Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Edward Funk, owner of New Boston, Ohio filling station murdered


My great-grandfather Edward D. Funk
I had grown up hearing the story of my Grandma Hacker's father being killed in a filling station robbery.  In the past 2 years I found newspaper articles online that detailed the hold-up, the death of my great-grandfather, the search for the killers, the trial, and the execution in the electric chair of both men.

On October 21, 1924, while Edward Funk was counting up the money at the end of the day, Lindsey Traylor, aged 20, entered the filling station to rob my great-grandfather.  He was shot three times killing him at age 53.  Lindsey Traylor's accomplice was 28 year old Jason Adkins.  Both men were tried and found guilty, and were put to death in 1925.


Jason Adkins

Lenzy Traylor

Photos of Jason Adkins and Lenzy Traylor were found online at: Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Ohio Executions - 1925

8 comments:

  1. They look like ne'er-do-wells...I can't imagine they got much out of the robbery either. What a waste.

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  2. Welcome to the genealogy blogging community, Barbara!

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  3. Welcome to the geneabloggers community! Love the title of your blog. :)

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  4. I am a huge old movie freak...the story of the hold-up and killing of your great-grandfather reminds me of a gangster movie. I can just see James Cagney portraying one of those killers. Only thing is...sadly, your story isn't make believe. It actually happened, and your great-grandmother was left a widow. SUCH a tragedy.

    Thanks for sharing such an interesting story.

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  5. Patti, I had that same picture going thru my head too. Old black and white gangster movie. I was impressed by the detailed newspaper articles that were written also. I guess they will be for another post.

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  6. I guess there was no correction & rehabilitation for those two. Sad end for all three....over money.
    Regard,
    Theresa (Tangled Trees)

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  7. Edward Funk was my grandfathers brother. I have several pictures of Uncle Ed and other pictures and information on family that I'm willing to share. My brother ordered a headstone for my grandfather,
    Lewis Richard Funk, just yesterday b may 29,1880 and d march 01, 1963
    Please feel free to contact me 251-586-2959
    varietypuppies@yahoo.com

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  8. Stanley Richard Funk found your site very interesting, thank you for your efforts. If you know anyone who may have information regarding my Mother Mildred Beatrice Hamilton Funk I would be very interested in receiving that information.

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