(Look Back with Bob Enoch - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

A detail of the life within its walls and a sketch of the Wood County prisoners found there

John Lapsley sat on a bench in the whip shop. He was received April 25, 1881, and his sentence was for eighteen years. His crime was heinous and its memory still lingers in the minds of our citizens. He became involved in a quarrel with his brother and, in the fight which ensued, he killed him in cold blood. His home was near Murphy’s Mills.

By the side of Lapsley sat John Athey, who was sent up March 6, 1883, with a sentence of three years, on a charge of cutting with the intent to kill. He stabbed a man off a steamboat which was laid up here in the winter of 1882-3.

Two notorious characters sent from this place are Jacob Hertz and his partner, William Bowen; each with a sentence of two years and six months. They committed robberies all along the B. & O. in West Va., during 1883. Sometime after they were sent to Moundsville, New York detectives came on and it was discovered that Hertz was one of the most accomplished and successful safe blowers in the country, and that he was wanted in many places.

Another safe-blowing gang sent from here was composed of Frank Jerome, William Raymond, and Joseph Fields. This gang was sent up from the U.S. Court, February 17, 1883, each member sentenced to five years imprisonment. Jerome is engaged in the broom shop and Raymond in the whip department. Fields died January 4, 1884, of inflammation of the brain.

The only bigamist from Wood County is Isaac Stukey, who was sent up for one year, November 24, 1884. Isaac may have loved wisely, but one thing is certain he loved “two” well. He married in this county and afterwards went to Ohio to work, and while there took upon himself another bride. Of course it leaked out and Stukey languisheth in consequence.

Another despoiler of the roost, in the person of Jefferson Wilson, was found making whips. He was received April 24th, 1883, with a sentence of four years.

Henry Gooden, who was taken up last week, for five years, was put to work in the broom factory. Looking over the records we saw that Henry had been discharged from the penitentiary April 1, 1879 and again, Dec. 3, 1881.

Thomas W. Manion, minister, member of the State legislature, and finally, chief of the great counterfeit game, was found in the whip shop, sorting whip thongs. His wife, who, with her family, lives in the 6th ward, is industriously circulating a petition asking for his pardon. She writes to him frequently telling him of her trials and successes.

Others of the same gang are there. Presley Cunningham, three year term; Jacob Stull, two years, six months; Wm. Yeater, one year, six months; James Miller, for four years.

To the efficient Superintendent T.J. West, and his genial aides, Guards, Davis and Horner, the STATE JOURNAL man is indebted for courtesies shown on the occasion of the visit.

Excerpt from The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Feb. 25, 1885

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.