Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1920-05-13
ohepherdswl Jefferson West


Rowe, and she had not struck him with
the lamp. 1t is remarkable that with
this fatal wound Hetzer should have
been able TO climb the steps. cross tba
trail bridge, walk three or four miles
ana survive for seven or eight hours
he had fallen into the canal near his
journeys end. but had managed to pe,
out again. His clothes were wiring
ing wet when he was founi. The
hnding OF the bullet in his head by the
undertaken revealed the manner of his
death.
When il was found that it was Hetzer
who had killed Mrs. Rowe the mystery
that enveloped the case was dissipated
and strange story was revealed. Mrs
Rowe s maiden name was Dodd and she
was reared in WilliamSport. She was
o4 years of age. When she was a
!oung woman she was married to
canal boat captain, Toby Ensmineer.
also OF WilliamSport Some twenty
hve years ago as EnSminger was steer
ing his boat around Miller's Bend he
saw covey OF partridgeS on the canal
hank. He reached into the cabin for
ms shotgun, and in drawing it through
me window the triggers were caught
the gun was discharged and the back of
ms mead was blown away. his dead
hody falling into the canal. After his
death his widow continued to run the
boat foI some time, and HetZer assist
cd her in the work. He wanted her 70
marry him, but she refused. He kent
after her, and il is said she gave up
boating to get rid of him. She after
ward married. Frank Miller, but later
'lvorced him. Five years ago she
married Vim. 5. Rowe, who for long
time was well-known farmer of this
neighborhood, living on the Licklider
arm just beyond the western edge of
ShepherdStown. They had since lived
IN the little farm at Snyder's Landing.
which MIR. Rowe had purchased.
Hetzer, who was so years old, was a
native of Williamsport. and a good
deal OF his life was spent on the canal.
He was not regarded as sound of mind.
1t is said that his mother committed
suicide by drowning herself in els
tern. At one time he was obsessed
with a religious mania, and again he
had deluSion that he must get rich.
lie is said TO have accumulated a little
fortune of some $4,000, but he was not
able to hold on to it and claimed that he
rad been defrauded of his property.
L is stated that he was in an insane
asylum near Baltimore for a couple of
years. Of late he has had no regular
occunation, but went about from place
10 place. He was never married, bu,
Tor years had apparently been deter
mined to marry the woman whom he
finally killed. He had been at the
hn, ,-,1
nast few years, but had not been well
received. He is said to have made
threats against her, remarking to one
man that Mr.. and Mrs. Rowe would
never end their days together. II is
said that Mrs Rowe had been uneasy
since the man had called at the house
several weeks ago, as she was fear
full that he might harm her. The last
that was seen of Hetzer before the
tragedy was Saturday evening, when
he talked with a Mr.. Liskey near An
'ietam Station, and inquired about
freight trains, saying that he wanted to
lump freight for Hagerstown In
stead of doing this, however, he made
his way 10 the canal, about a mile
away, and hid himself until Mr.. Rowe
left home and the way was clear for
the commission of his awful crime
Three brothers survive him-one in
Williamsport, one in Hagerstown and
another in the West
Mr. Rowe, who is well-known in this
ncighborhood, where he lived for a
long time, has had more than his
share of trouble. and his friends here
sympathize with him in the present
affliction.
The funeral service of Mrs. Rowe
was held Tuesday in the United
Brethren Church at Keedysville. Of
which she was q member. Intermcnt
was made in the family lot BY the side
OF the grave Of Mr. Rowe's first wife
The body of H"tzer was buried in the
cemetery at Wiliamspsrt.