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From: "Robert A. Daly" <>
Subject: [MDGEN-L] Genealogy
Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 16:04:47 -0400


My relatives lived and worked in South Baltimore, Pigtown and Wesport areas. Quite a few worked at Swindell's Glass, e.g. my father was a Glassblower.
I am searching ca 1870s the following names: DALY, HADEL, McGARVEY, McGINLEY, ROBERTS, WILSON, ORAM, OREM, ORM, CROSS, CONDIT, ODGEN, PERSONETT(E), and last but not least LEWIS.
I have a story that might help those who may be discouraged in their quest. Over twenty years ago at an Aunt's funeral another aunt came up to me and said that she heard that I was doing the family research. She said her Doctor had told her that my ggf had a brother that was a Doctor and he was killed. I asked my brothers and sisters about this and no one knew of this story. Well, I was a Letter Carrier, retired now, and on my mail route I asked a Doctor if there was any way I could check on this story. He showed me the way and here is what I came up with: By Magnetic Telegraph. For the Baltimore Sun. A Dreadful Murder at Cumberland. Murder of Dr. J. F. C. HADEL and Mr. Graf, a Student in his Office(an apprentice?) Search for and Discovery of the Bodies--Arrest of the Murderer--Great Excitement. Cumberland, Oct. 16, 1855---
Our town has, for the past twenty-four hours, been in the most intense excitement, occasioned by two of the most appalling and unprovoked murders on record, the whole object being, it is supposed, plunder. The victims are Dr. J.F.C. HADEL, formerly health officer of Baltimore, but for the last three years a practising(sic)physician of this city, and a young man in his office, named Henry Graf. A German pedler(sic), lately from Pittsburgh, whose name is not known has been arrested, charged with the murder, and against whom the testimony is so strong that he would almost be lynched if possession could be had of him by the outraged community.
It appears that on Monday evening the body of young Graf was found in the mountains, a short distance from town, bearing evidence of having been killed by a gunshot wound. The body was recognised(sic) and brought to town, and on inquiry, it was ascertained that Dr. HADEL was also missing, and inquiry was made of his friends in Baltimore without obtaining any information in relation to him. In the mean time a German pedler(sic) was arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr. Graf and on searching him the watch and chain, pocket-book, and clothing of Dr. HADEL were found in his possession, leaving no doubt as to his having met with the same fate as his unfortunate young friend.
The murderer was arrested at 12 o'clock on Monday night, and the most intense excitement existed until daylight this morning, when a large body of citizens started out to search for the body of Dr. HADEL. The search was continued until about 10 o'clock this morning, when the body was found in the mountains, horribly mutilated. He had been stripped naked, his head cut off from his body, and stabbed besides the mark of having been shot through the back of the neck. The head is still missing, and it is supposed that the murderer has concealed it in order to prevent the identification of the body.
It appears that the German pedler(sic) who has been arrested on the charge of being the perpetrator of this horrible massacre is a stranger in Cumberland, and has been boarding at a farmer's house by the name of Steel, near town, for some days past. On Sunday morning between 9 and 10 o'clock this stranger and the Doctor were seen going over the bridge in the direction where the latter was murdered, and Mr. and Mrs. Steel say that this man called and got his gun about that hour, and it is believed he enticed the Doctor out by telling him some one was very ill, and shot him through the back of his neck, as his coat, found in the possession of the supposed murderer, had the mark of a bullet through the collar.
After murdering the doctor it is supposed he returned to Steel's, as the latter says that he brought his gun back about noon, and immediately started towards Cumberland. He was next seen in the doctor's office, in Cumberland, by a gentleman who called there to enquire for the doctor, he was told by Graf that he was out in the mountains, and had met with an accident, having fallen in the water. It was supposed that the murderer had told Graf this tale and that the doctor had sent to him to bring him some dry clothes. The murderer and Graf were seen in the afternoon going in the same direction--Mr. Graf carrying a bundle with him. Mr. Steel also says that this man, accompanied by Mr. Graf,came to his house, and the man got his gun again, and they went on up the mountain together. Two other gentlemen also say that they passed them together on the mountain, and five minutes after heard the report of a gun.
The body of Graf was found with a gun-shot wound in the back, and he had been beaten over the head, it is supposed, dying in a few moments. The accused returned the gun and the
bundle which Graf had with him, to Steel's again, and left them there. His name is unknown.
(Second Dispatch.) Further Particulars--The Head of Dr. HADEL Found. Cumberland. Oct. 16, 3P.M.--The search for the head of Dr. HADEL has been continued throughout the day, and a party have just arrived having found the head buried some distance from where the body was found.
It appears that the German arrested was seen in Dr. HADEL's office on Saturday evening. When arrested there was found in his possession the doctor's gold watch, his seal ring with his name upon it, together with all his clothing, books, etc. He acknowledged the stealing the books from his office on Sunday night, but denies having seen or murdered the doctor and Mr. Graf. The supposition is that, after having murdered the doctor, he enticed Mr. Graf out and murdered him also in order that he might more easily rob the office, as both of them usually slept in the room over the office. Mrs. HADEL and her children being absent on a visit to their friends in Baltimore. The accused had in his possession a large number of books and valuables from the office.
A Mr. Dawson, who is here from West Alexander, recognizes the prisoner as an old offender. He says that he was imprisoned at that place for robbing a store, but broke jail and made his escape to Pittsburg(sic), where he stole a horse, and was re-arrested and brought back to West Alexander and succeeded a second time in breaking jail and making his escape. He is now heavily ironed and every precaution will be taken to prevent his escape from the punishment that his bloody work demands.
The body of Dr. HADEL has been taken charge of by the Odd Fellows and Masons, in the absence of his family and will be sent down to Baltimore tonight in charge of Mr. Butler, who has been delegated to accompany it.
Mr. Graf was originally from New York where his mother resides. He lived in Baltimore a short time.
A Frederick Miller(Muller) was tried and convicted on 21 Oct 1855. He was hanged 4 Jan 1856.
From "History of Allegany County--Biographical Sketches": Dr. HADEL was born in Hamburg, Germany,
1818(wrong should be 1820). He served as Commissioner of Health in Baltimore before locating in Cumberland. He was a man of striking appearance and seems to have been an idol amongst his patrons. He had two sons who were respectively 6 and 8 years old at the time of their father's tragic death.
A picture of Dr. HADEL, in the possession of the Cumberland Academy of Medicine, taken in a military
uniform, indicates that he held a commission as Brigadier General. He was buried in Greenmount Cemetery,
Baltimore.
A very sad story to learn I admit but a genealogical gold mine.
The moral of the story is to make sure everyone in your family know of your genealogical pursuits.

Lots of luck to everyone.
Slainte is tainte!
Bob DALY




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