Hi - I did a search on the Stark County catalog and they did not show they have the book "A History of Capital Crimes in Stark County, Ohio, and a Sketch of Four Murderers". Published by Democrat Steam Printing House, 1880." but I e-mailed the genealogy contact at the library just in case. When I first searched google book search for the book, it only showed the University of MIchigan, William Clements Library at Ann Arbor having a copy. Just noticed there was another result from it which showed Kent State Library and the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus have a copy.. I will wait to see what I hear back from Stark County says. If not, I will try one of the others. Thanks Marilyn **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219858252x1201366219/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DMarchfooterNO62)

I live in Ann Arbor. If I know what I am looking for I can copy the pages but I am not sure how quickly I can do that. I don't know what the library policies and hours are but can check. Gabriele Harkey ngharkey@sbcglobal.net RAOGK Washtenaw County, Michigan ----- Original Message ----- From: JAKESJAG@aol.com To: ohstark@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 1:59 AM Subject: Re: [OHSTARK] Bachtel pioneer and murderer Hi - I did a search on the Stark County catalog and they did not show they have the book "A History of Capital Crimes in Stark County, Ohio, and a Sketch of Four Murderers". Published by Democrat Steam Printing House, 1880." but I e-mailed the genealogy contact at the library just in case. When I first searched google book search for the book, it only showed the University of MIchigan, William Clements Library at Ann Arbor having a copy. Just noticed there was another result from it which showed Kent State Library and the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus have a copy.. I will wait to see what I hear back from Stark County says. If not, I will try one of the others. Thanks Marilyn

I did come across a little snippet of interest at genealogybank.com: Stark County. The Court of Common Plans of Stark County--The Old Court House--Lawyers (News Article) Date: 1867-06-14; Paper: Cincinnati Daily Gazette; Page 1 excerpt: In the same old courthouse, in 1833, was tried Christian Bachtel, for the murder of his wife. He was convicted and executed and is the only one who ever suffered the death penalty in the county. ---------------- and this at google books: Bench and Bar of Northern Ohio By William B. Neff Published by The Historical publishing co., 1921 Original from Harvard University; Page 132 In the criminal annals of the Stark county courts. there have been nine convictions of murder in the first degree where the death penalty has been inflicted. The first five executions took place within the county; the first was the only public execution, the other four taking place within the confines of the county jail. The first murder case within the county in which the death penalty was carried into execution, was the case of the state of Ohio vs. Christian Bachtel, indicted by a grand jury on the 22nd day of April. 183S. for the murder of his wife. Mary Bachtel, on the 1st day of April, 1833. The defendant, Bachtle, resided in Pike township. about"t a mile south of the present village of Xorth Industry ; was a man addicted to the use of liquor, and when under the influence of drink was quarrelsome and abusive to his wife, who was an industrious and excellent woman. Coming home somewhat under the effects of drink, the defendant began to quarrel with his \wife, who refused to engage in controversy with him, and retired to her bed for the night. Lying with her face turned away from the defendant, and believing her to be asleep, the defendant procured an ax, struck her on the right side of the head, inflicting a mortal wound from which she immediately died. The defendant fled from the scene of his crime, wandering about for several days and was arrested near the town of Wooster. D. A. Starkweather, prosecuting attorney, assisted by Gen. Dvvight Jarvis, prosecuted the case on the part of the state, and the defendant was represented by John Harris and Orlando Metcalf. The defendant was convicted of murder in the first degree, and was sentenced to be hung on Friday, November 22, 1833, the execution taking place on what was then the "town commons." a space included within the square as now bounded by Rex avenue, Sixth street, Fifth street and Cherry avenue, N. E. The day before the execution was to take place, visitors began to arrive, and on the day of the execution, an assemblage of people estimated at about twenty-five thousand gathered to witness the event, coming from near and far. >From one who witnessed this execution, an uncle of the writer, the following account has been given as to the manner in which the sentence of the law was carried into effect: "The sheriff of the county, George X. Webb, accompanied by a mounted troop called "The Light Horse," appeared with the prisoner shortly before eleven o'clock at the place of execution. The troop formed a hollow square about the gallows, and the sheriff with the prisoner, ascended the scaffold. After the prisoner's limbs were secured, and the noose adjusted, he was asked if he had anything to say before sentence of the law was carried into execution. His answer was that drink was the cause of his crime, and he warned others to desist from its use. Promptly at eleven o'clock, the sheriff announced: 'Christian Bachtle has one hour to live.' Until the last and final moment, the sheriff made anouncements, as follows: 'Christian Bachtle has forty-five minutes to live; Christian Bachtle has thirty minutes to live; Christian Bachtle has twenty minutes to live; Christian Bachtle has ten minutes to live; Christian Bachtle has five minutes to live; Christian Bachtle has one minute to live; Christian Bachtle, your time has come.' The trap was sprung and the defendant was launched into eternity."