The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1949-11-24
Canton Killer
Continued from page one)

intercranial hemorrhage and
multiple skull fractures caused
by blunt force.
He is survived by his widow
one son, two daughters, a broth
er, four sisters and his father
George D. F. Neidig, of Roberts
vile.
Canton deputies conducted an
| intensive search of the Arthur
Clapper mine, seven-tenths of a
mile north of Robertsville, where
the murder occurred but were
unsuccessful in finding the ball
peen hammer used in the slay-
ing.
Tragic Story
The tragic story began unfold
ing Wednesday shortly after 3
p. m. when Blackledge, accom-
panied by his three sons, Marion,
Paul and Everette, appeared at
Canton police headquarters.
They told Detective Capt. Will
liam D. Harrison the father had
murdered a man and the body
was in Seneca Lake. The sheriff
was summoned and said Black
ledge told his story before guild
ing them to the lake.
Men Began Drinkings
Sheriff Grossglaus and Prose
cutor John Rossetti, of Canton,
who questioned the prisoner
nearly two hours after he was
returned from the lake at 3 a.
M, Thursday, gave the follow
ing account of the killing:
Blackledge and Neidig had
been friends for many years.
For the last week, Blackledge
had been staying at the NeidigS.
The men had been together con-
stantly Saturday, Sunday and
Monday and had gathered scrap
metal and sold it.
To Steal Coal
They began drinking Monday
afternoon but returned to Neid-
ig's home in Augusta about 6 p.
m. for supper. Several hours
later, Blackledge said they de-
cided to steal several sacks of
coal from mine three-quarters
of a mile north of Robertsville.
The men drove to the mine in
a 1887 Ford Blackledge had bor-
rowed from his son, Marion. Up
on arrival, they sat in the car
for awhile and argued. AS they
left to walk around to the rear
of the machine, Blackledge said
he picked up a ball peen ham,
mer from the floorboard.
In Self Defense
He admitted to Prosecutor
Rossetti that he struck Neidig
over the head with the hammer
believing that Neidig had some
thing in his hand and was going
to hit him. Blackledge insists he
/; killed Neidig in self defense. He
said Neidig had threatened him
severa times previous to the
fatal argument at the coal mine
| Puts Body in Car
After he had struck Neidig re.
peatedly over the head, Black
ledge said he loaded the body
onto the floor of the back seat
of the car. He then removed &
heavy wheel from mine cal
and also placed it into the rear
| seat.
He drove over out of the way
country finally deciding to dis
pose of the body at Seneca Lake
place where he had fishec
many times. Enroute to the lake
Blackledge said he stopped al
Dennison for gasoline but die
not disclose how he was able tc
conceal the corpse in the real
seat from the attendant.
Pushed Body Off Bridge
On Route lat near Quaker
City, he stopped on a bridge
crossing Willscreek sometime
near midnight. He then put the
chain around his victim anC
through the hole in the heavy
mine cart wheel and pushed the
body over a bridge railing into
the 10 feet of muddy water.
| Blackledge returned to the
Neidig residence early Tuesday
morning. That night he went tc
the trailer home of his son, Mar,
ion. at 1908 25th street NE, ir
| Canton, and told what had hap
pened.
The following morning, the
1887 Ford was sold to Canton
used car dealer.
Urged Confession
| During the remainder of the
| day, the troubled father and his
three sons sat discussing what
course to take in the matter. The
sons finally convinced Black,
ledge he should confess the
crime to police. They then went
to headquarters and contacted
Capt. Harrison.
| After making a full confession