Joseph Eisele—born around 1834 in the Grand Duchy of Baden (Germany)—remains something of a mystery beyond what he himself revealed. In a confession, he claimed to have served two years in the Papal Army, spending one year in Rome before deserting. After his desertion, he evaded capture by hiding in the mountains.

Around 1864, Eisele emigrated to the United States, settling in Parkersburg, West Virginia, where two years later, he got married. To make a living, he worked as a carpenter or woodworker—but locals considered his skill rather mediocre. What seemed to truly consume him was spending time in saloons, where he racked up substantial debts.

On a fateful day in mid‑June, Eisele visited a Market Street saloon he often patronized, owned by Joseph Lillenthal, another German immigrant. Once he confirmed they were alone, he viciously attacked Lillenthal with a hatchet—cracking the victim’s skull, slashing his throat to sever major arteries, and even chopping into his spinal column. After the murder, Eisele rifled through the saloon for cash, using the stolen money to pay off some of his mounting debts. The brutality of the crime shocked Parkersburg, leading to panic and the wrongful arrest of an innocent man named Taylor—who was later released due to lack of evidence.

Less than a month later, Eisele contacted Aloys Ulrich, another fellow German merchant—posing a profitable deal in Wheeling. On 29 June, they traveled near a stone culvert along the Hempfield Railroad, where Eisele attacked Ulrich with the hatchet, decapitating him. He then stole $75 and Ulrich’s watch, which he pawned, though he kept the chain. Due to decomposition, identification was difficult. But a ticket for the steamer Express and a case of saddler’s needles narrowed down the identity. Ulrich was ultimately confirmed through a postage stamp and a note from his brother Klemens in his pocket.

December brought a chilling escalation. Deep in debt to his physician, Dr. Koch, Eisele befriended Rudolph Tsutor, a Hungarian horse trader. Inviting him to his apartment near the depot, Eisele struck Tsutor on the back of the head with the hatchet, stuffed a cotton glove into his mouth, crushed his temple, and slit his throat from ear to ear—ensuring death before stealing $75 to settle more debts.

Eisele struck again on January 6, 1868, masquerading as John Schaefer, when he confronted coal merchant John White in Parkersburg over a debt. As White turned his back, Eisele swung his hatchet—but White dodged, taking the blow in the shoulder instead. White’s scream drew nearby men who chased Eisele, who ditched his weapon and was swiftly apprehended. Police found a cotton glove, towel—possibly meant for Tsutor’s mouth—and items belonging to Ulrich and Tsutor in his possession.

Placing him in protective custody amid an angry crowd, authorities proceeded to trial approximately two weeks later. Eisele pleaded guilty and submitted a written confession (in German) via interpreter. He expressed remorse, pleaded for forgiveness from both German and American communities, stressed that his wife knew nothing of his crimes, and reflected on religious practice as a shield against evill The jury swiftly found him guilty.

On March 6, 1868, Eisele was publicly hanged outside Parkersburg. The event drew an enormous crowd—over 5,000 people—so a militia squad escorted him to the gallows to prevent any lynching attempts.