Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Active Living

What is the Great Miami Riverway?

By

The Great Miami Riverway offers 99+ miles of charming riverfront communities, abundant outdoor recreation, and one-of-a-kind attractions. The Riverway is the corridor of cities and counties along the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio. It starts in Sidney, flows through Dayton, and stretches all the way to Hamilton County.

Highlights includes: 

  • Charming riverfront downtowns with unique shopping, delicious food, and fun events
  • Ohio’s only National Water Trail – the Great Miami River
  • Nation’s largest paved trail network
  • The US only National Aviation Heritage Area
  • World-class fishing – and the best smallmouth bass fishing in Ohio
  • Top Ten Bourbon Bar
  • Top Ten Steak Restaurant
  • Whitewater kayaking
  • 13 craft breweries
  • Parks of all shapes and sizes for every activity

Along the Riverway you can stop for a delicious meal, take a hike on a forested trail, paddle down the river, or explore a world-class museum.

Discover all we have to offer at www.greatmiamiriverway.com

Stay Safe. Have fun! Find Your Way.

5 Hikes/Walks to Explore this Winter in the Riverway

By

Don’t let cold temperatures keep you inside. Bundle up and get out there. The scenic views of the Riverway are beautiful in the winter. The Great Miami Riverway has some tips for safe winter hiking, and 5 great trails for you to explore. Take a selfie and tag us! #RiverwayWinter

Before you head out, plan and prepare to stay safe and warm during your adventures.

  • Check the forecast. Don’t let bad weather sneak up on you and ruin your hike.
  • Check trail conditions. Some trails go under water when it rains, or can be closed for construction. Find all closures on our Trail Conditions map.
  • Leave your travel plans with a trusted family member or friend. Let them know where you are going, when you are leaving, and when you think you will be back. They can help call for help if you don’t turn up when you are supposed to.
  • Dress appropriately. Layer up with at least three layers. Even if you don’t wear all the layers at the outset, it’s a good idea to take all layers on every outing. You can peel off layers if things heat up, but you can’t put on layers that you didn’t bring with you.
  • Take some essentials with you. A few things that should be with you include your phone with a full charge, a map and compass, sun protection, a first aid kit, a pocket knife, plenty of snacks and water, and matches or a fire starter.

 

  1. Brookside Park Loop in the City of Sidney’s Tawawa Park is a 1.2 mile trail that features a scenic woodland forest setting. Log a twofer and stop by the smaller Riverside Park on your way to Tawawa Park, and marvel at the gargantuan Big Four Bridge.



  1. Spend time and look for winter season birds in the woods along the Great Miami River at the City Park in Tipp City. This spacious park offers access to the Great Miami River Recreation Trail, lots of nature trails, tall trees and picnic tables. In the warmer months this park is buzzing with ball games, but in colder months there are plenty of trails to explore. Take a winter picnic with you!
  1. Run, Cycle, or stroll along the Great Miami River in downtown Miamisburg if you want both nature and access to hot chocolate after your outing. Park your vehicle at Riverfront Park and walk north on the Great Miami River Recreation Trail and you might see an eagle fly over the river. Visit the Curious Styles and Coffee shop for something hot to drink.

    1. A beautiful natural park, the Woodsdale Regional Park is 119 acres along the Great Miami River. Managed by MetroParks of Butler County, the park features three loop trails to choose from – a .7, a 1.0 and a 1.2 mile option. Free parking for Butler County residents – others can purchase a permit at https://www.yourmetroparks.net/about/motor-vehicle-permits

 

  1. The Winter Hike Series with Great Parks of Hamilton County has been getting folks outdoors in the beauty of winter for over 30 years. This year’s hikes offer multiple days and times at various parks to limit group hike sizes to 15 people.

Online Program to Explore Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

By

This free interactive online program will provide an overview of the outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the more than 16,000 acres of land Five Rivers MetroParks manages. From paddling, backpacking, fishing, camping, cycling, mountain biking and much more, you can spend a lifetime exploring each corner of the Outdoor Adventure Capital of the Midwest. Register

Register Now for MetroParks 2nd annual Trails Challenge

By

The MetroParks Trails Challenge is back for 2021, with new trails and more time in which to complete them. Starting Feb. 1 and running through Oct. 31, participants can check off 28 trails for hiking, walking, cycling, paddling, running, mountain biking and even horseback riding.

Five Rivers MetroParks locations’ are home to 160 miles of natural surface trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. The greater Dayton region is home to more than 340 miles of paved trails — the nation’s largest paved trail network — and 270 miles of river corridor.

More than 900 people registered for the inaugural 2020 MetroParks Trails Challenge, with participants completing more than 4,000 miles of human-powered travel — that’s longer than the Amazon River.

“Because participants explore the trails on their own time and in their own way, it’s easy to practice safe social distancing while participating,” said Randy Ryberg, MetroParks outdoor recreation coordinator. “The MetroParks Trails Challenge is a convenient way to improve your physical and mental health while connecting with nature and enjoying an active lifestyle.”

How to participate:

How to win prizes:

  • Complete just one trail in the challenge, and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local outdoor gear or bike shop of your choosing. You’ll receive one entry for each trail you complete. Complete all 28 trails and get 28 chances to win.
  • New for 2021, youth ages 14 and younger who complete just one trail will be entered to win a Kids Adventure Pack, which includes cool outdoor gear. Youth also will receive one entry for each trail they complete.
  • Also new this year, everyone who completes just one mountain bike trail will be entered to win a Huffy Mountain Bike. Participants will receive one entry for each mountain bike trail completed. Complete all three trails and get three chances to win.
  • Everyone who completes at least 18 trails will receive a MetroParks Trails Challenge sticker. Also, 100 people completing at least 18 trails will be selected at random to receive a MetroParks Trails Challenge T-Shirt.
  • Winners be notified by e-mail or phone. Prizes will be distributed after Oct. 31.

How to plan ahead:

  • Some of the trails in the challenge are segments of larger trails, so participants may have to hike, bike or shuttle back to their starting point. Other trails included are loops, starting and ending at the same point.
  • Some of the trails require special gear, such as a mountain bike or kayak, but participants can walk, hike, run or jog 21 of the 28 trails.
  • Participants must use necessary safety equipment, including a helmet and lifejacket, during their adventures.
  • Some park and trail amenities, such as water fountains, remain closed to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Please visit www.metroparks.org/covid to learn which amenities are closed.
  • Check the status of trails at MetroParks’ alerts page (metroparks.org/alerts), the Miami Conservancy District’s Trail Conditions page and the Miami Valley Trails’ alerts page.

 

Participants and Five Rivers MetroParks visitors should always follow the CDC’s recommendations, particularly for social distancing and wearing face coverings, while spending time outdoors.

MetroParks Expands Heart Healthy Trails Initiative

By

Five Rivers MetroParks has expanded its Heart Healthy Trails initiative by designating two new trails — one at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark and one at Englewood MetroPark — as part of the initiative.

MetroParks’ new Heart Healthy Trails are:

  • Wegeryn Gardens MetroPark’s Marie Aull Trail (1301 E. Siebenthaler Ave): This natural surface trail is an easy hike on flat ground. This trail is a one-mile loop and allows walkers to discover a variety of native trees and many opportunities to spot wildlife.
  • Englewood MetroPark red trail loop (4361 W. National Rd.): This 1-mile trail loop is a natural surface trail that’s easy to traverse. This trail takes you along the lake and through beautiful wooded areas. Make your hike a little longer and visit such points of interest as Oaks and Patty falls.

The Heart Healthy Trails initiative is designed to help people improve their physical and mental health outdoors. It was launched in fall 2020, when three existing trails were designated as Heart Healthy Trails.

According to the American Heart Association, just 30 to 40 minutes of exercise a few times a week will improve heart health. Additionally, exercising outdoors provides benefits traditional gym workouts do not, including a reduction of depression and stress, an increase in vitamin D, and more.

Heart Healthy Trails make it easier for people to exercise outdoors because they’re:

  • Easy to moderate
  • 1 to 2.5 miles long
  • Walkable at a brisk pace
  • Marked every quarter mile to help users track their pace

“These are easy, entry-level trails on paved or flat surfaces without a lot of elevation change,” said Angie Sheldon, MetroParks outdoor recreation coordinator. “Signage on the trails also helps people start walking outdoors as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Each trail is a little different, depending on the location and length, so people can try them all or pick a favorite.”

The American Heart Association recommends walking at a brisk pace, working toward walking at least 2.5 miles per hour or 24 minutes per mile.

MetroParks’ other Heart Healthy Trails are:

  • Wolf Creek Trail (start at Olde Town Depot, intersection of Wolf Creek Pike/Main Street and Broadway, Trotwood): This paved recreation trail is marked every quarter mile, so users know when to turn around to get the distance they desire. The trail is marked for a 2-mile walk (1 mile out and 1 mile walking back). Those who wish to continue along the trail can visit Sycamore State Park.
  • Island MetroPark (101 E. Helena St., Dayton): This trail is a paved 0.65-mile loop around the perimeter of the park. Trail users will enjoy landscaped beds, views of the Stillwater River and “Ashzilla,” one of the biggest trees in MetroParks. Located near the parking lot, “Ashzilla” is a large white ash tree. Walk the loop two or three times to get the recommended 30 minutes of exercise.
  • Germantown MetroPark (6206 Boomershine Rd., Germantown): Users will trek/walk new natural surface trails at the park. The Heart Healthy Trail includes portions of the purple, brown and orange trail loops, totaling 1.7 miles. Trail users can connect to Germantown MetroPark’s extensive trail system via the orange trial.

 

The Heart Healthy Trails are featured in MetroParks’ mobile app, powered by OuterSpatial, allowing trailgoers to easily navigate the trails, locate amenities and more. Download the app at www.metroparks.org/mobile.

Learn more about MetroParks’ Heart Healthy Trails by visiting www.metroparks.org/heart-healthy.

 

Online Beginner Yoga Series

By

New to yoga? This is your perfect starting point. In this four week series we will explore some basic elements of yoga, including breath, asana (poses), meditation, yoga philosophy, and even yoga etiquette. This class is designed for the beginning yogi, however, is a great workshop for experienced practitioners who wish to hone in on the basics.

This course will take place on four consecutive Sundays beginning January 10th. We will meet each Sunday with our video cameras on to dive into introductory learning of yoga. Please register through the “Online Event” link. You will need the following: ​*Zoom *a quiet space *a yoga mat *computer with speakers and microphone DATES: January 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st TIME: 3:00 – 4:15p COST: $39 per person Click the “online event” link to register. If you should miss a session, videos will be available to view until Sunday February 7th. However, please note that you will get the most out of these sessions by attending “in person.” Please Note: This product is non-refundable.

Thinking About Teaching Yoga?

By

Our next 200hr Teacher Training begins in January! On the fence? Join Devon for a virtual Teacher Training Open House on Jan 5th, 6pm. Registration is required in advance so that you can receive the link to join the open in house.

History, Mystery, Murder and Mayhem at Woodland Cemetery: Joseph Leslie’s Tragic Life

By Leave a Comment

Joseph Leslie gave his attentions to Mary Miranda Kaylor of New Lebanon, Ohio. Her mother, however, did not care for him and wanted to see her daughter date another young man in the neighborhood whom she did like. Joseph found out about this and it did not sit well with him. One afternoon, as he was in his upper room at the Horner’s Hotel, across the street from the residence of Miss Kaylor, he saw her return from a walk and then sit on her front porch and begin to sew. All it took was one bullet and Martha fell over and lived but just three or four minutes after receiving the shot. That was Friday, August 31, 1866.

Joseph denied the shooting but a six-shooter was found in his trunk with only one bullet discharged; burnt powder was found on the window. The neighbors had no doubt he was guilty and he was soon arrested and placed in jail.

On Friday, December 14, 1866, the Grand Jury handed down an indictment of murder in the first degree. The seating of a jury for his trial began in April 1867. It was a difficult jury to seat as most of the men interviewed had made up their mind that Joseph was guilty. The Daily Empire newspaper even wrote about the role the newspapers played in disseminating information to the public. “It seemed next thing to impossible yesterday, to get a jury on the case of Leslie… parties claiming to have made up their minds in relation to the case from what the papers had published regarding it.” They went on to say, “When newspapers publish full statements of such cases, it fixes the guilt or innocence of the accused in the public mind, and renders a subsequent trial a mere legal farce.”

During one questioning of a potential juror, he was asked if he had any “conscientious scruples regarding capital punishment,” but the man did not seem to understand the question. He was then asked, “Are you opposed to hanging?” and the man immediately replied, “No sir! The scoundrel ought to be hung up!” Evidently, he had read reports in the newspapers.

By the end of April, the trial had begun. Leslie’s defense team had witnesses testify that he was a quiet, law-abiding man that had served in the War. The Captain of his company testified that he was one of the best men under his watch.

On May 3rd, in just an hour and a half, the jury came back with a verdict of murder in the first degree for the shooting Miss Kaylor. Joseph Leslie did not move a muscle upon hearing the verdict nor did his face betray him. One of the deputy’s whom escorted him back to his jail cell said, “Joe, that’s hard!” in which Leslie replied, “Yes, that’s pretty heavy.” While it was thought that Joseph would swing from the gallows, he was sentenced to 10 years in the State Penitentiary.

In June 1881, Joseph had been living at the Soldier’s Home in Dayton and requested to be discharged on June 21st. In the early morning hours on June 27, he shoots himself in the stomach at a beer saloon on Jackson Street. It was reported in one newspaper that upon hearing that Mrs. Miller refused to marry him that he shot himself. Another reported that he couldn’t stand the warm weather. He refused to be taken to the Soldier’s Home and instead was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. He survived his wounds but soon succumbed by his own hands in December.

The headline in the New York Tribune read “A Murderer Commits Suicide” and the Dayton Journal headline read “The Final Act: In the Career of an Extraordinary Man.”  The Tribune article was a three line snippet of news that called Joseph Leslie “a worthless character” who committed suicide. The Journal wrote a more comprehensive article giving the details of Joseph’s life including his military service.

Joseph Leslie was a member of Co. A, 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry under the command of Col. De Villiers in the Civil War. He served three years and was known as a fearless soldier and a very determined man. At a skirmish in Big Springs, Tennessee, the fingers of his right hand were mangled by a Minnie ball so that they hung to his hand by shreds of the skin and amputation was necessary. Unfortunately, there was no surgeon nearby so Joseph cut the dangling fingers off with his own pocket knife.

It was reported that Joseph’s behavior was often times erratic. He was a loner, not one to hang around with the other men in his company. At Shiloh and other battlefields, he dug holes in the ground and slept in them at night by himself. He was honorably discharged from the service and received a monthly pension of just $18.00.

Joseph Leslie died on December 29, 1881 of an opium overdose. He was buried in an unmarked grave in the City Lot at Woodland Cemetery on December 30, 1881.

You can visit the gravesite of Mr. Leslie and all of the other people on the History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Tour at Woodland Cemetery by going to our Tour page and downloading our Woodland Mobile App. 

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. It is the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Erma Bombeck, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Charles F. Kettering, John H. Patterson, Gov. James M. Cox, George P. Huffman, George H. Mead, and Levi and Matilda Stanley, King and Queen of the Gypsy’s and more than 111,000 others who made it great in Dayton.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and until 7 pm during Daylight Saving Time. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.

Empower Hour at The Brightside

By

Participant Expectations;
-Participants are encouraged to wear a mask upon entering and leaving the facility and when not engaged in physical activity.
-Participants should not attend class if they are exhibiting any signs of shortness of breath, cough or fever.
-Participants are required to bring their own water bottles.
-Upon arrival, participants cannot gather or visit in the parking lot.
-Participants will be asked to remain in their vehicles until INNERGIZE staff can let them into the building one at a time no earlier than 5:20 p.m. to ensure 6ft social distancing guidelines are met.
-Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipe will be available for use prior to using the stairwell.
-Participants will be asked to sign in and then find a marker on the floor to remain for the duration of the class to ensure 6-ft social distancing guidelines are met.

Ice Skating at Fairfield Mall

By

Join us for a festive night of socially-distanced holiday ice skating under the stars! Enjoy ice skating in our parking lot on a portable ice skating rink! Enjoy fun family-friendly holiday music and more.

Cut Your Own Tree

By

Visit Ohio’s oldest educational forest to take part in a longstanding Yellow Springs tradition! Cut your own Christmas trees, grown by the School Forest Club of Yellow Springs High School. Funds raised support the club’s efforts at Glen Helen.

Link: Dayton Bike Share Plans for 2021 Expansion

By

Link: Dayton Bike Share is planning to expand its network of bike hubs to two Dayton neighborhoods. The Huffman Historic Area and Carillon neighborhoods will see hubs installed next spring.

 

The City of Dayton, who is supporting the expansion, is a critical partner in helping Link connect to neighborhood leadership. “Link: Dayton Bike Share has been an amazing resource for keeping our city active and bike-friendly. I am glad to see this expansion happening in the Carillon and Huffman neighborhoods, and I know it will be a great amenity to our residents,” says Mayor Whaley.

 

“Bike Miami Valley has spent some time at a few neighborhood meetings now explaining the project and gathering neighborhood input. Our neighbors are looking forward to using the bikes on the Great Miami River Trail and connecting to the restaurants on Brown Street,” said Carillon Neighborhood President Gwen Buchanan.

Link: Dayton Bike Share recently evolved to a hub-based system this past summer that uses the Link Dayton app to access the fleet of Green Link bikes and electric eLink bikes. “One of the goals of this evolution was to make it less capital intensive for Link to expand,” says Laura Estandia, Executive Director of Bike Miami Valley. “We are thrilled to be bringing bike share to more Dayton neighborhoods as a result of this change.”

 

Exact locations in both neighborhoods are still in the planning phases. “The Huffman Historic Area has been experiencing such exciting reinvestment and revitalization, and the decision to add a new Link hub within or boundaries is just one more fantastic element to continue that excitement,” says neighborhood President Matt Jahn. “It not only adds an amenity to our residents but helps better connect Huffman, its neighbors, and businesses to Downtown in a responsible and sustainable way. We can’t wait to have the Link hub finalized and support its use.”

Qigong at Deeds Park

By

Join us on the grassy circle of Deeds Park, around sunset on Wednesday evenings (appropriately socially distanced, of course) to listen to our energy, body, and state of well-being – and in the process breathe deeply, move slowly and shake off any stress of our day . . . with Qigong. Immortal Tree Qigong will guide participants through Qigong routines that help each participant better understand their own nature—without judgment or competition.  The hour-long session will start with breathing exercises, warm up, Qi activation and gentle stretching.  Participants will then be guided through flowing movements each punctuated by a short standing meditation.  We will end with a slightly longer guided standing meditation before we bow out.

Thanksgiving on the Trail Backpacking Trip

By

Join Great Miami Outfitters for Thanksgiving on the Trail Backpacking Trip.

Red River Gorge Geologic Area
3-Day/2 Night-Thanksgiving on the Trail Backpacking Trip

Friday November 13th, 2020 to Sunday November 15th, 2020

Enjoy 3 days and Two nights of backpacking and one of the nights will be our Thanksgiving Dinner! We encourage you to make your best “one pot” personal Thanksgiving backpacking meal. Use and existing recipe or come up with your own delicious concoction. This is always a fun way to get out before the Holiday craziness starts.

In addition to a group holiday meal, we will spend time exploring the Red River Gorge Geologic Area. From natural arches to amazing vistas, we will experience the best of what the Gorge has to offer.

Our group will be using a variety of outdoor skills required for backpacking, including – proper campsite set up, filtering and purifying water, proper food storage, Leave No Trace principles, and more! If you are looking for more education of these or other topics, let our Program Staff know at the pre-trip meeting and they will incorporate more education into your trip!

Sorry, no pets allowed.

LOCATION:
Red River Gorge Geologic Area
Slade, Kentucky

DEPARTURE & RETURN:
We will meet at the Trailhead Friday, November 13, 2020 and arrive back to the cars on Sunday, November 15, 2020 to depart for home. All trips take place rain or shine!

HIKING MILES: This trip will require a total of about 26.5 miles of hiking.
Day 1 Friday – 2.7 miles
Day 2 Saturday – 7.6 miles
Day 3 Sunday – 4.4 miles

DIFFICULTY RATING:
2 – Moderate
We rate each trip based on the following criteria:
1 = Easy/Beginner Friendly
Hiking with a small amount of elevation gain and loss. Less than 5 miles per day.
2 = Moderate
5 to 10 hiking miles each day and more elevation gain and loss than we experience in the Dayton Area.
3 = Difficult/Advanced
7 to 15 hiking miles each day and more elevation gain and loss than we experience in the Dayton Area.

TRIP COST:
$175 per participant. Register here.

What is included? Your registration fee includes professional trip leaders, permit fees, planning & logistics.
Not included: Does not include any equipment, gear, meals or snacks, and transportation.
This is an outdoor trip – rain or shine.

RENTAL OPTION FOR BACKPACKING EQUIPMENT
• You can select Rentals options for course while registering.

PRE-TRIP MEETING
Monday, November 9, 2020 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.
A Pre-Trip Meeting will be held on live video chat. During the meeting, we will distribute equipment outfitting, discuss meal planning & nutrition, logistical details, and any other trip-specific details.

ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The following requirements must be met in order to participate in this trip. Please let us know if there are any issues.
– The participant must independently participate in all individual skills and activities listed in the trip description.
– The participant must be able to effectively communicate with the trip leader and other trip participants.
– The participant must be able to manage all personal care independently, or with the assistance of a companion.
– The participant must be able to manage all personal mobility independently, or with the assistance of a companion.
Participants are responsible to know their own abilities and skills and are responsible for their own safety and comfort. Trek and Paddle Adventures will not make any such determination; however, we will be happy to answer your questions or concerns. Outdoor activities may require some strenuous exercise.

If you do not meet the requirements listed above, or if you have any questions, email us at [email protected] or call us at Great Miami Outfitters (937) 938-5009 and ask to be connected to a trip leader.

If no spots are available, please call (937) 938-5009 to be added to the wait list.

History, Mystery, Murder and Mayhem at Woodland Cemetery: The Murder of Mamie Hagerty

By Leave a Comment

Royal Albert Fowler

Royal Albert “Roy” Fowler lived on Harshman Street and his back yard ran up to the back yard of Mary “Mamie” Hagerty. That’s where they met and where Roy became infatuated with Mamie. He bought her gifts and trinkets to show his admiration and they soon became a couple. And not long after, they began having lover’s quarrels.

Mamie had Roy arrested not once but three times. During one incident, he had threatened her life saying he was going to cut her throat so Mamie had him arrested on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. He served time in the workhouse and it was said that Mamie carried his meals to him and tantalized him while doing it.

On Saturday afternoon, August 18, 1906, Roy went to Mamie’s house and said, “Let’s make up.”

“Go to hell,” was Mamie’s reply.

Roy became so aggravated by her response that he pulled a revolver from his pocket and fired two shots at his sweetheart. Mamie ran from the house screaming and after she got outside, he fired two more shots at her. Mortally wounded, Mamie ran down the street and dropped dead at the corner of Second and Harshman streets at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Roy immediately left the area after the shooting and hopped on a Dayton, Covington and Piqua traction car and rode to West Milton. There he pawned the murder weapon to a man for $2. He stayed overnight there and in the morning boarded another car to Piqua where later that evening he read in the Dayton Herald the story of Mamie Hagerty’s murder. Roy went to police headquarters in Piqua and turned himself in. Dayton police traveled to Piqua and picked Roy up and placed him in the Montgomery County Jail.

Roy was represented by the law offices of attorney John Egan. Witnesses for the prosecution made a strong case against him. Mrs. Hagerty said the January before her daughter’s murder, Roy had thrown her daughter to the floor and attempted to cut her throat with a butcher knife. Jacob Donneker said he heard Roy shout, “God damn you. I’ll fix you,” and then he saw him fire two shots. Another witness, Isador Rosensweet claimed that he yelled to Roy, “Don’t run away, you coward.” Roy was indicted by the Grand Jury. His trial began on December 6, 1906 and he was found guilty of murder in the first degree on December 27. He was sentenced to die in the electric chair on May 29, 1907 at the Ohio State Penitentiary. When asked by the judge if he had anything to say about his sentence Roy replied, “Only this: That when I went over there, I had no more intention of killing her than you had.”

His attorney’s filed a motion for a new trial on nine grounds including allegations that several of the jurors had expressed opinions of the defendant’s guilt before the trial. The request was overruled.

Soon after being moved to Columbus, Roy was looking peaked and worried. He was not eating or sleeping well. The guards believed he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. They also expected trouble from him. A month later an extra guard was placed to watch over him. He acted up with prison attendants and was suspected by the guards of wanting to end his life. Less than two months after the placement of the additional guard, Roy was threatened with the “paddle and water” treatment unless he became more manageable. He was constantly causing general trouble and had threatened the life of a fellow inmate.

On May 23, 1907, just 6 days before he was to be executed, the Circuit Court suspended his death sentence from May 29 to August 20. He received a reprieve by Governor Harris until October 17 and on that day, the Board of Pardons refused further clemency and November 1 was selected for his day of execution.

In an early October interview, Roy referred to his execution as “the coming event.” He said that he feared dying and wanted to live but he had no hope of favor from the pardon board. He stated he had no inclination towards religion and spent most of his days and time into the wee hours of the morning reading novels about love and adventure. When not in arguments with his fellow inmates, he liked to engage in games of checkers and cards.

Attorney John Egan had worked hard for his client but in the end, he met death at the executioners hand and died a few minutes after midnight on November 1, 1907.

Unmarked grave site for Roy Fowler

Funeral services were held in Dayton on Monday, November 4. He was viewed by more than 3,000 people before the white plush casket he laid in was closed to the public. Only 27 people attended his grave side service. Roy’s last request, that a rose his mother gave him when she last saw him alive and the photo button bearing a likeness of his sweetheart, Mamie Hagerty, which he wore from the time of his arrest be buried with him. His request was granted. At the last minute, the rose his mother gave him was exchanged for another by his mother. She took the other rose home as a keepsake for her wayward son. Royal Albert Fowler is buried in an unmarked grave in Section 111 Lot 3009.

Mary Hagerty is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

 

You can visit the gravesite of Royal Albert Fowler and all of the other people on the History, Mystery, Mayhem and Murder Tour at Woodland Cemetery by going to our Tour page and downloading our Woodland Mobile App. 

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio. It is the final resting place of the Wright Brothers, Erma Bombeck, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Charles F. Kettering, John H. Patterson, Gov. James M. Cox, George P. Huffman, George H. Mead, and Levi and Matilda Stanley, King and Queen of the Gypsy’s and more than 111,000 others who made it great in Dayton.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the University of Dayton Campus. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm and until 7 pm during Daylight Saving Time. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum website.