(Undated, circa 1976)
Itch My Eye, Says Sheriff Watson
As if the Sheriff's Department didn't have enough to contend with, calls have been flooding in from around the country with questions about the Itch.
"Jolene has had to work overtime to handle the calls," Watson said. "We have six people dead, and people from LA wanting to know if a ghost killed them. This is becoming a circus."
(continued on A-3)
Obituaries (1976)
Holly Vickers, age 20 died Friday. Born in San Diego, CA, to Mark Cline (Arlington, VA) and Wendy Daniels (Chicago, IL). Holly graduated from Little Easton High School. In 1975 she married Dan Vickers.
Holly leaves behind her husband Dan, daughter Leslie, her parents and paternal grandparents, Roger and Elizabeth Cline, of Little Easton. She was proceeded in death by her maternal grandparents.
Funeral services will be held at Brewer-Dawson Funeral Home Tuesday at 10:00.
Obituaries (undated, circa 1956)
Jerry Templeton, Jr., 22, Miltonville, died tragically Friday night. Jerry graduated from The Robertson School in Birmington, NY and was a senior at Salem University. Jerry is survived by his grandparents, Delbert and Edna Templeton, and Frank and Rebecca Bennett. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Mary (Molly) and Jerry Templeton. Friends may call on Tuesday at the Yates Funeral Home in Miltonville.
Undated Ð probably around 1935
Fire kills four in Salem.
Early Tuesday morning flames burst out in on Gunther Avenue, adding four more to this weeks death toll in Salem. Shortly after 3:00 A.M. the alarm was sounded and it took three hours to extinguish the blaze.
Inside the rubble, four people lay dead. Miraculously, an infant in a back bedroom survived. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Templeton, of 412 Gunther Avenue were found dead in their bed. The bodies of Gertie and Byrum Henderson of River Road were found in the living room. At this time it is unknown why the Hendersons were at the Templeton home at this hour. The fire is under investigation, but has already been labeled suspicious (cont. on page 2).
Undated Ð probably around 1935
Three Dead of Similar Illness, Separate Incidents.
In a bizarre coincidence, three people appear to have collapsed and died due to unknown causes. Details have not yet been released, but it is confirmed that two men in Salem were found dead in separate locations and a third was found in a motor car on Salem-Vinton Road. In all three cases the men showed no outward sign of injury. At this time the names and ages of the men are not available, but Dr. Green, of Miltonville General has assured us the men do not appear to be carrying a contagious virus. Still, he warns, caution should be taken. If you are approached by anyone who is acting in an unusual manner, or by a person you do not know, it is better to turn away and do not (continued on page 7).
Undated Ð probably around 1935
Gunther Avenue Blaze Intentionally Set.
Officials have determined the fire at 412 Gunther Avenue was set by means of gasoline. So far a suspect has not been named, nor a motive, but it is particularly gruesome to learn the intention may have been to kill the Templeton's and their baby. Large amounts of gasoline was splashed around the bedroom walls both inside and out of the Templeton house. It is purely a miracle that the infant Templeton was not injured in the fire.
There has still not been an explanation for the presence of the Hendersons in the Templeton house, although it is believed the elderly couple may have been out for an evening stroll and saw the flames and died in an attempt to rescue the family. Detectives are working around the clock to bring the arsonist and murderer to justice.
June 27, 1917 Page 1
Amberly County Boys' Home Killer Dies in Action
A young boy was brutally murdered by one of his friends yesterday while working at the Carson Farm. There were no witnesses, but Sheriff Joe said it appeared at first one boy had stabbed another boy with a pitchfork before succumbing to an undetermined injury. On further examination, it seems the attacker was not injured, but possibly died of a brain disease. Dr. Williams stated the attacker, 15 year old Zachary Mills, died gripping the pitchfork, still embedded in the back of Mason Collier, 16. Mr. Collier's heart and lungs were fatally wounded. Because of the blood on Mr. Mills, it was thought he also was attacked but Dr. Williams found no evidence of injury on Mr. Mills's body. The blood, from his nose, ears and eyes could be caused by a brain malfunction. Dr. Williams will be sending the brain to Indianapolis for further study.
Both boys were residents of the Amberly County Boys' Home. At this time there is no information on whether they have families living in this area.
June 27, 1917 Page 1
Amberly County Curse Blamed for Recent Deaths
The recent deaths of several Amberly County citizens has caused a lot of talk amongst the old timers at the County Post.
"I know what happened to them," said Herman Klink, of Potter Meadow. "It was John Barker's curse on the county." His friends agree, citing a similar rash of deaths that occurred just before the turn of the century. According to legend, a curse was placed on the county by John Barker, a man who founded a settlement here over a hundred years ago. Little is known about the man Barker, or how he actually died, but most believe he and his entire commune were massacred by either the Shawnee or the military. Whatever the cause, the story of his curse still lives.
June 27, 1917 Page 2
Death Notices
Mr. William Sheard, 19, of Imfield, Indiana. Mr. Sheard was a student at Salem University. Funeral services will be held in Imfield.
Mr. Nathan Callahan, 47, of Salem. Mr. Callahan was born in Wilmington, Ohio. He was married to Nettie Brush and they have four children, Amelia, Lionel, Daniel and Alison. Mr. Callahan worked at Jackson's Point Mill for many years in the capacity of supervisor. Funeral services will be at Lyle and Wells.
July 20, 1917
Death Notices
Mildred Sneed, age 27, of Salem died at St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago. Mrs. Sneed had been at St. Luke's since June, when she fell ill with a brain fever. Mrs. Sneed was the wife of James Sneed and the mother of James Sneed, Jr. Funeral services will be at Lyle and Wells. Call Rev. Gifford for information.
June 26, 1917 Page 1
Two Local Citizens Found Dead On Harmony Road
This morning at dawn the bodies of Mr. James Smithey of Crispen Road and Mrs. Annalee Henson of Bell Avenue were found by Mr. Paul Buck on Harmony Road. Mr. Buck saw the bodies while walking to the barn to milk the cows. He called Mrs. Buck to help finish the milking so he could hurry to town to report the find.
"They looked okay, not like animals got them," he said.
Sheriff Joe said the bodies were not wounded in anyway other than blistered feet. "They walked a long way to get here. Thing is I don't know why. Far as anyone one knows Annalee and Jimmy didn't know each other very well." Annalee's husband has been looking for her since last night when she didn't come back from the outhouse.
Annalee Henson was 27 years old, married to Buck Henson. They have three children. James Smithey, 31, was a blacksmith. His wife Ellen and two children survive.
June 26, 1917 Page 1
Mr. Wilke Succumbs to Heat
Mr. Russell Wilke, age 65 collapsed in his field today. It is not known how many hours he laid there before his wife found him. It is suspected that the high heat might have caused him to expire. The Wilkes' son, Andrew, and his family are coming home from Cincinnati to care for Mr. Wilke's affairs. Please call on Rev. Matthews for information.
