OH OH - The Toledo Clubber, 1925-26. Up to 12 victims, 5 dead.

[Ohio Mysteries]

This is a crazy case out of Toledo, Ohio that few people today have heard of. A crazed man who painted his face red and laughed maniacally while doing his vicious crimes would select women at random in the city and bludgeon them, many to the death. His reign lasted from 1925 through 1926 - and despite many eye witnesses to his attacks, he was never caught.

Part of the problem with researching the case is that the reporting was over the top sensational, and facts changed from story to story. Still, we did our best to represent what was happening in our latest podcast episode.

You can hear the story at ohiomysteries.com (some photos and headlines at the website as well) or just look for us on your favorite podcast app and find our Toledo Clubber episode.

I have to believe this is one of the earliest known serial killers in the state of Ohio.

-- Paula Schleis

 

[dotr]

The Cornell Daily Sun 27 October 1926 — The Cornell Daily Sun
The Cornell Daily Sun 27 October 1926
"Second Killing in 24 Hours Arouses City — Police Work on Two Crimes Toledo, Oct. 26, UP). — The second woman murder mystery in Toledo in the past 24 hours was thrust upon police for solution tonight following the finding of the body of Mrs. Mary Alden, 47, In the dining room of her home. The entire police department had been working feverishly throughout the day In an effort to find the slayer of the first victim, Miss Lily Croy, school teacher, who was murdered and criminally attacked Monday night. Mrs. Alden's body, pierced by several bullet wounds, was found late today by her husband who had returned from work In a factory. Civic organizations, city officials, police and private citizens had been working in a state of excitement throughout the day in connection with the Croy killing when news of the Alden death spread.' Woman Shot The Alden murder differed from the Croy case and three preceding It in the past 14 months here. Mrs. Alden was shot to death in her own home about 9 In the morning officials believe, while the others were attacked in secluded parts of the city in the night with clubs or heavy iron instruments. The scene of the killing of Mrs. Alden was only a few blocks from the places where the other four women were attacked or their bodies found. In connection with the slaying of Miss Croy, the Toledo Teachers' Association offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the killer. City officials offered $1,000, a Toledo newspaper offered $600 and the Toledo Automobile Club $100."

 

[Ohio Mysteries]

The Cornell Daily Sun 27 October 1926 — The Cornell Daily Sun
The Cornell Daily Sun 27 October 1926
"Second Killing in 24 Hours Arouses City — Police Work on Two Crimes Toledo, Oct. 26, UP). — The second woman murder mystery in Toledo in the past 24 hours was thrust upon police for solution tonight following the finding of the body of Mrs. Mary Alden, 47, In the dining room of her home. The entire police department had been working feverishly throughout the day In an effort to find the slayer of the first victim, Miss Lily Croy, school teacher, who was murdered and criminally attacked Monday night. Mrs. Alden's body, pierced by several bullet wounds, was found late today by her husband who had returned from work In a factory. Civic organizations, city officials, police and private citizens had been working in a state of excitement throughout the day in connection with the Croy killing when news of the Alden death spread.' Woman Shot The Alden murder differed from the Croy case and three preceding It in the past 14 months here. Mrs. Alden was shot to death in her own home about 9 In the morning officials believe, while the others were attacked in secluded parts of the city in the night with clubs or heavy iron instruments. The scene of the killing of Mrs. Alden was only a few blocks from the places where the other four women were attacked or their bodies found. In connection with the slaying of Miss Croy, the Toledo Teachers' Association offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of the killer. City officials offered $1,000, a Toledo newspaper offered $600 and the Toledo Automobile Club $100."

The police and the media seemed to want to group every death in the city into this one killer's resume. I personally don't think Lily Croy was killed by the Clubber. It just wasn't his MO. But certainly someone tried to make the crime scene look like it.