The Mysterious Murder of John Newman and Louise Doyle

John W. Newman Is Reported Missing¹

“John W. Newman, 26 years old, manager of the damaged shoe department at the Excelsior factory, is strangely missing from his home at 1647 Twelfth street. His relatives notified the police Saturday.”

“He went to the shoe plant after supper Friday evening, ostensibly to write some letters, and failed to return home. Mrs. Newman said Saturday in appealing to the police to aid her in finding her husband. Chief Distel² immediately started an investigation and ascertained that Newman was at his place of employment yesterday evening and left about seven-thirty o’clock in his Overland automobile but that is the last trace found of him up until a late hour this afternoon.”

“Newman has a wife and three children and she is at a loss to account for his absence as he had not intimated that he was going away. She at first suspected that he had met with foul play but this fear gave way to suspicions in other directions today when it was intimated he may have left with another woman, according to Mrs. Newman.”

Police Asked To Locate Miss Louise Doyle³

“Relatives appealed to the police Saturday to aid them in finding Miss Louise Doyle, 19 years old, who suddenly disappeared from the home of her mother, Mrs. Dollie Doyle, 1816 Grandview avenue, Friday evening.”

“The young woman, who has been employed in the filing department of the Excelsior shoe factory, left her home about seven o’clock last night to go down street and when she failed to return after waiting until a late hour the relatives instituted a search but were unable to locate her or even find a trace of her whereabouts.”

“They were unable to explain her strange conduct and are greatly worried as to her safety. Police have asked the authorities of nearby cities to keep a watch out for the missing girl.”

Newman Still Missing; Auto Is Found⁴

“Another chapter was added to the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of John W Newman, 26, Excelsior Shoe company employee, of 1647 Twelfth street, Sunday, when his Overland automobile was found standing along the Galena pike at the Tremper farm by George Hill, West Side farmer, who notified police. Mr. Hill told the officers that the car, which carried license tags No. 133009, was abandoned where it was found sometime Friday night, as he noticed it there early Saturday morning. As the machine still remained there late Sunday afternoon, Mr. Hill decided to notify the police and a couple of officers went out and towed the vehicle to the police station after an investigation disclosed it was out of gas and the batteries had run down.”

“Newman disappeared Friday evening, and in the police investigation which followed closely on the heels of a report that he was absent from his home, not the slightest trace has been learned of the whereabouts of the man, either by the police or his wife, who is puzzled over the strange absence of her husband and hopes he will soon return to her and their three children.”

“The theory that Newman may have met with foul play is scouted at and the latest angle to the case, the finding of the abandoned automobile, leads the police to believe that after leaving the machine at the roadside he probably walked to Rushtown and took a train. The wife clings to the belief that her husband ran away with another woman. Relatives believe the couple went to Cincinnati after they were compelled to abandon their machine. Every effort is being made to learn the whereabouts of Newman, who for some time had been employed by the Excelsior Shoe company and has always borne an excellent reputation.”

Couple Had Been Missing Since October 21; Coroner Says They Were Murdered

“The veil of mystery that surrounded the whereabouts of John Wheeler Newman, 26 years old, shoeworker, married, of 1647 Twelfth street, and Miss Louise Doyle, 19, single, of 1816 Grandview avenue, who disappeared from their homes on the night of October 21, was swept aside in tragic fashion soon after noon today, when their dead bodies were found in an empty four-room cottage on the George Davis farm, near George P.O. They had been shot to death.”

Approximate Location of the Murders

“The bodies were found by Roscoe Chandler and Harvey Lyons, farmhands. They went to the farmhouse to clean the house preparatory to the CJ Chandler⁵family moving in. The men had just stepped inside the empty house when their attention was attracted to the form of a woman in one corner of the south room which opens off directly from the door leading into the room adjoining on the north. They stepped inside the room to investigate further and then discovered the body of Newman. The man’s form could not be seen from the open doorway. Had the men looked through the windows before going into the house they would have then discovered the lifeless forms.”⁶

‘Murder’ Says Coroner Hendrickson

“Coroner JD Hendrickson⁷who was soon on the scene said a few minutes after examining the bodies and the room in which they were found that the young couple were victims of a murderer who had killed them probably at some other spot and then carried the bodies to the house to hide them for a while.”

“According to Coroner Hendrickson, there is not a single item that points to the deed being committed in the house where the bodies were found. There is no sign of a struggle in the room. There was no gun found in the house or about the place, search even being made of outbuildings.”

Death Certificate for Myrtle Louise Doyle⁸

Death Certificate of John Wheeler Newman⁹

Man Shot Three Times; Woman Once

“The examination of the bodies made by Coroner Hendrickson showed that Newman was shot just above the right ear, through the forehead and through the left side, the bullet entering near the heart. The bullet that caused the girl’s death entered the left breast near the nipple and probably pierced a section of the heart. There were no other marks of any kind on the body.”

“Coroner Henrickson also stated that the bodies had been in the building probably a little over 24 hours, while the condition of the bodies showed that they had been dead probably more than 48 hours.”

“Decomposition had already set in and the doors and windows of the house were thrown open so those crowding into the room, the undertakers and Dr. Henrickson could stay in the room.”

“This condition of the bodies leads Dr. Henrickson to believe that the man and woman had been killed longer than 48 hours.”

Very Little Blood on the Floor

“There was only a small spot where blood had dried, on the floor where the woman’s form was found. Under the head of Newman there was a pool of wet blood. The clothing was soaked with blood from the wound in the side.”

“The four room cottage in which the bodies were found faces Scioto Trail and the Davis home on the farm.”

“It is the second house on the right above the Davis station store. The woman’s body was found crouched down in the southeast corner of the room and the man’s body in the northeast corner of the room. The woman’s head was up against the wall, with her feet pointing toward the north. The man’s body was stretched out on the floor, his head to the north and his feet to the south, almost touching those of the woman.”

“Under the Doyle girl’s body was found an Excelsior Shoe Company’s pay envelope torn in small pieces.”

Robbery Was Not Motive of Crime

“A search of the man’s clothes by Dr. Hendrickson brought forth a roll of seven one dollar bills and half a dollar, showing that robbery was probably not a motive for the murder.”

“In the man’s inside coat pocket was found his bank book, an Excelsior Company’s savings account book, invoices from the Home Vulcanizing Company, F.E. Bower¹⁰ for repair work, Frank Gulick¹¹ for plumbing work, and other papers containing Newman’s name which led to his identification. There were also several order tags such as are used in the factory on shoes. There was no writing on the girl by which she could be identified.”

“She had on a brown and green plaid dress, green bloomers, brown hose and slippers, light tan coat, patent leather belt, and black hat. She also wore two emerald set rings on her left hand and a small diamond ring on her right hand.”

“The small house was soon crowded with farmers and farm hands from nearby places. Several women were in the crowd but the bodies had been carried away before they reached the scene. The cottage is about 100 yards from the Trail paving on the hillside and it is necessary to cross the railroad tracks to reach it.”

“Undertaker Daehler’s ambulance followed Dr. Henrickson to the scene and soon had the bodies on their way back to the Daehler morgue.”

Brother Makes the Identification

“Soon after the bodies had been taken to Daehler’s, Gus Doyle, a brother of Louise Doyle, visited the morgue and identified the body as that of his sister.”

“He identified the body by the clothing, her rings, and auburn hair; and the black hat which had been borrowed from a younger sister before she left home.”

“According to the brother, his sister had been down street the afternoon of the Friday she disappeared and had deposited money in a bank. That evening she left home about seven o’clock and told her mother she intended to be gone only a short time. Her people believe that she went out automobile riding with Newman and that he kept her out. Had she intended to leave on a trip she would have taken more clothes and would have drawn money out of the bank instead of depositing it, is the claim set up by her people in strengthening their view that she was kept out by the man after she went for a short ride.”

Say Newman Acted Strangely

“According to Gus Doyle, reports have reached the family that Newman had been acting strangely for the last couple of weeks. His actions and temperament displayed had aroused suspicions of his fellow employees, it is claimed, and when his disappearance was reported last Saturday it did not come as a surprise to them.”

“Gus Doyle is a bookeeper at the Hibbs Hardware Company’s store on Sixth street. He went to the morgue in place of his mother, who was too ill to go.”

“Miss Myrtle Louise Doyle would have been 19 years old had she lived until May 19 next. She had for three years been employed in the file department in the Excelsior Shoe plant.”

“She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Dollie Doyle of 1816 Grandview avenue and one brother, Gus, and one sister, Grace Ellen, aged 16. Her father, James Doyle, passed away three years ago.”

“John W Newman had for the past six years been a valuable employee of the Excelsior Shoe Company. He was manager of the damaged shoe department and had always borne a splendid reputation. In addition to his wife, Mrs. Bessie Lee Newman, he leaves three sons. Harold, aged 5, Paul, aged 3 and Charles, who is 20 months old. Newman is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Nancy Bernheimer who lives in Pike county. She has been in the city all week assisting in a search being made for her missing son.”

Police Asked to Make Search

“The first that friends of the two people knew of their disappearance was on Saturday, October 22, when the local papers carried items that police had been asked to search for Newman and Miss Doyle although at the time it was not stated they had run away together.”

“An investigation by the police showed that Newman had been at the Excelsior factory Friday night and had left there in his machine. Mrs. Newman insisted all the time that her husband had left the city with another woman.”

“About the same time that Mrs. Newman appealed to the police to aid her in the search for her husband the mother and relatives of Miss Louise Doyle also asked the police to search for the young woman who had not returned home Friday night after going for an automobile ride with a friend.”

“George Hill, well known West Side farmer, found the abandoned Overland car of Newman’s on the West Side road near the Tremper farm. It was reported that the Doyle girl’s picture had been found in the automobile. Relatives after the car was found were of the belief that the couple had probably boarded an N & W train at Rushtown for Cincinnati.”

“The seemingly impenetrable mystery, which surrounds the finding of the lifeless bodies of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle in an unoccupied cottage along the Scioto Trail seven miles north of the city Friday afternoon remains unsolved.”¹²

“Believing that the recovery of the gun used to snuff out the lives of the couple would be a big step toward solving the mystery. Prosecuting Attorney George W Sheppard, Coroner JD Hendrickson, Detective Fred Baker, and a Times man visited the scene where the bodies were found and made a complete search this morning for the gun. All the rooms were thoroughly searched, sections of floors were torn up, sections of loose wallpaper were torn off, steps were taken up, in fact, nothing was left undone that would lead to the recovery of the death-dealing weapon. The search was carried to various sections around the cottage. The adjacent hillsides and fields were searched, but no gun was found. Leaves were scraped up, logs overturned and stones were turned over as it was thought that possibly the gun user in his haste to get away had hidden the weapon near the abandoned cottage.

Convinced It Was Murder

“Convinced that the man and woman were murdered and that Newman could not have shot himself three times, Prosecuting Attorney Sheppard and Coroner Henrickson will attempt to find out where the couple spent the time from when they abandoned their machine on the West Side until their dead bodies were found. There is a lapse of many hours between these events, which officials say must be cleared up before a tangible clue can be obtained.”

“If Newman and Miss Doyle were victims of a suicide pact, how did they cross the Scioto river and Scioto bottoms? Their shoes were almost spotlessly clean and singularly free of mud. No mud or dust could be found on the legs of Newman’s trousers.”

Died Without a Struggle

“There was no mud or dust on Miss Doyle’s clothes. She was dressed as if she were going to a party. When found her hair was not even disarranged, which is proof, the officials say, that she died almost instantly and without the semblance of a struggle. Why were there powder marks on her shirtwaist and undergarment and none on the jacket of her plaid suit?”

“Why were there bullet holes through Newman’s coat, vest, and trousers, where he was shot through the side and none through his plaid overcoat And when his lifeless body was found he had on his overcoat. Officials contend that if the suicide pact is to be given any credence the general appearance of the two victims would not have been so neat. They also say that the machine being found four miles from where the bodies were discovered leads them to the opinion that the murder was committed near or in the cottage and then to cast off suspicion the machine was driven to the West Side and abandoned.”

No Bridge Near Scene

“There is no bridge across the Scioto near the Tremper place and the couple could not have gotten across the river at that point unless they used a boat. If they had walked to the Lucasville bridge their shoes would have been muddy or dusty and this was not the case.”

“Just how the couple reached the cottage or whether they drove to the West Side may never be known.”

“There can no longer be any doubt about Miss Doyle being in the Newman car on the night she left her home officials averred today. They say they have indisputable evidence that she was seen to get in the Newman car in front of the Brady hall at Robinson avenue and Clay street. They say she was waiting there when Newman drove over from the Excelsior plant, where he had been working. They also content that they know where Miss Doyle went to use a telephone to call up Newman. According to the officials, Miss Doyle over the telephone said: ‘Is this you, John?”
“Yes.”

Met on Brady’s Corner

“Well, I’ll meet you on Brady’s corner in 15 minutes.”

“Shortly before this time, Miss Doyle appeared on the above corner and a moment or two later Newman drove up in his machine and the couple turned west on Robinson avenue. That was the last seen of them until the finding of their dead bodies.

“While Mrs. Newman says she never heard of her husband paying any attention to Miss Doyle, the officials say they were seen frequently in each other’s company. It is said that on frequent occasions Newman accompanied Miss Doyle to within a square of her home.”

“When asked yesterday if he had ever seen his sister with Newman, Gus Doyle replied, no. ‘I heard his name mentioned in our home several times but did not pay any attention to it. I always figured Louise would take care of herself,’ the brother stated. He said she taught a Sunday school class, played the piano in church, and was a home-loving girl. ‘I cannot believe that Louise had been keeping company with Newman.'”

Says Newman Acted Strangely

“Mr. Doyle told a Times man that just yesterday a person called at their home and volunteered the information that Newman had been acting strangely for about six weeks.”

“We thought all along that Louise would return home and attached no significance to reports to the contrary. We searched almost every day for her on the West Side, but found no trace of her or Newman. When we learned that her purse and picture had been found in the Newman car we were convinced that she had left the city with Newman.”

Machine Abandoned Early

“Coroner Hendrickson, Detective Baker, and Prosecuting Attorney Sheppard, after visiting the cottage on the Trail left for the Galena pike on the West side. There it was that the Newman car was abandoned. ‘We found no trace of a struggle there and no blood spots or stains. We learned definitely that the machine was abandoned there as early as 10 o’clock on the night of Friday, October 21,’ the prosecutor said Saturday. ‘If there had been any shooting there the neighbors would have heard it and reported to the officials.'”

“When asked if he thought Miss Doyle could have done the shooting, the prosecutor said this was mere gossip. ‘I cannot entertain this theory for a moment. Why it is ridiculous to think that Miss Doyle could have shot Newman three times and then send a bullet into her own heart. The deeper I get into the mystery the more convinced am I that it is a cold-blooded double murder and to this end I shall bend all of my energies. I consider it one of the most wanton murders committed in our county in many years. Every phase substantiates this belief and the guilty person or persons must be found.”

Disposes of One Theory

“‘Well, I am satisfied there is no blood on the steps leading to the cottage where the bodies were found.’ Prosecuting Attorney Sheppard said this morning. ‘I examined the steps very minutely and did not find a single drop of blood on them.'”

“Had there been any found we would have come to the conclusion that the bodies were carried into the cottage after being killed.”

Where Did Gun Go?

“Another theory that is to be investigated by the officials is that, Newman after realizing that Miss Doyle would not accompany him on a long trip shot her and then took his own life. They do not place much credence in this theory from the fact that they insist that Newman could not have shot himself three times and then successfully concealed the gun.”

“There is no doubt in the minds of the relatives of the girl that she had intended being gone only a short time and fully expected to return to her home not later than 10 o’clock.”

Say Couple Were Seen

“Rumors were current today that a couple returning to the city on the night of Friday, October 21, passed Newman and Miss Doyle near Dry Run on the West Side. It is claimed that when the machines passed each other the young woman in the car coming to the city, exclaimed: ‘Why, there is Louise Doyle and Johnny Newman. Wonder where they are going?'”

“The officials are looking into reports that Newman and Miss Doyle were frequently seen in the former’s machine while on the Scioto Trail. It is reported that two weeks ago the Newman car had a puncture on the Trail and Miss Doyle helt a light for him while he changed a tire. A woman telephoned this story to the Times today and said she was not meddling or gossiping but thought the public should know the truth. She refused to give her name and for this reason her story carries little, if any weight.”

Thinks It Is Murder¹³

“Dr. JW Daehler, who also assisted in the postmortem examination firmly beleves that it is a double murder. He too says it would be impossible for Newman to have shot himself three times. ‘The fact that no gun was found also indicates to me that neither one of the victims used a gun.'”

“When asked if it were not possible that a tramp, who bent on sleeping in the house made away with the death-dealing gun after he found the couple lying lifeless on the floor of the little hillside cottage. Dr. Daehler said this was possibly, but hardly probably.”

Dr. Micklethwaite Has Theory¹⁴

“Dr. OR Micklethwaite, who assisted in the postmortem examination is of the same opinion as Coroner Hendrickson except that he believes they were murdered on the night they left Portsmouth. ‘I believe the couple had visited the house near Davis Station before and the murderer knew this and when Newman and Miss Doyle arrived there a week ago yesterday the murder was committed. The gun user then to throw off suspicion drove the Newman car around to the West Side where it was abandoned. I examined Newman’s three wounds and feel reasonably certain that he could not have shot himself three time.'”

“Dr. Micklethwaite is of the opinion that the gun user was actuated by jealousy and that the shooting began just after the couple arrived at the cottage. He thinks the murderer then lost no time in driving the machine to the West Side, where it was found.”

Coroner Thinks Couple Were Not Murdered Friday Night¹⁵

“Coroner JD Henrickson does not share the opinion that Newman and Miss Doyle were murdered the same night they left Portsmouth, Friday October 21.”

“‘This could not have been as their bodies would have been badly decomposed, despite the fact that they were comparatively in the open,’ the coroner said today. ‘It is my firm belief that the double murder was committed not later than Wednesday. The bodies gave every indication of having been lifeless only two or possibly three days. There is only one theory, that of murder, and I shall render my verdict to this effect,’ the coroner said.”

“‘After close examination of Newman’s wounds it would have been impossible for him to have shot himself three times, through the left side, left hip, and through the temple. I am going to sift every phase of the sensational affair in an effort to unravel one of the greatest mysteries that has confronted the officials since I have come to Portsmouth.'”

Seen With Another Woman¹⁶

“It became known today that Detective Fred Baker has definite information that Newman was seen in Sciotoville on the night before he left Portsmouth in company with Louise Doyle. ‘And I have learned that the woman was not Miss Doyle,’ Mr. Baker said this morning. ‘This may prove to be an important link in our chain of circumstantial evidence and I have placed this information in the hands of Prosecutor Sheppard.”

Saw Men Near Death House¹⁷

“When asked this morning if he had learned if any persons had visited the cottage from Friday, October 21, till yesterday John Snedaker said that he had not. ‘Why, my wife and daughter were all around the place two or three days last week, but never thought to look in the house. There is a big hickory nut tree near it and they gathered nuts under it,’ Mr. Snedaker said Saturday. He says two men were seen in the yard one day last week, but he paid no attention to this as men frequently gathered nuts in the yard and on the nearby hillside.”

“Mr. Snedaker is of the opinion that the couple was murdered either in the cottage or nearby. He says it would have been almost impossible to have carried their bodies from the West Side.”

Mud On Shoes Is Clue¹⁸

“Coroner Henrickson made a close examination of the mud on the soles of the shoes worn by Newman and Miss Doyle. He stated Saturday that it tallies with the color of the mud and dirt around the Tremper farm, but not with the dirt around the cottage, where the bodies were found. ‘I scraped some of the dried mud off their shoes and have it in my possession. The fact there was no dust on either of the victims clothes leads me to believe that they had not long been in the cottage.'”

“Coroner Henrickson seauts the theory that they were murdered on the night they left Portsmouth.”

“‘This could not be as their bodies showed plainly that they had not been dead over 72 hours.'”

Family Not Superstitious¹⁹

“Mr. and Mrs. CJ Chandler are not given to superstition.”

“They began moving into the cottage, where the dead bodies were found. ‘I never did believe in superstition and now is a poor time to start,’ Mrs. Chandler told a Times man as she was busily engaged in mopping up the blood where Newman’s body was found. ‘I think they were carried into the house and that is another reason why I have no fears. The dead will not come back and so we lost no time in moving into the house.'”

“‘Well, she has more courage than I have,’ said a local woman, who had motored to the scene and was shown through the cottage where they bodies were found.”

Newman Funeral On Monday²⁰

“John Wheeler Newman, was the oldest son of Clay and Jennie Newman, of 1228 Ninth street. He was born May 8, 1894, in Adams county. He came to Portsmouth with his parents when a boy. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Excelsior Shoe Company and had been a faithful and valuable employee until the time of his sudden disappearance from the city.”

“In 1913 he was married to Miss Dessie Lee, of Pike county, who with three young sons, Harold, Paul and Charles, survive. He also leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clay Newman of Ninth street; Oscar Newman, of Second street; Mrs. Gaynelle Long, of Third street; Myrtle, Elda, Goldie, and Guy at home. At an early age, he joined with the First Christian church of this city.”

‘The body will be at the home Sunday evening, friends being invited there to view it. Funeral services from the home Monday morning at ten o’clock. Burial in Greenlawn will be private. Reverend Charles R Oakley will be in charge of the last rites. Members of Peerless Lodge K of P.²¹, will also take part in the last rites.”

No Services Here²²

“No funeral services will be held here for Miss Louise Doyle. The body will be taken Monday morning to Carrs, Kentucky. Funeral services and burial will be held there Monday.”

“A new turn of affairs in the double murder of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle was taken Monday when blood stains and spots were found in the small room adjoining the one in which the bodies of the victims were found in the abandoned cottage on the Scioto Trail. This development, officials contend disposes of the robbery theory of jealousy or revenge. The blood spots are plainly visible on the floor and on the side of the door, which officials say indicate that a struggle ensued before Newman and Miss Doyle were killed.”²³

Murderer Hid In Room

“The theory is advanced and a most plausible one, officials say, is that the gun user concealed himself behind the door leading to the rear room and when the couple entered he waited to the psychological moment to bring his gun into play. It is believed that after shooting Newman twice he placed the muzzle of the gun against the left breast of the woman and snuffed out her life and then returned to Newman and placing the muzzle against his left templt he sent a bullet speeding through his brain.”

“‘Dead men tell no tales,’ probably was on the mind of the murderer.”

“After the lives of the two people had been snuffed out the gun user then planned his get away. Jumping into the Newman car he drove it around to the West Side, where it was abandoned. The fact that papers were scattered through it and Miss Newman’s purse was found on the floor do not necessarily indicate robbery as being the real motive. Passerby could have rifled the pockets of the car in the hopes of finding something valuable.”

Jealousy May Be Cause

“While not abandoning the robbery motive, officials Monday began the task of working for a possible clue on the theory of jealousy. Associates of Newman and Miss Doyle are to be closely questioned to see of the remotest clue cannot be obtained to the gun user.”

“Officials are convinced that the murderer had concealed himself in the cottage and that he was aware of the fact that Newman and Miss Doyle had been going there. Officials were told Monday that an Overland car was seen parked near the cottage quite frequently of late.”

“In the front pocket of the car several pieces of chewing gum were found. Two pieces, evidently from the same package, were found in one of the pockets of Miss Doyle’s coat.”

“Newman, it is said, had several pictures of Miss Doyle and on several occasions he had displayed them to close friends. When asked if he thought he was not doing the wrong thing, he replied that he and Louise were just good friends and their love for each other was purely platonic. Officials are convinced that relatives of both people knew of their attachment and all will be questioned in due time.”

Brother Discusses Crime

“Gus Doyle, aged 20, brother of the dead girl was closeted with Detective Baker and Prosecuting Attorney George W Sheppard in the latter’s offices Sunday afternoon. He admitted that he had heard Newman’s name mentioned several times, but he did not pay much attention to it as he never saw him and that Newman was never anywhere near his home that he knew of. He admitted that on last Friday someone told his family that Newman had been acting strangely and from then on his relatives began to fear for the life of Louise. ‘We then began to realize that she would not return to us alive,’ he told the officials.”

Many Visit Murder Scene

“There was a steady procession of machines Sunday to the hillside cottage where the murder took place. Hundreds of people closely inspected the house and the contiguous territory. Several persons climbed to the roof and made a search for the death dealing gun but no trace of it could be found. Once curiously inclined person actually climbed down the chimney to see if the gun was concealed there. All during the day Scioto Trail in the vicinity of the crime was lined with machines and it was almost impossible to drive through the long rows of them. it is estimated that fully 3000 people inspected the death chamber yesterday. At one time the crowd was so large that apprehension was felt that the floors would give way. A close examination was made for stray bullets, but none was found. The wall, ceiling and floors were inspected, but no bullet holes were found.”

Will Take Up Porch

“Detective Fred Baker stated Monday that the porch in front of the cottage will be taken up to make certain that the gun was not concealed under it. ‘We do not believe the gun is anywhere near the scene of the crime, but we will take no chances and will make a thorough search for it,’ Baker told a Times man today.”

“There is a well on the farm and officials said today, that it would be drained as the gun might have been tossed into it. several holes were found in the porch pillars, but it is believed they were made by wasps.”

Watch Has Disappeared

“Officials are at a loss to know what methods to pursue to recover Newman’s watch. Mrs. Newman says she does not know the make and says it was purchased in Pittsburgh. She states Monday that she is not absolutely sure that Newman had it with him. She says a careful search has been made in her home for the timepiece too, but no trace of it has been found. It is an open face watch and Newman sent away and bought it.”

“Officials Monday were lamenting the fact that the cottage in which the murder was committed was not locked up immediately after the bodies were found. ‘It is too bad that the house has been rented and that papers found strewn on the floor were burned,’ Sheriff Rickey said. Coroner Hendrickson says he examined all the papers closely and that there were no names on any of them and most of the pieces were blank papers.”

Rumor False²⁴

“It was rumored all through the East End today that Newman had been shot over the left eye, but this is not true. He has a cut there that looks like it might have been inflicted with a club.”

Last Rites At Carr, Ky.²⁵

“The body of Miss Louise Doyle was not taken to the home on Grandview avenue from Undertaker Daehler’s but this morning was taken by relatives on the early C & O train to Carr, Kentucky, where funeral services and burial were held today.”

Either Revenge Or Jealousy, Declare Officials; Money Accounted For²⁶

“Officials this afternoon virtually discarded the robbery theory when almost every penny Newman drew from the Excelsior plant was accounted for. On the day of his disappearance, October 21, he drew $58. Of this amount Newman put $10 back in his savings account in the Excelsior plant and paid $2.35 for a pair of shoes for one of his children, leaving $47.65”

“On October 5 Newman notified the paymaster of the Excelsior factory that he wished to draw $60 of his savings account on or about October 15. He drew his money on October 16 as a ten days’ notice must be given before payment of money in the savings account department.”

“Of the $107.65 which Newman had, he paid $65 to a tinner for re-roofing his house, gave is wife $23 and paid a vulcanizing bill of $9, the total being $97. He still had $10 to account for, and $7.50 of this was found in a trousers pocket. He had probably spent the other $2.50 on incidentals.”

“When Prosecuting Attorney Sheppard obtained these figures from Herbert C Rickey, paymaster of the Excelsior shoe plant, he was convinced at once that robbery was not the underlying motive of the double murder. After examining Newman’s time cards at the plant he said to a Times man: ‘You can say for me that we will no longer waste any time on a robbery theory. We have accounted for almost every penny Newman drew from his employers and it looks more like jealousy or revenge than ever. I shall insist that every possible step be taken to bring the gun-user to trial. It is one of the most baffling mysteries that we have been confronted with in a long time.”

Gun Victim and His Wife²⁷

Thought Dream Would Be Clue²⁸

“The authorities thought they had a red hot clue last night when rumors began to filter into Prosecuting Attorney George W Sheppard’s office about a woman having a dream in which she saw two dead bodies in the cottage where Newman and Miss Doyle’s bodies were found. it was reported that the dream was so vivid that she visited the cottage last Wednesday. She is supposed to have said that she smelled an odor in the cottage, but did not look into the front room where the bodies were found.”

“An official last night called on the woman and she denied the rumor and branded it as false from start to finish. And singularly enough this woman is the mother of one of the young men suspected of knowing something about the disappearance of Louise Doyle and John Newman. Relatives say they cannot account how such a ridiculous rumor gained circulation. The officials believed it at first and thought today they would make the first arrest in the double murder case.”

Wife Thinks It’s Murder²⁹

“Detective Baker and Prosecuting Attorney spent an hour with Mrs. Newman yesterday, but she could not throw any additional light on the double murder. She says she is convinced her husband and Miss Doyle were murdered and believes that jealousy is the real morive that prompted the deed. She clings to her original statements that she did not know her husband was meeting Miss Doyle. When asked if it were true that recently some woman called her on the telephone and informed her that her husband was taking auto rides with Miss Doyle, she said ‘This is a mistake and if my husband was going out with the Doyle girl it was only for a short time as he was home almost every night before nine o’clock.'”

Says He Would Know Murderer³⁰

“When persons visited the cottage on the Trail yesterday a tall middle-aged man stood at the gate leading to it and carefully sized up every visitor. When an official asked him what he was doing he replied: ‘Why the man who killed those two people may be right among us and if he is I will know him when he passes through this gate.'”

Sheriff Rickey and Coroner Confer About Double Murder³¹

“Sheriff EE Rickey spent several hours in the vicinity of the crime this morning and will devote all his time in an attempt to clear up the mysterious affair. He has already questioned a number of persons and may at any time strike pay dirt. He has the facts in his hands and will sift them down in his usual conscientious manner. Late this afternoon he was closeted with Coroner Hendrickson and they were going over the various phases of the double murder. They scout the robbery theory and believe the deed was done by a rejected suitor.”

May Offer Big Reward³²

“It was reported today that the county commissioners would offer a substantial reward for the apprehension of the gun user. They may take this action at their meeting next Monday providing that the mystery has not been cleared up by that time.”

Funeral Services Held Today³³

“The funeral of John W Newman was held from the home 1647 Twelfth street at ten o’clock this morning. The services were private. The home was visited by hundreds Sunday who came to view the body.”

“The pallbearers were three member of Peerless K of P lodge and three members of the Young Men’s Bible Class of the First Christian church.”

“The last rites were conducted by Reverend Charles R Oakley. Burial was in Greenlawn.”

To Question All Employees³⁵

“Detective Fred Baker late this afternoon planned to visit the departments in the Excelsior plant in which Miss Doyle and Newman worked and question employees. It was known among them that Newman had been meeting a woman on the Brady corner in the East End, but they did not suspect that it was Miss Doyle.”

Thinks Robber Gang May Have Killed Couple³⁶

“Coroner Henrickson advanced the theory today that young men implicated in a series of robberies perpetrated in the city last year may know something about the double murder of John Newman and Miss Louise Doyle, and they are under surveillance.”

“It was rumored today that one of these men had been questioned by Sheriff Rickey, but the latter denied this. The sheriff has taken up all angles of the sensational affair and is working diligently to get some semblance of a tangible clue.”

“Detective Baker learned today that two people claim they heard four or five shots fired in the vicinity of the death cottage on the night of the double murder. He will run down this rumor just as soon as he can locate the people who it is rumored heard the shots. If this proves to be true it will dispose of the theory that the couple were not killed anywhere but where the bodies were found.”

“A Times man was told last night that members of the Hilltop Fire Company had seen Newman and Miss Doyle enjoying a walk in that section of the city recently. When these firemen were asked about this rumor today they branded it as being absolutely false.”

“Another report gained circulation that a young man saw a couple get out of a machine near the cottage on the night of the murder. When asked about the rumor he said he was in Columbus on October 21 and 22.”

“The officials believed for a time today that they were nearer a solution of the mystery when a broken watch was recovered near the Franklin avenue church on the Hilltop. Its description to a large extent tallied with the watch worn by Newman when he disappeared. However when it was shown to a relative of the dead man he disposed of the theory quickly, stating that it was not Newman’s watch.”

“The grand jury will be in session Thursday and while not called especially to probe the double murder, it no doubt will look into the mystery which has supplanted all other topics of conversation in the city. The city has not been confronted with such a complicated mystery in many years and the officials say they are doing everything in their power to unravel the sensational affair.”

“‘I really believe it is as mysterious an affair as the Pearl Bryan murder.‘ Coroner Henrickson said Tuesday.”

“Mrs. Newman today told in detail just what her husband did on the night of Friday, October 21, when he returned from work. ‘I was making jelly and when John came home I told him I needed another sack of sugar. He left and returned with it from the Brady store. After he ate his supper he said he had work to do at the Excelsior plant and left for that place. When he did not return at 10 o’clock I began to worry. When it became 12 o’clock I called up the Excelsior plant and the watchman told me he was the only man in the factory. I told him to look in the damaged shoe department. He did this and said my husband was not there. Then I called up John’s father and notified him that he was missing. Then it was that the aid of the police was enlisted to make a search. I did not go to bed that night. The next morning I learned that a woman known as Miss Louise Doyle was also missing from the Excelsior plant and then it dawned on me that they might have left together.'”

“Mrs. Newman states most emphatically that she had no idea that her husband knew a girl by the name of Louise Doyle and that she never suspected her husband of being intimate with any other woman as he spent most of his time at home or with lodge or in looking after his church activities.”

“Mrs. Newman was questioned an hour by Detective Baker and at the conclusion of their conference he said to a Times man: ‘The mystery seems to deepen instead of showing tendencies of clearing up. We are just as far away from finding a tangible clue as w were the first day the double crime was unearthed. Coroner Henrickson believes he has a real clue in sight and if it materalizes there will be a new angle to the double killing.'”

Girl Victim Is Laid To Rest³⁷

“The funeral services of Miss Louise Doyle, held from the Fairmount Church of Christ at Carrs, Kentucky, Monday morning was one of the largest ever held in that section. Miss Doyle was widely known there and her relatives are among the settlers of Lewis county. Despite the fact that heavy rains had made the roads leading to the modest little church, situated on a knoll overlooking a tranquil valley almost impassible, many wended their way along it to pay the last respects to a girl who was reared among them and who always bore a splendid name.”

“When the services began with Reverend OH Gast, of this city, in charge of the little edifice was packed to the doors. He paid a fine tribute to Miss Doyle, who taught a Sunday school class in his church and played the piano. Her favorite songs, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” and “Rock of Ages” were feelingly sung.”

“At the conclusion of the services the body of Miss Doyle was borne to the hillside cemetery near the church and as it was lowered to its final resting place the final chapter was written in the life of a girl, who in the bloom of youth, was shot down and cruelly murdered, officials believe. Relatives surrounded the grave and there was not a dry eye in the funeral party when the minister pronounced the last words of the burial ritual of his church. The bright morning sun burst through a cloud just as these words fells from his lips, the rain had ceased falling just a few minutes before.”

“Among the local relatives present were the mother, Mrs. Dollie Doyle, Miss Grace Doyle, Gus Doyle, Mr. and Mrs. McMurtrey, Joseph Voiers, Marshall Voiers and David Hannahs.”

Brother Discusses Crime³⁸

“Gus Doyle, brother of the dead girl, called on Prosecuting Attorney Sheppard today to see if there were any new developments in the case. He is insistent about the story that he only heard Newman’s name mentioned once or twice. ‘And as far as Louise meeting Newman on the Brady corner frequently this is not so as we know she spent most of her evenings with girlfriends,’ Doyle stated today. On the night of the murder, he attended military drill practice and did not know that his sister was missing until he reached home about 10 o’clock. His sister, Grace Helen, says she did not miss her sister until she woke up the next morning and felt around for Louise, as they always slept together. Grace went to bed shortly after Louise left home on Friday night.”

Old Man “Anonymous” Busy³⁹

“This morning’s mail brought two anonymous letters to Detective Baker. In one the writer complimented Mr. Baker on his activities in the case and the other criticized him rather severely and suggested a plan to ferret out the double murder. ‘We may be criticized, but we are doing all we can and leaving no stone unturned to work up a real clue.’ Baker said today. One of the letters was written from Cincinnati and on Havlin Hotel stationary.”

Co-Workers Are Mystified⁴⁰

“Detective Fred Baker spent two hours in the Excelsior shoe plant and talked to a number of intimate girl friends of Miss Doyle. Not one of them said they had ever seen Newman and Miss Doyle together.”

“‘They could not have been together very often as Louise was with girl friends almost every night,’ one of the girls told the detective.”

Coroner Has New Theory⁴¹

“Coroner Hendrickson conferred with Prosecuting Attorney George W Sheppard for an hour this morning and they discussed all angles of the double killing. The coroner is not so sure that the murder took place in the abandoned house, from the fact that no yellow clay was found on the floor of the death chamber.”

“‘The soles of Newman and Miss Doyle’s shoes were covered with heavy, yellow dust, but I failed to find any on the floors of the cottage. Sometimes I think that the dead bodies of the couple were carried into the house and that the shooting took place near it.'”

“‘Newman was dealt a heavy blow on the back of his head as the cap he wore was soaked in blood. It looks to be like Newman probably had his arms around the woman when the blow was delivered. When Newman showed fight the gun user’s gun began to bark,’ the coroner said today.”

Last Link Necessary to Disprove Suicide Theory is Made; Officials Baffled by Double Murder Mystery⁴²

“City and county officials Wednesday seemed to be at a loss to obtain the remotest information that would lead to a tangible clue in the double murder of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle.”

“They are again inclined to believe that jealousy or revenge prompted the double killing and are working diligently in the hopes of unearthing a reasonable clue.”

“A rumor was current last night that two young men had heard someone say that two men had been paid to kill Newman and Miss Doyle. As soon as these men could be located and asked to verify the report they branded it as being made out of the whole cloth.”

“When asked today if there at any time had been a revolver around her home, Mrs. Dollie Doyle, mother of the slain girl, stated that she never saw a gun around her home. There never had been and there would be no occasion to have one. ‘My family has a horror of pistols and we never had any kind of a gun around our home,’ Mrs. Doyle told a Times man today.”

“When asked a similar question today, Mrs. John Newman stated most emphatically that her husband never had a gun around the house or in his machine, and that so far as she knew he never owned any.”

“With this information at hand, the officials set out to plan a systematic and thorough search for the gun-user, believing more than ever that his underlying motive of the murder was jealousy or revenge.”

“Coroner Hendrickson, Sheriff Rickey and Detective Fred Baker cling to the same theory, that of jealousy, and they are convinced that if a tangible clue is worked up, it will be along those lines.”

“Many people continue to visit the scene of the crime and the officials were told today that two men had been seen around there three or four times. Whether they are actuated by pure curiosity or by some other motive, the officials will try to learn.”

“The grand jury will be in session Thursday and various phases of the double killing will be taken up by it. Officials however say that no new avenues of information have been opened and that there really have not developed since the finding of the dead bodies of Newman and Miss Doyle. They point to the fact that no gun was recovered, no one saw the couple meet on the Brady corner before the death ride was started, no one saw the couple go out the Scioto Trail and no one saw them enter the abandoned cottage on the Scioto Trail.”

“Mrs. Newman clings to her original statement that she never heard Miss Doyle’s name mentioned by her husband or by her relatives or friends of Mr. Newman or Miss Doyle.

“Mrs. Doyle, mother of the murdered girl, stated Wednesday that her daughter remarked several times to her in a casual way that Newman was awfully nice to her in her work and that he talked to her about this nice family and that he had such a fine boy in his youngest son.”

“‘Louise said that Newman seemed to be proud of his family and talked about it to employees who worked with or near him, but I attached no importance to this and of course had no reason to believe that my daughter was meeting Newman,’ Mrs. Doyle said today.”

“An investigation among possibly 200 Excelsior employees failed to reveal a single person who ever saw the couple together. Girl friends of the dead girl who have remained loyal to her, vigorously deny the report that Newman frequently accompanied Miss Doyle to within a square of her home. ‘Why, I walked home often, in fact almost every day with Louise, and this could not have taken place unless I would know something about it,’ one of Miss Doyle’s friends said today.”

“When asked if her husband ever received any threatening letters, Mrs. Newman said she had seen all of her husband’s mail and he did not receive any letters of this character.”

“With but meagre information to work on, the officials are not despairing of any hope of securing a clue. Sheriff Rickey said today that he had several new angles to the affair, but nothing was ready for publication.’It is one of the most mysterious affairs I have ever tried to unravel and it will take a good deal of hard work to run down the murderer,’ the sheriff says.”

“‘A full week elasped from the time the murder was committed until the bodies were found. This is in itself a serious handicap as the murderer would have time to regain his normal composure.”

“All officials now share in the murder theory and believe that the only motive could have been jealousy or revenge. But where and who is the gun-user?”

“The young men who at various times called on Miss Doyle or had been thrown into her company have established perfect alibis and the officials have given them a clean bill. From the beginning, it was not even believed that they knew anything about the double murder.”

“Indications are that the gun-user may have been some revengeful or fancied lover of Miss Doyle, who knew that she was meeting Newman with any degree of frequency? Relatives and friends of the girl cannot believe this as Miss Doyle has always borne a splendid reputation and was a home-loving girl.”

“The mystery seems to deepen.”

Officials Find No Solution of Mystery⁴³

“Officials admitted Friday that despite the fact that a week had elapsed since the dead bodies of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle were found in an abandoned cottage on the Scioto Trail and two weeks since the couple mysteriously left the city they are as far away from obtaining a reasonable clue as they have been since their bodies were found.”

“Sheriff Rickey, who is working diligently on the case stated Friday that there were really no developments. He has looked into every angle of the sensational affair, but has not obtained any information that would lead to the remotest clue.”

“Coroner JD Henrickson said Friday that so far as he knew there were no new developments in the double murder. ‘However, we have no quit and hope at any time to dig up a good clue,” he said.”

“It is likely that the county commissioners at their meeting next Monday will offer a big reward for any information that would lead to a solution of the baffling mystery, which has completely stirred the city.”

“Relatives of Newman and Miss Doyle admitted Friday that they had heard of no new developments whatever, but are hopeful that the gun user will ultimately be brought to trial and given his full need of punishment.”

Arrested Here, Admits Killing 2 In Portsmouth⁴⁴

Roy Chamblin Picked Up By Cincinnati Detectives Confesses to Murders, According to Sheriff

“Portsmouth, Ohio, November 5- Roy Chamblin, 27 years old, a shoeworker, arrested in Cincinnati this afternoon and brought here tonight, confessed, Sheriff Rickey said tonight, to killing John W Newman and Louise Doyle, whose bodies were found in an abandoned cottage on a road near here on October 21.”

Arrested Here at Request of Portsmouth Police

“Following receipt of a telegram from police at Portsmouth, Ohio, who are investigating the murder of John Newman and Louise Doyle near there a week ago, Detective McShane, Hill, and Brink went to a house at 1559 Gest street yesterday and arrested a man who registered as Ray Chamblin, Shelbyville, Indiana. Chamblin, who has a wooden leg, and said that he was visiting relatives at the Gest street address, denied all knowledge of the double murder, but was held on a warrant from Portsmouth charging him with carrying concealed weapons.”

‘Sheriff Rickey from Portsmouth returned with him at 4 o’clock.”

“The bodies of Newman, who was 26 years old, and married, and his nineteen-year-old companion were found in an empty farm house near Portsmouth on October 28, one week after they had disappeared from their homes. Both had been shot to death, and the Coroner said that the shooting evidently had been done somewhere else and their bodies carried to the vacant cottage for concealment. They were found by two farm hands who visited the house to prepare it for the occupancy of a new tenant.”

“According to the Coroner, there were no other marks on the bodies except the bullet wounds and no gun was found in the house. Jeweled rings on Miss Doyle’s fingers had not been molested and several dollars was found in the man’s pockets. Newman’s abandoned automobile was found near the farmhouse.”

“Chamblin is said to have told the detectives who arrested him that he had been in Portsmouth. The dates which he gave corresponded with the probable time of the murders, police say. A small silk handkerchief found in the prisoner’s pocket was held for the Portsmouth authorities. Chamblin said according to the Cincinnati police, that it was given to him by a girl friend who lives at West Union, Ohio.”

“The body of Miss Doyle, church organist, was found beside that of Newman, Sunday-school teacher in an abandoned cottage on Scioto trail, seven miles north of Portsmouth, Ohio after they had been missing for a week. Newman was married and had three small children. Roy Shamblin, former Cincinnatian, confessed yesterday that he had killed both when Newman threw a brick at him as he entered the cottage. Shamblin was arrested in Cincinnati Saturday.”

Philosophy Mixed Into Details⁴⁵

“Portsmouth, Ohio, November 6- Lounging back in a large armchair in the reception room of the combination home, office and jail of Sheriff EE Rickey, his nemesis, and smoking a cigarette, with a complacent smile on his face at intervals, Roy Shamblin, 27 years old, a cripple and a former Cincinnatian, this afternoon told in detail his story of the killings of John W Newman, 26 years old, sunday school teacher, and Miss Louise Doyle, 18, church organist, in an abandoned cottage seven miles north of Portsmouth two months ago.”

“Shamblin, in the presence of city and county officials and newspaper men, not only repeated this afternoon his confession, made 1 o’clock this morning to Sheriff Rickey, but willingly amplified his admissions by answering all questions that we addressed to him, injecting into his statements buts of philisophical comment that showed how he had been affected but little by the double murder, which remained undiscovered for an entire week and unsolved for 10 days more.”

“Tonight Shamblin broke under the strain. He resigned himself to his fate, which he said he knew to be the electric chair. He expressed deep pity for his mother, and ashed that she be notified of what he had done.”

Brick Brings Fusillade

“He confessed that he killed Newman by firing three shots into his body, after Newman had thrown a brick at him as he entered the doorway of the cottage merely as a curiosity seeker. He had been attracted by a shadow that he had seen by moonlight in the room while passing outside, he said.”

“He shot the girl in her bared breast, he said, to prevent her escaping and revealing the murder of Newman. He then left the house, he said. Newman’s automobile, which when found abandoned, later gave the authorities a start toward the solution of the mysterious double killing.”

“Asked by Sheriff Rickey whether or not he had a pang of regret when he shot the girl, Shamblin said deliberately: ‘When a man gets ‘in bad’ he doesn’t think. He does things that he would not have done if he had thought.'”

“His voice broke but once during the grilling. That was when he was asked whether or not he had experienced a twinge of conscience over the killing.”

‘I’m Half Human; Anyway’

“‘No, it didn’t bother me very much,’ he said. ‘but naturally I was not entirely composed. I’m half human, anyway.'”

“Clinging closely all the way through his story to his statement that he had been attracted to the building merely by curiosity and had fired only after Newman had thrown a brick at him when he entered the doorway. Shamblin said he had not been drinking that evening.”

“‘I haven’t been drinking for several years,’ he said. ‘You can’t charge this to drink. It’s not drink that does these things anyway- it’s the man himself.'”

“Shamblin is to receive a preliminary hearing in City Court tomorrow morning and the case probably will be turned over to the Scioto County Grand Jury immediately Sheriff Rickey says.”

“Two charges of first degree murder would be filed against him the Sheriff added.”

“Shamblin revealed in his confession this afternoon that the revolver with which he fired the fatal shots had been purchased in Cincinnati three years ago when he was a sheet metal worker in the FH Lawson Company there and had worked in Cincinnati intermittently since he was a boy, he said, and had been employed by the Lawson Company until 15 months ago, since when he had been doing various forms of work.”

“He was arrested in Cincinnati Saturday at the home of a cousin, Charles Watson, 1599 Gest street, and brought hither by Sheriff Rickey before he was told of the real nature of the charge against him. It was only after Sheriff Rickey and Deputy Sheriff Wanzer had questioned him for about two hours that Chamblin collaged and made his first admission of the crime, after midnight last night, in his cell in the County Jail.”

“It was almost 2 o’clock this morning when Shamblin made the following statement, which he signed, assuming full responsibility for the crime and exonerating other who had been under suspicion:

The night of October 21, 1921, I left the house of Ora Easter, my uncle after supper, and intended to go to Sherman Wilson‘s house, in Houston’s Hollow. I came across the river in a boat.”

I saw a machine standing on the road, just below the entrance to the house where the bodies were found.

I went up to the house and entered by the front door when someone threw a brick at me.

I cut down on him three times, and then shot the woman.

I left the house, got in the automobile and drove through Lucasville, over bridge, and on the west side. I left the auto stand where it was later found. I then got another boat and pulled my boat back over to the west side and went home. The next morning I left for Manchester and on my way over on the ferry I threw the pistol in the river.”
-Ray Shamblin

Roy Chamblin Confession as printed in the November 7, 1921 Cincinnati Enquirer,

“The confession was witnessed by Sheriff Rickey, Deputies Albert Richards, BF Bennett and Frank W Rickey and Detective LH Einspanier, of the Norfolk and Western Railroad.”

“Slightly uneasy at first, but regaining his composure after a cigarette had been given to him, Shamblin amplified his confession this afternoon in the presence of Sheriff Rickey, Court Bailiff WA Kates, Municipal Judge WH Sprague and two newspaper men.”

Brick Still To Be Found

“He said that, as he passed the house on his way to Wilson’s home at 8 o’clock, he saw a shadow inside the house. It was a clear moonlight night and he decided to investigate. He was in the doorway when something was thrown at him, which he thought was a brick. No brick, however, has been found.”

“After shooting Newman three times, advancing into the room meanwhile, Shambin turned toward the girl, who, he said, had made no outcry of any kind, but had run to another corner of the room. He shot her in the left breast, which had been bared. When found her body bore heavy powder marks, indicating that she was shot at close range. She collapsed in the corner.”

“After the shooting he left the house without touching the bodies. Entering Newman’s auto he drove to his home by a circuitous route that took him across the Scioto River. He intended to drive the machine into Portsmouth and leave it on a side street, but the gasoline supply was exhausted when he was almost exactly in front of his own home, and he was forced to abandon it at the roadside.”

“Remembering that his boat had been tied near the scene of the murder, Shamblin took another boat, went after his own and brought it back.”

“Next morning he left his home, where his mother also lives.”

“Although the murders were committed Friday night, October 21, they were not discovered until Saturday morning, October 29, when two youths went into the cottage to clean it out preparatory to reoccupancy.”

Automobile First Clue

“Sheriff Rickey learned of the murder the following Sunday, on his return from a trip to Canada. The automobile meanwhile had been found near Shamblin’s home. Believing that someone in that vicinity had used the car to ride home, Sheriff Rickey began a search.”

He was informed the next day that a crippled youth had been holding up automobile parties. The only crippled youth, who could be found was Shamblin, who had a wooden leg and is an intelligent young man, although his customary attire belies his education.”

“On a pretext, Sheriff Rickey visited his home and found blood-stained overalls, which are being held.”

“He trailed Shamblin to Manchester and found he had gone to Cincinnati on a freight train.”

“The youth was visiting relatives in Cincinnati and at California, near Cincinnati, for a week, when arrested at his cousin’s home. He was under the impression he was sought for a box-car robbery.”

“The first news he had read of the affair was in Cincinnati newspapers, said Shamblin”

“The disappearance of Neman and Miss Doyle caused wide comment when they failed to appear at the shoe plant where they were employed, because Newman was married and the father of three small children.”

“The discovery of the bodies a week later, without apparent clue, at first led the authorities up against a blank wall, and it appeared the mystery might never be solved.”

“A jealousy theory was abandoned after a short investigation, and a theory of robbery was advanced.”

“Several score of Portsmouth’s citizens visited the Sheriff today to extend congratulations for his success in solving the mystery.”

Sheriff Rickey Discloses How Clue Were Followed That Led To The Arrest⁴⁷

When arraigned before Municipal Court Judge WR Sprague in the Sheriff’s office this afternoon on two seperate charges of murder in the first degree, Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle, the gun user pleaded guilty to both charges.”

“‘Are you guilty or not guilty?’ Judge Sprague asked the prisoner who was learning forward in his chair and surveying the spectators who encircled him.”

“Looking up he hesitated for a second and then said, ‘Guity, in a strong audible voice.”

“‘Do you wish to make a statement?’ the court asked the prisoner.”

“‘No, I have told the sheriff everything’ Chamblin replied. He was denied bail and was returned to his cell to await action of the grand jury which will convene Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock to take up his case.”

“When Chamblin was arraigned Sheriff Rickey, Deputies Rickey, Richards, Bennett, Attorney HW Miller, N & W Detectives Leslie and Pratt and others were present.”

“WIth Roy Chamblin, aged 27, self-confessed murderer of John W. Newman and MIss Louise Doyle, aged 18, occupying a cell in the county jail, the mystery that has shrouded the double murder is being cleared up rapidly and in a convincing manner.”

“Officials say that no coercion or force was used to wrest the confession from Chamblin and that he voluntarily related every incident leading up to the double murder.”

“When it became known Sunday morning that Chamblin had admitted his guilt of shooting down Newman and MIss Doyle in the death cottage on the Scioto Trail on the night of Friday, October 21, the news created a big sensation. Little else was discussed in the city yesterday.”

Chamblin Has Confessed

“‘Chamblin has confessed,’ were the words that passed from lip to lip. His admission of guilt came like a bolt from a clear sky as Sheriff Rickey late Saturday night had come to the conclusion that Chamblin was a hardened criminal and if he kept his lips sealed there was grave doubt about the heinous crime being fastened on him. However when Chamblin began to melt this smile deserted him and he said: ‘Well, Sheriff, I’m guilty. I’ll tell you all about it.'”

“Startleded beyond expression at these words Sheriff Rickey could hardly express his relief. The self-confessed murderer was sitting in front of him. He had arrested the right man in Cincinnati and lodged him in the Scioto county jail. Developments came think and fast in the city’s famous murder mystery. Slowly the veil of secrecy began to dissipate. There was no longer any conjecture about the sensational and mysterious affair. Speculation gave way to facts. The murder mystery was being solved.”

Gives Murder Details

“This morning when Sheriff Rickey enetered Chamblin’s cell he said, ‘Roy, I know you got Newman’s watch and the money. What did you do with them?'”

“Silence was broken when Chamblin broke down and cried. Sobbingly he said that he took Newman’s watch and the chain and hill billfold, which contained $15. ‘After i grabed the man’s watch and chain I leaned over his body and searched his pockets. I found the billfold in his hip pocket. After I secured it I left for the machine. In the right front pocket I found the woman’s handbag. It contained $3,’ Chamblin said.”

“‘What did you do with it?'”

“‘I left it in the machine.'”

“‘What did you do with the billfold and Newman’s watch and chain?'”

“‘After I took the money out of the billfold, three five dollar bills and three ones, I tossed it into the old canal bed near where I had to stop the car on the Galena Pike when I ran out of gasoline.

“‘What did you do with the watch and chain?'”

“Chamblin gazed into an empty space. Then he slowly said: ‘I pawned them for $3 in a Cincinnati pawnshop on Sixth street near Central avenue. I told the man who gave me the money that my name was AC Rhodes.'”

“‘Why didn’t you take Miss Doyle’s diamond ring.'”

“‘I saw it on her finger as she lay on the floor but I did not think I had time to grab it. I was afraid someone heard the shots and would close in on me.'”

“‘How much money did you have when reached Cincinnati?'”

“‘Well I had $21 I got off the girl and the man and then I got $3 for the watch. I lived on the $24 until I was arrested.'”

“When searched after his arrest Chamblin had a little over two dollars in change.”

“‘There is no use concealing anything. The world knows I did the shooting and I might as well tell you I robbed the bodies of the two victims,’ Chamblin said today without a tremor in his voice.”

“When pinned down that it was a fact that he had been around the cottage all evening with the view of robbing any person who entered it Chamblin remained silent.”

“Lifting his eyebrows he slowly said, ‘No, that ain’t so. I did not know anyone was in the house until I saw a man pass the window.” When placed under fire the third time this morning Chamblin steadfastly refused to admit that Newman uttered one word or the woman before they were shot.”

“‘I didn’t give them a chance. I killed the man and then wheeled around and shot the woman. That’s the whole truth. I never had robbery on my mind when I first entered the cottage.'”

“Sheriff Rickey got in communication with Detective Hill of Cincinnati this morning and instructed the latter to drop around to the Levine Pawn shop⁴⁸ to see if Newman’s watch had been pawned there for $3 by a man named AC Rhodes.”

“A short time later Detective Hill notified the Sheriff that the watch was located and would be forwarded here as soon as possible.”

“WHen Chamblin confessed to stealing the watch and money the officials say that the motive was no longer in doubt. They say the gun user entered the cottage with the sole intention of robbing anyone he caught in it.”

“They also point to the fact that he had not worked for 15 months and must have received money from some source. This source, officials say was the holdup game he had been plying on both the Trail and near his home on the Galena Pike on the West Side.”

“Seated in a big comfortable chair, Roy Chamblin, in a steady, strong voice began to bare the secrets of the terrible crime. Slowly he told how he entered the death house on the fateful night just because he saw a man walking around in the front room.”

“‘I know I didn’t have any business there, but I just wanted to know what was going on,’ is his only excuse for entering the abandoned house and cruelly shooting down the father of three children and a young girl. Step by step Chamblin unfolded his weird story. He told how he left the home of Ora Easter, on Pond Creek, secured his boat, rowed across the Scioto, and then walked to the Scioto Trail. He told going by the cottage as a shortcut to the Wilson Home in Houston Hollow. He says that as he passed the cottage he heard someone talked. then a figure passed one of the windows, he says.”

“‘Then it was that I decided to investigate.'”

Pulled Gun and Fired

“Walking up the front steps heading to the porch, I walked into the front door of the house.’ The man threw something at me. I pulled my gun and started firing after five shots had been fired, I left the house, walked down to the man’s machine and drove it around to within 200 yards of my own house,’ the self-confessed murderer said.”

“‘I did not learn I had killed both of them until a few days later when I picking up a Morning Sun in West Union. Then I realized what I had done. The paper said both victims were killed outright and a search was being made for the gun-user. I’ll admit from that time on I lived in fear, the fear of being arrested.'”

“When Chamblin was arrested he was at the home of his cousin, Charley Watson, 1599 Gest street, Cincinnati. He was in the act of lighting a cigarette when an officer entered the kitchen of the Watson home and placed him under arrest. With his arrest Sheriff Rickey felt confident that he had the right man. ‘He was the man I had been looking for a week and I was convinced that the gun-user was at last in the clutches of the law.'”

Sheriff Talk of Man-Hunt

“‘When I arrived in Cincinnati on Sunday October 30, from Canada, I picked up an Enquirer and the first thing I saw was the double murder,’ the sheriff said yesterday. ‘I figured the motive must be jealousy, never for a minute entertaining the robbery theory. When I arrived home I immediately busied myself about the murder. It was my duty. Sometime ago I was told that a one-legged man had been holding up people on the Scioto Trail and not far from the cottage where the bodies were found. I went to that section and made some inquiries about the one-legged man. I was told his name was Roy Chamblin. At the Wilson home I was told that Roy had not been seen there since about October 19. I was told he loved with an uncle, Ora Easter, on Pond Creek. Arriving at this home, I found Mrs. Easter there. When I asked her where Roy was she said he was at the home of his mother in Manchester. I asked her if he had taken all of his clothes.'”

Finds Bloody Garments

“‘She replied no and point to a grip in an adjoining room, which belonged to Chamblin. I secured the grip, opened it, and found a pair of blood-stained overalls. Mrs. Easter told me they belonged to Roy. Then my clue began to take a tangible form. I felt positive I was on the right track. Left immediately for Manchester. There Mrs. Easter did not hesitate in telling me where her son Roy was. We made her believe we were after Walter Chamblin on a moonshine charge. Of course, she denied this as there is no Walter Chamblin, but this subterfuge worked out beautifully and we were soon on our way to Cincinnati. There we learned that Chamblin had been at the Watson home, but had gone to the home of relatives at California, Ohio, 14 miles from the Queen City. We waited till Roy returned at 2 o’clock Saturday and he was promptly arrested.'”

“Sheriff Rickey worked up the clue step by step to his own way and is being highly praised for the clever manner in which he unraveled the mystery which ultimately lead to the arrest and full confession of the gun-user. From the time he learned Chamblin was missing he says he felt sure that if he were found he would have the right man.”

“I knew I had my man when I got ahold of Chamblin Saturday. ‘There was no longer any mystery about the killing of Newman and Miss Doyle,’ the sheriff said.”

How Confession Was Secured

“‘When I entered Roy’s cell early Saturday morning, LH Einspanler, well-known N & W detective, Deputy Sheriffs BF Bennett, FW Rickey, and Albert Richards were present. I looked Chamblin in the face and said: ‘Roy, why did you do that?’ ‘What do you mean?’ Chamblin quickly asked.'”

“‘You know what I mean and you had better tell us all about it.'”

“With his head on his breast and without looking at any one Chamblin said: ‘Well, I’ll tell you. I did the shooting. I killed the man and woman whose dead bodies were found in the cottage on the Scioto Trail.'”

“Sheriff Rickey looked at the confessed murderer and then glanced at his assistants. He could hardly realize what had happened. Then Chamblin had told it all. He admitted his guilt without equivocation. He did not spare any detail. Straightening up, he told what he had done before the shooting, how he used his gun, how he effected his get-away, how he ran out of gasoline and how he eventually fell into the hands of the Cincinnati police.”

“Through the trying ordeal he retained his normal composure. he was calm, collected and unperturbed. The pangs of the crime apparently had only started to grip him. He began to weaken to resign himself to his awful fate. ‘Murder will out’ was in the making. Local criminal history was being written.”

Chamblin Pleads Guilty on Two Murder Charges⁴⁹

“Portsmouth, Ohio, November 7- When arraigned before Municipal Judge WR Sprague in the Sheriff’s office this afternoon on two seperate charges of murder in the first degree, Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle, pleaded guilty to both charges.”

“‘Are you guilty or not guilty?” Judge Sprague asked the prisoner, who was leaning forward in his chair and surveying the spectators who encircled him.”

“Looking up he hesitates for a second and then said ‘Guilty’ in a strong, audible voice.”

“‘Do you wish to make any statement?’ the Court asked the prisoner. ‘No, I have told the Sheriff everything.’ Chamblin replied.”

“He was denied bail and was returned to his cell to await the action of the grand jury, which will reconvene Wednesday afternoon at 1 o’clock.”

Saw The Hand Of Fate⁵⁰

“‘Just the minute that I ran out of gasoline fear crept over me for the first time. Something told me I would get caught,’ Chamblin said today. ‘If I could have driven the car to the city and left it here the police would have thought the job was done by Portsmouth persons, but it was not to be.'”

“When asked why he did not leave the gun lying on the floor to make it look like a suicide pact, Chamblin replied, ‘Why I guess I was not smart enough for that. My sole aim was to get away and get away quickly after the shooting.'”

Gun User Recognizes Overalls⁵¹

“When Sheriff Rickey took Chamblin’s overalls to him, he examined them closely and said: ‘No sheriff. They are not mine.’ WHen Sheriff Rickey pulled some fishing paraphernalia out of one of the pockets, Chamblin then admitted the trousers were his and he had them on the night he killed Newman and Miss Doyle. He admitted there were blood stains on the overalls but refused to say how they got there. They were found in the Easter home on the West Side, where the gun-user left them.”

Had No Regular Employment⁵²

“Roy Chamblin admitted yesterday that he had no regular employment for the past 15 months.”

“‘The last job I had was at my trade as a sheetmetal worker and I worked for the FH Lawson company of Cincinnati. My father and mother are living apart and that is why my mother, Mrs. Eva Easter Paris lives in Manchester and my father in Shelbyville, Indiana. I registered in the first draft, but was turned down on account of being a cripple,’ Chamblin said yesterday.”

“He strenuously denied that someone else was implicated in the killing of Newman and Miss Doyle.”

“‘I’ll swear I did the job myself. Honest, Sheriff, no one else was with me. I’m telling the truth.'”

How Watch Was Recovered⁵³

“The sheriff of Adams county this morning called up Sheriff Rickey and told him that Chamblin while at West Union several days ago exhibited a gold watch there and that he had a new crystal put on it. Armed with this information Sheriff Rickey soon had a confession from Chambin to the effect that he had pawned the watch in a Cincinnati pawn shop. He said he carried Newman’s watch more than a week before putting it up for $3.00”

Sheriff Rickey Is Congratulated⁵⁴

“‘Is this you, Sheriff?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, allow me to congratulate you on your wonderful work in clearing up the double murder mystery. You deserve a world of credit for the capable manner in which you ran down the gun-user.'”

“Hundreds of similar messages were received over the telephone yesterday by Sheriff Rickey. Many who could not get him over the telephone called in person and the office of the jail was crowded with visitors all day Sunday. They called to congratulate the sheriff and if possible to get a glimpse of the self-confessed gun-user. Little else was discussed in all sections of the city yesterday and Sheriff Rickey came in for his full need of praise for his clever work in rounding up the gun-user.”

“It was one of the best pieces of crime ferreting that he occurred in southern Ohio in many years.”

“‘I was ably assisted by the N & W detectives in running down Chamblin,’ the sheriff said today. ‘Einspanier, Pratt, and Leslie rendered valuable aid, especially Leslie, and I want them to get the credit that is due them. Their work stamped them as real detectives.”

The Confession⁵⁶

“Confession of Roy Chamblin in the presence of EE Rickey, LH Einspanier, Albert Richards, BF Bennett and Frank W Rickey at the Scioto county jail on November 5, 1921, relative to the shooting of John W Newman and Louise Doyle on October 21, 1921.”

On the night of October 21, 1921, I left the house of Ora Easter, my uncle, after supper and intended to go to Sherman Wilson’s house in Houston’s Hollow. I came across the river in a boat. I saw a machine standing on the road just below the entrance to the house where the bodies were found. I went up to the house and entered by the front door when someone threw a brick at me. I cut down on him three times and then shot the woman. I left the house, got in the automobile and drove through Lucasville over the bridge and on the West Side. I left the auto stand where it was later found. I then got another boat and pulled my boat back over to the west side and then went home. The next morning I left for Manchester and on my way over on the ferry I threw the pistol in the river. (Signed) Roy Chamblin

‘What Will Mother Say? Will She Forgive Me?” Asks Gun User⁵⁷

“At 6 o’clock last night there was a loud rap on Chamblin’s cell door. Deputy Sheriff Richards answered the call. He found the gun user n tears. It was the first time he had broken down. ‘Why did I do it? Why did I do it?’ Chamblin sobbed as if his heart would break.”

“‘And what will my poor mother down in Adams county say when she hears what I’ve done?’ Chamblin asked the deputy.”

“‘I know I’ll have to give up my life, but that isn’t worrying me. What will my mother say? Will she forgive me?'”

Sobbed While Songs Were Being Sung⁵⁸

“When some church workers called at the jail last night to hold their weekly services Chamblin showed a great interest in their singing. When they sang “Nearer My God To Thee” and “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder” the gun user walked over and sat down on the edge of his bunk in his little cell. He buried his face in his hands and sobbed aloud.”

Watch Pawned Here Solves Double Murder⁵⁹

Recovery of Timepiece Taken From Slain Man at Portsmouth Verifies Chamblin’s Confession

“The finding of a watch belonging to John Newman in the Levin pawnshop, 335 West Sixth street, yesterday, and said to have been pawned by John Chamblin, definitely corroborates Chamblin’s confession of the slaying of Newman and Louise Doyle in Portsmouth, police said last night.”

“The watch was located by Detectives Luhn and Kamann, who say that Chamblin pawned it on November 1 and used a fictitious name.”

“The watch will be sent to Portsmouth today and will be an important link in the state’s evidence against Chamblin, police say.”

“According to Detective Mike McShane, Chamblin was located in Cincinnati through some relatives he has here. He was captured at the home of one of them on Gest street.”

“‘We guessed that Chamblin would be with some of his relatives here,’ said McShane last night.”

“‘One of them was formerly known to the police, and I located his present address by tracing him from an old address he used years ago.'”

“‘We went there, and I posed as a contractor, saying I had a job for Chamblin. These persons told me he was at the home of a relative in California, Ohio., then. He returned shortly afterward and we arrested him.'”

“Chief of Police Copelan yesterday received a message from the Portsmouth Police Department complimenting the Cincinnati force for its effective work in the Chamblin case.”

“Upon going to a lonely spot on West Side, near Chamblin’s home, Sheriff Rickey tonight recovered the pocketbooks of Newman and Miss Doyle, who were murdered by Chamblin. After taking $3 from the woman’s purse and $18 from Newman, Chamblin tossed them into the old canal bed while making his getaway.”

Say Chamblin Was To Lead Bandit Gang⁶⁰

“According to word from Cincinnati today detectives there said they learned Monday that Roy Chamblin’s mission there was to organize a gang of bandits, who would operate in and around Cincinnati during the winter months. Chamblin is said to have known many crooks in the Queen City. He admitted this today and said there was hardly a dive in Cincinnati that he was not familiar with.”

Adams County Agog Over Confession Of Roy Shamblin Who Formerly Lived There⁶¹

“West Union, November 8- The arrest and confession of Roy Chamblin of the murder of John Newman and Miss Louise Doyle caused great excitement in Adams County. Chamblin is well known here, having lived in this county the greater part of his life. He was born in Jefferson township on December 11, 1894. His mother lived in West Union many years having moved from here to Manchester only a few months ago.”

“His mother was first married to James A Nichols, who has been dead for about fifteen years. She was since married to John Henry Paris, of West Union.”

“When Chamblin was ten years old, he was living with his mother and step-father, James Nichols, of Vineyard Hills, seven miles south of West Union, on the Ohio river. From that place, he admitted to the Wilson’s Children’s Home July 4, 1904.”

“He was taken out of the Home several different times by different people but he was returned each time but the last when he ran away from the people with whom he had been placed. He was discharged from the Home August 1908. Since then he lived with his mother at West Union.”

“In the last three or four years, he has been in West Union only occasionally, claiming to be employed at Cincinnati. Some ten years ago he lost a limb. The accident happened at Chillicothe. He was said to have been hoboing at that time.”

“He was known by the names of Nichols and Paris as well as Chamblin, here.”

“He spent week before last in West Union, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Francis. While here he mixed freely with people. He was frequently seen on the streets and in the business places. The Saturday Morning Sun carried the story of finding of the bodies. Saturday evening Chamblin left here and went to Manchester.”

“While here Chamblin had in his possession a watch, which is thought to be the watch taken from Newman. He undertook to trade it to several different parties and made different statements as to how it came into his possession. To some he claimed he had traded a gun for the watch and to others that the watch had been pawned to him. On Saturday Chamblin took the watch to Robert McClelland, local jeweler, for a new crystal. Mr. McClelland described the water as an open-faced gold Elgin watch, size 12, 7 jewel movement.”

“Chamblin has a half-sister living with his mother and a half-brother in the feeble minded institution. His mothers bears a good reputation here as a hard-working woman.”

“Following is a copy of the record of Jacob Roy Chamblin, as taken from the records of the Wilson Children’s Home.

“No. 441- Jacob Roy Chamblin, a white male child, was admitted to the Home July 4, 1904, upon medical examination and certificate of WK Coleman, MD. He was admitted from Monroe township, Adams county, Ohio, but was born in Jefferson township of said county December 11, 1894 and has been a resident of Adams county all his life. Reasons for seeking admission to Home: ‘Family unable to support him.’ He has been living with James A Nichols, Vineyard Hill, Adams county, Ohio.”

“There is no money or property held in trust for him. Is a child of sound body and mind, without mental or physical defects. He has had whooping cough but has not measles nor scarlet fever and has not been vaccinated. Father’s name, Home Chamblin, nationality, American, age, residence and habits unknown. Mother’s name, Evaline Nichols, present place of residence, Monroe township, Adams county, Ohio, former residence, Lynx, Adams county, Ohio, is 27 years of age and has been a resident of Adams county for 15 years. Occupation, housekeeper, of good habits and not intemperate. Parents were never married. Father was not a soldier in the US service in the War of the Rebellion. Parents have never drawn from the Worthy Poor fund. Grandparents on father’s side, Cooley Chamblin, Barbara Piatt, On mother’s side, Jacob Easter, grandmother unknown.”

“Roy Chamblin was indentured to EL Hilterbran of Locust Grove, Ohio, December 4, 1905. Roy was returned July 27, 1906.”

“Was indentured to NS Wamsley March 23, 1907. Was returned to the Home Home 25, 1907.”

“Indentured to JS Morgan March 13, 1908. Was discharged August 17, 1908. Ran away from Mr. Morgan.”

Weaving Web Around Chamblin⁶²

Bloody Coat Found; Gun User Admits Other Crimes; Admits He Deserves To Die In The Electric Chair

“The blood-stained coat that Roy Chamblin wore the night he snuffed out the loves of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle and the watch which the gun user jerked out of Newman’s pocket was recovered in Cincinnati yesterday by Detective LH Einspanier. They were brought back here today and when taken to Chambin he identified the coat and admitted that it was the one he wore on the night of the murder. He left it at the home of relatives in Cincinnati, where the police recovered it yesterday, they claim.”

“When asked how the blood stains got on the coat, Chamblin replied: ‘I guess they got there when I leaned over the man’s body and jerked the watch out of his vest pocket.'”

“When told that officials here and in Cincinnati had irrefutable evidence that Chamblin had held up four Cincinnati women while motoring on the Trail several weeks ago the gun user denied this. When asked if it were not true that during the West Union Fair in September he and two companions of West Union held up three men near the Fair Grounds while they were returning home.”

“‘Yes, that is true,’ Chamblin replied.”

“‘Where are the other two men?’ Detective Einspanier asked Chamblin today. ‘Why they are in Texas or Mexico.'”

“Detective Einspanier said today that he has definite information that Chamblin held up a number of couples on the West Side and on the Scioto Trail the past summer. ‘I also learned that he is implicated in several daring robberies in Cincinnati.'”

“Chamblin sat on the edge of his bunk, in his little cell last night and fingered a small Bible his uncle, Ora Easter of the West Side, had just brought to him.”

“‘If I had lived up to its teachings and read a chapter of this good book every night I wouldn’t be where I am today,’ Chamblin told his uncle. Then he broke down and cried.”

“‘You know, Ora. I have been at the mercy of the world since I was ten years old. No one cared for me except my poor mother and you know she did not have the means to send me to school. I know I’ll have to die for what I have done, but death has no fears for me. Ora, if you will promise to take care of mother, Ora, I could die tonight. Life owes me nothing and I have done nothing to live for. When mother dies, Ora, you have her buried in the old homeplace near West Union. You will do that, won’t you Ora,’ Chamblin asked.”

“When Mr. Easter promised to do this Chamblin brightened up and readily answered all questions the officials and a Times man asked him.”

“Yesterday morning Chamblin told Sheriff Rickey that he threw Newman’s and Miss Doyle’s pocketbooks in the old canal bed near Dry Run. Sheriff Rickey, Deputies Wanzer Rickey and BF Bennett went to the West Side yesterday and after a short search Sheriff Rickey found the pocketbooks. When they were brought back to the jail and taken into Chamblin’s cell he recognized them at once.”

“‘Yes, this billfold is the one I took from the man’s hip pocket. This small purse I found in the woman’s handbag, which she had left in the machine.'”

“‘Roy, isn’t it true that you found the couple seated in the machine and that you compelled them to march up the hill to the death cottage?’ an official asked Chamblin.”

“Hesitating a moment he snapped back. ‘No'”

What kind of criminal do you think I am?

“‘What kind of criminal do you think I am? My original story is absolutely correct. The couple were in the cottage and I didn’t know it until I passed it and saw the man walk by the window. I know I did the wrong thing in shooting them down, but it is all over now.'”

“‘Roy can’t you be mistaken about the couple not saying anything when you flashed your gun.'”

“‘No. They might have said something, but my revolver was in action and the sound of it being discharged in rapid succession probably drowned out their voices. There was absolutely no struggle and the shooting was all over in 30 seconds. I shot to kill. You ough to know this by the fact that I shot the woman through the heart and the man three times.'”

“‘And you say this is the first shooting affair you have ever been mixed up in?” was asked of Chamblin.”

“‘Yes, I carried a gun from the time I was 14 years old, but never had to use it. Why I could have used one in Cincinnati before I was arrested. I knew two hours before they nabbed me that detectives were looking for me. I did not want to leave. Something told me to face the music. Why I have been in 37 states and have ridden freight trains in al sections of the country. You know, sheriff, I could have been in Canada or Mexico if I wanted to. And you know there are some holes in Cincinnati that the police are afraid to visit. I know there are some patrol boxes in the tough sections of that city that are never pulled. The police know better. I know New York as well as Cincinnati, and if I wanted to get away, it was an easy matter.'”

Roy, if you had placed the gun in the woman’s hand and had not taken their money you would not be here tonight.

“‘Roy, if you had placed the gun in the woman’s hand and had not taken their money you would not be here tonight,” Detective Andy Leslie told the prisoner last night. ‘The public would have said it was a plain case of suicide.'”

“‘I really thought about that once, but I am not built that way. I killed them and stole their money and that is all there is to it. I deserve the electric chair for what I have done.

“‘I know it and no one has to tell me about it. Why, if I were a judge and a man came before me and did what I did, I know it would only take me about a minute to send him to the chair,’ the prisoner said. ‘The whole world is down on me.’ Chamblin again broke down and cried aloud. ‘No one living knows what I have to put up with. My life has been one tragedy after another. I didn’t have a chance.'”

“‘Don’t talk that way; we are with you,’ Sheriff Rickey and Detective Leslie said consolingly.”

“‘Yes, you have been awfully nice to me, but it is too late. Oh, if I could go back to the days when I went to Sunday school regularly and read the Bible with my poor mother every day.'”

“The the conversation drifted to the murder proper. ‘Now, Roy, tell us just where the couple were and what you said or what they said before the shooting began.'”

“‘As sure as there is a God above I killed the man and woman in the cottage. I don’t know what got a hold of me. I had no business there and the couple did not bother me. I feel so sorry for their families. I took from them something I cannot repay. When I left the Easter home I told Ora I was going for a row on the Scioto. I love the water, and many hours have I spent rowing idly around on the Scioto. It is easier for me to row than to walk.'”

“‘You know, Roy, when you left home I asked you where you were going,” Mr. Easter said. ‘Yes, and I told you I was going for a short row and would be back by 9 o’clock,’ Chamblin replied.”

“‘When I got started I just kept on going to the other side, and after reaching there I decided to go to Sherman Wilson’s home in Houston Hollow.'”

“‘Well, Roy, it must have been later than 10 o’clock when you arrived back home.” was asked of the gun user.”

“‘It is almost two miles from the Easter home to the Scioto and you had to walk this distance. Then it is a very long walk from the Scioto river to the Five Mile Church. And this church is two miles from the cottage.'”

“‘Yes, but it was a cool night and I walked pretty fast. It may have been 11 o’clock when I got out of the car, but I don’t think so.”

Grand Jury Takes Up Chamblin Case⁶³

“The grand jury reconvened this afternoon at one o’clock to take up the case of Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle. Among the witnesses to be called are Detectives Michael McShane, William Hill, Joseph Brink of Cincinnati. They arrested Chamblin at the home of relatives in Cincinnati last Saturday.”

“Other witnesses included John W Newman, wife of the slain man and Mrs. Dollie Doyle, mother of the slain girl. They met in the witness room of the court house after reporting to give their testimony.”

“The sixteen witnesses who were summoned to appear before the grand jury are Detectives McShane, Brink, and Hill of Cincinnati, N & W Detectives Einspanier, Leslie and Pratt of this city, Mrs. Dollie Doyle, Mrs. John W Newman, Sheriff Rickey, Deputy Sheriffs Bennett, Wanzer Rickey, Richards and Drs. OR Micklethwait and JW Daehler and JD Hendrickson.”

“Sheriff Rickey was the first witness called.”

“Word came from West Union today that Mrs. Ora Easter Paris, mother of the gun user, who had attempted suicide yesterday by slashing her throat with a razor was out of danger. The wound was not deep enough to endanger her life. When Mrs. Paris learned of her son’s plight she entered the kitchen of her home on Front street, Manchester and slashed her throat. She has been moved to the jail in West Union, where she will be given good care. Her son, Roy, does not know of her attempt at self-destruction and officials said today they would for the present keep the news away from him.”

“Chamblin denied today that he had been mixed up in any highway robbery near West Union.”

“‘I suppose now that I am behind the bars they will try and fasten every crime on me that has taken place in this vicinity for some time,’ the gun user said today.”

Grand Jury Reports; Chamblin Indicted⁶⁴

“The grand jury which reconvened Wednesday to consider the case of Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle, has indicted the gun user on 16 counts, 12 on the death of Newman, and 4 on the death of Miss Doyle. Among the indictments are two separate counts on first degree murder.”

“Mrs. Evelyn Paris, of Manchester, mother of the confessed murderer Roy Chamblin, is visiting friends in West Union. She became ill at the home of relatives here due to grief over the news of her boy’s act. A purse has been made up by citizens of West Union to pay expenses of a visit to her son at Portsmouth.”⁶⁵

Double Murder Indicted⁶⁶

“Two indictments, containing sixteen separate counts, were returned by the grand jury in its report to Judge Thomas in Common Pleas court yesterday afternoon against Roy Chamblin charging him with the first degree murder in connection with the killing of John W Newman and Louise Doyle on the night of October 21, 1921. The bodies of Newman and Miss Doyle were found in an abandoned cottage on the Davis darm, Scioto Trail, a week following their disappearance and a few hours after his arrest last Saturday in Cincinnati Chamblin confessed to the brutal double murder.”

“Copies of the bills returned against him were served upon the self-confessed murderer in his cell at the county jail by Sheriff EE Rickey a short time after the jury made its report and it is hardly probable that Chamblin will be called upon to appear in court to meet the charges before Saturday or Monday as the law requires that the indictments be served upon the accused at least twenty-four hours before arraignment.”

“Among the nearly score of witnesses that appeared before the jury during its investigation of the double murder were Mrs. Newman, widow of one of the victims and Mrs. Dollie Doyle, mother of the slain girl.”

Chamblin Pleads Guilty to 1st Degree Murder⁶⁷

Exhibiting little interest in the proceedings, Roy Chamblin, 27 years old, self-confessed murderer, pleaded guilty under two indictments charging him with first-degree murder of John W Newman and Louise Doyle, when he was arraigned before Judge Thomas in Common Pleas court Saturday morning.

“The accused was brought into court by Sheriff EE Rickey and Deputy Frank Bennett and following a brief conference with his counsel, Attorney Theo K Funk the indictments were read to the prisoner by Clerk of Courts Edward Cunningham. Chamblin stood with folded arms and stared into space during the reading of the charges which may send him to the electric chair. Only three counts of the total of sixteen contained in the two indictments were read to the defendant, the first for killing Newman with the deliberate and premeditated malice while attempting to rob him, to which he entered a plea of not guilty.”

“To the seventh count accusing him of slaying Newman with premeditated malice Chamblin admitted guilt which was also his plea to the third count for the shooting to death of the girl. The prisoner at the end of the reading of each count turned to his counsel for advice before entering his plea but at no time during the ordeal did he display any emotion or sign of sorrow.”

“In answer to an inquiry from the court Prosecutor Sheppard elected to try Chamblin on the Doyle indictment. Judge Thomas promptly assigned the hearing to be accorded the accused upon the issue of mercy for next Monday morning at nine o’clock.”

“These formalities were soon over and Chamlin was taken back to his cell in the county jail pending the hearing before Judge Thomas which will decide his fate.”

“The courtroom was thronged with spectators anxious to get a glimpse of the noted prisoner who was the central figure in the drama. Among the throng were many women.”

Sheriff Testifies

“Sheriff Rickey when called to the stand told how he had obtained his first clue leading to the arrest of Chamblin. He said he heard a cripple man answering Chamblin’s description had been seen around the Trail for several months. ‘When I learned there was such a man as Chamlin and he was missing I got busy and began a search which ultimately resulted in the arrest of the gun user.’ ‘Did you arrest Chamblin?’ Attorney Funk asked Rickey.”

“‘No I did not, but I learned where he was in Cincinnati and had three detectives arrest him at the home of relatives on Gest street. When Chamblin was placed on the N & W train by Detective Einspanier and myself we told him he was wanted on a charge of gun toting.'”

“‘Well, where are you going to take me to?” Chamblin asked us three or four times.'”

“‘Why we are going to Portsmouth.” the officers told Roy.”

“‘What has happened up there’ the gun user asked the officers several times.”

“Sheriff Rickey said that it was not until Chamblin has been locked up three hours that he began to melt and of his own accord admitted having killed Newman and Miss Doyle.”

“We did not offer or promise any leniency and did not force or induce Chamblin to say one work. He said he killed the couple, then drove the man’s machine around to the Galena Pike and abandoned it because the gasoline supply had run out. He then told us how he came to the city, tossed his gun into the Ohio river while crossing it and how he visited relatives in and around West Union and Manchester a week before going to Cincinnati.'”

“‘For several days Roy would not admit taking any of Newman’s money or his watch. Finally he broke down and told us he took $18 from the man and $3 from the girl. He told us where he tossed their pocketbooks on the West Side near Dry Run and we recovered them there.’ the sheriff testified.”

Times Man Called

“Wiley Kates, court reporter for The Times was called and he told how Chamblin of his own free will related every move he made from the time he left his home on the night of the shooting until he was arrested in Cincinnati. ‘He told his story before two other newspaper men, Sheriff Rickey and Municipal Judge Sprague, Roy smoked several cigarettes and did not seem concerned over his act’ Kates testified.”

“‘Roy also admitted that the bloody overalls he had on that night were left at Ora Easter’s home on the West Side. When those were taken to Chamblin he at first said they were not his, but later admitted they were and he identified fishing tackle he had in one of the pockets.'”

“The sheriff denied any third degree had been used upon Chamblin and said he confessed freely and remarked that he was glad he had, and that he felt better for having done so. ‘Why I could have been in Mexico or Canada if I wanted to’ Chamblin said after being arrested. ‘I had no fears of being arrested,’ he told the arresting officers.”

“When asked on the stand this morning if he had ever been arrested before he replied ‘Yes, once in Chillicothe and once in Wilmington and for train riding in each case.'”

Detective Einspanier

“Special Officer LH Einspanier when called to the stand told how Chamblin was arrested at the home of a relative in Cincinnati on Saturday, November 5. ‘Then Sheriff Rickey and I placed Roy on the early N & W train and brought him to Portsmouth at 9:30 on the evening of November 5. Several times he asked us where we were taking him. Once the Sheriff replied, ‘Why, Roy, we are taking you to Portsmouth.'”

“‘Is that so. What has happened up around there?’ Chamblin asked. ‘Oh nothing in particular. We arrested you on a gun toting charge,” the Sheriff replied.”

“Einspanier then told how he had taken the gun user into the smoking compartment and talked to him for over an hour. ‘I have Roy a glass of water and a cigarette and he sat down and started to tell me the story of his life,’ Einspanier said. ‘Roy told me how he did not have a chance in the world, how he had been at the mercy of the world for ten years, how he, later on, entered the Boys’ Industrial School at Lancaster on his own volition and how a farmer used to horsewhip on him for not cutting wood on Sunday. He said he never had a chance, but he kept going and had never been in any serious trouble.'”

“Einspanier then told the court how Chamblin confessed to the killing of Newman and Miss Doyle. When asked by Attorney Funk in any inducements or coercion were used Einspanier replied in the negative. ‘Roy in the presence of the Sheriff and myself calmly admitted doing the shooting. He said he had gone to the house out of idle curiosity and when the man (Newman) threw a brick at him he whipped out his gun and began to cut down on the couple in the cottage. We did not offer any reward for making clean breast of the crime and without showing any emotion Chamblin related how he left his home on the West Side, crossed the Scioto river, walked across the Feurt farm to the Trail and after reaching there he told of how he walked past the cottage as a shortcut to Sherman Wilson’s home in Houston Hollow. He said he was attracted to the cottage when he saw the figure of a man pass the window.'”

“Einspanier before leaving the stand said positively that Chamblin was not given the ‘third degree’ and that he confessed willingly and without any force. He said he put down word for word what the gun user said and after Roy read his confession he signed it of his own free will.'”

Coroner Hendrickson

“Coroner Hendrickson when placed on the stand stated that Newman was shot three times, once through the left hip, through the left side and through the right temple. ‘The bullet that passed through Newman’s brain must have caused instant death. The one that passed through the left hip and lodged in the right hip severed an artery and Newman would have bled to death in a short time. The ball which entered the left side lodged in the spine.'”

“When asked how close the gun user was to the victims Coroner Hendrickson replied that he must have been pretty close as powder marks were plainly visible on Newman’s left temple and there was a very distinct powder mark on Miss Doyle’s left breast.”

“When Attorney Funk asked the Coroner how close the muzzle of a gun had to be to a person for the powder marks to be visible he said about five feet. Sheriff Rickey, who sat alongside of the Coroner said that he had made a study of this and the gun user must have been closer than five feet or the powder marks would not have been so distinct especially in the case of Miss Doyle.”

“‘I did not see the wounds of the dead people, but I was told that the powder mark on Mr. Newman’s left temple and Miss Doyle’s left breast were plainly visible’ Sheriff Rickey testified.”

Dr. JW Daehler

“Dr. JW Daehler was then called. He testified that Miss Doyle was shot between the third and fourth rib on the left side. ‘I was present at the postmortem examination and the bullet passed through the women’s heart, both lungs and we found it on the left side.'”

“When asked how long Miss Doyle lived after being shot Dr. Daehler said, ‘Her death must have been instananous.'”

Gus Doyle Called

“Gus Doyle, aged 20, and a brother of Louise Doyle, was called to the witness stand. He testified that the last time he saw Louise alive was at home on the night of October 21.”

“‘What time was that?’ Prosecuting Attorney asked.”

“‘It was about 6:30. I left at that time and I was told Louise left home at 7 o’clock.'”

“‘Where did you first see your sister dead?'”

“‘At Daehler’s morgue after they had taken her body there. I identified the victim as my sister.'”

“‘Where was she shot?'”

“‘In the left side towards the heart. I easily recognized her by the clothes she had on.'”

Gun User on Stand

“After surveying the packed courtroom with apparent indifference and smiling at his mother, who sat near him with other relatives, Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman, aged 26 and Miss Louise Doyle, aged 18, told in detail just what occurred before and after the shooting. He corroborated every statement he had made to officials and newspaper men. He said:

On the night of Friday, October 21, I left Ora Easter’s home and walked down to the Scioto river. There I secured my boat and rowed across. Then I walked to the Trail and started for Sherman Wilson’s home in Houston Hollow. To get there I passed the cottage where the dead bodies were found. By doing this you can save many steps. When I reached the cottage I saw the form of a man pass the window. I decided to investigate. I walked up to the front porch and entered through the front door. I opened the door and as I stepped in the man threw a brick at me. Then I pulled my gun and began to use it. It had five shots in the chambers and I sed all of them.'”

“When asked how much time was consumed in the shooting, Chamblin, in a clear steady voice said: ‘Oh about 10 or 15 seconds. I did not fool away any time.'”

“‘After the shooting I struck a match and saw the bodies lying on the floor. Then reached over and took the man’s watch and chain and his billfold which contained $18.'”

“‘Then I walked as rapidly as I could to the man’s machine on the Trail and about 100 yards from the cottage. I climbed down into it and drove around by way of Lucasville. After I reached the Galena Pike and near Ora Easter’s home I had to give up the car as the gasoline supply run out. Before leaving it I took $3 from the woman’s purse, which had been left in the car. Then I went to Easter’s home and went to bed. I left the next morning at 8 o’clock for Manchester. When I reached the ferryboat I started across the river. When midstream I tossed my gun into the Ohio.'”

“Chamblin then told how he visited his mother in Manchester, how long he spent in and around West Union and when he boarded a freight train at Concord for Cincinnati.”

“He said he knew the detectives were after him three hours before he was arrested. ‘Why I could have gotten away, but there was no use so I decided to stay and face the music.'”

“When chamblin was asked what he had done with Newman’s watch he said he had pawned it for $3 at a pawnshop on Sixth street, Cincinnati. The watch was recovered by Detective Einspanier and when it was brought to the jail Chamblin admitted it was the one he had taken off Newman’s body and had pawned for $3.”

“‘Isn’t it a fact you have made a practice of holding up couples along the Scioto Trail’ the court asked the prisoner.”

“‘No sir, that is not true I have never held up any one.'”

“‘How many states did you say you had been in?’ the court asked Chamblin.”

“‘Why I have been in 37 different states,” the prisoner replied.”

“‘Do you mean to tell me you worked in all of them as a tinner?” the court asked Chamblin.”

“‘Yes, I am a tinner by trade, but I did not work in all those states. I guess I have ridden 500,000 miles on freight trains.'”

“When asked if he had held up any couples on the West Side Chamblin said he had not. He denied shooting Miss Doyle and Newman at close range. He said he guessed he was eight or ten feet from the couple when he began to ‘cut down on them.'”

“He said he guessed he had told several people he killed the girl so her lips would be sealed against him. He says he was nervous and excited when arrested and made many statements. He did not enter a general denial to his statement made in front of Judge Sprague, Sheriff Rickey and three newspapermen.”

“When Judge Thomas asked Chamblin if he has asked to enter the Boys’ Industrial Home he said the judge in Adams county asked if he would enter it and he said yes.”

“‘Why did you do this?’ the court asked.”

“‘I had no home and needed an education.'”

“Chamblin said he had never before seen Newman or Miss Doyle and could not identify them if they were living. He said he had not been around the death cottage although he knew it was vacant two weeks. He says he had intended driving Newman’s car to the city if the gasoline supply had not given out.”

“Chamblin admitted that he frequently ran into many people on the Trail as he made two trips each week to Wilson’s home in Houston Hollow. He says that he did not believe that Miss Doyle or Newman uttered a word before the shooting. He frequently gazed around in the packed courtroom and did not seem worried. He answered all questions promptly and in a perfectly audible voice. The prisoner wore the same blue suit and camp and brown sweater as when arrested.”

Chamblin Sentenced To The Electric Chair⁶⁸

Date Of Execution Is Set For February 24; Murderer Shows But Little Emotion; Mother Attempts Suicide

“Roy Chamblin, aged 27, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle, must pay the extreme penalty, death.”

“In common pleas court this afternoon, Chamblin was sentenced to be executed in the Ohio Penitentiary between the hours of 12 PM and 6AM on the morning of February 24. When these momentous words fell from the lips of Judge James S Thomas, Chamblin stood before the court, apparently showing no emotion.”

“As he sat down he turned to one of his attorneys, FA Shivley of West Union, and in a clear, strong voice said, ‘Well Frank, I guess it is all over.”

“Then Chamblin asked where was his mother, Mrs. Eva Easter Paris. He was told that before sentence was passed she had fainted and had to be carried from the courtroom.”

“As a matter of fact, when she was told that her son had been sentenced to die she made an attempt to leap from a window in the grand jury room.”

‘I cannot stand this. I must die. If you won’t let me die now I will later on. I will not be alive when they take Roy’s life.’ she screamed at the top of her voice, agonizing screams piercing the walls of many of the rooms in the court house. ‘This is terrible. I will end it all as soon as I get a chance.'”

Relatives Prevented Suicide

“Her brother, Ora Easter, of the West Side and Mrs. Easter were near Mrs. Paris when she tried to leap out of the window. They threw their arms around her, but it was all they could do to keep her from jumping out of the room. Later on she calmed down, but wept piteously and said that with her son going to the chair she had nothing to live for.”

“When Chamblin was sentenced, Mrs. John W Newman, wife of the slain man, sat only five or six feet away from the murderer. She broke into tears when the sentence was passed and friends assisted her from the court room. Relatives of Miss Doyle were also present and evinced much interest in all phases of the trial.”

“When Chamblin was taken back to the jail he was placed in private cell No. 31. He walked over to his bunk, sat down, and lit a cigarette. His face seemed blank. He stared apparently into empty space. He would put his cigarette down only to pick it up again and take a consoling puff. Then he crossed his legs and buried his hands in his face. His frail body trembled with emotion.”

“When taken from the court room to the jail, Chamblin walked with a steady step and eyes those who gazed at him. The crowd was so dense that Sheriff Rickey had to elbow his way through with Chamblin. There was a wide lane of spectators from the side door of the court house to the jail.”

“When Chamblin reached the jail he smiled at Detectives Einspanier and Pratt. ‘It’s all over,’ he said.”

“Just before taken to his cell and the big iron doors clanged behind him. The crowd at that time had become so dense that it extended across Seventh street and blocked traffic on Court street. It seemed as if half the city was out to get a glimpse of the man who must give up his life for taking the lives of Newman and Miss Doyle. Dring Chamblin’s trial the crowd taxed every inch of space in the court room and hundreds were turned away. Men and women were perched in the windows and the room was stifling hot.”

“On an invitation extended by Judge Thomas, Judge AT Holcomb assisted the case amicus curiae and sat to Judge Thomas‘ left. Prosecuting Attorney George W Sheppard handled the case for the state and Chamblin as defended by Attorney Theo K Funk of this city and FA Shively of West Union. Mrs. Shively made the opening argument. He was followed by the Prosecutor and Attorney Funk made the closing argument for the defense.”

“Judge Thomas made an exhaustive review of the case in which he scored the defendant. Step by step he reviewed the brutal murder and said there were no extenuating circumstances whatever and no evidence had been submitted to show that Chamblin was actuated by no other motive than robbery.”

“Before finally passing sentence Judge Thomas asked Chamblin to stand up and said:
‘Have you anything to say why the sentence of the Court should not be passed?’
“A. I ask the mercy of the Court.”
“Have you anything else to say?”
“A. No, sir.”

The Court will have to administer to you the extreme penalty.

“Mr. Chamblin, it is the law of this country and has been the law of all civilized nations that he who comes into court and asks equity must show first that he has done equity himself. It has been announced in the Holy Scriptures that blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy, which is the same law expressed in different language. You are now asking this tribunal to exercise mercy. You are in no position to ask that because when these defenseless people were before you on this fatal night you showed no mercy. You didn’t even give them time to make their peace with their Maker you sent them into eternity as fast as you could so that you are not in a position to ask what you are asking. The Court will have to administer to you the extreme penalty.”

“It is the sentence and judgement of the court that you be taken hence to the jail of Scioto County, Ohio, and within the next thirty days, the sheriff of said county, convey you to the Ohio Penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio, and deliver you to the warden of said penitentiary, and that you there be safely kept until the 24th day of February, 1922, on which day between the hours of 12 AM and sunrise the same day, within an enclosure, inside the walls of the Ohio Penitentiary, prepared for that purpose, according to law, that you shall be electrocuted by the warden of the Ohio Penitentiary, or in the case of his death, inability or absence, by the deputy warden of said penitentiary: that said warden or his duly authorized deputy shall cause to pass through your body a current of electricity of sufficient intensity to cause death, and that the application of such current of electricity shall be continued by said warden or said deputy as aforesaid until you are dead and that you pay the costs of prosecution for which execution is awarded. May God have mercy on your soul.”

May God have mercy on your soul.

New Developments In Double Murder; Chamblin Has Been Doing Some Talking In Death Cell⁶⁹

“Coroner Dr JD Henrickson stated Friday that reports had reached him, and apparently from authentic sources, that Roy Chamblin, condemned to die in the electric chair on February 24, has been doing some talking about the double murder to persons who have called on him.”

“It is rumored that he has admitted that John W Newman was in the house only a short time when he was shot down. It was stated today that possibly next week a local official would call on Chamblin with a view of getting the real truth as to how Newman and Miss Doyle met their tragic death. Several officials have always contended that Chamblin was not telling the truth and that the couple was killed outside of the death cottage.”

“In substantiation of this statement, they point to the fact that the keys of Newman’s machine were found on the dash of his car and they contend that if Newman had gotten out of the car of his own volition, the first thing he would have done was to have locked his car and taken the keys with him.”

“They also contend that Newman did not know the cottage was vacant and had no intention of going there, he and miss Doyle having gone for a ride with when they encountered Chamblin. A prominent attorney who has been investigating all angles of that mysterious affair stated that today that it was his opinion that Chamblin at the point of his gun compelled Miss Doyle to enter the cottage and shortly after they entered Newman followed them. ‘When Newman entered the cottage, Chamblin began his shooting.’ the attorney continued. ‘It is probably true that Newman in going to the rescue of Miss Doyle hurled a brick or boulder at the gun user.'”

“The attorney said today that he expected to call on Chamblin in the death cell shortly in an effort to wrest the real truth of the killing of the two victims from the condemned man.”

Chamblin Sorry For Sheriff⁷⁰

EW “Pete” Smith, ex-sheriff, was a business visitor in Columbus Wednesday and while in the city took a few minutes to visit the penitentiary to see Roy Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Louise Doyle.”

“Chamblin was deeply interested in the condition of Sheriff EE Rickey Who was laid up for several days suffering from the effects of a blow on the head with a blackjack in the hands of Lorin Mershon, arrested on Dry Run.”

“Chamblin wanted to know the exact details of sheriff Rickey’s condition.”

Will Review Chamblin Case⁷¹

“Notice was received here Friday to the effect that the Court of Appeals will come to this city to hold a session of court next week, starting Tuesday morning. During its stay here the court indicated that it would hear a number of cases remaining on the docket from the regular November term and besides review the error proceedings prosecuted on behalf of Roy Chamblin, slayer of John W Newman and Louise Doyle, who is condemned to die in the electric chair on February 24.”

“Through error proceedings instituted in behalf of the condemned man Attorney Theo K Funk seeks to reverse the judgement and sentence of the trial court, Judge JS Thomas. The case will be reviewed on the record and Attorney Funk will appear in support of the petition in error, Prosecutor Sheppard opposing it.”

Appellate Court Coming⁷²

“The petit jury will not be required to appear for service in Common Pleas court next Monday as previously ordered as the cases assigned for trial were continued on account of the Court of Appeals which will convene here Tuesday morning.”

“Judges Edwin D Sayre, of Athens, William H Middleton, of Waverly and Roscoe J Mauck, of Gallipolis, are expected to arrive in the city Monday for the session which will start Tuesday morning and during its stay here the court will hear a number of cases left over from the docket of the regular November term and also review the error proceedings prosecuted in behalf of Roy Chambln who is condemned to die for the murder of Louise Doyle and John W Newman. Through the proceedings, Attorney Theo K Funk, counsel for Chamblin is seeking to reverse the judgment and findings of Judge Thomas in the court below. Chamblin will die in the electric chair on February 24 unless the finding is reversed or executive clemency is extended. Prosecutor Sheppard will appear to oppose the claims made by the defense in the petition of error.”

Says She Did Not Sign Petition⁷³

“Mrs. John Newman of 1647 Twelfth street said today that a woman circulating a petition that is to be sent to the Governor asking that the death sentence of Roy Chamblin be changed to life is using her name to influence others to sign the petition. According to Mrs. Newman the woman circulating the petitions tells prospective signers that Mrs. Newman has signed the petition asking for a life sentence for the slayer of her husband and Miss Louise Doyle. Mrs. Newman says that she never did see such a petition and will never sign one. She did not know the woman’s actions until several of her friends called her today and asked her if such a statement was true explaining that they had been approached by the woman with the petition.”

Chamblin, Slayer of Two, Dies Tonight⁷⁴

“Unless the mandate of the court is interfered with, which at this late hour is extremely improbable, Roy C Chamblin, self-confessed murderer of John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle of this city, will be electrocuted in the Ohio Penitentiary shortly after the stroke of 12 o’clock tonight. When relatives last heard from him he admitted that his chances of not going to the electric chair were very remote and that he was prepared for the inevitable.”

“Since being taken to the death chamber on November 15 last he has read the Bible through four times and assured his aged mother at West Union that he has made peace with his God and he had no fear of death. He has put in most of his time reading religious books given to him by prison officials, realizing that he is to suffer the ignominy of dying in the electric chair for having cruelly snuffed out the lives of John W Newman, the father of three children and Miss Louise Doyle.”

“As his day of electrocution drew closer Chamblin began to lose his appetite and during the past three or four weeks has eaten very lightly according to work from the penitentiary. He had had very little to say and after reading his religious papers would like down the rest of the time.”

“Those who know Roy C Chamblin are confident that he will calmly walk down to the electric chair tonight. They feel that his nerve will no desert him in the closing moments of his life. He has always said that he would gamely walk down to the chair and that they would not have to lift him in it.”

“‘I have no done any good in this world and it will be better off when I am gone.'”

“‘I never had a chance in this life and now that I killed two people I am willing to give up my life,’ are statements Chamblin frequently made to those who called on him while he was in the jail awaiting his trial to determine whether mercy should be extended to him.”

“Chamblin has written a daily letter to his mother and says his only regret of dying is the shame and disgrace that it will bring to her.”

“On October 21, last, John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle were murdered in the death cottage on the Scioto Trail and seven miles north of the city.”

“On October 28, a week later, the dead bodies of the couple were found by John Snedecor, caretaker of the Davis farm, and two boys.”

“They notified Coroner JD Hendrickson and he ordered the bodies taken to a local undertaking establishment, where relatives identified them as Newman and Miss Doyle.”

“A suicide pact was immediately discredited and a search was made for the murderer.”

“It ended when Roy C Chamblin was arrested at the home of relatives in Cincinnati. Suspicion pointed to him from the fact that he had been operating on the Scioto Trail. He was arrested on November 5 and aftering being brought to the county jail by Sheriff EE Rickey and Detective L H Einspanier he confessed to killing Newman and Miss Doyle. He says he took $18 from Newman and his gold watch, which he pawned in Cincinnati and which has since been recovered.”

“He says he threw the Iver-Johnson .32 caliber gun used to kill the couple in the Ohio river as he was crossing the Ohio on the C & O ferry on the day after the shooting.

“After killing the couple he drove Newman’s car around to the Galena pike, where he abandoned it near the end of the paving. After spending the night at the home of relatives on Pond Creek road Chamblin came to this city and started a journey which ultimately ended in his arrest in Cincinnati.”

“On November 14, last he was sentence to die in the electric chair by Judge James S Thomas.”

“Chamblin was taken to the death annex at the Ohio Penitentiary on November 15.”

“Columbus, Ohio. February 23- Penitentiary officals today were making preperations for a double electrocution shortly after midnight tonight, while the fate of one man due to die hung in the balance.”

“Arthur Harding, charged with killing William Kress, Toledo policeman, and Roy Chamblin, Portsmouth, who killed John W Newman and Louise Doyle, church workers, will step into the electric chair when the clock passes midnight tonight, unless courts or the governor intervenes.”

“Harding’s appeal for a review of his case by the supreme court was being considered by that body, which is to decide some time today.”

“There is no application to the high tribunal for Chamblin, and any clemency for him will have to be from the govenor.”

“If the double electrocution takes place tonight, the death house population at the penitentiary will be decreased to 12.”⁷⁷

Leslie Plans To Witness Electrocution⁷⁸

“Detective Andy Leslie is planning to go to Columbus to witness the execution of Roy Chamblin, who is scheduled to die in the electric chair at the Ohio penitentiary shortly after Thursday midnight for the murder of John W Newman and Louise Doyle on the Scioto Trail last October. Leslie was invited by the condemned man to be present when the mandate of the law is carried out and the officer expects to be there unless something urgent in his course of duty turns up in the meantime to prevent him making the trip to the Capitol.”

Roy Chamblin Who Will Die After Midnight Calm And Cool ⁷⁹

Requests No “Last Meal”; Has Been Unpopular, Report

“Neither Moffett nor Chamblin had requested any special ‘last meal,’ prison officials said today. No one except prison officials saw either prisoner today. Both convicted men were reported calm and cool.”

“Chamblin, who is a one-legged man, is unpopular with his fellow prisoners in ‘death row.’ He was convicted of having killed a young man and his girl companion in an uninhabited house near Portsmouth.”

Dies In The Electric Chair⁸⁰

“Gathered in the death chamber, about a score of witnesses, newspapermen, and officials awaited Chamblin’s coming with death-like stillness. At 12:03 the silence was broken by the faint tattoo of Chamblin’s artificial leg on the floor of the annex, directly above. The death march had started. Down the stairway, Chamblin came, the dull thud becoming more distinct.”

“The stillness seemed to increase. Unassisted, Chamblin walked into the chamber, followed by Chaplain Reed and Major Collins. His hair almost completely covered his eye. Seating himself in the chair, he brushed back his hair, as a faint smile swept over his countenance. The belts were fastened.”

“Three minutes after the current had been turned on, he was pronounced dead at 12:09 AM by Dr. WA Whitman⁸¹

Death Certificate for Roy Chamblin⁸²

Did Not Get to Talk To Murderer⁸³

“Ex-Sheriff EW Smith{efn_note]Ephraim William “Pete” Smith[/efn_note], and N & W special officers Andy Leslie and EF Pratt⁸⁴ of this city who witnesses the electrocution did not get to talk to Chamblin before he died. On the last day, the prison rule is to have only Chaplain Reed and Major Walter Collins of the Volunteers of America talk with the prisoner during the last few hours of his life. The local men only got to see Chamblin when he walked into the death chamber and while he was put in the chair and the high voltage sent through his body. According to Smith who arrived home this morning Chamblin did not recognize any of the trio from Portsmouth and only smiled once after entering the death chamber. That was after he had taken his seat in the chair and looking up at the chaplain who was standing just a few feet in front of him. The chaplain remarked to him ‘it is all right.’ and then a smile lighted up the face of the man who was in a few minutes to pay with his life for the murder of two persons.”

Many Interested In Electrocution⁸⁵

“Times reporters were kept busy today answering the telephone about the Chamblin electrocution. Great interest was shown in it and many of the calls came from various parts of the county and from contiguous counties.”

Mrs. Easter Told Son To Pray So That He Would Be Forgiven⁸⁶

“Roy Chamblin last saw his mother, Mrs. Eva Easter, two weeks ago, when she called on him in the death cell. She spent the entire day with her son and read the Bible to him.”

“Roy told his mother he was prepared to die and said that he felt sure that he would not get another reprieve. Mrs. Easter comforted her son, but he was resigned to his terrible fate. Mrs. Easter broke down completely on leaving her son and had to be assisted out of the big prison. She told Roy to pray every day so god would forgive him.”

“According to Pete Smith, Chamblin made his confession late in the afternoon when he talked with Chaplain Reed⁸⁷ and Major Collins. The story of the confession was told to the three local men after the electrocution. According to the prison officials, Chaplain Reed and Major Collins went to Chamblin’s cell on death row early in the afternoon and talked with him, telling him he only had a few hours to live and asked if he had told the whole truth about the affair for which he was to pay the death penalty. Chamblin is said to have replied that he had not told the truth but at that time no more questions were asked him and he did not say any more about the crime. A short time later Chaplain Reed and Major Collins returned to Chamblin’s cell again and then talked more of the details of the crime, telling Chamblin that if he intended to make peace with his God it would be necessary for him to not have a lie concealed in his soul.”⁸⁸

Tells Complete Story Of Awful Crime

“Chamblin is then said to have told the complete story of the murder claiming that he found Newman and Miss Doyle in the automobile along the side of the road a short distance from the cottage, and that he decided to ‘stick them up,’ meaning he would hold them up and rob them. He said he took their money and then was afraid they had recognized him and made them leave the machine and march to the empty cottage where he killed them to prevent them telling of the holdup and robbery.”

“He is also said to have remarked that they were not the first ones he had stuck up along that section of road.”

“During his previous visits to the pen Smith had told Waden Thomas his theory of the crime, that Newman and the girl were forced to go to the cottage and were not found there as first claimed by their slayer. This morning after the electrocution Warden Thomas called Smith and told him that his theory was right, that Chamblin had forced the pair to enter the cottage, according to his latest confession. Later the new Confession made by Chamblin, was told to the local men.”

“After leaving the prison Mr. Smith talked with Major Collins and wife of the Volunteer Workers of America and inquired if any plans had been made for sending the body back to relatives. He was informed by Mrs. Collins that an undertaker at West Union had communicated with a Columbus undertaker and the body would be shipped to West Union today.”

“According to Smith the main part of the body is strapped in the chair so tight that it does not move when the electricity is turned on…”

“Chamblin’s left hand was stretched while on his right hand he had only two fingers doubled in, the other remaining stiff and not moving when the death-dealing current was stopped.”

“In three minutes his light had been snuffed out and he had paid the extreme penalty.”

Came As No Surprise Here⁸⁹

“The fact that Chamblin made an eleventh hour confession came as no surprise to hundreds of local people, who were thoroughly familiar with all angles of the double crime. It was felt here all along that Chamblin marched the couple to the death cottage after he had stopped their machine and held them up on the Scioto Trail. Sheriff Rickey always clung to this theory as did other city and county officials.

“The deserted cottage was vacated on October 12 and nine days later the couple was killed in it. Officials contended all along that neither Newman not Miss Doyle knew the cottage had been vacant or that either had ever been there before. Relatives have insisted all along that the couple just started out for a ride and had intended returning by 9 o’clock. They became acquainted while working in the Excelsior plant. Many believe that it was the first ride the couple had ever taken together and that fate decreed that neither would return alive. On the night of the murder Miss Doyle left her home on Grandview avenue at 7 o’clock telling her mother she would be back at 9. Newman said he would work a while after supper. It is supposed that a short time after he reached the plant he met Miss Doyle and they left on what turned out to be a death trip for them. Newman had been working at nights and when he told Mrs. Newman he would return at 9 o’clock she attached no importance to this matter as her husband had been accustomed to doing this.”

“Mrs. Newman said today that her husband had a larger sum of money on his person than Chamblin said he found and he probably spent it in having a good time in Cincinnati before being arrested.”

“Officials here expressed the belief today that Chamblin held up many couples on the Trail and West Side last summer. In many instances the victims said the highwayman was a one-legged man and his description tallied with Chamblin’s.”

“The reason Chamblin always clung to the storey that he found the couple in the cottage was due to the fact that he thought he would escape going to the chair by sticking to this story,” a local official said today. ‘He was smart enough to know that and if he told the truth no mercy whatever would be extended to him. He killed the couple in cold blood in an attempt to hide his robbery.'”

“What puzzled the officials here was Chamblin’s failure to get further away from the scene of the crime. Apparently, he did not care how soon he would be picked up.”

“When asked by a Times man at the county jail why he did not go further away, he replied ‘What’s the use, I have nothing to live for. I never had a chance in life and the electric chair has no terror for me.'”

Mrs. Newman Says She Believed Chamblin Would Tell The Truth⁹⁰

“‘Roy Chamblin deserved his awful fate. He died just as he deserved.'”

“This was the comment made today on the murderer’s death by Mrs. John W Newman, wife of one of Chamblin’s victims.”

“‘I never believed for a moment that Mr. Newman and Miss Doyle went to the death cottage of their own accord. I thought all along Chamblin would tell the truth before he died. I believe he could have told more than he did. Surely Mr. Newman and Miss Doyle talked to the murderer while he cold-bloodedly led them to their tragic deaths. I shall always believe they did.'”

“Mrs. Newman was greatly relieved to learn that Chamblin had paid the penalty for his brutal crimes and that he had told the truth before he died.”

Mrs. Doyle Says She Believe Chamblin Could Have Told More⁹¹

“Mrs. Dollie Doyle of 1816 Grandview avenue this morning, when informed of the new development in the confession of Chamblin yesterday said, ‘I felt sure all the time that Louise and Mr. Newman were not found at that house and knew all the time that the murderer was not telling the truth. I do not believe he has told the whole truth when he says he marched them to the cottage just to kill them to keep them from telling on him. Chamblin deserved his fate.'”

Miss Louise Doyle, One Of The Victims And Cabin In Which Crime Was Committed⁹²

“Above is pictured the cabin on the Scioto Trail near Davis Station, where on the night of October 21, 1921, Roy Chamblin shot and killed John W Newman and Miss Louise Doyle. The arrow points to the room in which the bodies were found a week after the double murder was committed. There is also the picture of Miss Louise Doyle who had her life snuffed out by a speeding bullet from the gun in Chamblin’s hand.”

Body Arrives Here; Is Shipped To West Union; Funeral Services Sunday⁹³

“The body of Roy Chamblin arrived at the N & W Station today on the noon N & W train, No. 16, from Columbus. The remains were sent to WInchester this afternoon on the training leaving here at 2:10 for Cincinnati. At Winchester the body will be taken in charge of Undertaker Lafferty⁹⁴ of West Union.

“Funeral services will be held some time Sunday afternoon from the home of the mother, with burial in West Union cemetery.”

“The body of the electrocuted man rested at the depot here today from 11:35 AM to 2:10 PM and many called around at the depot to gaze at the rough box which contained the casket in which Roy Chamblin was placed shortly after his electrocution early this morning. His death verified his statement when taken to ‘murderers’ row’ in the pen. When the prison gates clanged behind him. Roy sighed audibly and said: ‘Well, I guess when I come out of here it will be feet foremost.’ And he was right.”

Well, I guess when I come out of here it will be feet foremost.

Final Chapter⁹⁵

“The final chapter was contributed to the Roy Chamblin case Saturday when Clerk of Courts Edward Cunningham received the return of death warrant from Warden Preston Elmer Thomas, of the Ohio penitentiary.”

“The warden’s return which will be spread on the court journal completes the court record of the case, reads as follows: ‘Warden’s Office, Ohio Penitentiary, March 24 AD 1922. To the Clerk of Scioto County, Ohio: On the fifteenth day of November AD 1921, I received your warrant together with the prisoner named therein, whom I kept until the day designated for his execution; and on the twenty-fourth day of March AD 1922 I caused the said prisoner, Roy Chamblin, to be electrocuted by causing a current of electricity of sufficient intensity to cause death to pass through his body; and the application of such current being continued until he was dead.'”

1. John W Newman Is Reported Missing. (1921, October 22). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
2. Joseph S Distel
3. Police Asked To Locate Miss Louise Doyle (1921, October 22). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
4. Newman Still Missing; Auto is Found. (1921, October 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
5. Charles Jefferson Chandler
6. Bodies of John W Newman and Louise Doyle Are Found In Abandoned House. (1921, October 28). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
7. Joel D. Hendrickson
8. “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8PF-KHY : 8 March 2021), Myrtle Louise Doyle, 21 Oct 1921; citing Portsmouth, Scioto, Ohio, reference cn 58664; FHL microfilm 1,991,748.
9. “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8PF-KCW : 8 March 2021), John Wheeler Newman, 21 Oct 1921; citing Portsmouth, Scioto, Ohio, reference cn 58667; FHL microfilm 1,991,748.
10. Frank Erwin Bower
11. Franklin S Gulick
12. Many Theories But Few Clue Are Developed in Effort to Solve Double Murder Mystery. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
13. Thinks It is Murder. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
14. Dr. Micklethwaite Has Theory. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
15. Coroner Thinks Couple Were Not Murdered Friday Night. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
16. Seen With Another Woman. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
17. Saw Men Near Death House. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
18. Mud on Shoes Is Clue. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
19. Family Not Superstitious. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
20. Newman Funeral On Monday. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
21. Knights of Pythias
22. No Services Here. (1921, October 29). Portsmouth Daily Time, p. 3.
23. Blood Spots In Another Room of Death House May Help Solve Murder Mystery. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
24. Rumor False. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
25. Last Rites at Carrs, Ky. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
26. Either Revenge Or Jealousy, Declare Officials; Money Accounted For. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
27. Gun Victim and His Wife. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
28. Thought Dream Would Be Clue. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
29. Wife Thinks It’s Murder. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Tims, p. 9.
30. Says He Would Know Murderer. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
31. Sheriff Rickey and Coroner Confer About Double Murder. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
32. May Offer Big Reward. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
33. Funeral Services Held Today. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
34. Allen, E. (2021, April 4). Headstone of John Wheeler Newman [Digital image]. Retrieved April 09, 2021, from www.wanderingappalachia.org All Rights Reserved
35. To Question All Employes. (1921, October 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
36. Thinks Robber Gang May Have Killed Couple. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
37. Girl Victim Is Laid To Rest. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
38. Brother Discusses Crime. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
39. Old Man “Anonymous” Busy. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
40. Co-Workers Are Mystified. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
41. Coroner Has New Theory. (1921, November 1). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
42. Last Link Necessary To Disprove Suicide Theory Is Made; Officials Baffled By Double Murder Mystery. (1921, November 2). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
43. Officials Find No Solution of Mystery. (1921, November 4). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 17.
44. Arrested Here, Admits Killing 2 in Portsmouth. (1921, November 6). Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, p. 1.
45. Philosophy Mixed Into Details. (1921, November 7). Cincinnati Enquirer, p. 1.
46. [Iver and Johnson .32 caliber 5 shot revolver]. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/DSCF0252.jpg
47. Roy Chamblin Tells All Details Of Murder of John W. Newman And Miss Louise Doyle. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
48. Abe Levine, 335 West 6th Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.
49. Chamblin Pleads Guilty on Two Murder Charges. (1921, November 8). Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, p. 3.
50. Saw The Hand Of Fate. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
51. Gun User Recognizes Overalls. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
52. Had No Regular Employment. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
53. How Watch Was Recovered. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
54. Sheriff Rickey Is Congratulated. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
55. The Self-Confessed Murderer And His Capturer. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
56. The Confession. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
57. What Will Mother Say? Will She Forgive Me?” Asks Gun User. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
58. Sobbed While Songs Were Being Sun. (1921, November 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
59. Watch Pawned Here Solves Double Murder. (1921, November 8). Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, p. 3.
60. Say Chamblin Was To Lead Bandit Gang. (1921, November 8). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
61. Adams County Agog Over Confession Of Roy Shamblin Who Formerly Lived There. (1921, November 8). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 7.
62. Weaving Web Around Chamblin. (1921, November 8). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 7.
63. Grand Jury Takes Up Chamblin Case. (1921, November 9). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 12.
64. Grand Jury Reports; Chamblin Indicted. (1921, November 10). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 10.
65. (1921, November 10). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 12.
66. Double Murder Indicted. (1921, November 11). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 21.
67. Chamblin Pleads Guilty To 1st Degree Murder. (1921, November 12). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 7.
68. Chamblin Sentenced To The Electric Chair. (1921, November 14). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
69. New Developments In Double Murder; Chamblin Has Been Doing Some Talking In Death Cell. (1921, December 2). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
70. Chamblin Sorry For Sheriff. (1922, January 19). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 11.
71. Will Review Chamblin Case. (1922, January 20). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
72. Appellate Court Coming. (1922, January 21). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
73. Says She Did Not Sign Petition. (1922, February 22). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 10.
74. Chamblin, Slayer of Two, Dies Tonight. (1922, February 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
75. C. T. Photocrom , “C & O Depot and Ferry, Portsmouth, Ohio,” Local History Digital Collection, accessed April 15, 2021, https://www.yourppl.org/history/items/show/17744.
76. Arthur Harding [Digital image]. (2011, August 6). Retrieved April 15, 2021, from https://www.ohiomemory.org/digital/collection/p267401coll32/id/15008
77. (1922, February 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
78. Leslie Plans To Witness Electrocution. (1922, March 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
79. Roy Chamblin Who Will Die After Midnight Calm and Cool. (1922, March 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 13.
80. Dies In The Electric Chair. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
81. Willis Arthur Whitman
82. “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPKP-9W2S?cc=1307272&wc=MD96-YTR%3A287602301%2C293627702 : 21 May 2014), 1922 > 14541-17340 > image 941 of 3149.
83. Did Not Get To Talk To Murderer. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
84. Elmer Franklin Pratt
85. Many Interested In Electrocution. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
86. Mrs. Easter Told Son To Pray So That He Would Be Forgiven. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
87. Thomas Owen Reed
88. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
89. Came As No Surprise Here. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
90. Mrs. Newman Says She Believe Chamblin Would Tell The Truth. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
91. Mrs. Doyle Says She Believe Chamblin Could Have Told More. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
92. Miss Louise Doyle, One Of The Victims And Cabin In Which Crime Was Committed. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
93. Body Arrives Here; Is Shipped To West Union; Funeral Services Sunday. (1922, March 24). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
94. Latour D Lafferty
95. Final Chapter. (1922, March 25). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 6.