Two young souls taken by the Diphtheria epidemic ~ Part 1.

When I first got involved in my Family History, I loved any information I could find on my ancestors. Their lives were so interesting to me, and I found a new meaning and feeling to who I was and where I came from. Just beginning my research, I became inundated due to the fact that I was finding information on every branch of my (6 generation) family tree and that I had not really started organizing anything. After about a week, and with papers/documents stacking up overwhelmingly, I decided it was time to begin putting everything in binders to make my research easier to present. Also, I figured it would make it a whole lot easier to fill in any missing information if I could have lists or charts of the information I had found to that point. Previously I had found several Genealogy Charts on various websites that I thought I could eventually use. The next question I could not answer is, "Well, where do I start first?". I had filled out a five generation family tree chart, and had to print others for extended generations. I then had the epiphany. I realized that when I got to my Great Great Ancestors on the sheet, and found their parents I had to start writing back on another chart. You just put the numbers each name corresponds with, so that it easier to understand when looking at them all. I decided that I would keep all the information for my first five generations in one binder, and have separate binders for each set of five generations beyond that. I had my doubts on that idea, but really had no other clue of how I should approach this.

The week before I started the organizing process, I had been at my grandmothers looking through a box of pictures. I had learned about one of my great great grandmothers by the name of Lena Berdella Elkins. I had found her photograph, and after hearing stories from my grandmother of who she was; I became fascinated with her story. She seemed like such an interesting person, and had a very lovable personality. While going through the box, I came across the photo of her mother and father as well. They were Edward Selwyn Owens and Dora Maude Shamp (formally known as Maude). My grandmother Carolyn even told me stories about Maude (mainly), and completely altered my interest in Family History forever. Maude had such a fascinating story, and started to become completely interested in her. The tales of her life that my grandmother told me made me feel so nostalgic, so that I started to feel an emotional tie to this great ancestor of mine. I had never met the woman (considering she died decades ago), but felt connected to her. Seems like I was supposed to know her story, and that finding all the details about her life was part of my destiny.

As I sat at home trying to decide where I should start my documentation, I remembered everything I said above; and then decided that I would start with the family of Lena Berdella Owens Elkins. This was the very first section of my family history that I ever documented. I had some things written down for my grandparents and their parents, but I just was so interested with this section of my family tree. Ironically (other family historians will understand this humor) although it was the first area of focus, research, and documentation; I have had the most luck and findings with this part of my family. Perhaps the fact that most of this family was in East Liverpool (Ohio) for many generations allowed me to find so many obituaries, and other records. Never-the-less it was (and still is) my favorite volume in my documented Family History.

About a week after starting my quest with the Owens/Shamp section of my family tree, I found a census record on a research website that was the spark to something incredible. From a name in that record, I found probably the most exciting and emotionally uplifting information to date. That story is of brother and sister, Herman & Merle (Myrl) Ownes.

(To be Continued...)

New Blog for Oak Glen High School Marching Band

If you have been following this blog, you may (or may not) have noticed a lot of posts lately pertaining to the Oak Glen High School Marching Band. I was part of the band, and have been taking photos, videos, and digital recordings of today's band to be archived for future generations. I recognized that people do not take pictures like they use too, so saw an opportunity to start preserving what I am able. I have been going to events this year so far (all the Oak Glen Home Games, and Christmas parades in recent time), and taking as many digital records as able. I usually aim for about 200+ pictures, and several videos for each event. The picture are saved to a disc; one copy is archived, and another sent to Director Wendy Zinn for the band's records. The videos are uploaded to a playlist on YouTube for all to see; I figured it was easier, less painful, and more convenient to share with others to promote our local legacy.

With all the events going on lately, and my anticipation of a very buisy season next year with the band's scheduel/growing popularity; I have taken the liberty to create a new Blog specifically for the Oak Glen High School Marching Band. This will not affect this Blog at all, and will give me more room for stories of my family history adventures (/misadventures-lol). On this new site: I will share records I have taken (pictures, and links to YouTube videos), upcomming band events, and any other announcement pertaining to the marching band of today and tomorrow.

Follow this link to see the site (be sure to tell your friends):

http://oghs-band.blogspot.com/

Thanks to everyone who is following my stories, and I will do my best to keep both Blogs equally interesting.

Jackson

Oak Glen High School Marching Band Christmas Parade Schedule 2011.

Oak Glen High School Marching Band finished their football season in recent time. They sounded absolutely wonderful, and are only getting better. With the season of Christmas now here, it is now time for local parades and festivities. The band will be marching in several parades, and helping us get into the holiday spirit with a medley of holiday tunes.

Here is the marching band's Christmas Parade Schedule:

November 26, 2011

Weirton, West Virginia

Line up was at-5:30p.m.

Started-6:30p.m.

Here is a video from this parade-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta36MFdORlA

December 3, 2011

Chester, West Virginia

Line up-1:00p.m.

Starts-2:00p.m.

Video to come-

December 3, 2011

East Liverpool, Ohio

Line up-4:00p.m.

Starts-5:00p.m.

Video to come-


If you attend any of these parades, you may see me there as well. I will be there taking photos, videos, and digital recordings of the band to be archived. If I get word that they will be participating in any parade not listed, I will add it.

Hope to see you there in support of our local band and legacy.

West Virginia Goldenseal Magazine.

Interested in West Virginia Goldenseal Magazine?


Goldenseal Magazine Subscription:
www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/subscription.html
-One year~4 Issues: $20.00
-Two years~8 Isues: $36.00
-Three years~12 Issues: $50.00


Goldenseal Back Issues:
www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/backissu.html
-$3.95 each with (plus) shipping)
-$3.00 each with (plus) shipping on orders of 10 or more


Goldenseal Index:
www.wvculture.org/goldenseal/gsindex.html

Personally I love this magazine. It is interesting, and helps to preserve the rich history/culture of  West Virginia. If you find it as interesting as I do, be sure to check it out. I probably will post this at a later time, but there have been several issues of the magazine (so far) with articles pertaining to Hancock County, West Virginia. It really is a great magazine folks.

"STRANGE BREW~The Hancock County Witch Trial" - By: Jane Mehaffey

Hancock County, the smallest county in the state of West Virginia, sits atop the state’s northern panhandle.   During its 163 year history, Hancock County has seen its share of lawsuits filed in the county’s court system.  But an unusual trial occurred in 1969, when 34 year old Frank Daminger, a thoroughbred horse trainer living in the unincorporated community of Newell, sued 10 of his neighbors for slander after they allegedly called him “a warlock and the devil’s consort.”   The trial offered up a strange brew of hex, lies, and spooky landscapes that briefly focused national attention on this quiet, rural community.

Frank Daminger, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1953.  Sometime in the late 1960’s he, his wife Katherine, and their two children, aged 3 and 6 at the time of the trial, moved to Newell, West Virginia.  Mr. Daminger was a lower tier horse trainer and no doubt settled in Newell because of its proximity to Waterford Park Racetrack. [Now known as Mountaineer.]

Although it remains unclear what happened, a conflict soon arose between Mr. Daminger and his neighbors.  Accusations, allegations, and odd behavior lead Mr. Daminger to bring a slander suit against ten of his neighbors.

A thirty-five page lawsuit was filed on September 27, 1969.  According to pre-trial briefs filed by Mr. Daminger’s attorney Frank A. Pietranton of Weirton, ten of Mr. Daminger’s neighbors publicly called him a “warlock and devil’s consort” who possessed “evil powers of casting spells and hexing.”  The neighbors also allegedly accused him of practicing witchcraft and holding ritualistic ceremonies in local cemeteries. 

Crew cut and dressed in a conservative dark suit, one newspaper reported that he looked more like an accountant than a warlock.  But interestingly, Mr. Daminger did concede in the filing that he had “studied witchcraft for the past 15 years.”   Later on during the trial, he was seen reading a book titled Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, a work his neighbors referred to as his “witchcraft book.”   At one point during the trial, Mr. Daminger laughed and said that he was reading the book to “find out what I’m accused of.”

The ten defendants in the lawsuit, all residents of Newell, were:  

•             Thelma Franczek

•             John Franczek

•             Ruth Smith

•             Ronald Smith

•             Cathy Six

•             Arnold Six

•             Margaret McGrew

•             Richard McGrew

•             Lora Ann Fabbro (Fabro?)

•             Jennie LaNeve

Mr. Daminger sought a total of $150,000--$50,000 collectively and $10,000 individually-- for damaging his reputation and ruining his career.

According to Mr. Daminger, in May 1968, these neighbors “entered into a conspiracy” bent on destroying his good name and reputation.  Attorneys for the neighbors were Mr. Edward Zagula of Weirton and Mr. William Conklin of Chester.   At the time, Mr. Zagula was also the Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney.  In pre-trial briefs, the neighbors stated they were innocent of the charges and contended that Mr. Daminger “prayed in Latin and asked the demons to arise and further show these non-believers his power.” 

The trial opened in Hancock County Court on Monday morning, November 3, 1969, just three days after Halloween.  Presiding was Judge Ralph E. Pryor.  Judge Pryor, from Wellsburg, West Virginia, was well respected and known as a fair minded, no nonsense judge.  A graduate of Warwood High School and Bethany College, Judge Pryor served with distinction in World War II, receiving the Purple Heart. After the war, he earned his law degree from Harvard University in 1948.  From 1952 until 1960, he was the Prosecuting Attorney in Brooke County before winning election as judge of the First Judicial Circuit.  He served in that position until his death on July 3, 1972 at the age of 51. 

On the morning of the trial, an all male jury of twelve was seated. During the selection process, Judge Pryor asked each potential juror if he believed in witchcraft.  Each man denied such a belief. The jurors in the case were:  

Albert W. Gardner

304 Wayne Avenue

Weirton, WV 

Gilbert Ferrelli

3607 Lindberg Way

Weirton, WV

Carl G. Tharp

174 Powers Road

Weirton, WV

James Hinchee

132 Pike Street

Weirton WV

William Gruber

714 Cove Road

Weirton WV

Willis Hebb

430 Helen Street

Weirton WV

William C. Higginbotham

Ridge Road

New Cumberland WV

Lawrence A. Ward

New Cumberland Heights

New Cumberland WV

Hugh M. Cunningham

923 Third Avenue

New Cumberland, WV

Dale L. Sole

R. D. 1

New Cumberland WV

Joseph L. Haynes

R. D. 1

New Cumberland WV

Charles O. Thompson

Orion Avenue

Chester WV

In an unusual move after jury selection, Judge Pryor called a recess.   Defense attorney Zagula had requested that the judge, the jury, the attorneys, and their clients take a field trip to visit Nessly Chapel Cemetery where Mr. Daminger was alleged to have taken several neighbors to witness “the Black Mass.”  

So, at about 10:30 a.m. the entire court boarded a chartered bus and headed north along WV State Route 2.  The first stop on this bus trip was the old cemetery at Nessly Chapel Methodist Church located about four miles from New Cumberland.

Constructed from locally hewn stone, Nessly Chapel is a beautiful Methodist church situated along the highway.  Originally built in 1826 and named for an early settler, Jacob Nessly, the church was re-built in 1902.  A narrow, poorly paved road twists behind the church leading to the small cemetery where approximately 265 grave markers dot the gently rolling hillside.  The graves themselves are located several hundred yards opposite the gate and can be reached by following a faint gravel track in the grass. 

Reports from the time of the trial state that the cemetery was surrounded by woods and enclosed by an iron fence.  Today there is a bolted gate locking out vehicles, although visitors may enter through spaces between the gate and the signposts.  No reports from the time mention the gate.  Then, as now, no houses or buildings, not even the road, are visible from the cemetery.  [Apparently at one time there was another entrance to the cemetery located directly behind the church.  One source told me that this entrance was destroyed in a landslide of some sort.]

At the cemetery, Judge Pryor first pointed out Waterford Park’s water tower which was visible above the trees about one mile away.   He then asked the jurors to observe “the general surrounding area and the terrain and whether there are any dwellings or buildings thereon.”   He also asked them to note the route a person would take from the entrance gate to the location of one tombstone in particular.

That tombstone was old and weathered to the point that the letters were indecipherable. Referred to as the “Miller” stone, it had a rounded top.  A forefinger carved from the stone pointed upward to the sky.   [According to the cemetery record on the website at Find A Grave, there is only one grave named Miller in Nessly Cemetery.  That is the stone of a child named Miller, an infant boy who died February 9, 1910.  He was the son of   E. L. Miller & Florence J. Anderson.  It is not clear if this is the same headstone mentioned during the trial.]

Judge Pryor then turned attention to a second grave marker nearby.  Protruding from the top of this stone was a three inch iron rod where the stone was broken off.  One report identified this as the “Manypenny” headstone.  [According to Find A Grave website, there is no grave marked Manypenny in Nessly Cemetery.]

The court once again boarded the bus and headed farther north to the tree lined Grant Street neighborhood in Newell where Mr. Daminger and his neighbors lived.  The jury saw Mr. Daminger’s former home, a narrow, yellow painted frame house at 913 Grant Street.   By the time of the trial, Mr. Daminger and his family had moved to a mobile home park on Route 8 out of concern for their safety.  [possibly Red Barn Trailer Court?]

The jury took note of seven houses where the events had allegedly taken place. A large tree between Mr. Daminger’s former residence and the house next door was also pointed out. 911 Grant Street, the house next door, was identified as the home of defendants Richard and Martha McGrew.  Three days after Halloween, the McGrew’s still displayed a three foot high witch riding a broomstick.

The court also toured a large field next to the Homer Laughlin China Company.  Referred to as “the point,” it was there, according to the pre-trial briefs, that Mr. Daminger was allegedly seen in “embarrassing situations” with a teen-aged girl from Newell.  [Clark Field?]  Judge Pryor asked the jury to note the absence of lights at the location.

The court returned to New Cumberland just before noon.  Opening statements in the trial were set to begin after a recess for lunch.  During the recess, Mr. Daminger said that his attorney, Mr. Pietranton, would be calling twenty-two witnesses and that the defense would present 17 witnesses.   Defense attorney Zagula speculated that the trial would last 3-4 days.

Reports about the number of spectators in court that day vary.  It seems there were at least fifty spectators, most of whom were women.  In addition, an estimated fifteen reporters from the local papers as well from the papers in Wheeling and Pittsburgh were on hand for the proceedings.  At the conclusion of the trial, the story was picked up by both the AP and the UPI wire services and appeared in papers all over the country.  [Sources have told me that newsmen from the New York papers, as well as journalists from Time and Life magazines came for the trial.  I have not yet been able to verify these reports.]

When court reconvened and before opening statements, one of the defendants, Mrs. Jenny LaNeve, was released upon a motion from Mr. Pietranton.  Through her attorney, Mr. Conklin, Mrs. LaNeve presented to the court a signed affidavit in which she denied that she had “in any way or at any time slandered Mr. Daminger, but that if she did it was purely unintentional and purely inadvertent.”  Mrs. LaNeve also apologized to Mr. Daminger.  There were no objections and Mrs. LaNeve was enjoined from any further proceedings. 

The first witness called to the stand was Mrs. Thelma Franczek, a thirty-seven year old mother of four.  Mrs. Franczek, of 920 Washington Street, was a member of the Newell Block Mothers, a group formed to protect the neighborhood children because of the lack of a police department in the community.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Zagula said the he “had no wish to revisit the Salem trials of 1693.”  Nevertheless, during Mrs. Franczek’s testimony a number of strange details came to light.

According to testimony and remarks from the attorneys, Mr. Daminger “acted weird” and had “weird ways.”  Neighborhood children became frightened and ran home after seeing him reading his “witchcraft book” on his porch one afternoon.   Mr. Daminger allegedly showed a young girl what he called “a voodoo doll,” and he indicated that another young girl was going to suffer a heart attack.

There were allegations that Mr. Daminger used his evil powers to seduce his thirteen year-old babysitter Polly who was Mrs. Franczek’s niece.  Additional allegations placed him in an “embarrassing situation” with a teen aged girl at “the point” in Newell while his wife was at home.

Mr. Daminger did not deny that he had studied witchcraft.  He also admitted that he read fortune telling cards and read instructions from a book on those cards.  He had no idea, according to court statements, “that anyone in this day and age would take such things seriously.”

However, there were additional allegations that Mr. Daminger visited cemeteries where he performed “rituals that he himself described as ‘the Black Mass.’ ” Allegedly, he claimed that he could communicate with the dead.  It was also said that he often repeated incantations in Latin to call upon spirits.

As tensions mounted in the neighborhood, Mrs. Franczek testified that various plots designed “to run the witch (Mr. Daminger) out of town” were discussed and some were acted upon.

Mrs. Franczek, Mrs. Lora Fabbro, and one other woman went as a delegation to racing officials, known as stewards, at Waterford Park with letters outlining the alleged sexual activities he was suspected of.  Evidently this was an attempt to have Mr. Daminger “ruled off the track” so that he could not run his horses there and would be forced to leave the area.

Mr. Daminger’s landlady, Mrs. Ann Juszczak, was pressured by neighbors to evict him from 913 Grant Street.  A petition to make him leave town was also drawn up.

Mrs. Franczek testified that the neighbors discussed killing Mr. Daminger and throwing him in the river or burying him in the graveyard.  They also considered hiring a man from Youngstown who “had a black belt in karate and could work over anyone for a five dollar bill.”  They were told that this expert could do such a good job on Mr. Daminger that there wouldn’t be any marks on the body.

“Just like that,” Mrs. Franczek said, snapping her fingers three times, “he’d be dead.”

Mrs. Franczek also detailed a rather gruesome plot to have Mr. Daminger accused of murdering his landlady.  This scheme involved killing a cat and smearing its blood all over one of the landlady’s dresses.  Mrs. Jusczak was to hide while Mr. Daminger was blamed for her murder.

“That was a joke,” Mrs. Franczek said, smiling.  “We knew it might not work, but we did get a kick out of it.”

The plot did not work because the landlady, who was “completely drunk at the time,” sobered up and wouldn’t go through with the plan. 

Mr. Daminger’s attorney pointed out that all these schemes were “in addition to an unbelievable amount of personal harassment suffered by Mr. Daminger by his neighbors.” 

People spat on Mr. Daminger and threatened to beat him up.  They threw stones at him and at his house. Bonfires were set near his home and cherry bombs were tossed into his yard.  People made the sign of the cross when they saw him on the street.  A hex sign was posted facing his front door and a cross was put on a tree between his house and the McGrew house.

Another odd event was a candlelight ceremony held at 915 Grant Street, the home of Ron and Ruth Smith.  The neighbors gathered there dressed in white, chanting, and carrying candles to “ward off evil spirits.”

But perhaps the most bizarre part of the trial involved Mrs. Franczek’s re-telling of a nighttime trip to Nessly Chapel Cemetery.

Sometime during the summer of 1968, at midnight on a moonlit night, Mrs. Franczek, Mrs. Fabbro, and Mrs. Juszczak accompanied Mr. Daminger to the lonely cemetery behind Nessly Chapel to witness what Mr. Daminger called “the Black Mass.”  According to reports, Ron and Ruth Smith were concealed in the trees to watch events unfold.

As they walked from the gate to the cluster of graves, Mr. Daminger spread salt along the path “to ward off evil spirits.”  They stopped in front of the Miller stone, and then turned to the right to the Manypenny stone, the marker with the iron rod protruding from it.  

Mr. Daminger took off his ring and asked the three women to kiss it.  As Mrs. Franczek stated he “took off his ring and we all kissed it. He then placed his ring on top of the stone.  He then took a drink from a bottle of wine that we had and poured some wine on the tombstone. He capped the bottle, and placed the bottle on top of the stone too.”  (R2)

“The bottle fell off, and he picked it up again, took another drink and put it on the stone again.  It fell once again, so he started all over again.”  Mrs. Franczek testified that this action was repeated a total of three times.

According to reports, Mr. Daminger grinned broadly while Mrs. Franczek recounted how frightened they were. 

“It was moonlight and midnight and we were up in that cemetery and we were scared,” she said.

Mr. Pietranton explained that the bottle moved because his client pulled a string attached to it.  The whole ceremony was intended as a practical joke to prove that Mr. Daminger had no occult powers.  According to his attorney, Mr. Daminger was not given a chance to explain this joke to the women.

In an interview with one reporter, Mr. Zagula stated that this Black Mass was all about a lot of “hocus pocus by which Mr. Daminger caused a wine bottle to fall from a tombstone in a moonlight, midnight demonstration of his occult powers.” 

Before court adjourned, Mr. Pietranton presented a statement dated July 23, 1968.  It was directed to Mr. Daminger and was allegedly signed by Mrs. Franczek on behalf of several of the neighbors.  It reads:

“Male Witch

You are a male witch and you use your occult powers to get sexual pleasures.

You put little girls under evil spells and then rape them.

You put an evil spell on me and caused me to fall and hurt my ankle.

You put me under a spell so you could make love to me.

You have ruined all the teenaged girls in the neighborhood.”

Mrs. Franczek denied that she had signed the statement.

At the conclusion of her testimony, Judge Pryor adjourned the court until 9:30 a.m. the next day.

The second day of the trial, Tuesday, November 4, 1969, dawned wet and bleak.   But after convening court for the day, Judge Pryor met in camera for about one hour with attorneys from both sides.  When the judge and the attorneys re-entered the courtroom, Mr. Zagula read the following statement:

“We the undersigned defendants in the above-styled matter do hereby reiterate the denial of the claims of the plaintiff as set forth in our answer heretofore filed herein, except as may have been otherwise indicated by the testimony adduced herein, and declare that we, presently, irrespective of earlier suspicions or statements which may have indicated the contrary, do not believe the plaintiff has committed any crime or immoral act with any female person, minor or adult, for which the plaintiff has charged us with having stated, but which we have denied, and further we do not believe he has any supernatural powers claimed or pretended to be used for any ulterior purpose or profit.”

“For any act or conduct on our part which may have caused or contributed to the injury of or damage to his reputation and business we apologize to him, an apology from him for any act or conduct on his part which may have damaged or injured us in our reputations or in any other way, being made simultaneously by the plaintiff herewith.”

Mr. Pietranton moved that the suit be dismissed.  Judge Pryor approved the motion and adjourned the court at about 10:30 am.

Mr. Daminger and his wife, who was in court for the proceedings, were pleased.  According to one report, Mrs. Daminger, described as a tall, attractive brunette with streaks of gray in her hair, ran to her husband to hug and kiss him.  (NR 2) She stated that she was “absolutely pleased that our name has been vindicated.”

“I am elated that we have finally reached a solution in this unbelievable affair,” Mr. Daminger said.  “I hope no one ever has to go through what I’ve been through in the past year.”

One reporter asked Mr. Daminger if he would continue to study witchcraft. Holding his book Witchcraft, Magic, and Alchemy, he replied, “Certainly, but it is purely academic study, combined with curiosity.” 

And so this strange brew boiled down to nothing with an anti-climactic and rather unsatisfying end.  Mr. Zagula summed it up best when he said, “The whole business of gossip and witchcraft simply got out of hand and everybody became involved to a ridiculous degree.”

Jane's Note

I hope you enjoyed my account of the Daminger slander lawsuit, more commonly known as the Hancock County Witch Trial.  This story was easy to research because it received so much attention and was a relatively recent event.  It also helped because I knew the exact dates and the name of the central player.  I wish all stories were this easy.  I have presented only the facts as reported in the papers from the time. I did not check out the records at the courthouse.   If you find anything that is in error or if you have any details to add, please let me know.

There are a couple of things about this lawsuit to note.  I have not made an extensive study of witchcraft, but I have read that during the witchcraft trials in Salem, the accused “witches” were suspected of putting evil spells on young girls in the community.  There is a similar theme here. 

Also, I have read that most people accused of being witches were usually people who were different or who did not fit into the community. Similarly Mr. Daminger was an outsider and he definitely did not fit in . 

I learned in my research for this trial that in colonial America, people condemned for being witches were usually hanged. The “witches” in the Salem trials were hanged. In Europe, burning was the usual practice for executing people condemned as witches.

I am puzzled, though, about the motivations in this case.  Without having been present at the trial and without hearing any testimony from Mr. Daminger or any other witness, it is hard to know what was truly behind all this hoopla.  It seems to me that Mr. Daminger was trying to stir up a little excitement and the whole thing got out of hand. 

Another thing that puzzles me is why these women agreed to go to the cemetery at midnight with Mr. Daminger when they were supposedly suspicious of him.  I guess he put a spell on them.

© 2011 by Jane Mehaffey

My Note

Jane Mehaffey (a friend of mine) recently wrote this story, which I featured on the "Memories of Hancock County & Brooke County, West Virginia" Facebook page for Halloween. I am very pleased with this. Jane did a wonderful job researching this trial (which was big news when it happened), and organizing her findings. The communities of Hancock County are small, and very tight knit; so this was probaby Earth Shaking. Although the basis of this history is subject to controversy, I find it very interesting; and fascinating. For such a long period, the story of Frank Daminger has been an enigma to me as well as many others. Jane's research has opened my perspective on this issue of a bygone era, and I am so proud of her work.
Jane gave me full permission to share her writing on my blog as an extra step to share our local history with people of today and future generations. Hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have. =)


If you have any extra information on this trial, would just like to give Jane your thoughts, or just want to say hello to this local author; please feel free to contact Jane Personally.

Jane Mehaffey
Email: oplasj@yahoo.com

Oldest woman in Hancock County 1920.

While doing some research at the East Liverpool Carnegie Library I found an article that was very interesting to me. It talked about the oldest woman of Newell and Hancock County overall falling and fracturing her hip. Although it is sad to hear of her fate, I thought that it was neat that she was locally recognized as the “oldest resident of Hancock County”. Now-a-days, people (especially a lot of woman) in this society don’t tell their age; nor celebrate their old age. There are, of course, the oldest man and woman in the record books, but to be a century and a decade old is quite a large deal. In small communities when someone reaches one hundred, it can become a big deal as well ~ however, around here I only know of three people in that age range; and they unfortunately are in a bad state of mind.

Here is the first article that I found on Mrs. Rachel Webb:

-------------------------------------------------------

East Liverpool Evening Review

Friday, December 3, 1920

Page 7 ~ Microfilm at the East Liverpool Carnegie Library

Aged Newell Woman Injured In Fall

Mrs. Rachel Webb, 95, who is said to hold the distinction of being the oldest resident of Hancock County, is suffering from the effects of an injury which will probably make her bedfast for the rest of her life.

Mrs. Webb, who was born and reared in Hancock County, makes her home with her son, James Webb, on Fourth street. A few days ago the aged woman slipped and fell to the floor, fracturing her hip.

Mrs. Webb, up until the accident, was quite active in spite of her age. She went to the polls to cast her ballot at the general election in November. She is a few months older than Mrs. Eliza Cameron, mother of Mrs. C. F. Allison, of Chester.

---------------------------------------------------------

If you look back in time, during the year 1921 (year of these articles); you will see that people were only living to their 50’s and some to their late 60’s ~ with all the disease, and not really advanced medicine. So you could understand in this circumstance why ninety-five year old Rachel got the title.

I did some research on Rachel and have not found much. I did however find her memorial on Findagrave.com, and with the date of death from her memorial page I was able to find her obituary on microfilm at the East Liverpool Carnegie Library.

Here is her obituary:

----------------------------------------------------------

East Liverpool Evening Review

Friday, December 31, 1921

Page 7 ~ Microfilm at the East Liverpool Carnegie Library

Oldest Newell Woman Is Dead

Mrs. Rachel B. Webb, Aged 95, Died Here Wednesday Evening.

Mrs. Rachel Baxter Webb, aged 95, the oldest resident of Hancock County, died at the home of her son, James Webb, Jefferson Street, Newell, at 8:30 o’clock Wednesday evening following a month’s illness of infirmities of old age.

While engaged in house work about a month ago, Mrs. Webb fell to the floor, injuring her hip. She had been bedfast since that time.

Mrs. Webb was born on a farm west of Pughtown near what is now the Baxter Mills District, a daughter of George Baxter, who operated the grist mill there. Forty-four years ago she moved to another farm near Gas Valley, where her two sons, Geo. B and Samuel Webb now reside.

She was married to Thomas Webb in 1851. Her husband died in 1874. Shortly after the death of her husband Mrs. Webb and her family re-moved to Gas Valley where she made her home until about two months ago, when she went to the home of her son James in Newell.

The deceased is survived by three sons, George B and Samuel Webb of Gas Valley, and James Webb of Newell. She is the last surviving member of her family. The late Mrs. Ruth Gardner of Chester was a sister. Mrs. Webb was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Newell.

Funeral services will be conducted at the James Webb Home here Friday afternoon at 1 o’clock, Rev. Hermann M. Hosack, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Union Cemetery, Pughtown.

-------------------------------------------------------------- 

Sadly Rachel passed away, but just wanted to share part of her story. These articles are so interesting to me.

I will continue to research this part of Hancock County history, and post anything else I find. I am interested to research more on Rachel’s father George as well, so possibly will do a story on him in the future.

If you have any information on this, or are related to this Webb family; let me know.

Oak Glen High School Marching Band online video archive.

Are you currently, or were you ever in the Oak Glen High School Marching Band?
In an effort to preserve the memories of this (and tomorrow's) generation of the Band, I have been going to whatever games I can (most home games so far), photographing/video recording/digital recording the band, and putting everything on CD to be archived. I am unable to get the videos on CD at this time, but wanted to put them online for the world to see. Uploading videos is a pain, due to the long period it takes to upload them. However I found a wonderful solution-YouTube! I realized the sharing power that I would have by uploading the videos there, and passing the links along to anyone that is interested in watching clips of this local legacy. I created the YouTube playlist titled "Oak Glen High School Marching Band", so that all the videos I upload can be put in one place for everyone to see. Furthermore, any videos I find uploaded by others can be put in the playlist as well.

Oak Glen High School (in New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia) has not seen a marching band for a very long time, and has been missed. I have been told by many that the Marching Band "back in the day" was legendary; having a massive body of members, sounding grand, winning countless competitions, and striking pride in the hearts of the local communities.

Recently, after Director Richard Ford retired, Wendy Zinn became the new director of this band. The band, not marching for a very long time, was very difficult to get moving towards marching again and regaining the local pride it once had. Zinn has made a valiant effort since she took the position in 2010/2011 year, and has molded the band into something grand.

I had the fortune to be part of that movement last year, playing the Baritone Saxophone with the first class to return to the Oak Glen High School Marching Band tradition. I wish I had the ability to go back in time, or have experienced at least one more year of the true Marching Band. However, I graduated in May; and am happy to say that "...I was part of that movement, and the six of us (Band Seniors of the 2010/2011 year) were the start of something grand that will only get better and bigger."

I am proud of this band, and will always be. I am happy to take the liberty as well to archive what I can. People do not take photos or video like they use to, so I guess you could say I fill that void.

Please follow the link to below to view the playlist I created, and to watch the videos I have uploaded so far.

"Oak Glen High School Marching Band" YouTube playlist.

*Note-I will be adding more videos as time goes on, so be sure to check the link often for new ones to watch.*

Two Nabbed in Chester, West Virginia Chicken Thefts.

While looking for obituaries recently at the East Liverpool Carnegie Library on microfilm, I found this article which I think is kind of humorous. Although it is about chicken theft in Chester, it was not what I had expected to see on the front page.

East Liverpool Review

Saturday, October 3, 1931

Front Page

Two Nabbed in Chicken Thefts

CHESTER—Two youths, Earl Jones, 20, and another giving his name as Bacchus, 21, were arrested near Lawrenceville Friday night by State Trooper R. D. Turley as suspects in a series of chicken robberies in Hancock County recently. They are being held in the city jail here, pending further investigation.

Dora Maude Lee ~ an inspiration to my family history.

Meet my great great great grandmother Dora Maude Lee ~ formally known as Maude Lee.

Maude was born January 12, 1880 in Mechanicstown, Pennsylvania (the daughter of David Sand Shamp and Sarah Jane Monigold); and passed away April 16, 1965 at the ripe age of 85 years old.

Her first husband was Edward “Edwin” Selwyn Owens (born 1872), whom she had 5 children with. They were: Robina Priscilla-who married a Deets, Lena Berdella (my great great grandmother)-who married Clyde Brenton Elkins, Ellen-who married Roy Broadbent, Herman, and Merle. Sadly her two youngest (Herman & Merle) died late August of 1906 only a day apart caused by an attack of Diphtheria. Due to personal issues between Maude and Edward, they were divorced soon after that period; and Maude remarried a William C. Lee. Edwin Passed away of Alcoholism April 13, 1954 and is buried by Herman and Merle at Spring Grove Cemetery (East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio). William and Maude had the following children: William C. Lee Jr., Charles (who I have no information for at this time), and Geraldine-who married a Smith. William and Maude lived a very happy life together on a small farm outside of East Liverpool. Maude was a wonderful cook, and was known to ride into town on one of her horses (which she owned several). One day, she tripped over her dog; and broke her hip badly. My grandmother told me that Maude died of complications many years later from that accident. Maude’s beloved husband William died the next year December 8, 1966. William and Maude are at eternal rest together at Calcutta United Presbyterian Cemetery (Calcutta, Columbiana County, Ohio).

I told you this story, because Maude was one of my inspirations. My grandmother let me look through a box of her old family photos once, and Maude’s was in there (along with many other precious photographs). I was just beginning to gain an interest in family history at the time. I just felt so nostalgic looking at her photo and imagining that at one time this ancestor of mine led a life too; a life of importance, and influence on her community. My grandmother told me many stories about Maude and her daughter Lena (my grandmother’s grandmother), and it really brought the person in the photo to life-giving greater meaning to my heritage. It is so neat to think of all the grandparents that came before you, and the lives they led. Although Maude had many sufferings in her life, she finally found happiness; and I am sure she influenced the lives of those she knew at her bygone time. After finding that photo, I took the first steps in recording my family history; and have been doing it ever since. Maude’s family was the first I documented in my binders.

Below I took the liberty to also add Maude’s obituary for you to read. If you are related to me, or would like to supplement any information ~ like corrections, or missing names/dates/or places; feel free to email me at jacktyger@frontier.com. 

“Mrs. Maude Lee, 122 W. 3rd St., a former potter and wife of William Lee, died this morning (April 16, 1965) at 7 at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Robert (Geraldine) Smith, 833 Riverview St., following an illness of about 12 years.

She had been residing with her daughter recently because of her health. She was 85.

Mrs. Lee was born in Mechanicstown Jan. 12, 1880, and had lived in this vicinity virtually her lifetime. She worked at the Homer Laughlin china Co. for 50 years and was a finisher when she retired 18 years ago. She was a member of the First Church of Christ, its Bethany Class and Ladies League.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, William C. Lee of West Point; two others daughters, Mrs. Roy (Ellen) Broadbent of Sebring and Mrs. Robina Deets of Tampa, Fla.; three sisters, Mrs. Lena Silverman and Mrs. Laura Jones, both of East Liverpool, and Mrs. Rose Ralston of Greenville, Pa.; a half-sister, Mrs. Mary Dawson of Beaver; five half-brothers, Simon Shamp of Hookstown, Dave Shamp and Raymond Shamp, both of Aliquippa, Clyde Shamp of Wooster and John Shamp of East Liverpool; 24 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Martin Funeral Home by the Rev. E. C. Traylor. Burial will be in the Calcutta United Presbyterian Church Cemetery.”

*Note: Photo of William & Maude's Stone from Findagrave.com.*

Busy Summer days.

I have been extremely busy this week with work, death in the family (family friend), and getting ready for my vacation; so I have been slacking with this Blog.
However, be sure to watch soon for more exciting stories. I will do my best to keep things interesting here.
Jackson.
P.S.--In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or requests for me; feel free to send me an email.

Chester's July 4th events tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will be down in Chester (West Virginia) most of the day for Chester's Fourth of July festivities. 

In the morning, there will be a "Duck Dash"-which, you can buy as many rubber ducks as you like. At 10:00a.m. they open the fire hydrants (causing the side of the road to become a flowing stream of water), let the rubber ducks go, and if your duck (with the number on the bottom) gets first you win the prize. Anyways, there will be a car show as well that starts sometime in the morning and lasts most of the afternoon. If you get hungry, between the American Legion and the Catholic Church will be tons of local groups with wonderful food (fundraising) ~ it is all cheap, and local. There will also be a craft show set up most of the day at the Legion as well. I will be ending my day watching the fireworks at 10:00 p.m..

If you are attending the parade as well, I am happy to report that the Oak Glen High School Marching Band will be marching in the parade. The band is still needs more time to grow as big as it used to be, but the director (Mrs. Wendy Zinn ~ who took the position as director when Mr. Richard Ford Retired) is making a valiant effort to bring back a local legacy that unfortunately was lost to time ~ the O.G.H.S. Marching Band. With this said, I think it would be wonderful to give the community support that they need. If you are attending the parade tomorrow, be sure to look for the band. If you take photos of the band, and would like to share them with the Alumni; feel free to email them to me. As the Genealogist on the Alumni Committee, I will happy add whatever you would like to share to the bands record archive.

So if you are out and about in Chester tomorrow, keep an open eye; and you might see me walking around. :)

Happy Fourth of July Folks (or Independence Day if you want to be politically correct), I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe day!

Jackson.

Looking for descendants of "Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Smith".

Meet Edwin Selwyn Owens.

 Edwin is my great great great grandfather. He was born in Brownville (I believe is how you say it), Pennsylvania; and lived in East Liverpool, Ohio for the majority of his life. I will share about this ancestor of mine later on (because he did live quite an interesting life); but the main reason I am sharing this, is to try to find next of kin (or just general information) on the two others in this photo.

My grandmother has the original at her home (I just copied it), but originally it belonged to her mother's mother (Edwin's daughter) Lena Berdella Owens Elkins ~ and I assume it was in Edwin's photos to start. On the back of the photo was writing (which is not very common with old photos - glad my family thought to do so); Edwin is on the Left, and the writing on the back describes the couple on the right as "Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Smith". Like I said, this was in East Liverpool (although it looks like Kansas); and since it seems that Charlie Smith and Edwin Owens were friends it is likely they are neighbors; but since I am unable to accurately date the photo, I am unable to give an address from a census.

I appreciate any help. I would love to send a copy of this to the kin of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Smith.

Thanks,

Jackson.

Looking for information on Salineville.

Ghosting 12 Paranormal Investigations & Historical Research is currently looking for information on the quiet town of Salineville, Columbiana County, Ohio. We are trying to build a historical/paranormal tour that would be held for the general public during and around the Salineville Salt Festival.

Here is a list of what we are looking for:

-Mysterious deaths, stories and accounts of murder and suicides.

-Ghost stories.

-Stories and tales of heroism.

-Stories of famous and infamous people of Salineville.

-Accidents ~ like train, mining (was a mining town), and et cedera.

-Stories of anything paranormal ~ (ghosts of course), wiccan craft (witchcraft, or warlockism), bigfoot, or anything else that could be considered out of the ordinary.

-Also, if you have any really interesting stories about an ancestor of yours from Salineville; those are welcome to.

If you are able to help us with information on any of the above categories, we really do appreciate your help! We have been trying to research Salineville's history for several weeks and are coming up dry. Hopefully someone (one of you) who is reading this can help us.

Thanks again folks. :)

With kind regards;

Jackson

My Ghosting 12 Paranormal crew member bio.

http://www.ghosting12.com/2011/03/meet-jacksonour-crew-genealogist.html

I have mentioned being involved in a local paranormal and historical research group. Here is a link to my bio as a crew member. Also, if you live in my area, and are interested in the paranormal; the blog in which I am sharing my bio through really is nice. We are always posting news in our field, and updating the community on our wonderful adventures.
Enjoy.

Some of my surnames-first five generations.

On my Paternal (father's) lineage:
Wilson, Saunders, Eberhart, Wilson (yes, same family line~long story), Yost, Oliver, Davis, Sparks.

On my Maternal (mother's) lineage:
Capehart, Tucker, Walter, Morlan, Coleman, Rice, Elkins, Owens.

Still figuring this out.

Sorry to be so long at getting this running. I have been very busy, and still trying to figure this out~not so technologically gifted. :)
In the meantime you can read my bio to learn a little bit about my life, and get to know me better.

Under construction

This site is under construction, it should be up and running in the future.