1870 Census: Orange Twp., Delaware Co., OH. Lewis Backal 34 Farmer $200 PE Wurtemburg Sarah J. 28 PA William 7 OH Jane 4 OH Eliza 3 OH Emma 1 OH Johannis 2/12 OH *************************************************************************************** 1880 Census: Starr Twp., Hocking Co., OH. Lewis Bickel 44 Farmer GR GR GR [Illit.] Sarah J. 38 Keeping House PA PA PA William 18 Working Farm OH GR PA Jane 15 OH GR PA Louisa 13 OH GR PA Emma 11 OH GR PA John 10 At School OH GR PA James 8 OH GR PA Ada 6 OH GR PA Ara 5 OH GR PA Lucy 4 OH GR PA ************************************************************************************** The Republican Gazette: July 31, 1884, Logan, OH. Mrs. C. Nill spent Sunday with her brother's family at Union Furnace. ************************************************************************************** THE HOCKING SENTINEL, Logan, OH, September 9, 1886 STARR ITEMS. Lewis Bickle, of Union Furnace, caught his fore-finger in a cider mill one day last week while making cider. He got his finger out as best he could, and upon examination he found it completely mashed to the second joint. After this discovery he concluded that amputation would be necessary; so picking up an old dull hatchet he laid his finger on a block and completely severed the mashed point off. He then went to his house and wanted his wife to tie up his finger. Sickened at the sight, she could do nothing. He then walked to Dr. Gustin's office, and with his aid succeeded in getting the wounded member dressed. He has not lost a day's work. Now, if any of the readers of the Sentinel should be so unfortunate as to need any of their limbs amputated, do not fail to give Lewis and his hatchet a call. *************************************************************************************** September 29, 1872 Lewis Bickel bought 20 acres in Starr Twp., Hocking Co., OH, from S. Woltz. *************************************************************************************** May 12, 1883 Lewis Bickel bought 40.32 acres in Starr Twp., Hocking Co., OH, from Nancy Nixon. *************************************************************************************** October 24, 1889 Lewis Bickel bought 30 acrees in Starr Twp., Hocking Co., OH, from Elizabeth Davis, et al. *************************************************************************************** May 11, 1891 Lewis Bickel bought 42 acrea in Starr Twp., Hocking Co., OH, from J. A. Shaw, et al. *************************************************************************************** THE HOCKING SENTINEL, Logan, OH, February 11, 1892 PATRICIDE! A SON KILLS HIS FATHER. ------------------------ LOUIS BICKEL SHOT BY HIS SON JOHN ------------------------ AND DROPS DEAD IN AN INSTANT, ------------------------ AN AWFUL TRAGEDY AT UNION FURNACE ------------------------ UNPARALLELED IN ALL HISTORY. On last Saturday afternoon our streets were alive with busy, light hearted, cheerful people. The beautiful weather invited out crowds of ladies, and peace and good will seemed to smile on every face. A telegram was handed the sheriff. "A boy has shot and killed his father." The horrifying words swept like the blast of a destroying wind. An awful feeling came upon men. The streets became as silent as a graveyard. The people huddled in little groups and spoke in bated breath. Although our county in recent times has been the arena of high carnival in human blood, no such tragedy as this had ever fallen to their attention. In the long history of the human race, with almost every page smeared with blood, no instance is mentioned of a son killing his father. Murder entered the world at the gates of Eden, and history began in blood. Abraham purposed the sacrifice of his son; Jephta did with his daughter, "according to his vow;" Absolem purposed the murder of his father; Samuel hewed down the captive king in the presence of all Israel; Cariolinus and Virginus drove the knife to the hearts of loved, adored daughters; the elder Brutus give signal for the execution of his son; Caligula of all the monsters of historic time approached nearest in accomplishment of patricidal crime. The horrors of our home surroundings have dark shadows of Moloch, yet upon our minds, but, patricide "never before yet" had raised his horrid bloody hand. The particulars of the killing, the young man's statement and testimony, and other particulars follow below. John Bickel was arrested on Saturday afternoon. THE PRISONER'S STATEMENT On Sunday morning in company with Sheriff Wright, Milt Myers and John Daishly, we visited the jail and had an interview with the prisoner. We first asked him if he had an attorney. He said he had not. We told him that an attorney would most likely advise him to be careful what he said. The purpose of the editor in asking him for a statement was to have given to the anxious public what he had to say about the affair. He said he was perfectly willing to tell what he had done and how he came to do it. The statement given, the reader will understand is not his continuous remarks, but answers to questions. Thus: "How old are you?" "What is your name," &c. The answers only are given below. THE STATEMENT My name is John Bickel; am nearly 22 years old; home is on a farm near Union Furnace; have lived there about fourteen or fifteen years; don't know where I was born. Father went to town on Friday, came home late at night. He was very mad and threatened to kill the whole family. He kept it up till about midnight when I went to bed. He kept scolding and going all next morning. I was sitting in the room and he was sitting about six feet from me. He said he was going to kill the whole family and get out of the road himself. He said: "I guess I'll take you first." He jumped up off the chair and made at me with his knife; I dodged round behind him and shot him, two or three times, I don't know which; shot at his head. He fell from me and fell in a chair. The pistol had been laying on the mantel; I took it in my hand about five minutes before I shot; don't know when I cocked it; don't mind how many times I shot; right after I shot I went out, and down on the road met Mr. Bagley and Tewd Clark, told them, then went to my brother's a mile or so away, then I came back to the house and staid there till the sheriff came. He had been abusing mother and me all morning, took up a chair two or three times to hit mother; I staid in the house because mother asked me to, and try to keep him down. He was drunk enough to be right mean. Seven children in the house; am the oldest at home. When he was threatening to kill the whole family, I would ask him what we had done. Hw would say, "that's all right," and give no satisfaction. I knew he would kill mother, so I staid there. He had a fuss with my brother about two weeks ago; he didn't hurt him much; tried to bite him; mother got him away; have often seen him hit mother with his fist; didn't hurt her very much; she was always afraid of him when he was drunk, so were all the children. There are thirteen of us children living, five are dead. Father was about 55 years old; used to work at the furnace; has a farm of about 200 acres. Can read and write just a little; never went to school much; had to stay home and work; went some to church after I had grown up. In giving this statement, young Bickel showed intense feeling but controlled himself, only a slight falter of voice, but in all his manner the evidence of trying to control his emotions. He is a very handsome young fellow, a perfect model of physical manly development. As he rested his hand on the table, leaning, his wrist was exposed. His hand is comparatively small, but his wrist is as large as the arm of an ordinary sized man. He didn't seem to know what to do, what would be done with him. He said he thought what will be done will be all right. THE CORONER'S INQUEST On Saturday evening Coroner Heft, Squire Brehm, Dr. Mansfield, Ed. Davenport, Sheriff Wright, and Constable Davy went to the Bickel homestead. Young Bickel was put under arrest and brought to Logan and loged in jail. Dr. Mansfield made the post mortem. We give below the statement taken under oath by young Bickel and his mother. JOHN BICKEL'S SWORN STATEMENT John Bickel, being first duly sworn, testified as follows: I am a son of the deceased. I will be 22 years old the 26th of next May. I live at home with my parents. There are twelve children. I am the oldest at home. There are seven at home. Father was half drunk or more so. He came at me with a pocket knife and swore he would kill all of us, the whole family, and would get out of the way himself, and said to me, "I will take you first," and came at me with the knife drawn. I then just dodged behind him and shot him two or three times. I can not tell exactly which. I was so excited. It was a 6 shooter Smith & Wesson, 32 calibre. He was in Logan yesterday and came home so drunk that he could scarcely walk and we were up with him trying to keep him quiet, till midnight. Mother stayed up with him all night and my brother James got up in the after part of the night and stayed with him. He was quarrelsome and insighting to fight with all of us. When he came at me with the knife, I thought it was only chance. Mother and I were trying to quiet him, but he would not pay any attention to our talk. I got the revolver from the mantel in the same room where I generally kept it; have had trouble before with him once or twice every year. JOHN BICKEL. SARAH J. BICKEL'S STATEMENT Sarah J. Bickel, age 50 years, being duly sworn testified as follows: The deceased is my husband; is 55 years old; was born in Germany. We have thirteen children living and five dead. He went to Logan yesterday morning and came back near 10 o'clock last night. I asked him if he wanted anything to eat and he said he did not. I fixed him some supper but he did not eat anything, only drank a little coffee. He was very much intoxicated and staggered from one side of the house to the other, and wanted to get the gun, and saying that he had to kill somebody, and kept on that way till ten minutes past two, he jumped up and reached and wanted to get the guns again, and still kept saying he had to kill somebody. He went in the room several times hunting the revolver, ant told me to be still, but I kept watching him and trying to quiet him. He kept this up until about five o'clock in the morning. He then slept till between seven and eight o'clock. He then jumped up and took a chair and threw it and hit another one, knocked it over and acted like he was wild. He kept wanting to drink. He had brought home a bottle of whisky and a bottle of alcohol and kept drinking it at times all through the night. He always made such a fuss about it that we just humored him and let him have his drink when he asked for it. He is quarrelsome when drinking, and has been drinking a good deal of late. About two weeks ago he came home from town drunk and jumped onto one of the boys and would probably have killed him if it had not been for me and a neighbor. After eight o'clock this morning he still kept on wanting the guns, and was quarrelsome till noon. Every once in a while he would run up and hit John and tell him he was a better man than he was and threatening him and others; would draw a chair to strike, and offered to strike me and we had to take it away from him. At noon I wanted him to come out and eat. He said he did not want anything. I got him a little coffee. He then came into the room again and hit John with his fist on the arm and swore he was going to kill the whole family. Then he opened his knife and swore he would commence on him first. He was swinging the knife and ran at him with the knife open; John ran out of the way, and whirled around and shot him with the pistol. I did not know he had it till he shot him. I can't tell how many times but think it was two or three times. I was so scared and excited I can not recollect. I did not see John get the pistol. There were no others present but me and John, the other children were all afraid and were out, stayed in the kitchen and out doors, afraid he would hurt them. SARAH JANE BICKEL. DR. W. D. MANSFIELD being duly sworn testifies as follows: Made an examination of the body of Louis Bickel, Feb. 6th, 1892, near Union Furnace, Hocking county, O., between five and six o'clock p.m.; Post mortem rigor at that time well developed. Inspection of the entire body revealed only one wound, that a bullet wound in the center of the occipital region on a line with the upper part of the ears. Examination of the brain revealed several small fragments of bone in the posterior regions. The ventricles as well as the base of the brain was filled with extravasinal blood. A bullet was found in the brain's tissue. Heart and abdominal organs all normal. Death resulted from bullet wound above described. W. D. MANSFIELD, M.D. THE BICKEL HOMESTEAD. The Bickel's live about a mile form Union Furnace, seven or eight miles south of Logan. The house is a one and a half story log building, facing on the road, with a porch extending the entire front. There are two living rooms and a kitchen in the rear. The room in which the killing was done is about 18 feet square. A door leads in form the porch, and a door opposite, out into the kitchen. In the center in the dividing partition is a grate. On the side opposite, against the wall, are two beds. There is a window in front and one at the end of the room. The furniture is scant and of the commonest kind. There is an appearance of tidiness, but scantiness in the room and general surroundings. The dead man lay on the floor on his back, his limbs extended; his head toward the door. A knife, open blade, lay on the floor, near his hand. The knife is a large sized pocket knife, a kind commonly carried by teamsters and farmers. The pistol is a six chamber 32 calibre, Smith & Wesson, long barrel. One chamber contained a cartridge. It is told us that three bullet marks were found on the wall towards the door. The farm consists of about 200 acres of fairly good farming land. THE BICKEL PEOPLE. Only that public attention has been directed by reason of the tragedy, would it be proper to publish of the family what is known and said of them. In this we state only what has been told us by men of unquestionable reliability, and who have means of knowing what they are talking about. Louis Bickel was born in Marion township on the farm now owned by Lindsey, just on the county line. The oldman Bickel, his father, was a german, and when he came to this country has "a good deal of money" for those days. He was very stingy, very industrious, very dirty. He was given to occasional sprees, and then was very ugly. He was large and powerful, was the champion at raisings and log rollings; was honest, but not popular. He was called by his neighbor, "Sow Bickel" for his greediness, filthiness and hoggishness. His son Louis partook largely of the old man's character, strong healthy, greedy and to a degree brutal. He was afforded no teaching at church or school. He, like Topsy "just growed up." He married a McCormick who lived down in the Matheny country. [He stole a horse in Kentucky, brought it here, sold it to Isaac Botts. He was followed, the horse identified. He was arrested, tried and sent to the penitentiary. After he got out, he came back, and for passing counterfeit money was again sent to the penitentiary. All trace was lost of him. (The editor: This section refers to Sarah J. Bickel's father Robert McCormick, not Louis Bickel.)] MRS. BICKEL. His daughter, is a very good woman, and all hearts bleed for her in the deep affliction that has so clouded all her life. She is a woman of care and trift, neat and orderly, kind to neighbors, especially to those in distress, and for thirty years has been the loving devoted mother, guarding her children from the ferocity of a demon. Shortly after Beckel's [sic.] marriage, he moved to Fairfield county, here he got into an altercation with a negro, and shot and killed him, he disappeared for a time and nothing was done about the murder of the negro, he next is down in Green Township, living on the now Andy Dresher farm, from here he moved to near Union Furnace, buying forty acres of land, to which he has added until he possessed the present farm. He was a man of low instincts, greedy, grinding, grasping. He worked hard at anything there was to do, and drove his children with a merciless hand to work unfitted to their under years. He would abuse with blows of his fist and club his children and the animals even of the farm were in terror of his approach. Why, it is ask did not the neighbors interfere? Why did not the children and wife go away. This question good and gentle, and kindly disposed reader in your happy home, may think about you cannot answer. Only Him, who knows the heart ties and strains of home can understand this. As character of the man, it is said his oldest boy has been made prematurely old by the hard usage imposed on him. He once nearly drowned one of his boys at the Furnace, because the boy did not do as much as he required of him. The child died some years after, it is said by the neighbors from the effects of this cruel treatment. He killed a calf that was in his way, when in a fit of passion. A corn troubled him, he cut off the toe with a chisel. He crushed his finger in a cider press, he cut his finger off with an ax. Many other things of like nature are told on him, showing his insensibility to pain and his lack of the common instincts of humanity. Let the grave cover with her hiding clods the entrance in the windowless palace at last" the man, whose unmanly life was brought to such an awful finish. The remains were interred on Wednesday at the Childister Grave yard in the near vicinity. The preliminary trial of young Bickel will be Friday, (tomorrow morning) before Squire Brehm in the Court room. About fifty witnesses have been subpoenaed. The purpose of the friends of the young man, and all who know him are his friends, will be to have him acquitted. We are not advised as to what course the State will pursue. Messers. Weldy and Buerhaus have been retained for the defence. Shades of Weldon, Mother Terrel, Mrs. Phillips, Father Krinn look not down upon us with ostrauge regard while we yet grope in the valley of the shadow. *************************************************************************************** REPUBLICAN GAZETTE: February 11, 1892, Logan, OH Tries to Kill His Family He Opens the Assault With a Knife On One of His Sons Who Fires a Bullet Into His Head, Killing Him Almost Instantly The people of Logan were thrown into a state of excitement last Saturday afternoon, on the receipt by Sheriff Wright of a telegram from Union Furnace, that John Bechel (sic.) had killed his father, Lewis Bechel. Immediately on receipt of the telegram, the Sheriff, Deputy Davy, Coroner Heft, Dr. Mansfield, Squire Brehm, and the writer, started for the scene of the tragedy, where we arrived about half past four o'clock. On arriving at the house, we saw a number of neighbors standing on the porch, and among them young Bechel, who did the killing and who had made no attempt to escape, in fact he went to Union Furnace, about one mile distant, and had Joe Neil dispatch to the officers that he had killed his father, and then returned to the house and awaited the coming of the officers. When we entered the house, the dead father was seen lying on the floor of a room almost devoid of furniture, with a quilt thrown over the body, the room being just as it was when the tragedy occurred. From the wife of the dead man and from young Bechel, we got the following details of the dreadful affair, they being the only witnesses to the tragedy. Mrs. Bechel said that her husband came home from Logan at 10 o'clock Friday night, filled with liquor, and as usual, commenced storming around, and kept it up nearly all night, so that none of the family got any rest, and kept up the racket until Saturday noon, threatening to kill the whole family and knocking about what little furniture there was in the room. Shortly after dinner, while Mrs. Bechel, her husband and son were in the living room of the house, Bechel again made threats of killing the family. He them pulled his knife and said to his son, "I will kill you first," and made for John with the open knife in his hand. The son jumped to one side, turned and fired one shot, the ball entering the back of the head, which produced death in a few minutes. When John, who had made no attempt to escape, was interviewed, he told about the same as his mother. He said he was satisfied that his father meant to kill him when he started at him with the open knife in his hand, and he thought it was either kill or be killed, and he preferred the former. Lewis Bechel was a powerfully built man, weighing 240 pounds, and when in liquor was said to be a bad man. His family was in constant fear of him. Bechel leaves a family of thirteen children, ten of whom are at home. Young Bechel has the sympathy of the people at and around Union Furnace and in this city. Bechel was brought to Logan and placed in jail Saturday evening to await a preliminary hearing. He is very much cast down over the affair. The men with whom John worked at Union Furnace all give him a good reputation as being a quiet, industrious, young man. It has been reported that more than one shot was fired, but young Bichel says he does not remember of firing more than once, but may have done so. But one ball hit the deceased, and no bullet marks could be found in the room. The affair is to be deplored by all good citizens, but from the facts in the case, so far as have been brought out, it would seem that young Bechel acted in self defense, and public opinion is strongly in his favor. The funeral took place last Monday, near the residence, and was largely attended many coming from miles around out of mere curiosity. Undertaker Oliver had to send to Columbus for a special coffin, as none could be found large enough. Bechel will have a preliminary hearing to-morrow, before Squire Brehm. He has retained Hon. C. H. Buerhaus as his attorney. *************************************************************************************** THE HOCKING VALLEY JOURNAL: Logan, OH, February 10, 1892 SHOT DEAD! Lewis Bickel is instantly Killed by His Son. The Deed Was Committed in Self-Defense. The Boy was Arrested and Placed in Jail. His Statement - Other Information. Preliminary Hearing Friday. Union Furnace, O. Feb. 9 - Last Saturday at 10 o'clock John Bickle shot and instantly killed his father Lewis Bickle. The circumstances surrounding the act seem to be very much in favor of the boy. The old man went to Logan Friday morning and filled up with liquor, came back in the evening and went home about 10 o'clock. He then proceeded to wake the entire family by knocking the furniture around the room. About 5 a.m. he went to sleep sitting on a chair. After his wife got breakfast she awoke him but he refused to eat anything and continued his threats of clearing out the family. This state of affairs being kept up until noon. At this time John and his father and mother were sitting in the room together, when suddenly, the old man got up and remarked: "It is 12 o'clock and haven't got my work done yet, and I guess I will commence on you John!" and sprang at him with a knife. The boy stepped behind him and shot 4 times, the fourth ball striking him just behind the ear and killed him almost instantly. Every one seems to think that he was forced into the act, as he was always a peaceful and quiet young man. Sheriff Wright and Coroner Heft were notified, and soon arrived. John Bickle was arrested by the Sheriff and taken to Logan and place in jail. Lewis Bickle was buried yesterday afternoon. JOHN BICKEL'S STATEMENT. Father came to town Friday morning and came home drunk, and raved around all night and until next day after 10 o'clock, and swore he would kill the whole family. He took out his knife and said he would take me first - I then jumped behind him and shot him. The revolver was kept on the mantle loaded all the time, and about 5 minutes before I shot him I picked up the revolver, fearing he might get hold of it. I did not have any intention of shooting him when I picked the revolver up, but when he came at me with his knife I was frightened and jumped behind him and shot him: then I rushed out of the house and do not know when he fell. My mother followed after me; she was the only one beside me in the room at the time of the shooting. My brothers and sisters were in some other part of the house. After I shot him I run out of the house and told John Bagley and Tode Clark what i had done. About two weeks before this father, brothers and I came to town. On that day father got drunk and would have killed my brother, had it not been for mother and Mrs. Dood keeping him from hurting him. In answer to the question, "Why did you not go to work Friday?" he said: "Mother was afraid and said I would have to stay at home. She did not sleep any the night before." John Bickle will have a hearing before Squire Brehm, Friday morning in the court house, and will be defended by the lawyers Buerhaus and Weldy. The Prosecuting Attorney Riason is in Union Furnace today looking up the case. SAM REMPEL Was interviewed and said that Lewis Bickel was in his place Friday morning. He was talking about his property and the war. He had a piece of leather with him, on which was marked 75 cents. He was perfectly sober and did not drink any, he intended to go home and I pulled out my watch and told him if he was going home he had better go now as it was about train time. Mr. Bickle then left, but came back after a while; Lew said he had missed the train. He got as far as Ed Price's saloon. He again laid his piece of leather under the counter, and after talking a while he took a "tom and jerry" and left. He did not come back any more. He left his leather. He did not say anything about his family at all. *************************************************************************************** THE HOCKING SENTINEL, Logan, OH: February 18, 1892 JOHN BICKEL ACQUITTED The Result of the Trial Gives General Satisfaction The court room on last Saturday was crowded to hear the preliminary trial of John Bickel. About fifty witnesses were present, all of whom testified to the good character of the young man, and of the cruel, heartless nature of the man killed. The prosecuting attorney, before all the witnesses summoned or in attendance from personal wish, had testified, arose and stated that from the testimony given by the neighbors who knew the past record of the family, and the long line of cruelty leading to the tragedy, the State of Ohio had no disposition and no evidence on which to base a case, and asked that the prisoner be discharged. This was hailed by the audience with loud and continued applause, and young Bickel went forth a free man, exonerated by the sentiment of the public who knew him and the circumstances which led to the tragedy. (Family oral tradition records that at the trial Squire Brehm said to John, "Why didn't you do it sooner?")