WV Herman Drenth aka Harry Powers, "Mail Order Bluebeard" Clarksburg, 1929-1932

Betty P

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Harry Powers lured lonely women to his ranch in WV, then imprisoned them in a concrete bunker under his home. He would then have them sign letters to make them withdraw all their money and liquidate assets before killing them. He was tried an convicted of 5 murders, but is believed to have committed at least 50. Searches of his property after his arrest revealed items belonging to many women victims who couldn't be identified.

The movie "Night of the Hunter" starring Robert Mitchum, was based on Powers murders, including that of Asta Eicher and her three children.

Harry traveled the country "on business" to search for his victims. He also placed "lonely hearts" ads in local newspapers across the US. He was married, but his wife alleged she knew nothing of the murders.Video






Video of a lecture from the Aull Center, a local historical society. It has a lot of very interesting details about Powers, his crimes, victims, etc. He spent a lot of time in jail for stealing. He even stole $4,000 from his own parents. His farm in Clarksburg came from one of his victims.

 
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Oct 28/29, 2025 article


[…]

But in the summer of 1931, Quiet Dell in Harrison County, West Virginia, became the stage for one of the most chilling murder cases in American history.

[…]
 

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