Welcome to The Ohio Trumpeteer

Welcome to my world - Ohio History!
 
I have been an independent publisher for 20-odd years. 
Ha! "Odd" may actually be a good description, but 
 that's another subject entirely. I started publishing a regional Ohio history magazine 
called "The Trumpeteer." 
Presently, I publish collectible trading cards, magic tricks, and now I will also write for 
The Ohio Trumpeteer on a regular basis.

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Frank Eachus

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     The first story presented here is one of the most interesting, and bizarre, court cases, I have ever read. I originally wrote this story, "The Kiser Trial" for a magazine I published years ago. The Kiser trial takes place in Sandusky County beginning in 1915. Josh Kiser, of Fremont, Ohio was accused of poisoning his wife. The following is the first installment of the story of the case.

THE KISER TRIAL

Over 300 potential jurors were interviewed before the twelve pictured here were chosen for the Kiser Trial. 

Photo from the collection of the Sandusky County Historical Society

Tears streamed down the face of Josh Kiser when the verdict was read. He finally knew his fate. His trial set a record as the longest trial in the history of Sandusky County, and, finally, he knew where he would spend the rest of his life.

     Joshua Kiser was accused of poisoning his wife, Martha, who passed away November 17, 1915. It was originally assumed that Mrs. Kiser died of ptomaine poisoning from eating spoiled oysters. Josh Kiser and their daughter, Edna, had also eaten the oyster stew. Edna was sick for a few days, and Josh Kiser was ill but able to cope with the symptoms enough to function. Martha Kiser, on the other hand, became extremely ill, and suffered intensely until she was relieved by death six days later.

     According to her obituary, which appeared in the November 17, 1915 Fremont Daily News, Martha A. (Hetrick) Kiser died at 3:50 a.m., November 17, 1915. She died at her residence on 113 South Buchanan Street. She was described as a loving wife and mother. Mrs. Kiser left behind her husband, Josh, and children, Edna and Leroy, as well as her father and stepmother, Mr. and Mrs. John Hetrick, of Oak Harbor. Martha Kiser was buried at Oakwood Cemetery on November 19, 1915.

     Mrs. Kiser was 41 years old when she passed away. She received a “common school” education in the local district schools. She married Josh Kiser on December 28, 1891. They were wed in Fremont, after which they resided on a farm in Ballville Township. After a number of years on the farm, Kiser moved his family to Clyde where he was in the ice business. Later, the family again moved to a farm in Ballville Township. Due to Mrs. Kiser’s ill health the family moved to South Street in Fremont. After the 1913 flood, the Kiser’s wanted to get clear of the water so they moved to 113 Buchanan Street.

     After the death of Mrs. Kiser the talk on the street rumored that Mr. Kiser may have had a hand in his late wife’s demise. The talk was that Mr. Kiser had a girlfriend, and the two of them could well have poisoned Mrs. Kiser. The rumors persisted for a couple of months; enough time to make prosecutor, J.W. Mead take notice and begin an investigation. Part of the investigation involved exhuming Mrs. Kiser’s body for the purpose of examining the body to determine if she had been poisoned. The body of Mrs. Kiser was exhumed from her grave in Oakwood Cemetery in March of 1916. Dr. C. L. Smith of Fremont and Dr. R.C. Longfellow of Toledo removed various body parts for the purpose of determining if Mrs. Kiser had been poisoned.

     Based on the report of Dr. Longfellow, and the statements from 31 witnesses, over a period of three days, including that of the defendant’s own children; Josh Kiser was indicted on two counts of first degree murder on May 3, 1917. 

Next Installment - "The Nightmare Begins" for Josh Kiser