The Murder Record

DESPERATE MAN-KILLERS (a.k.a. Bloody Riot) Our story takes place on March 25, 1899 when our parties are leaving the office of Justice Burgoon, where they just had a case on trial. Our criminal(s) are: John and Paul Zeltner, German Immigrant brothers who shot and killed in cold-blood Attorney E. S. Westenhaver of North Baltimore in Hoytsville, Wood County, Ohio. The murder was a result of money owe...

As many of you know… I started a PODCAST, The Murder Record - and ran that (with old episodes here) for a year and a half before taking a bit of a break. We all LOVE true-crime and I just can’t seem to put it down — so I am taking the Podcast and putting a bit of a spin on things with The Murder Record Thursdays - to mix things up. But, don’t hesitate to click the button below and let me know if y...

Brawling At The Brewery Tonight we investigate THE HADDOCK ASSASSINATION that took place on August 3rd, 1886 about 10:00 PM in Sioux City, Iowa. This story has nine (9) criminals surrounding the MURDER of Rev. George C. Haddock. The killing of Rev. Haddock was one of the sensational mysteries of the YEAR in 1886, and baffled authorities in Iowa... and the details that unfold from these criminals i...

ANOTHER HORRIBLE MURDER in Toledo, Ohio We find ourselves in Sylvania, Ohio in 1857 where we are introduced to Mr. Return J. M. Ward who is assumed to have killed his wife and burned her body in a truly horrific manner.  I take us through the gruesome crime, confession, and trial with one of Toledo, Ohio's most horrible crimes. ***VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED*** Rather read this episode? Chec...

LAD KILLED HIS MOTHER in Toledo, Ohio We are diving into one of Toledo's MOST NOTED MURDER MYSTERY CASES with the murder of Mrs. John F. Hazel by her seventeen year old son, Harvey Hazel. Rather read this episode? Check out the BLOG post: http://www.thegenealogyinvestigator.com/blog/hazel ************************************************************************************* Visit my WEBSITE : ...

A DEED OF BLOOD Join me as we take a walk back in time to 1854 when a murder takes place between two women of the night over a pair of gloves.  We will learn about one notorious BIDDY FURY, and her multiple brushes with the law over her lifetime. Rather read this episode? Check out the BLOG post: http://www.thegenealogyinvestigator.com/blog/guilt ***************************************************...

TIME POINTS OUT A GUILTY MAN This story is sure to stir a bit of intrigue... and controversy for my listeners this week as we dive into a 37-year old cold case murder and a confession from an unlikely suspect with a twist that even I didn't expect to uncover! Rather read this episode? Check out the BLOG post: http://www.thegenealogyinvestigator.com/blog/guilt *********************************...

GHOST STORY Let's dig into another SPOOKY SEASON? I LOVE 'digging' up these OLD stories that haven't seen the light of day in so long... Our first story - CHANGE IN GHOST STORIES is from THE NEWS-HERALD from 11 Feb 1897, page 3. It's a twist on a traditional ghost story that was written (and published) way... way... back in 1897. Forgive my mispronunciation on some things....

JOCK BROWN'S GHOST Who is ready for SPOOKY SEASON? Well, I am!  I found this old story that was published on May 12, 1882 in The Sidney Journal and dusted it off and am re-telling it (to the best of my abilities). It was written by "A Scottish Lawyer" and it is sure to not disappoint! Are you ready to hear a great ghost story that surrounds the mysterious disappearance of JOCK BROWN...

A KEROSENE MURDER Our first case takes place on May 29th in 1874 and you guessed it… A KEROSENE MURDER takes place in Toledo, Ohio, in the fifth ward.   Mrs. Charles Hoover made a fire this morning in a wood stove, and after the kindling blazed poured on coal oil from a large can, thinking it would hasten the burning of an obstinate fire. This resulted in an explosion and Mrs. Charles Hoover was f...

A MURDER IN SALEM Tonight we travel WAY back in time to 1830 where a BRUTAL crime took place that riveted the nation, and even inspired the writings of Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne. On the night of April 6, 1830, an 82 year old man, Captain Joseph White was MURDERED. This story is a well publicized story and was so intriguing to retell!  There are many characters within this story and a...

Found Dead on the Tracks A body if found on the tracks at Air Line Junction in Toledo, Ohio belonging to Mr. M. J. Grogan, one of the most popular trainmen on the Lake Shore. This is a real mystery and the details are plentiful. Was Mr. Grogan murdered? Listen in to see what we uncover! Both Missing; Murder Feared Our second story tonight takes place in West Toledo in 1895 with a missing couple an...

A Night's Fun ENDS in MURDER near Toledo, Ohio Two Men are shot and a third is badly beat up with his gun at a saloon at Rattlesnake Corners, six miles west of Toledo, Ohio. Our key players in tonight's episode are: Fred Behrendt, the Saloonkeeper; Mike Welsh (deceased) a bartender (unknown bar); Nelson Seymour, a bicycle assembler; and Henry Winters, a liveryman. Time: 22 Aug 1895 Place...

REVEALING A MYSTERIOUS MURDER Who is Mrs. Mary Munday? Her body is found in the basement of a vacant home on Wisconsin Street in Toledo, Ohio and her husband is missing.  This is a real WHO DONE IT!  The Stone Murder takes us to Akron, Ohio in 1896, where we meet Mr. Anson Strong, an Ohio Horse thief who is charged with the double murder of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin N. Stone. Mr. Stone had been a prior w...

LOOKS LIKE MURDER In this episode, we find ourselves in the year 1899, on the 24th of November.  This case revolves around Mr. W. L. Thomas, of Bradford, Ontario,  who is in Toledo, Ohio to attend college as a Medical Student. Mr. Thomas is found dead and a series of speculation begins to occur at this very dark and mysterious case as it unfolds, all stemming from finding the body on Adams Street....

Our first story takes place is Toledo, Ohio when a negro man, William Hibbett is arraigned in court for murdering Bertha Moore, a white woman, and William names his alleged accomplice, Harry Brown.  The case takes an interesting turn, as Hibbett is arraigned, but Harry Brown is convicted and awaiting electrocution.  Our second story also takes place in Toledo, Ohio in 1909 surrounded by the murder...

The Mysterious Suicide of a Well-Dressed Stranger On the 8th of March 1891 there is a mysterious suicide in one of the best hotels in Toledo, Ohio, the Boody House of a man with the name Charles J. Edwards. Charles had no listed residence and had met with Rev. Father Quigley, a prominent Catholic priest, telling the Reverend that he had come to Toledo to commit murder.  This story is interesting t...

On the 3rd of October 1879, at the fair grounds in Wooster, Ohio a man, John Tormie was murdered. John and his brother-in-law, Martin, were leaving the fair grounds when they were attacked by a crowd of roughs, about 6 to 8 men. Tormie was beaten over the head with a club, then stabbed three times in his back. This case take quite a turn when the trial begins and the infuriated crowds gather, dete...

We continue with the trial of Wesley Johnson, the murderer of George Williams and his wife, Isabella Williams, hearing his account of what happened, witness accounts, as well as learning the details of his execution.  Buckle up, this case is not for the weak, as it has twist and turns of a twisted individual with little to no remorse for his actions. Join me in the conclusion of the Double Murder...

We begin with A MURDER AND A SUICIDE, meeting John Molloy, age 72 and his wife whose dead bodies are discovered on the floor of their home, both suffering from gunshot wounds by the paper body, learning of mental instability and jealously that led to divorce and murder/suicide.  Our second story is a two-parter. WARNING – Graphic Details of the HORRIBLE double murder near Wauseon, Ohio (just outsi...

John Harmon, a highly respected citizen is shot and killed in cold blood by Peter D. Cole on Main Street in the town of Deshler, Ohio just outside of Toledo, Ohio. Several witnesses were present in the six shot murder, including Mr. Harmon’s young son, as he is gunned down, traumatizing both families involved, as well as the town for one last time.  We are taken through the tantalizing crime, unco...

Our story begins in 1887 when Mrs. Margaret Ellis disappears after a night at the theater in Toledo, Ohio.  The only items found were her shoe and an article of clothing.  This strange case was brought to light and dimmed out just as quick, as we look at the circumstances and try to draw some of our own conclusions as to what happened to Mrs. Margaret Ellis. The second story takes place in 1894 wh...

Join me, Kelley Amstutz, The Genealogy Investigator, as we learn about the man inflamed by liquor and jealousy, shooting dead eighteen year old Caroline Hunt, and her family because she refused his affections due to him being married. This case is full of bad decisions, which come to light as we move through the twists and turns to learn the fate of the Drunk Man's Deed.   *******************...

Our first case takes us back to 10 Jan. 1889, with the Horrible Murder and Suicide of M. Shaffer and Mary Jane Valentine in East Toledo, Ohio on Front and Platt Streets. Our second case takes place on 15 Apr. 1900 when two aged women, Kate and Joanna Sullivan, the Sullivan Sisters, are robbed in their Toledo, Ohio farm home and one is murdered and the other sister goes insane. Join me, Kelley Amst...

We dive into the 1884 murder of Mrs. Gottlieb Stahl, a saloon keeper on Monroe Street in Toledo, Ohio who was robbed and murdered by strangulation on 20 Dec. 1884. This is a real who-done-it and we investigate the various characters who come into play in this gripping tale of murder, manipulation, and misidentified suspects.  ************************************************************************...