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Update Sept 17, 2012 - from Unity Twp Map Sec 10, Waterford Rd, Daniel Unger s/o Benjamin Unger lived near Joshua Hoffmeister s/o Gotleib. The account mentions they were "neighbors".
A FEARFUL TRAGEDY
Daniel Unger Shoots Joshua Hofmeister Dead on West Martin Street and when pursued by officers..Blows His Owns Brains Out.
A Deliberately planned murder - the Result of an Old Feud. A Much Abused Wife, Liquor and Caus of it All. Other Parties Escape whom he intended to Kill - His arrest and Suicide. He Leaves a Letter
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Vol. XVI, No. 19 East Palestine, Ohio Sept 1, 1892
Never have the...
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Update Sept 17, 2012 - from Unity Twp Map Sec 10, Waterford Rd, Daniel Unger s/o Benjamin Unger lived near Joshua Hoffmeister s/o Gotleib. The account mentions they were "neighbors".
A FEARFUL TRAGEDY
Daniel Unger Shoots Joshua Hofmeister Dead on West Martin Street and when pursued by officers..Blows His Owns Brains Out.
A Deliberately planned murder - the Result of an Old Feud. A Much Abused Wife, Liquor and Caus of it All. Other Parties Escape whom he intended to Kill - His arrest and Suicide. He Leaves a Letter
_______
Vol. XVI, No. 19 East Palestine, Ohio Sept 1, 1892
Never have the citizens of Ep been thrown into such intese excitement as on last Thursday afternoon, when the report of a tragedy on West Martin Street was circulated. Everyone, men and children were on the streets and were pale and horror stricken whit it was learned that Joshua Hofmeister had been the victim of a murderer's pistol while going about his regular daily duties, and that the murderer was Daniel Unger, his brother in law, both residents of this city.
The shooting occurred on W Martin St. just north of the pottery and was apparently unprovoked. Mr. Hofmeister was driving toward town with a load of stone, when he was met by Mr. Unger who was driving a livery rig. As he approached Hofmeister he slowed his pace and finally stopped the horse, and when the two men were even, Unger stepped over to the side of Hofmeister who was sitting sideways on the wagon, and tapping him on the knee, asked him if he would "do a favor." Hofmeister said "it depends on that the favor is". The conversation was over heard by two boys where were standing near. The two men talked for about a half hour and what the conversation was no one will ever know. All at once Unger quickly drew a large revolver from his pocket and began to fire at Hofmeister who had no means of defense, whatever, but who jumped from his wagon and started to run, hollowing murder. Unger continued to fire until he had shot five times, four of the shots taking effect. Hofmeister ran about ten yards, when he fell and expired in a few minutes, without saying a word.
After Unger completed his dastardly deed, he looked at his victim, gave him a kick, lighted his cigar, got into his buggy and drove rapidly away, and it was soon learned that he was heading toward Mr. Henry Millberger's the home of his wife's father, where his wife and children were staying.
Upon arriving at the Milberger farm, he inquired of Miss Zela Milberger for his two children and was shown into the house where they were playing. He kissed them both and bid them good bye and started to walk away and was accompanied to the yard fence by Miss Milberger, when he told her he had "Killed Josh." Being greatly startled, the young lady refused to believe what he said, when he again said "Yes I have; I shot him deader than H..L. The young lady was almost in a frenzy and told him he knew, than, what the consequence would be, when he said "he would fix himself." He then climbed into his buggy, but was so intoxicated the he fell over the dash board, but soon gained his seat and started to drive away. He had gone but a short distance, however until he stopped, turned around, pulled a revolver out of his pocket, and began to flourish it and at the same time climb out of the buggy. The Milberger family by this time were almost frantic and scampered in all directions, some looking for means of defense, others crying murder. Unger did not tarry long and started at a rapid gait toward the Unity and Petersburg Road. At the intersection of this road, he started toward East Palestine, and when the residence of Samuel Lipp, Mr L inquired of him what the matter was when he picked up his revolver and said, "You will know in the morning" (The report in circulation that he tried to shoot Mr. Lipp is without foundation, as he merely held up the revolver to show him what he had." He continued on this road until he reached the road leading to the state Line past the Chain school house, where he was overtaken by Constable E H Smith and Marshal Smith. Constable Smith called to him to surrender but instead of surrendering he pointed his revolver over his shoulder and shot. Smith shot also, again demanding him to surrender, when Unger said "If I will" and sot again. As things got quite lively, Constable Smith shot to take effect and Unger shot a bullet in his own brain at the same time, death being instantaneous.
Unger had taken back roads all this time to avoid the officer, having gone through Lowtown, Unity and out of the New Springfield Road to the Forney Farm, then down past Koch's church. *(this would be Waterford Road)
The officers were on horse back and took the front road, hoping to head him off in Unity, but were five minutes behind him. Unger had driven at a rapid gait all the way continually looked back which attracted the attention of everyone that saw him pass.. In the buggy driven by the murderer was two 32 caliber revolvers and a large number of cartridges. From one of the revolvers the cylinder had fallen out, and was lying in front of the buggy. The horse which was one of Ike Schont's livery horses, was shot in the hip, by whom it was not known.
The officers brought the body to East Palestine strapped in a buggy. At the edge of town an angry mob was waiting prepared to lynch the murderer without ceremony. On the appearance of the buggy the excited men, thinking the officers were adopting a ruse to cheat them of their man, rushed forward to drag him from the buggy only to find him dead. Mr McDonald held a post mortem examination of Unger and discovered the ball which was fired by his own hand in the skull over the left eye. The other ball was found in the brain.
Joshua Hofmeister the murdered man, was about 36 years of age, was married and had one child little Jennie aged about 7 years. He was the s/o Gotleib Hofmeister, a highly respected farmer of Unity township, and has followed farming until a few years ago. He was a good citizen, a jovial, hearty, good fellow and had many friends.
The murderer was about 35 years of age, was married and had two bright little girls aged 20 months and 7 years respectively. He was by trade a wagon maker and worked at the carpenter trade and was at the time of his death employed by Samuel McClure in the planing mill. He was a man of intemperate habits, ill natured, revengeful and very quarrelsome at times. Years ago Unger kept a saloon in Unity and has been a heavy drinker every since. During this time he quarreled with Walter Ertzinger , and stabbed him almost to death and at another time seriously wounded Chas Kuntz in a fight, and he has had several quarrels since moving to East Palestine last spring. He wrote a letter found near his person dated Aug 20th..
"Whoever finds this and to whom it may concern, I now write my last. I am sorry this went the way they have. Hoping and trusting in God that he will forgive me for my wrong act. This day I have decided to make and end of my life as I have been abused by my brother in law and sister in law they have been the cause of their own death and mine. They have made me this trouble which I have stood as long as I can. Hoping God will spare my wife's life to take care of my two little children that it is hard, oh very hard to part with. These few lines I wish to have read at my funeral and so that they all may know who I blame for my rash act, with this I close. I put my trust in Him who sees all Good by to all. H W Unger.
Hofmeister and Unger were neighbor boys raised in the same township, attended the same school and married sisters, daughters of Henry Milberger, a wealthy farmer of Unity township. Before either of them were married, they had a fight which resulted in a good thrashing for Unger and he swore vengeance on Hofmeister and to term it as he did said, he "would cook his soup some day." They have never been on friendly terms, since the quarrel twelve years ago.
A visit to the Melberger home on Tuesday morning and from an interview with Mrs. Unger, we learn that Unger had been ugly to her every since their marriage, which took place Aug 11, 1881. He would all her no privileges, would not allow her to visit her parents or allow them to visit her, would come home drunk, abuse her and threatened her life, and has shot over her head many times, while she shook with fear. He has not been drinking as much this summer as in years gone by, but has been more abusive and cruel. He was always a good provider and showed great affection for his children at all times and treated them with great kindness and seemed to have good ways at heart.
Mrs. Unger left him one time because of his cruelty and after promises of good behavior, she gave him a second trial, and when she left with her two children, two weeks ago, he keenly felt it and seemed greatly broken down in spirit, and would walk the streets in deep study. When Mrs. Unger would not rerum to him this time they sought to divide the household goods. At first he as disposed to give his wife everything, later he refused her everything on for a monetary considerations. A settlement was finally brought about and her portion of the goods conveyed to the home of her sister, Mrs. Hofmeister, until a more convenient place could be found.
This seemed to agitate him and he brooded over the matter until he became melancholy and morose. He imagined that his brother in law, Joshua Hofmeister, and his father in law had counseled his wife to leave him and were therefore in a measure responsible for his trouble.
Unger evidently intended to kill Mrs Hofmeister as he passed the house five or six times before he started on his terrible errand. He also said he intended "to do" Zack Irwin" a near neighbor who had befriended Mrs. Unger and took her to her father's. He had everything deliberately planed and started on his awful work determined that he would not be taken alive. He said farewell to some of his acquaintances about town, showing through it all a spirit of reckless bravado which often characterized the most desperate criminals.
Mrs. Unger is a slightly built lady, of rather prominent features, very fair complexion, and aside from her careworn and distressed look might be termed handsome. She has a very friendly easy way about her that would win rather then incur a dislike in a modest and pleasant taker and is heart broker over the terrible deeds of her husband and regrets that she did continue to live with him even though she might have been the victim of his terrible temper and thus saved the distress of her sister. Mrs. Unger and two children will make their home with Mr. Milberger who finds great relief knowing that his daughter is safely under his roof and in free from the tortures and abuse of the one who out to have been her comforter and protector who today fills the grave of a murder and suicide.
Mr. Hofmeister a s a member of the ? O U A M and Maccabees under whose care was the funeral exercised Rev Dickson delivered the disclosure in the Presbyterian church on Saturday morning and was assisted by the other city ministers. It was, without doubt, the largest funeral ever held in EP and was indeed a sad one.
Mr. Unger's remains were conveyed in the afternoon to the Brick Church, Unity by Undertaker Moore, where a large crowd was awaiting the service hour and his remains were laid to rest in the grave yard back of the church to await final Judgment Day.
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s/o Benjamin Unger b 1818 and Christina Sensenbacher b 1820. Had known siblings Aaron, Albert Unger, Mary A Unger Spaite, Sarah A Unger b 1863, Benjamin F b 1866, Walter born 1861 per 1880 census.
Note from poster: not sure why this note signed "H W Unger" nor why he was not indexed in cemetery 1908 by Henry Baldwin or at a later date. Perhaps no headstone or under another name. Also what became of his children? Per 1900 census - Unity Twp there is a Henry Millberger and wife Fanny with a child Bertha age 9 in house. This is likely one of the children.
Feb 22, 2011 additional information from J L. Neff
Daniel "Dan" Unger
Husband of Margaret L. nee MILLBERGER – m. 11 Aug 1881 in Columbiana Co. OH
Son of Benjamin and Christina Sanzenbacher Unger
B. 28 Mar 1857 in Unity Twp., Columbiana Co. OH
D. 25 Aug 1892 in Unity Twp., Columbiana Co. OH at 35y 4m 28d
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 2 Sept 1892
"Local - Bad Blood between Dan Unger and J. Hoffmaster, brothers-in-law, living
at East Palestine, resulted in the death of both last Thursday. Unger was intoxicated and shot Hoffmaster. He then attempted to kill his father-in-law, John Muhlenberg, his wife, and two officers who were pursuing him. Finding
capture certain he shot the horse he had ridden on his death-dealing errand, and then sent a bullet through his brain, falling dead in the road."
From R D Baith July 10, 2012 citing the following:
According to the Old Springfield and Salem Reformed and Lutheran Congregation Records by Nellie H. Simonton, Page 82 his birth/baptism date was March 28, 1857
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