2025 Holiday Hiatus

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We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving next week!

As Dayton Unknown does every year for the holidays, we are going to take a break for the rest of the year to enjoy time with our families.

We are always accessible through the Contact Us page, Dayton Unknown on Facebook, and by email – daytonunknown@hotmail.com. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram as well, at @daytonunknown!!

We’ll see you all in 2026!

Fox Terrier Saves Family

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During the early morning hours of September 16, 1927, Mr. Charles Wilson was awoken by the actions of a small fox terrier tugging at his bed sheets. The terrier had been sleeping in the barn nearby and when a fire started in the Wilson house, and the dog sprang into action. Now awake, Mr. Wilson roused his wife then attempted to run upstairs to rescue their 5 children, but the stairway was engulfed in flames. As Wilson was a painter, he had plenty of ladders and he ran out to the barn to get 3 ladders to put against the windows for the children. All 5 children made it out of the house safely.Wilson then ran half a mile to the house next door and called the Frigidaire Company’s Emergency department. They responded and put the fire out, aided by chemicals. By the time the fire was out, it had destroyed the house and everything in it. Wilson did not make an estimate of the damages he suffered, but speculation was that there was several hundred thousand dollars in damages. The children could not attend school because their day clothing was lost in the fire.

The fire appeared to have started in the dining room, but it is unclear how it started.

Dayton Quickie – Homemade Bomb in 1954

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On the night of July 31, 1954, Dorothy Rash was involved in an accident at the intersection of Terry and First streets. As she exited her vehicle, a homemade bomb suddenly landed at her feet and exploded with such force that a hubcap from a passing car flew off and landed in the street, leaving dents in the road. Dorothy was taken to Miami Valley Hospital and treated for wounds to her left leg.

The bomb was apparently thrown from a nearby railroad crossing. The motive for the bombing is unclear and no suspect was identified. A youth was spotted running away from the scene after the explosion.

Sources: Woman is Hurt in Bomb Blast, The Journal Herald, August 2nd, 1954; and Bomb Thrower Not Identified, Dayton Daily News, August 2nd, 1954

Local Author and Artist Jeff Wilson

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Vandalia Sign shop owners Jeff and Patti Wilson started a Facebook page Ohio Legends featuring drawings about local history and trivia. The posts were a huge success and soon friends were sending in their own trivia and stories to use on the page.

Now there are over 300 drawings, facts, and stories about Ohio’s rich history. Many were contributed by friends, family, and readers. Jeff verifies the facts and creates the drawings for those contributions. Three books, titled Ohio Legends 1, Ohio Legends 2, and Ohio Legends 3 have been printed with these fascinating stories and facts.

We had the honor of meeting Jeff in 2019, when all three of us were published in Wright Library’s zine glide, which is an art and literary zine made up of poetry, short stories, essays, and art focusing on the Miami Valley. glide was published as both a hard copy and a digital copy. There were so many entries that an additional online zine, glide on was made available as well. We are sad to share that Jeff passed way in September of 2024, but he will always be an Ohio Legend to us. 

A Duel Ends in Murder

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At Xenia’s intersection of Main Street and Detroit Street, a failed attempt at a duel shattered the peaceful Wednesday morning of November 26th, 1926.

Long time friends Clifford “Tacks” Latimer and Charles Mackrodt had been enmeshed in an argument regarding Mackrodt’s dismissal from his job at the railway police force, where Latimer served as his superior.

The men met up at the southwest corner in front of the Commercial and Savings bank and walked across the intersection to the northwest corner, where they argued in front of the Steele Building. Witnesses overheard the men discussing a duel, and they agreed to walk to a nearby alley to engage. Apparently, Mackrodt changed his mind at the last moment and turned to walk away when Latirmer pulled out a revolver and shot Mackrodt three times in the back. One of the shots pierced his heart and caused instant death. The other two shots would have likely proved fatal as well.

Deputy Sheriff John Baugan witnessed the shooting and along with Sheriff Morris Sharp, ran to the scene and arrested Latimer, who still had the revolver in his hand. Latimer did not resist arrest. He was held in the county jail, charged with first degree murder. Latimer claimed he shot Mackrodt in self defense, but was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Looking for Something to Do in Spooky Season?

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Check out Keith and Charline’s Haunted Garage! The Haunted Garage started as a Halloween party and expanded over the years into a garage display open to the public. Animatronics from well known horror movies and shows are intertwined with other macabre objects to make for an entertaining walkthrough.

Haunted Garage – Tipp City
Friday and Saturday Evenings from 7-10 pm
7373 Bard Road, Tipp City

The event is free, but donations for Multiple Sclerosis are accepted. Turn into the driveway for parking guidance and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and spooky delights.

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Angry Ghosts

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On a calm winter night in 1892, Edward Wallace was sitting with his wife and their five children in a room in their small log house near the railroad tracks in Waynesville. The night was peaceful and relaxing as they busied themselves with their own tasks. The quiet was interrupted when a ghost suddenly appeared before them. At once, the spirit blew out their lights and demanded they leave the house and never return.

Confused, the family members protested this idea. When they did, the ghost grabbed the nearest child, the oldest, Cora. He quickly shoved her facedown onto the nearby table and started beating her. In shock, the family members could only watch in horror, glued to their seats. They recognized the ghost as that of Joe Lynch, who was murdered in 1878 in Waynesville by James Buckner. Before they had time to wonder why he showed up or react to his actions, another ghost appeared and rescued Cora.
Continue reading →

Come See Us at Sanctuary Dayton!

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We will be in the Oregon District tonight as part of the celebration of Sanctuary Dayton Second Anniversary Celebration. Sara will be selling her books and Bethany will be there with Basil & Poppy Designs selling shirts, stickers, and more.

Come see us!