Deis was born in Baden, Germany on March 21, 1837, the oldest of five children to parents Philip and Franciska. They came to this country when John was 11. As soon as he was old enough to vote for president, John voted for Abraham Lincoln. Soon after that election, Lincoln called for volunteers for the Union Army. John immediately organized a company of men from the Dayton area then marched them to Fort Dennison, near Cincinnati. They enlisted and became Company M, First Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery with Deis as commander. He soon became 1st Sergeant and served until the end of 1864.
Deis’ military career included the battles of Pittsburgh Landing, Shiloh Corinth, Stone River, Atlanta, and Jonesboro, serving under Tecumseh, General Sherman, and William S. Rosecrans. John’s younger brother Philip had also joined but was unfortunately killed in Georgia during General Sherman’s March to the Sea.
When he returned to the war, he organized an officer’s club called the Old Grand Post #23, Grand Army of the Republic. He was Grand Marshall in many parades and took charge of Memorial Day. Deis helped to get the cannon erected in the soldier’s section of Calvary Cemetery. It was dedicated on May 30, 1901. His name was carved on the base as tribute.
John married Elizabeth Belm in 1861. Together they had 13 children with at least 6 living to adulthood. Deis was a member of The Knights of Columbus, St. John’s Society, and Holy Trinity Church. He also helped secure the site for St. Joseph’s Orphanage. John died in 1923 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery in a family plot along with his brother Philip.
Local Author: Ken Serey
Ken’s book What’s The Story? is a collection of first-hand stories from Ohio veterans who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The stories come straight from the foxholes with 20/20 vision, recounting their experiences with Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler’s Hideaway, German POW camps, and more.
Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley
Charity Edna Adams was born in Kitrell, North Carolina in 1918. Her father was a minister, and her mother was a former teacher. When she was a young girl, her family moved to South Carolina, which she later considered home.
Charity was intellectually gifted and started school in second grade. By the end of elementary school, she was tested and scored ready to start high school. Her parents decided not to advance her any more grades since she was already a few grades ahead of her age group in school. Charity graduated school two years early as valedictorian. At Wilberforce College, Charity majored in Latin, Math, and Physics. She held a part-time job and was involved in many student activities before she graduated in 1938.
During WWII, Charity was the first African American female officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC, later called WAC). She led the 3rd Training Regiment, made up of two white and one black platoon. At Fort Des Moines, she was promoted to Major, which made her the highest-ranking female officer at the fort and one of the highest-ranking WAC officers in the country. She then deployed to Europe and led the first Black WAC unit to serve overseas. For her work in Europe, Charity was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, the highest possible rank for WAC.
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The Tragic Disappearance of T.C. Kidd
A week went by without news until the morning of July 15, when a letter arrived for his wife. It read:
My Own Darling Wife:
Dare I still call you so? Can you ever forgive your wretched, miserable, erring, wicked husband for the great wrong he has done you? If you can, your charity exceeds that of angels.
You know, I presume as much concerning my trouble as I do myself. I know it happened, and I hardly know how. The association’s money was mixed with mine, and, as it was received at all times and in all places, was often forgotten or memorandums mislaid, and before I knew it I was a defaulter for, I supposed, $300 to $500. Then I grew desperate, trying in every way to redeem myself, (well, you know that business was next to nothing, and hoping and expecting by business and collections of debts owing me to come out all right.
The result I need not state. I dared not post my books, for exposure was then inevitable. So they were left.
The most cowardly act of my life I believe was leaving you the way I did. Yet when I left home in the morning I did not dream of it. It was an impulse of the moment, and I followed it. My intention was to commit suicide, and rid you and the world of such a worthless man, but I could not find it in my heart to commit the deed at home. I could not, so I left. Where I have been, Heaven knows – I do not! I know I have ridden and walked in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, and I also know I have not eaten enough since I left for one meal, or slept enough for one night’s sleep. My body and mind have both been in a grand tumult, and this is the first time for days I have been able to recall your name and address.
Spook-Ghetti at Spaghetti Warehouse
Enjoy a delicious Italian meal while listening to Haunted History and encounters of downtown Dayton and the warehouse. After dinner, take a haunted tour of the warehouse with local Paranormal Investigator Paula Dytko. For an extra $30 per person, experience getting to know the spirits of the Warehouse with the VIP 2-hour ghost hunt after Spook-ghetti ends. All levels of ghost investigators are welcome. Ages 16+.
Call Spaghetti Warehouse at (937) 461-3913 to reserve your seat.
Upcoming dates: June 6, July 11, August 1, and Sept 5
More Upcoming Events
This summer is shaping up to be a summer of fun with so many events happening!
- What: Passport to MetroParks
Date: May 24 (tonight!!)
Time: 6-9 PM
Where: 237 E Monument Ave, Dayton
Description: A preview of events taking place at each MetroPark this summer. There will be live music, food trucks, and park rangers. Representatives from upcoming festivals will be there to detail their upcoming festivals. - What: Cheese Fest
Date: May 25
Time: 3-10 pm
Where: Austin Landing, 10400 Innovation Drive, Miamisburg - What: Kettering Block Party
Date: May 29
Time: 6-8 PM
Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd, Kettering - What: Halfway to Hauntfest
Date: May 31
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: NextDoor Bar, 454 E Fifth Street, Dayton; Oregon District
Description: To celebrate the halfway mark to Halloween and reveal the theme for this year’s Oregon District Halloween festival. 21 and over - What: Dayton Pride
Dates: May 31-June 1
Times: 6pm-10 pm May 31
11am-4pm June 1
Where: Greater Dayton LGBT Center, 136 North Main Street, Dayton - What: Troy Strawberry Festival
Dates: June 1-2
Times: 10 am to 9 pm June 1
10 am to 6 pm June 2
Where: Downtown Troy - What: St. Christopher Festival
Date: June 7-9
Where: St. Christopher Catholic Church, 425 East National Road, Vandalia - What: St Helen Spring Festival
Date: June 7-9
Where: St. Helen Private Elementary, 5086 Burkhardt Road - What: Jewish Cultural Festival
Date: June 9
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Temple Israel, 130 Riverside, Dayton - What: Versailles Poultry Days
Date: June 14-16
Where: 459 South Center St, Versailles - What: Celtic Fest Ohio
Date: June 15
Time: 11am-10pm
Where: Renaissance Park, 10542 E Ohio 73, Waynesville - What: Pride Art Show
Date: June 21
Time: 5 PM
Where: Secret Chamber of Oddities and Artwork 17 West Main Street, Fairborn
Upcoming Events Spring/Summer 2024
- What: Hunger Days Food Truck Rally
Date: May 23
Time: Brunch 8-12 Dinner 4-8
Where: Hobson Freedom Park, 2910 Trebein Road, Fariborn - What: Dayton Pizza Fest
Date: May 25
Time: 5 PM
Where: Yellow Cab Tavern - What: Axe Throwing Tournament
Date: May 30
Time: 6:30 PM
Where: Wild Axe Throwing, 3251 Seajay Dr, Beavercreek - What: Summer Flea Market
Date: June 1
Time: 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Where: Kettering Rec Center Parking Lot - What: Touch a Truck
Date: June 1
Time: Starts at 9
Where: Kettering Rec Center Parking Lot - What: 3rd Annual Beavercreek Pride
Date: June 9th
Time: 2-8 PM
Where: EJ Nutter Park - What: Pride Celebration
Date: June 14
Time: 4 PM
Where: Delco Park - What: Wine Fest
Date: June 15
Time: 5 PM
Where: The Greene, 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek - What: Zinnia Days Craft & Vendor Show
Date: June 22 & 23
Time: Sat 9-4 Sun 10-3
Where: Greene County Fairgrounds
The Weyrauch Family Tragedy
“Walt,
They’ll find me in the water at Island Park. I couldn’t die and leave the children. At least they’ll never suffer.
Lou”
Family members searching Island Park found Lucille sitting on a curb in a daze. She was unable to recognize her relatives and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Police attempted to question Lucille, but she spoke unintelligibly and was unable to answer any questions. The Probate Court ordered her to be committed for an indefinite period. Walter Sr. later told police “she was nervous as hell and lost her mind, I guess. I should have never left her yesterday afternoon.” Acting Coroner A. P. McDonald said the children had been dead for about an hour when Walter Sr. discovered them.
Don’t forget to sign up for Sara’s Ghost Tours!
Sign up now!
When: May 11th at 2 and 4pm
Sara’s Ghost Tours
When: May 11th at 2 and 4pm
To register for this event, visit this link
Dayton Unknown 