“A 29 year old Vanceburg housewife has been charged with second degree murder of a 10 month old baby in what police term a ‘weird’ incident.” “The circumstances- Mrs. Norma Jean Smith had arranged with a friend, Mrs. Helen McKinney, Carrington Street, to help with wallpapering a room at the Continue Reading

Murder Case Set for Trial September 9

“Judge Blair set down the case of Nettie Baker Shumate, indicted for first degree murder, for trial September 9. A jury was ordered drawn and will report at 9 AM, September 9.” “Mrs. Shumate was indicted for the murder of John Morris, the barber. When her case was set for Continue Reading

Blood for Blood: Lynch Law in Lewis County

“Our reporter learned the particulars from a passenger on the Carrie, last Wednesday, of twin tragedies that occured in Lewis county, Kentucky, last Monday and Tuesday, in which a life for a life was given. Washington Lee, the chief actor in the drama, was a white man living near Tollesboro, Continue Reading

Mrs. Baker Taken to Athens

“In charge of Deputy Sheriff Peter Smith and wife, Mrs. Nettie Baker, who was acquitted of the murder of John W. Morris by a jury in Judge Blair’s court last Wednesday, left Saturday morning over the B&O for Athens, where she was taken to be confined in the state insane Continue Reading

Shocking Murder In West End; John Morris Shot Down By Woman

“John William Richard Morris, aged 43, proprietor of the Star barber shop, was shot and almost instantly killed in his place of business in the Massie Block, on Market street, by Mrs. Nettie Collison Baker Shumate, aged 41, a comely grass widow, at 7:55 Wednesday evening.” “The murder came as Continue Reading

Charles Smith Killed in Nevada

“Killed for his money as he slept in his lonely mountain cabin several miles from Tonopah, Nevada, the decomposed body of Charles Smith, a former Scioto Countian was found by neighbors, Monday. The last seen of him alive was on August 12.” “The news of his death was received by Continue Reading

The Hoffer Murders

“Sylvanus Daulton, former marshal of Rarden, who figured in numerous controversies, faces a kidnapping charge, filed today in Portsmouth Municipal Court.” “Paul Williams, investigator for the office of Everett Burton, Scioto County prosecutor, said Daulton was charged with kidnapping Mrs. Florence Hoffer, 51, of Rarden.” “He said the warrant was Continue Reading

Man Kills Step-Father Defending Mother

“Last Saturday evening, Mr. Baker, living near Harrisonville, shot and killed his step-father, Jacob Gilliland. The later was crazy with liquor and attacked his wife with a knife with a razor blade. Mr. Baker interfered to save his mother’s life, when the infuriated man turned upon him, and cut him Continue Reading

Saw Mill Man Shot to Death

“Jacob Herrell, aged 60, a veteran saw mill man, was shot and almost instantly killed by his nephew, John Herrell, aged 40, during a violent quarrel in Jackson county, Tuesday night.” “The shooting occurred just across the Scioto county line five miles from Herrell’s home. The men had quarreled during Continue Reading