by whom they were noticed. But not having seen the advertisement which appeared in your paper (describing the murderers of Mr. Combs of Kentucky) till two days after, they were permitted to pass without molestation.
One of them appeared to be about five feet ten or eleven inches high, rather spare, dark complexion, dark eyes, hair and whiskers, and had on a dark brown coat, a striped light colored waistcoat, cord or velvet pantaloons of a dark, perhaps olive color; he had on shoes, and wore an oil-cloth over his hat. The others were lower and rather of a heavy make: one, who was five feet nine inches high, appeared to be about thirty years of age, with blue eyes, dark hair, of a heavy countenance, and naturally of rather dark complexion, or was very much sun burnt. He had on an old wool hat, a drab colored sailor’s jacket, white cotton twilled overalls, and a pair of old shoes; he had with him a pair of overalls of the above description, an old cambrick ruffled shirt, and his implements for shaving. By a bruise or otherwise, he had lost the use of a joint in one of his fingers that rendered it somewhat crooked, and had received a wound on his right foot which had cut off the cords of two or three of his toes and considerably disfigured his foot. The other appeared to be about twenty one years of age, about the same height, or perhaps somewhat taller, blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, and of a tolerable countenance; he had on a straw hat, a drab colored sailor’s jacket, and white cotton twilled overalls.
On their being pursued, it was ascertained that the one with dark eyes and dark complexion had hired on board an Orleans boat, about 14 or 15 miles above Marietta; the captain’s name I could not learn, but understood he hired for fifty dollars to go to Orleans, a circumstance, it is probable, that may yet betray him. The other two crossed the Ohio river into Virginia, and traveled up the Ohio as far as the mouth of Fishing Creek, where they parted. The one who was supposed to be about thirty years old was arrested a short distance from where they parted, when he was measured and interrogated. He said that his name was Samuel Ward, and that he fell in company with the others about 12 miles above Marietta, and that he could give no information relative to the one who had hired on board the Orleans boat; but as near as he could recollect, the other’s name was James Riley – who changed his name, soon after they parted, from Riley to Huff, and it is probable he might have been taken in a very short time: but their not being more particularly designated, (as the advertisement described the one of dark complexion, and then merely stated that the others were lower, of a heavy make, and of light complexion,) was thought sufficient grounds for their acquittal; therefore the pursuit was relinquished, which it is feared, is the means of two assassins being suffered to rove at large, who may yet again, for the sake of spoil, imbue their hands in human blood!
To give you a detail of the particulars which substantiated the suspicion that they were guilty of some heinous crime, would absorb time and weary your patience; suffice it to say, they would inquire the road to one place and steer to another, and that they very frequently changed their names.
If someone in Kentucky would more particularly describe the murderers of Mr. Combs, perhaps they would bestow on the public a favor which would be instrumental in their yet being detected.

American Friend, January 9, 1818 [see January 2, 1818, p. 4 for details of murder; see May 15, 1818, p. 4, for details of execution]:
Stop the Murderer.
John Teirnan, who is suspected of having murdered Patrick Campbell, on the night of the 6th of December instant, at Turtle Creek, on the Pittsburgh turnpike road, absconded on Sunday the 7th inst. He was seen in Pittsburgh, about 3 o’clock on Monday. It is supposed that he crossed the Monongahela river, and made for Virginia or Ohio. Teirnan is about forty or forty-five years of age; about five feet six or seven inches high; a red face; large nose; and is much given to liquor. He is a native Irishman; and his speech is strongly marked with the Irish dialect. He says he came from Connaught. He professes to be a gardener, and pretends to have great skill in gardening. He took with him a dark bay mare, about thirteen or fourteen hands high, racks and paces; a saddle, bridle and martingale, and between twenty and thirty dollars in money; all belonging to the deceased. As the deceased is not known to have any friends in America, and has left but trifling property, a reasonable reward will be given for the apprehension of the murderer, if required, to be paid on his conviction; but it is expected, that every virtuous citizen, will feel himself under an obligation to have him brought to justice, without regard to fee or reward.
William Cavin.
Turtle Creek, Dec. 12, 1817.

American Friend, June 12, 1818:
Drowned, in Duck Creek, at the mouth of reed’s run, on the 4th inst. Mr. Wm. C. Amlin, son of Mr. James Amlin of Fearing in this County, aged 20 years. This young man, accompanied by four others, went into the creek to bathe; he had once crossed the creek and was on his return when he found the water was deeper than he expected, not being a swimmer, gave the alarm that he was drowning – the others went immediately to his assistance, two of whom sunk with him and nearly shared his fate; they, however, extricated themselves from his grasp and reached the shore. His loss is deeply lamented by his relations and friends, of whom he had many.

American Friend, June 12, 1818:
A young man by the name of Isaac Hersey was drowned in the Ohio near Mr. Samuel McBrides, one and a half miles above Fishing Creek, about the 27th of May last; he was on board a boat ascending the river, as a pushing hand; when at the above place he lost his pole and immediately jumped into the river to save it; when within a few rods of the shore, he, being exhausted, sunk and did not rise till he was taken out a few minutes after by the boat’s crew; every exertion was used to resuscitate him in vain. There was found in his possession a deed of 700, and odd, acres of land; a small sum of money and some clothing, which are now in the hands of Mr. Samuel McBride.
It is said his relations live between Waterford and Olive-Green, on, or near the Muskingum river.

American Friend, July 10, 1818:
Communicated.
Died, at Belpre, on 1st instant, Mr. John Rouse, aged 77 years. He and his family emigrated, from New Bedford, in Massachusetts, to this country in the year 1789. He came to his death, as is supposed, by drowning. About the middle of that day, when it was very hot, he was seen standing by a small pool, watering his horse. It is supposed that the increase of heat from the reflection of the water caused him to faint; in about an hour after, he was found dead, lying in the water, with his face nearly half out of it.
On the 4th inst. by drowning, in the mouth of the Muskingum river, Mr. Thomas Harper, of this town.

American Friend, March 17, 1820:
Gallipolis, March 3.
Supposed Murder.
About four weeks since, two persons descended the Ohio river, and landed at this place in a canoe, in which was salted in bulk a quantity of pork. At the same time there was another stranger descending the river in a skiff, in which he had nothing but a trunk. These persons called the same evening at Mr. Francis Therey’s, about 18 miles below this place. The stranger in the skiff proposed remaining there for the night; but those in the canoe urged him to proceed down with them a short distance, and encamp in the woods, to which he finally agreed. Some time in the night Mr. Therey heard a gun, and concluded the strangers might have shot one of his hogs. This occasioned him to go very early to the place where they had encamped. He there found a large quantity of blood had been flowing, in which was found considerable human hair, and brains; an axe was also lying near the place very bloody. There was also the trace of a body drawn on the ground, which could be distinctly followed from the spot where the blood first was found, to the river, and the print of fingers seen in the mud where the body was drawn. A human body was seen the same morning, in the ice (which then nearly filled the river) by several persons who reside below Mr. Therey’s. The persons who were in the canoe represented themselves as having come from the Kanawha Salt works, and bound to the mouth of the Scioto. The person supposed to be murdered, had mentioned, in the hearing of the others, that he had about 500 dollars in money with him, and an order payable at Cincinnati for a like sum. Although these circumstances are not such as to fully prove that a murder has been committed, yet they are such as should engage the attention of the public, until the fact be proved, or the suspicions removed.
It is to be regretted that the circumstances above related were not sooner made public. The chance of detecting the perpetrators, if the supposed murder was actually committed, would then have been greater than it now is.
Gazzette.

American Friend, July 21, 1820:
Died,
Drowned, on Sunday, the 16th inst. in the Ohio river, at Grandview, Mr. John Walsh, a native of Canada. The editors of papers in that quarter, would confer a favor on his friends by giving the above an insertion.

American Friend, July 28, 1820:
Was drowned in the Ohio, twenty-five miles above Marietta, on the 16th of July, John Walch, in rashly attempting to wade the river; search was immediately made and the body found in about three hours and an half, a few rods from where he was seen to sink, and taken out and decently buried. He had stated that his mother and one sister was then living in Baltimore, and that he was on his way to New Orleans to see an uncle he had living there; he had with him a white-pine chest, and in it was found a string of beads & cross, a new broad-cloth coat and pantaloons, and several sorts of clothing, also two cooper’s hand axes, three howels, two drawing knives, one addice, and other small cooper’s tools which have been lodged with Wm. H. Jolly, living in Grandview, Washington county, State of Ohio. He had with him a small Catholic Prayer and Psalm book. If he has any friends living they can have his clothing and tools, by properly applying.
Printers throughout the United States will please give the above a few insertions, that his friends may know of his untimely fate.
Communicated.

American Friend, October 13, 1820:
Fire!
Between the hours of three and four, on Sabbath morning last, the house occupied by Caleb Emerson, Esq. on Front street, was discovered to be on fire – supposed to have originated from ashes deposited, the day previous, in a wooden vessel. The flames had made considerable progress before discovery. The citizens, on the alarm rallied, and exerted themselves with great alacrity, but they had neither fire-engines, fire-hooks, or fire-buckets for the occasion. The flames spread with astonishing rapidity. The children were rescued from the upper rooms at a most critical juncture, some of them almost without clothing. A considerable part of the bedding was saved, but most of the furniture and clothing, and nearly all the valuable papers, were destroyed. A back chamber had been occupied by Deacon Ephraim Emerson in the manufacture of Razor Straps – his tools, materials and work, with most of his books and clothing, were swept by the flames.
It is to be wished, (I had almost said hoped,) that this calamity will prove a salutary warning to our citizens. Had such a fire commenced in any compact part of the town – Ohio street for example – the loss of property would have been enormous, and numerous families might have been thrown destitute on the world.

American Friend, October 13, 1820:
A Card.
Caleb Emerson returns his cordial thanks to the citizens for their assistance in saving a part of his property from fire, and for the great kindness and hospitality manifested to himself and family when deprived of their home.
He will attend to business in the brick building of Messrs. Putnam and Turner, near the Post Office.
Having lost nearly all his papers of value in the flames, he solicits those indebted to him to renew their obligations, liquidate accounts, or, if convenient to pay him what may be due.
Many valuable papers relative to his law business having been consumed with his own, he will direct his attention to remedy as far as possible the loss of those papers; and presumes no one will be disposed to take advantage from the late calamity, to injure those who have entrusted him with business.

American Friend, April 27, 1821:
The Poor.
Proposals for the support of Josiah Huchison, Charles Ryan, Mrs. Deane, Black Luce, and Susan Sproat, (Paupers belonging to the town of Marietta) will be received in writing, on Saturday the fifth of May, by
Jabez True
Joseph Holden
Overseers of the Poor

American Friend, July 13, 1821:
The Vevay Examiner of the 10th inst states that the bodies of two men had been found floating in the Ohio near that place; one on Saturday the 5th of May, preceeding, and the other on Thursday, the day of its date. The first had been evidently murdered, having the skull fractured above the left eye and the appearance of a heavy blow on the breast. The other is supposed to have been a criminal, who had made his escape from those who had charge of him, having heavy iron hand cuffs on; one hand extricated. From appearance the body was supposed to have been a considerable time under water. Respecting the murdered man the following information was given:
A person who called himself Thomas W. Lewis, of Belpre, O. and who was descending the Ohio river in a small boat with Windsor chairs, deposed that he believed the deceased to be a certain George Hukes, late of Mapletown, Green township, Pa. That he parted with Hukes on the 30th of April at Cincinnati, who had informed him that he was about to descend the river in a family boat about 24 feet long with three boards upon the starboard side; that upon passing the town of Aurora, he had some reason to believe that the aforesaid boat passed him, during which passing there appeared to be considerable uproar or confusion; that he had examined the body and believed it to be that of George Hukes, and that said Hukes had a trunk with him and a considerable sum in bank notes – one bill of 4500 on the U. S. Branch Bank at Pittsburgh, two $100 on the U. S. Branch Bank at Chillicothe, and some Virginia and Pennsylvania bank paper.
Hukes is described to have been a man about six feet high and stout in proportion; supposed 40 years of age; black hair and beard; had on when found, blue twilled linsey pantaloons, black silk neck handkerchief, linen shirt, blue woolen stockings, and a waistcoat.

American Friend, June 14, 1822:
There was found floating in the Ohio river, one mile below the mouth of Shade river, on the 28th ult. A female child, supposed to be four or five years old – had on a blue and white striped cotton factory slip, and a ruffle of the same around the neck – dark colored hair – a few white hairs over the left eye – no marks of violence were perceptible.

American Friend, April 12, 1823:
Died,
At Union, on the 7th inst. Mr. Samuel Brooks, aged 70 years. Mr. Brooks, as we understand, was engaged in falling a tree, which, after it was cut entirely off, lodged against other trees – after some exertions to get it down, one of the principal limbs, which held it up, suddenly gave way and fell directly on the head of the deceased, instantly depriving him of life – and society of a respectable and useful member. The many deaths occasioned by the falling of timber, ought to serve as a warning to all engaged in that business, to use the greatest caution.

American Friend, April 24, 1823:
Drowned, in Duck Creek, on Saturday last, about a mile above its mouth, Mr. Hugh McCullough. He was paddling a canoe upstream, and fell out backwards. His body was taken out of the water about two hours and a half after.

American Friend, May 1, 1823:
On the 29th ult. The body of a man was found about five miles from this place, near the road leading to Lancaster. A Coroner’s inquest was held over it. During the enquiry, as we are informed, the father of the deceased recognized, by his apparel, a bridle, and some other evidence, that he was his son. Some time in the month of February the deceased was in town on business, and left late in the afternoon to return on foot, when he had proceeded thus far it is presumed he perished near a log about two rods from the road. During the time he had been missing, it was supposed that he was on a visit at a relations at some distance, or had taken a trip at boating.

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, June 24, 1824:
Drowned – In Duck Creek, on Friday last Jane Murry, youngest child of Mrs. Elizabeth Murry aged between two and three years.

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, December 31, 1824:
From the Supporter.
Atrocious Murder!
A letter from a friend in Gallipolis to the Editor written on Saturday last, gives an account of the murder of a young woman of Perry township, Gallia county. It appears that the unfortunate person alluded to – a Miss Polly Greene – left her father’s residence about two weeks since, for the purpose of visiting a neighbor. Her failure to return home as soon as she was expected, occasioned some alarm among her friends; and after diligent search, her body was found in a pond, a short distance from her father’s house, with the head much bruised, and a large log lying across her neck. Two or three clubs, smeared with blood, hair, &c. supposed to be the weapons used in the perpetration of the horrid deed, lay near the place where the remains was found; but the murderer or murderers have hitherto escaped detection. A coroner’s inquest has been held over the body, which returned a verdict of Murdered by an unknown hand. The pond was not more than fifty yards distant from a mill road.

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, January 14, 1825:
Suicide – A man of the name of William R. Ewing, employed in the distillery of Mr. Henry Barrows, of Rome Township, Athens County, was found on the 23d December last, in the still house, with his throat cut from ear to ear. He was a young & single man about 25 years of age, formerly from Brimfield, Mass. He was discovered, as supposed about two hours after the act was committed. The last person who saw him, before the act reports that he appeared to be perfectly sober, and did not evince any uneasiness of mind. A coroner’s inquest was held over his body, who returned a verdict of “Suicide.”

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, January 14, 1825:
Died – On Monday the 3d inst., Mr. Joel Sherman, son of Josiah Sherman, of Waterford Township, aged 21 years.
The circumstances attending the death of this young man, are truly melancholy, and afflicting to his parents and friends. A large number of persons had assembled in the township of Windsor, Morgan County, on Thursday the 30th ult., for the purpose of having a Wolf Hunt. They had advanced about a mile towards the point agreed upon, when a number of guns were fired at a deer. Unfortunately for this young man, one of the balls wounded him on the right shoulder. He was immediately carried to a neighboring house, but his situation but too plainly indicated that the wound was mortal. He survived, however, until Monday last, having lived rather more than four days after receiving the wound.
On opening his body, since his death, it was found that the ball after passing through his right shoulder, had entered his body between the fourth and fifth ribs, passed through a small lobe of the lungs, and had lodged against the spine. It is not known who was so unfortunate, as to be the immediate cause of the untimely death of this young man; neither is it necessary that the person should be known; but the manner of his receiving his mortal wound, should be a solemn warning to all who are in the habit of handling fire arms, to be doubly cautious how they use them; or by their carelessness, sport with the lives of their fellow beings.
January 5th, 1825.

American Friend, & Marietta Gazette, October 21, 1825:
Died – Near the mouth of Duck Creek on the 14th inst. Mr. John Bryan was killed by the fall of a piece of timber, while engaged with others in turning a flat bottomed boat.