Can You Identify This Murdered Man?

December 5, 1921: Identity of Murder Victim Still a Mystery; Clues Are Followed by Officers

“With his throat slashed from ear to ear, the lifeless body of an unidentified man about 50 or 55 years old, was found on Dry Run Sunday morning at 10:30 by William Bolton, who resides near where the murder occured, which is about a mile and a half from the West Side road. The blood stained body had been thrown into a creek and only half of it was exposed when discovered. As soon as it was found Bolton spread the news and a large crowd gathered at the scene, which was within 150 feet of Alex Robert’s house, but neither he nor any of his neighbors had ever seen the man before. They told officials that they heard no screams or any unusual noise Saturday night and have no idea as to when the brutal murder was committed.”

“The finding of this body marked the fourth murder in Scioto County in six weeks, all former criminal records being broken, officials declared last night. ‘Steps must be taken to curb the crime wave’ a prominent official said at the Lynn morgue last night and that every effort would be made to run down the man or men responsible for this latest crime.”

Blood Spots Lead to Spot

“The murder, officials say, took place before snow started falling Saturday night at 11:30. When they arrived on the scene they found blood spots leading directly to where the body was found, which was about 50 feet from where the murder occured. The blood shown through the snow and offered convincing proof that after the man had been murdered his body was carried to the creek and tossed into it in an effort to conceal the atrocious act.”

“There is no question but what robbery was the motive that prompted the killing as the pockets in the man’s trousers, coat and overcoat were found turned inside out. Nothing was found in his effects that would establish the faintest clue in the guilty person or persons. An old knife, a needle, some thread and piece of a Washington Court House paper were found among the man’s effects. The paper was tucked around his hat band and may lead to his identification. He wore two pair of dark trousers, a heavy suit of underwear, a yellow shirt, a dark coat, heavy pair of army shoes, long, heavy overcoat and an army hat.”

“The man has a rather prominent nose, is smooth shaven and has dark, curly hair. He has a full round forehead and is bald in front. His gnarled hands indicate he is a man who has been used to hard work.”

Lured to His Death

“The theory was frequently advanced Sunday and last night that he possibly was a corn shucker and was lured to the West Side under the belief that he had his earnings on his person.”

“Sam Brooks, who operates a bus line to Dry Run, stated yesterday afternoon that the dead man got into his auto bus on Market street, Saturday night and he drove him to the West Side. ‘When he reached Dry Run, the man got out. I saw him start to walk up Dry Run,’ Brooks told a Times man in the Lynn mortuary yesterday afternoon.”

“‘I could not be mistaken as I looked at the man’s big overcoat and wondered what he was doing with it in this climate.'”

“‘Did anyone get off with a man?’ Was asked of Brooks.”

“‘No one did at Dry Run, but one man left the bus just before we reached that stop.'”

“Brooks says that the man talked to other persons in the bus and they asked him where he got his big overcoat and replied ‘fighting for Uncle Sam.'”

“The man had been seen around Market street for several days. More than a dozen men who called at the morgue yesterday told Coroner Hendrickson and Deputy Sheriff Frank Bennett that he had been hanging around the West End for at least a week. He had been eating in the restaurants there all last week.”

“As soon as the body was found Deputy Sheriff Bennett, Coroner Hendrickson, and Detective LH Einspanier¹ went to the scene. It was found on a huge rock and half of it protruded from the water. The creek runs to the left of the road and the body had been carried about 50 feet from where the murder took place. Alex Roberts, George Bolton, Albert James, Edward Hall, Albert Seymour, James Lewis and L. Smith, who live within a radius of 100 yards of the murder, told a Times man Sunday that they heard no screams Saturday night and most of them had passed the spot several times after the murder was committed but saw no blood spots.”

Clothing Soak with Blood

“The man’s clothing was found literally bathed in blood as his fatal wound must have bled profusely. Coroner Hendrickson says the man could not have walked 50 feet after his throat was slashed and that his body was carried to the banks of the creek and then tossed into it. Blood was found on the clumps of weeds through which the body was carried. There is a small thorn tree in the path and the man’s nose was cut in several places by these thorns. The fact that his pockets were turned inside out is proof that robbery was the motive of said last night. They say it could not have been a case of suicide or the death-dealing weapon would have been found. A careful search was made but no other knife was found other than the small pocket knife.”

“Credence is attached to the theory that the man may have been looking for some moonshine and that he was enticed to the lonely spot on the West Side under pretext that it could be found there. However, Sam Brooks, driver of the bus, says he knew everybody in his bus and that none of his passengers could possibly have figured in the murder. The postmortem examination which was held by Coroner Hendrickson and by Drs. TG McCormick² and Gilbert Micklethwaite showed that the main jugular vein and windpipe had been severed in fact he was almost decapitated. Physicians said he could not have lived more than a second or two after his throat was cut. He must have bled for some time to time, however, as even his underwear was bloodsoaked and oozed into his shoes, his socks being saturated with blood.”

Officials Follow Clues

“Officials today directed their efforts to learn who had been keeping company with the dead man. They are attempting to learn if he had any companions or friends and where they were Saturday night. He had been associating with men on market Street and they will be questioned as to whether the man had been drinking and whether he had been exhibiting a big roll of money. Officials learned that the man spent money rather freely, but have not found any person who would say that he had considerable money. It was rumored that a farmer living at the head of Dry Run was a relative of the man and he may have been headed for his home when murdered, but this theory was exploded when the farmer said he had no relatives that in any way resembled the slain man. Another man said he believed that he lived at Carter City, Kentucky, and an effort is being made to run down this rumor.”

“One rumor after another was run down yesterday, but none threw any light on the man’s identity. Hundreds of women were among those who viewed the body, most of them being actuated by curiosity.”

“‘This is one of the worst crimes in the county’s history and we will make an effort to solve the mystery and bring the guilty person or persons to trial.’ Deputy Sheriff Bennett told a time span last night.”

“The scene of the murder is only about six miles from where the double murder occurred on the Scioto Trail.”³

December 5, 1921: Thousands View Body of Dead Man

“It is estimated that several thousand persons poured through the Lynn mortuary yesterday and last night, all being anxious to get a glimpse of the murdered man. Many had theories of their own as to who the man was, but no positive identification was made. Family pictures were hauled out from Bibles, women took tintypes to the morgue, and even pictures in watches were trotted out to see if they would fit the dead man. One man insisted that the man’s name was Taylor and that his home was in Clarksburg, Lewis county, Kentucky. Coroner Hendrickson called the marshal and Vanceburg last night and he soon learned that Taylor was at his home in Clarksburg, although he was in Portsmouth Saturday.”

“Many West Siders called at the morgue believing that the man lived in that section of the county. Not one of them had ever seen him and expressed the belief that he had not been in this section very long.”

“All the residents near where the body was found viewed the remains, but could not make any identification. ‘I never saw the man before,’ Alex Roberts told a Times man last night, and he lives within 150 feet of where the body was found, and is a lifelong resident of Dry Run.”⁴

December 5, 1921: Crime Wave Must Stop, Coroner Says

“‘Some drastic measures must be taken to stop this crime wave, which apparently has gripped the section,’ Coroner Hendrickson told a Times man last night.”

“‘ We have had for brutal murders in six weeks, breaking all criminal records of the city or county. I consider the one on the West Side Saturday night, the most brutal of the four and I shall bend every energy on my part to fathom its mysteries. I believe this man was lured to the West Side from Market street and then deliberately murdered for his money. The man I am told was seen around the West Side several times Saturday, and I understand he displayed some money, but I do not know how much. There is no question but what he was enticed to the lonely spot where his life was snuffed out,’ the Coroner continued.”

“‘And I don’t think that one man did it as one man could not have made as complete a job as was done. One man probably held the dead man while the other slashed his throat.'”⁵

December 5, 1921: Coroner Believes Man’s Coat May Lead to His Identification

“Coroner Hendrickson has in his possession the long overcoat the man wore when his life was snuffed out. It was water soaked when it was found and was so heavy that it required two men to lift it. The coat has a heavy felt lining of good quality, the outer cover is khaki and it has a wide collar and is equipped with braid in front and has unusually big buttons. The coat came to the man’s shoe tops and the Coroner said last night that it is a typical Western coat and for this reason the man may not be known in this section.”

“‘ We see very few coats like this one around here as the weather is not severe enough. I believe that the coat cost $100 and it may provide a clue to the man’s identity. I have it in my apartments in the Massie block and will guard it as someone possibly will recognize the coat and then it’s owner.'” ⁶

December 5, 1921: Barber Says He Shaved Dead Man

“Any number of persons, who called at the Lynn morgue yesterday are positive that they saw the murdered man loafing around Market street, Saturday. Some say they saw him there last Thursday and Friday.”

“A well-known barber in that section says he shaved the dead man a week ago today and believes he was a corn cutter and had considerable money on his person been murdered. ‘I am positive that I shaved that man’s last week,’ the barber said after viewing the body.”⁷

December 5, 1921: Fourth Murder Since October 1921

“Unabated, the crime wave here goes on unchecked and officials are baffled over the wanton manner in which the victims are being murdered.”

“On October 21, John W Newman and Ms. Louise Doyle were murdered by Roy Chamberlain, who is condemned to die, and occupies a death sell in the Ohio Penitentiary.”

“On December 1 Arthur Tinsley, colored, was shot and instantly killed by Felix Ellis, also colored, who is in the county jail, where he awaits the action of the next grand jury. He was denied bail.”

“In the Lynn morgue the body of the fourth victim lies unidentified. With his pockets turned inside out and rifled, robbery being the motive of this murder.”

“A real element of mystery shrouds the fourth murder and so far the officials have been unable to work up a tangible clue. However, they are working systematically on the case in a chain of circumstances may at any time lead to the apprehension of the knife-user.”⁸

December 5, 1921: Coroner Is Investigating

“The body of the dead man was today moved from the Lynn mortuary to the ground floor room of the undertaking establishment, where it is being viewed by hundreds of people. Persons from all parts of the city are calling to see if they can identify the body. One man expressed the belief today that he resided up Big Sandy and Coroner Hendrickson is investigating this theory.”⁹

December 15, 2021: Body Still Unidentified

“Officials admitted Thursday that there had been no new turns in the murder of the unidentified man, whose body remains in the Lynn morgue.”

“One clue after another has been thoroughly sifted, without any new light being thrown on the city’s murder mystery. The body has not been identified unless it is in a few days it will be buried by Undertaker Lynn. It has been prepared for burial and the victim makes a splendid appearance.”

“It is generally believed that the man was here last spring and stopped at the Biggs House, where a roomer shared his room with the dead man. Officials are using this information in the hopes of finding some person who recalls just when the dead man stopped at the hotel.”

“It has been persistently rumored for several days that a taxicab driver drove the dead man and his two companions to Dry Run on the Saturday night the murder was committed. The officials have no direct information along this line, but are looking into the report from all angles.”

Writing to the Times, a West Side woman says: Why not find the case number on the man’s shoes? This may help solve the mystery. Why not learn the name of the taxi driver who drove the man and his companions to Dry Run? He ought to know who the two men are and who were with him. Also who were the two men with the dead man on Market Street?”

“The officials have not the faintest idea who the two men were, and if they did they would have been and the tolls long ago.”

“A story came to light today that the man may have been murdered by relatives, who had it in for him for some time. This rumor was prevalent in the West End and the officials are not passing it up slightly. ‘We have been told that the dead man may have had revengeful relatives on the West Side and they may know something of the murder if they are located,’ an official said Thursday.”

“Sheriff Rickey is looking into all angles and phases of the mysterious murder and is leaving no stone unturned to unravel it and bring the guilty persons to justice.”

“It was also reported today that a woman has been circulating the story that she saw the dead man and the two men with him on Dry Run before the murder was committed, but said woman has not been located.”¹⁰

December 15, 1921: Dr. Morgan Has Suggestion

“Editor of the Times:”

“The man who is being held up the Lynn morgue with a hope that someone will identify the body, will not, in all probability be identified, unless the body is placed in an upright position, in other words, in a sitting or standing position.”

“Which position only will portray the natural features and contour the face, whereas in the prone or reclining position, an unnatural aspect is presented and therefore often obscures identification or recognition. – HH Morgan¹¹“¹²

December 29, 1921: Can You Identify This Man?

“This unknown man, murdered near Portsmouth December 3rd, may slumber in an unmarked grave unless some Fayette County citizen can identify him as having husked corn or been engaged in other work near this city. Any information should be communicated to The Herald at once.”

“The body of Portsmouth’s fourth murder victim within the past six weeks remains unidentified in a local morgue nearly four weeks after the slaying.”

“On Saturday evening December 3rd, the murdered man believed to have been from the vicinity of Washington Court House was lured to Dry Run, a lonely spot near here, murdered and robbed. His throat was slashed from ear to ear and death was instantaneous, the coroner stated. The body was found half-immersed in a creek the day following the murder.”

“Near the spot where the body was found were found blood spots and other signs showing that the man had not relinquished his life without a struggle. Nearby was also found a heavy coat and army hat which had been worn by the murdered man.”

“Inside the lining of the hat was found a copy of a Washington Court House paper and this meager clue is being used by the authorities in a final effort to ascertain the identity of the man so cruelly slain. No date was distinguishable on the paper but there were several sheriff sale ads, calling for the disposal of goods on October 25 and 28. This is what has led the officers to believe that the murder victim resided in the vicinity of Washington Court House. Furthermore, the officers are of the opinion that he may have been a farmer in that vicinity, for in his pockets was found a husking peg.”

“The dead man is evidently about 50 years of age, with dark hair, blue eyes, bald in the front part of his head and of a raw boned build. When found he had on a blue serge coat, striped gray pants, a yellow army shirt and heavy work shoes.”

“The overcoat which was found lying near his body was of peculiar texture and make, being tan colored with ribboned front and a heavy felt lining.”

“It has been estimated that 20,000 people have viewed the body in an effort to secure identification but his identity remains unknown nearly a month after the murder. A last effort is being made to identify the man before burial.”

“The slayers of the man still enjoying their freedom. It has been definitely established that two men took part in the slaying of the unknown man. Numerous clues have been traced to earth but no trace of the murderers has been found. Authorities are still hard at work on the case and hope to strike a tangible clue in the near future which will result in bringing the slayers to justice.”¹³

January 5, 1922: Murdered Man is “Identified” By Many People

“So far upward of a score of persons have ‘identified’ the man who was murdered at Portsmouth, December 3rd, and whose picture was carried in The Herald at the request of Sheriff EE Rickey, of Scioto County.”

“However the man has been identified as three different men, and it is known that at least one of the three men is still alive.”

“First reports from the request for identification came from Bloomingburg where it was stated the man had been identified as Thomas Oliver, formerly residing the Glenn Ladd farm, but who, it was soon learned, is now residing with his family on the Clark Durflinger farm close to Yatesville.”

“A number of person in this city stated that the man had worked here, and had frequented a number of places, including a local butcher shop and the Robinson Restaurant. Also that the man had worked for the Andrew Asphalt Paving Company in this city. He boarded at the Cherry Flats.”

May Be Ira Lavelle

“Ira Lavelle, the man whom a number of persons claim worked here and boarded at the Cherry Flats, is said to have left this city, in a spring wagon in company with another man late in November. He is said to have had his wagon repaired at Sam Maddox’s blacksmith shop here, and in paying for the repairs, pulled a bundle of bills from one of his shoes. Mr. Maddox told the man to be careful with so large a sum in his possession. ‘I’m not afraid’ he declared. According to Sheriff Hall the man was wearing the peculiar overcoat while here, was married to a woman much younger than Lavelle, and resided in Scioto county. This clue is being worked both in this city and by Sheriff Rickey.”

May Be Henry Malone

“GC Gault, residing on the Robinson road just off of the Bogus road, was in the city Thursday and announces that the picture and the description resemble that of Henry Maline, who worked for him up to December 3rd, when he left this duty, Mr. Gault states, and said he would obtain his overcoat as soon as he reached home and expected to start for Texas within a short time. He had a mother and brothers living in or near Wellston, and was not married. He has not been heard from since leaving here. Mr. Gault states that the man had paper padding in his soldier’s hat, and wore a blue serge coat with striped gray trousers, as described from Portsmouth.”

“A great deal of interest has been aroused in this county as the case is an extraordinary one, and all information possible should be communicated to Sheriff Hall.”¹⁴

January 7, 1922: Murder Victim Identified

“Positive identification of the man found murdered on Dry Run Sunday morning, December 4, as Henry Malone, was made this morning by residents of Washington Court House and their visit besides bringing about identification has also resulted in local authorities receiving valuable information that may help them in solving the murder mystery that is now more than a month old.”

“All along the officials had said that the identification of the man would lend to bigger things and that when they ascertained who he was they would obtain other information that would give them some tangible clue on which to work. No time will be lost now in an effort to run down the guilty party or parties.”

“Harry McAdams, school bus driver, with whom the dead man boarded for four weeks, GC Gault¹⁵ at whose home he stayed five weeks, Sam Van Pelt, taxi driver and John Oster, musician of Washington Court House community formed the party that, this morning at ten o’clock at Lynn’s morgue identified the body as that of Henry Malone who has worked near Washington courthouse for over two months.”

“According to Gault and McAdams, Malone had a brother in alliance, and a mother¹⁶ near Wellston. They do not know the names of the relatives but an effort will be made by the authorities to locate the brother in alliance and from him they expect to learn the address of the mother. Officers in Jackson County may also be called to see if they can locate the mother of the dead man.”

“The four men as soon as they were shown the body said it was that of Malone and they made sure by identifying the clothes that the dead man wore, all except the big heavy overcoat that was found near his lifeless body. They say he did not wear an overcoat when he left Washington Court House. Besides identifying the man’s army hat, brown shirt, trousers, underwear and suspenders a pocket knife he always carried was also identified. The knife had been mentioned to only a few people and this morning when the Washington Court House persons were asked if Malone carried a knife they said that he did and they said it had a flag on the handle. Undertaker Roy Lynn then brought forth the knife found on the dead man and it had a flag on the handle.”

“Gault said that he would know the suspenders any place. He was with Malone in Washington Court House when he bought them and later Malone had remarked how he had made a bad purchase, the suspenders not standing the wear as he expected.”

“According to McAdams he sold Malone the Army hat while he was at his home. He says he was hauling school pupils when he found the hat alongside the road and that when he arrived home, Malone bought it from him. It was a little big for Malone and he put a piece of paper in the band make it fit.”

During the four weeks he lived at the McAdams home, Malone asked Mrs. at McAdams to write two letters for him. They were sent to his brother at Alliance that Mr. and Mrs. McAdams do not recall the brothers first name.”

“After leaving McAdams home, Malone went to live at the call home. Mr. Gault employed him during the corn cutting and shucking period. A shucking peg found on the dead man was not identified, the men explaining that shocking peg’s look alike.”

“According to Gault, Malone talked as if he had traveled about the country a good deal. He was a hard worker and was well thought of at the Gault home and he had made many friends in Washington Court House where he spent his idle hours.”

“Gault says he notified Malone sometime before December 2 that he would not need him after that date but later changed his mind and told him that he could remain longer as he had work for him. He says that Malone had made up his mind to leave and left his place on the morning of December 3. According to Gault he paid him $11.90 by check the morning he left and he went with Malone to The Bargain store in Washington Court House to have the check cashed Saturday morning as the banks were not open. Gault says Malone wanted to catch the morning B & O train which leaves Washington Court House about 7 o’clock and he wanted to cash the before he left town and that he went with him to the store to identify him. Maline told Gault he was going to Chillicothe but did not say anything about coming to Portsmouth or going to Wellston.”

“The Washington Court House men say Malone often spoke of his mother who lived on a 40 acre piece of ground about 14 miles from Wellston. He spoke of the ground as being his own and mentioned that he had three veins of coal on it. He also said he had 160 acres of land in Arkansas.”

“The fact that the murdered man left Washington Court House, Saturday morning December 3 does away with the rumors that he was seen in the West End several days before the dead body was found on Dry Run. Other West End people reported seeing the stranger on Market street with a small old woman on Saturday afternoon. The theory was advanced this morning that the woman may have been his mother who met him here or in Chillicothe. She could have returned to Wellston in the afternoon while he remained here.”

“Other West End reports were that the couple had inquired about the route to Dry Run. Inquires show that there are no Malone families on Dry Run.”

“Almost all of the Dry Run residents have called at the morgue and no one identified him as a relative.”

“Sam Van Pelt and John Oster identified Malone as the man they had seen in Washington Court House, many times. Oster says Malone spent much of his spare time in the Ike Willis pool room at Washington Court House. He seemed to like to play pool according to Val Pelt and Oster. The dead man was reported as seen in several West End pool rooms on Saturday afternoon and evening before his body was found.”

“Asked if he paid Malone $80, Gault replied ‘no’ but says the man must have had that much on him as he had been saving with his money.”

“The men also state that Malone had two watches, one with a chain and the other with a buckskin string fastened to it. The watches were not found in the dead man’s clothes. The watch with the chain was a gold one and the one he carried with the buckskin string was a silver one.”

“Gault and McAdams sys that Malone was about 52 years of age. When Malone left Washington Court House he carried a suit case which the officers will endeavor to locate. In the suit case Malone had some extra clothing, a shaving outfit including two razors, a shaving mug and razor strop.”

“One of the razors had a wooden handle which had been made by Malone. In the suitcase he also carried an iron shoe last and a small block of wood as Malone always repaired his own shoes. The recovery of the suitcase and the dead man’s belongings is expected to aid the officers in their search for the murderer.”

“Gault and McAdams also say that Malone claimed to be a member of The Seven Wise Men, a fraternal organization. Should efforts to reach his relatives fail, the authorities will endeavor to find them through the fraternal organization.”

“At Lynn’s morgue the Washington Court House men were questioned by Coroner JD Hendrickson, who is now satisfied that the dead man was Henry Malone. Coroner Henrickson had always kept the knife clue a secret thinking that the right parties would describe the pocketknife if they knew the man very well.”

“Coroner Hendrickson has maintained all along that the overcoat found near the dead man’s body did not belong to him and that the murderer, or someone who helped him, discarded the heavy coat in their hurry to get away from the murder scene.”¹⁷

January 9, 1922: Follow Trail In Murder Case

“Evidence which may soon result in the arrest of one and possibly two men for the murder of Henry Malone at Portsmouth, December 3rd, has been unearthed by Deputy Sheriff AC Nelson, who, in company with Sam Van Pelt, Sunday followed a trail from this county to Portsmouth and after coffering with a dozen or more persons, has placed evidence in the hands of the Portsmouth officials which is expected to bring speedy results.”

“Deputy Nelson worked on information obtained in this county at Greenfield near Bainbridge, and in Scioto county. It was late Sunday night when he returned to this city.”

“It is understood that the Portsmouth authorities, acting in conjunction with Deputy Nelson, have started men out for the arrest of two men, at least one of whom is suspected of knowing something about the crime. Both men sough are said to be known in this county, where, it is understood, one of them has previously been in trouble.”

“So far the relatives of Henry Malone have not been located but are supposed to be in Jackson county.”¹⁸

January 10, 1922: Body of Murdered Man Taken Home. Victim Left Wife and 5 Children

“Edwin Malone of near McArthur, Vinton county, accompanied by Undertaker HE Ansel of that community, arrived here at noon on the B and O train and went directly to Roy Lynn’s undertaking establishment where the brother claimed the body of Henry J. Malone, found murdered on Dry Run, Sunday morning, December 4. The body was not identified until last Saturday, January 7 when residents of Washington Court House section came here and recognized the body as that of Malone.”

“Relatives did not learn of the murder until late Monday when word was sent to them through Sheriff Sockel of McArthur, county seat of Vinton county.”

“They made arrangement at once to come after the body which was taken back to the home near Zaleski, a short distance from McArthur, this afternoon on the B and O train.”

“The murdered man leaves a wife and five children, his mother and several brothers and sisters, most of them reside in Vinton county.”

“Local officers had been trying for several days to locate relatives near Alice in Gallia county and near Wellson in Jackson county, but their efforts proved futile. Monday Undertaker AP Smalley of the Lynn morgue and Coroner JD Hendrickson spent most of the day calling stations along the B&O in an effort to locate the mother. Calls to Wellson and close villages failed to bring any response, but when the local men got in touch with Sheriff Sockel at McArthur he said he knew the family and would notify them at once. He got work to them late Monday and plans were made for Edwin Malone, who lives at Elko, four miles from McArthur, to come to Portsmouth this morning. This brother was selected as one to come to claim the body as he was the nearest to the railroad. This morning, about seven o’clock, he called Undertaker Ansel at Zaleski and told him to catch the same train as he wanted him to come along. The undertaker had only a few minutes to catch the train, but made it in time. He knew Henry J. Malone and also identified the body.”

Identified By Brother

“On arrival at the morgue the men were taken upstairs to view the body, and the brother at once recognized the body as that of his brother. He identified the body just by the facial features at first, but later looked at the scars on the head and foot.”

“The scars on the right front part of the head he explained were the result of cuts and bruises sustained in a fall down a well while it was being built. The cut on the foot was sustained while Malone was cutting ties some years ago.”

“According to the brother, the dead man’s name was Henry Jefferson Malone, and he was born in Ohio in 1863, a son of Leander and Martha Malone. The father was a native of Lawrence county, Ohio. He died abouve five years ago at Zaleski. Henry J. Malone was 58 years of age.

“The murdered man had left home late in August or early in September, the brother not remembering the exact date.”

“Malone in leaving home did not say where he was going and had not written home folks as to where he was working. The brother says that he had a habit of going away and staying months at a time without letting his folks know where he was. Suddenly he would return home and he would work around until he decided to leave again. His longest period away from home was about a year. At that time he was in Missouri and Arkansas.”

“The Washington Court House parties reported that Malone told them he had a deed to 160 acres of land in Arkansas and it is probable that he secured the land during his stay in that section of the country.”

“The deed to that land and the deed to about forty acres of land he owns in Vinton county where his family lives were both in the suitcase that is missing. Malone had the suitcase when he left Washington Court House Saturday morning December 3, but it had not yet been found.”

“Malone spent most of his life in Vinton county. He was well-known in the community about McArthur and Zaleski.”

“”Surviving the murdered man are the widow Mrs. Mandy Malone and five children: Harmon, Charles, Wesley, Viola and Martha, his mother, Mrs. Mandy Malone who lives with a son at Alice, three brothers, a half-brother and three sisters.”

“The brothers are Edwin Malone, of Elko, Joe Malone at Alice, Charles Malone of near Zaleski, half-brother David L. Webb, of New York, three sisters, Mrs. Eliza Tinker, of Athens county, Mrs. Stella Friend and Mrs. Mary Truman, of Vinton county.”¹⁹

January 11, 1922: Certificate of Death for Henry Jefferson Malone²⁰

January 11, 1922: Unknown Man Identified As Vinton County Resident

“The unknown man who was found dead with his throat cut in Portsmouth on December 3rd and whose body has been held by the Coroner of Scioto county for identification since that time was identified by Don Shires as the body of Jeff Malone, a resident of this County near Zaleski as a telephone message from the Coroner to Sheriff Socket Monday states, and that the body would be shipped to Zaleski Tuesday, where burial took place today.”²¹

January 12, 1922: Suspect Arrested

“A man giving the name of Steve Douglas, 55, was arrested at the home of relatives at Sinking Springs, Highland county, on suspicion of knowing something of the mysterious murder of Henry Malone, a farmhand residing near Washington Court House, whose body was found December 4 on Dry Run. The suspect denies all knowledge of the murder.”²²

January 12, 1922: Kinfolk Claim Body of Malone. Burial Is Made

“The body of Henry Malone, claimed by relatives of Zaleski, Vinton county, Ohio, and removed yesterday, was today laid to rest at Zaleski.”

“Reading of the murdered man’s identification his relatives came to this city and took charge of the body. His wife and five children survive. Malone’s aged mother resides at Vinton Switch, in Vinton county.”

“Up to 2:30 this afternoon Steven Douglas, arrested upon suspicion of knowing something of the crime, had maintained his innocence. The officials are working on the assumption that Douglas can identify the overcoat worn by Malone.”²³

January 16, 1922: Murder Suspect Is Freed

“Stephen Douglas, aged Sandy Springs horse trader, who was taken into custody several days ago as a suspect in the murder of Henry Malone at Dry Run early in December, was released Monday after officials became convinces that he was not implicated in any way with the crime.²⁴

November 17, 1922 Believe Arrest Near In Malone Murder Case

“For several days it has been persistently rumored that Sheriff Rickey and Prohibition Officer Wanzer Rickey were in Cincinnati working on a clue in the Henry Malone murder case.”

“At the sheriff’s office it was stated that today that the rumor was unfounded. However, The Times learns that Sheriff Rickey has dug up some damaging evidence and it would occasion no surprise should an arrest be made in the murder, which has been enveloped in mystery.”

“Malone’s dead body, with his throat slashed from ear to ear was found on Dry Run on December 3 last.”

“It was fully a month later before Malone’s body was identified by Washington Court House businessmen, he having been employed in and around that city for sometime before coming to this city.”²⁵

January 20, 1925: Rumor Mongrel Plays Cruel Joke on King

“A story spread over the city yesterday that Jason Adkins, now in the annex at the Ohio penitentiary, condemned to die in the electric chair on May 1st for complicity in the murder of Edward D. Funk, New Boston oil station owner, last October, had confessed to the slaying of Henry Malone who was found with his head almost severed on a road at Dry Run, West Side, in December 1921, and involving Joseph King, Market street restaurant proprietor, in the crime.”

“The rumor, which was given much credence in some quarters, and prompted King to issue a statement making strenuous denial of innocence and disclaiming any knowledge of the Malone killing.”

“An investigation disclosed there was absolutely no truth in the report that Adkins had made such a confession, either before or since his transfer to the big prison at Columbus, officials declare. “‘Someone has played a cruel joke on me,’ King said Tuesday.”²⁶

January 22, 1926: Confession May Solve Mystery of Fayette County Corn Husker

“Word from Portsmouth indicates that after several years the mystery surrounding the murder of Henry Malone, Fayette county farm laborer, who was killed near Portsmouth in December, 1921, his pockets rifled of the money paid him for corn husking for Grover Gault, on the Robinson road, and his body thrown into a ravine, is near solution through the confession of one Amy Robinette, now serving time in the Marysville Reformatory, who told companions that she was with a man when he cut the throat of an unknown man near Portsmouth, several years ago.”

“it will be recalled here that identification of Malone was made through a picture carried in The Washington Court House Herald, taken after the man’s death. Grover Gault, for whom the man worked, identified the dead man through the picture, and then went to Portsmouth, where he made positive identification.”

“The new angle of the mystery is told by the Portsmouth Sun of Friday, as follows:

“‘Hope was expressed, yesterday, that the mystery of which has shrouded the murder of Henry Malone, Fayette county man, found on Dry Run with his throat cut several years ago, may soon be lifted, it was learned last night. Amy Robinette, star witness in the conviction of George Steele in Jackson county recently, for the murder of Sheriff Fletcher A. Collins of Vinton county, told detectives, while she was in jail in Vinton county, that she and an accomplice ‘cut a man’s throat and threw him out of their automobile.’ From descriptions of her testimony, belief was expressed last night that it probably is the Malone murder of which she was speaking.”

“The Robinette woman, now in the Marysville reformatory, where she was sent after being convicted in Vinton county on a charge of stealing some automobile tires, told Miss Kathleen M. Chase, an operative of a Columbus detective agency, the story of the killing. It was to Miss Chase that the Robinette woman confessed to knowledge of the killing of George Steele of Wilkesville, Vinton county, accusing the younger George Steele, who was sent to the penitentiary for life for the Collins murder. The Robinette woman told the detective, who spent some time in the Vinton county jail, disguised as a prisoner in order to get evidence in the case, that she met George Steele after the slaying of the elder Steele, whose body was burned up when his barn was burned. The Robinette woman told the detective, and said on the witness stand in the Steele trial, that George Steele admitted to her that he had killed his uncle, and said that he gave her a large sum of money to ‘keep her mouth shut.'”

Tells of Other Killing

“The Robinette woman told Miss Chase, the operative last night, in a long distance telephonic conversation with the Sun, that she and Steele made many trips to Portsmouth. The killing of a man whose throat was cut, and who was thrown from an automobile, concerns one of these trips to this city, it is said by those who are familiar with the story told by the Robinette woman.”

“‘Mrs. Fletcher Collins, who succeeded her husband as sheriff of Vinton county, said last night, that the Robinette woman told of a killing in Scioto county, but did not remember the name of the man who was slain, or the particulars. Sheriff Collins said that the Wilkesville killing was to be further investigated and that official action might be taken at some later date.”

“Prosecuting Attorney Harry B. Reese of Jackson county, who headed the staff of state’s counsel prosecuting George Steele for the Collins killing, said that he remembered the Robinette woman telling of another killing, the circumstances of which tallied with the facts of the Scioto county murder.”

“Newspapermen, working on the case, upon getting the first clue, got in touch with Prosecuting Attorney S. Anselm Skelton, who said his office would investigate every detail, and that every effort would be made to check-up the woman’s story.”

“Mr. Skelton said his office had never ceased to work on the Malone murder, he and his assistants availing themselves of every opportunity to follow possible clues to their conclusions. So far, their work, and that of preceding prosecutors, has been in vain The Robinette woman’s statement, coming to light even at this late date after her trial opens a new avenue of investigation, and one that will be followed thoroughly.”

“Officials upon learning of the Robinette woman’s statement, were recalling the Malone case last night. It will be remembered that Malone’s body was found a short time after the Newman-Doyle double murder on Scioto Trail. The body was held in the Lynn morgue for weeks before it was finally identified by relatives from Fayette county, who were searching for Henry Malone who was missing, and upon learning of an unidentified body being held here, came down and identified it as that of their relatives”

“The case received state-wide publicity at the time, every effort being made by officials and the press to apprehend the culprits.”²⁷

January 25, 1926: Officials Will Probe Murder Story of Woman

“The story told by Amy Robinette of the murder of a man said to have been Henry Malone, of Fayette county, near here several years ago, is to be probed by Prosecuting Attorney S. Anslem Skelton.”

“According to the woman, who is serving time in Marysville prison on a charge of automobile tire stealing, she was with George Steele, serving a life sentence for the murder of Sheriff Fletcher Collins, of Vinton county, when Steele killed the Sheriff, also murdered his uncle, and cut the throat of a man whose name she had forgotten, while near Portsmouth.”

“The woman’s confession was made to a woman detective who was in the same cell with the woman. It is believed that when the story is investigated that it will lead to the solution of the murder of Henry Malone., Fayette county farm-hand who was murdered for less than $100 which he had made husking corn for Grover Gault and others near Washington Court House.”

“Prosecutor Skelton plans to go to Marysville this week, and there get the complete story of the woman.”²⁸

1. Leo Henry Einspanier
2. Thomas G. McCormick
3. Find Man’s Almost Decapitated Body in Creek. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
4. Thousands View Body Of Dead Man. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
5. Crime Wave Must Stop, Coroner Says. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
6. Coroner Believes Man’s Coat May Lead To His Identification. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
7. Barber Says He Shaved Dead Man. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
8. Fourth Murder Since Oct. 21. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
9. Coroner Is Investigating. (1921, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
10. Officials Speed Up Efforts To Unravel Murder Mystery; Body Still Unidentified. (1921, December 15). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
11. Herman Harvey Morgan
12. Dr. Morgan Has Suggestion. (1921, December 15). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
13. Can You Identify This Man? (1922, January 4). Washington Court House Herald, p. 3.
14. Murdered Man Is Identified By Many People. (1922, January 5). Washington Court House Herald, p. 6.
15. Grover Cleveland Gault
16. Martha Bowen Malone
17. Murder Victim Identified. (1922, January 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
18. Follow Trail In Murder Case. (1922, January 9). Washington Court House Herald, p. 9.
19. Body Of Murdered Man Taken Home. Left Wife And 5 Children. (1922a, January 10). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 12.
20. “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8PL-KKW : 8 March 2021), Henry Jefferson Malone, 04 Dec 1921; citing Washington, Scioto, Ohio, reference fn 72256; FHL microfilm 1,991,861.
22. Suspect Arrested. (1922, January 12). Circleville Daily Union, p. 1.
23. Kinfolk Claim Body Of Malone. Burial Is Made. (1922, January 12). Washington Court House Herald, p. 14.
24. Murder Suspect Is Freed. (1922, January 16). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 9.
25. Believe Arrest Near In Malone Murder Case. (1922a November 17). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 22.
26. Rumor Mongrel Plays Cruel Joke On King. (1925, January 20). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
27. Confession May Solve Mystery of Fayette County Corn Husker. (1926, January 22). Washington Court House Herald, p. 15.
28. Officials Will Probe Murder Story Of Woman. (1926, January 25). Washington Court House Herald, p. 6.