Joseph Eisele
German Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Parkersburg, West Virginia
TIME PERIOD
June – December 1867
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
Joseph Eisele, known as "The Parkersburg Murderer," committed a series of brutal murders targeting fellow German immigrants in Parkersburg and Wheeling, West Virginia, between June and December 1867. His first victim, Joseph Lillenthal, was killed on June 5, 1867, in a saloon where Eisele worked, followed by the murder of Aloys Ulrich on June 29, 1867, during a supposed business meeting. Eisele was apprehended on January 6, 1868, after a failed attempt to murder a fourth victim, leading to his confession and subsequent conviction for three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He was executed by hanging on March 6, 1868, and his case remains notable for the panic it caused in the community and the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man during the investigation. Significant evidence included Eisele's confession and the recovery of stolen items from the victims.
Joseph Eisele is believed to have targeted fellow immigrants due to his own financial desperation and social isolation, with theories suggesting that his violent behavior was exacerbated by his alcoholism and gambling debts. Some speculate that his military background may have contributed to his capacity for violence, as he had previously served in the Papal Army. Additionally, there is speculation that Eisele's confessions may have been influenced by a desire for notoriety or to justify his actions posthumously.
The Tale of Joseph Eisele: The Parkersburg Murderer
In the shadowy corners of 1867 West Virginia, a chilling figure emerged—Joseph Eisele, a German immigrant whose path through life would etch his name into the annals of criminal history as "The Parkersburg Murderer." Born around 1834 in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Eisele carved a bloody path across Parkersburg and Wheeling, leaving behind a trail of death and despair that spanned the latter half of 1867.
Early Life
Joseph Eisele's early years are shrouded in mystery, a fitting prelude to his later infamy. He claimed to have served two years in the Papal Army, spending one of those years in Rome before deserting to the mountains—a common escape for deserters of the era. Around 1864, Eisele sought new beginnings in the United States, settling in Parkersburg. There, he wed a local woman two years after his arrival. Though he found work as a carpenter or woodworker, his skills were mediocre, and his true passion seemed to lie in the saloons, where he accumulated significant debts.
The Murders
Eisele's descent into murder began on June 5, 1867. That day, he visited a familiar haunt—a saloon on Market Street operated by fellow German immigrant Joseph Lillenthal. Once assured they were alone, Eisele unleashed a brutal attack, wielding a hatchet with deadly force. He fractured and severed parts of Lillenthal's skull, then slashed his throat and mutilated his spinal column. Eisele pilfered the saloon for cash to settle some of his debts, while the discovery of Lillenthal's brutalized body sent Parkersburg into a panic. An innocent black man named Taylor was wrongfully imprisoned but later released for lack of evidence.
Eisele's new-found wealth quickly evaporated, and by June 29, 1867, he turned his sights on another victim. He lured Aloys Ulrich, a German merchant, to a secluded spot along the Hempfield Railroad under the guise of a business opportunity. There, Eisele struck with his hatchet, decapitating Ulrich and stealing $75 and a watch. He pawned the watch but kept the chain. Ulrich's decomposing body was discovered days later, leading authorities to identify him through a postage stamp and a note from his brother found in his pocket.
For months, Eisele lay dormant until December 6, 1867, when looming debts to Dr. Koch drove him to murder again. He befriended Rudolph Tsutor, a Hungarian horse trader, and invited him to his apartment near the railroad depot. There, Eisele struck Tsutor with a hatchet, killing him with a single blow. He stuffed a cotton glove into Tsutor's mouth, crushed his temple, and slashed his throat. Eisele stole $75 to pay off his debts, leaving another victim in his wake.
Attempted Murder and Arrest
The new year brought a turning point in Eisele's murderous spree. On January 6, 1868, he attempted to settle another debt with coal merchant John White. Disguised as "John Schaefer," Eisele attacked White with his hatchet but missed his mark, hitting White's shoulder instead. White's cries for help brought assistance, and Eisele was quickly apprehended. Upon his arrest, authorities found a cotton glove, a towel, and items belonging to Ulrich and Tsutor among his possessions. Initially silent, Eisele eventually confessed to his heinous crimes in the presence of a Catholic priest and others.
Trial, Sentence, and Execution
With his arrest announced, Eisele was placed under protective custody as enraged townsfolk threatened vigilante justice. His trial commenced two weeks later, where he pleaded guilty to all charges and presented a written confession. Translated from German, his confession expressed remorse, sought forgiveness, and implored others to adhere to religious principles to avoid his fate. Eisele remained calm and detached throughout the proceedings, responding with quiet "No's" or a shake of the head.
The court found Eisele guilty and sentenced him to death. As the verdict was read, the tragic irony of his educated background juxtaposed with his dark descent was noted. On March 6, 1868, Joseph Eisele met his end on the gallows outside Parkersburg, his execution witnessed by a crowd of 5,000, necessitating a militia escort.
Sources
For more information, see the original Wikipedia article on Joseph Eisele.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Joseph Eisele murders Joseph Lillenthal in a saloon.
Second Murder Committed
Eisele decapitates Aloys Ulrich near Wheeling.
Third Murder Committed
Eisele kills Rudolph Tsutor in his apartment.
Attempted Murder and Arrest
Eisele attempts to murder John White and is arrested.
Trial Begins
Eisele pleads guilty and presents his confession.
Execution
Joseph Eisele is publicly hanged for his crimes.
Joseph Eisele, known as "The Parkersburg Murderer," committed a series of brutal murders targeting fellow German immigrants in Parkersburg and Wheeling, West Virginia, between June and December 1867. His first victim, Joseph Lillenthal, was killed on June 5, 1867, in a saloon where Eisele worked, followed by the murder of Aloys Ulrich on June 29, 1867, during a supposed business meeting. Eisele was apprehended on January 6, 1868, after a failed attempt to murder a fourth victim, leading to his confession and subsequent conviction for three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. He was executed by hanging on March 6, 1868, and his case remains notable for the panic it caused in the community and the wrongful imprisonment of an innocent man during the investigation. Significant evidence included Eisele's confession and the recovery of stolen items from the victims.
Joseph Eisele is believed to have targeted fellow immigrants due to his own financial desperation and social isolation, with theories suggesting that his violent behavior was exacerbated by his alcoholism and gambling debts. Some speculate that his military background may have contributed to his capacity for violence, as he had previously served in the Papal Army. Additionally, there is speculation that Eisele's confessions may have been influenced by a desire for notoriety or to justify his actions posthumously.
The Tale of Joseph Eisele: The Parkersburg Murderer
In the shadowy corners of 1867 West Virginia, a chilling figure emerged—Joseph Eisele, a German immigrant whose path through life would etch his name into the annals of criminal history as "The Parkersburg Murderer." Born around 1834 in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Eisele carved a bloody path across Parkersburg and Wheeling, leaving behind a trail of death and despair that spanned the latter half of 1867.
Early Life
Joseph Eisele's early years are shrouded in mystery, a fitting prelude to his later infamy. He claimed to have served two years in the Papal Army, spending one of those years in Rome before deserting to the mountains—a common escape for deserters of the era. Around 1864, Eisele sought new beginnings in the United States, settling in Parkersburg. There, he wed a local woman two years after his arrival. Though he found work as a carpenter or woodworker, his skills were mediocre, and his true passion seemed to lie in the saloons, where he accumulated significant debts.
The Murders
Eisele's descent into murder began on June 5, 1867. That day, he visited a familiar haunt—a saloon on Market Street operated by fellow German immigrant Joseph Lillenthal. Once assured they were alone, Eisele unleashed a brutal attack, wielding a hatchet with deadly force. He fractured and severed parts of Lillenthal's skull, then slashed his throat and mutilated his spinal column. Eisele pilfered the saloon for cash to settle some of his debts, while the discovery of Lillenthal's brutalized body sent Parkersburg into a panic. An innocent black man named Taylor was wrongfully imprisoned but later released for lack of evidence.
Eisele's new-found wealth quickly evaporated, and by June 29, 1867, he turned his sights on another victim. He lured Aloys Ulrich, a German merchant, to a secluded spot along the Hempfield Railroad under the guise of a business opportunity. There, Eisele struck with his hatchet, decapitating Ulrich and stealing $75 and a watch. He pawned the watch but kept the chain. Ulrich's decomposing body was discovered days later, leading authorities to identify him through a postage stamp and a note from his brother found in his pocket.
For months, Eisele lay dormant until December 6, 1867, when looming debts to Dr. Koch drove him to murder again. He befriended Rudolph Tsutor, a Hungarian horse trader, and invited him to his apartment near the railroad depot. There, Eisele struck Tsutor with a hatchet, killing him with a single blow. He stuffed a cotton glove into Tsutor's mouth, crushed his temple, and slashed his throat. Eisele stole $75 to pay off his debts, leaving another victim in his wake.
Attempted Murder and Arrest
The new year brought a turning point in Eisele's murderous spree. On January 6, 1868, he attempted to settle another debt with coal merchant John White. Disguised as "John Schaefer," Eisele attacked White with his hatchet but missed his mark, hitting White's shoulder instead. White's cries for help brought assistance, and Eisele was quickly apprehended. Upon his arrest, authorities found a cotton glove, a towel, and items belonging to Ulrich and Tsutor among his possessions. Initially silent, Eisele eventually confessed to his heinous crimes in the presence of a Catholic priest and others.
Trial, Sentence, and Execution
With his arrest announced, Eisele was placed under protective custody as enraged townsfolk threatened vigilante justice. His trial commenced two weeks later, where he pleaded guilty to all charges and presented a written confession. Translated from German, his confession expressed remorse, sought forgiveness, and implored others to adhere to religious principles to avoid his fate. Eisele remained calm and detached throughout the proceedings, responding with quiet "No's" or a shake of the head.
The court found Eisele guilty and sentenced him to death. As the verdict was read, the tragic irony of his educated background juxtaposed with his dark descent was noted. On March 6, 1868, Joseph Eisele met his end on the gallows outside Parkersburg, his execution witnessed by a crowd of 5,000, necessitating a militia escort.
Sources
For more information, see the original Wikipedia article on Joseph Eisele.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Joseph Eisele murders Joseph Lillenthal in a saloon.
Second Murder Committed
Eisele decapitates Aloys Ulrich near Wheeling.
Third Murder Committed
Eisele kills Rudolph Tsutor in his apartment.
Attempted Murder and Arrest
Eisele attempts to murder John White and is arrested.
Trial Begins
Eisele pleads guilty and presents his confession.
Execution
Joseph Eisele is publicly hanged for his crimes.