James H Mackey Murder
The Ticket, Tuesday, August 21, 1877
A Foul Murder, Shrouded in Mystery
Last Sunday night the dead body of James H Mackey, a lawyer of Brooklyn New York, was found in the woods about two and a half miles from Newport. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition. A broad and well defined fracture on the left side of the head left no doubt that death resulted from violence, and a Coroner's verdict was in accordance with the fact.
Papers found on the body showed that the murder had been committed since the 3d of this month. A roll of money amounting to $150 was in one of the pockets of the clothing, which was of the best, but a watch which was said deceased usually wore was missing. Deceased name was not registered at any of the principle hotels in Cincinnati, and what his business was in this locality was unknown; in fact all the circumstances attending the foul deed are shrouded in deepest mystery. There is, however, a plausible theory, that Mr. Mackey, a single man, of free habits came to Cincinnati, got on a spree and was then enticed to the lonely spot and murdered.