Where there is smoke..the forgotten murder of 8 people in Williamson, West Virginia

Follow us on Facebook for updates and photos, Hillbilly files legends and locations
Far as Biddie having a infant and a 5 month old, we just use info given. We have no way of knowing if that's correct or exact ages. and it doesn't really matter if its off a few months. Children are children. Tuesday, December 6, 1927
On the day that they were scheduled to testify at a murder trial in Williamson, West Virginia, 8 people including six witnesses were killed when the lodging they were staying was set on fire. Flames blocked both stairways leading from the upper floor, and all of the victims were found in a room where they had fled to escape the smoke.
Thank you subscribers and Patreon members! You help keep us on the road!
Join this channel to help us do more!
/ @thehillbillyfiles
Patreon link patreon.com/user?u=83008657
Help us travel gofund.me/62bc0ac7
Want to send us something? P.O Box 2491, Williamson West Virginia, 25661

[@OldGearTech]

I was wondering when you would get around to this story. This is one of the worst multiple homicides that ever took place in West Virginia. It's not very well known or documented, but there was an organized crime presence in Williamson in the 1920s. My grandparents and great-grandparents, who were Italian, referred to them as the "Black Hand". From what I could piece together from my grandmother and her siblings, one thing they were known for was being thugs for hire in so many words. They always got away with whatever they did, likely because the local cops were scared of them and there were probably some bribes involved as well. It was always a case of "not enough evidence". I remember my grandmother telling me about the Black Hand setting a fire in Williamson that killed several people that was about two blocks from where they lived, which was on 1st Avenue and Pike Street. So I think you have the location right. No one can say for sure who set the fire, but given the circumstances and the fact that there wasn't even an investigation, let alone anyone charged, makes me suspect there might have been something to what my grandmother said. I wish I would have had the foresight to voice record what that generation told me when I was a kid. At least the stories stuck with me. Thanks for another great video! I've said it many times before, but I'm glad to see you all documenting so many of these stories that many of us heard about growing up. There's another one maybe worthy of a video that took place 40 years later right down the street from there. If you remember where the Smokehouse Grill used to be, there were two older men said to be misers who lived on the floor above it. They were slain on May 23, 1968 and their murder was never solved.

[@JohnnySmith-r4s]

Thank you for doing this story. John L Marcum was my great uncle my grandmother (Katharyn Marcum Conn's) brother .My grandmother Katharyn Marcum married my grandfather Millard F Conn in 1921 Mingo Co, West Virginia. Willie and James Conn were my grandfather's brothers .John L Marcum was a witness in the murder trial of his father in law Justice of the Peace Elijah Wellman and three of Elijah's sons Hugh,Noah & Troy.They were on trial for the murder of William Hampton and brothers Willie and James Conn .

[@katgrey6239]

Thank you for sharing. 😢

[@debbiesnavely4676]

Great episode, but so terribly sad. So did the trial proceed and was the murderer convicted?

[@sherrilee230]

It's pretty tragic the stories that you come across that has happened through the years the cover-ups that people do just to get their way so that they can cheat on through life it's not fair thank you Leo and Heather that's a great story

[@bigdog593]

Thank you Leo for another wonderful story I loved the content of this my mom told this story to us when I was just a little boy please keep on documenting in our wva history as without u millions of people will never no our true history of our great state

[@brianpjohnson]

Hi Leo & Heather, what a sad story ,I appreciate you doing this story what a great way to honor their memory. God bless, Mr. Johnston I'm sorry for your loss .Rest in Peace God bless. Thier deaths where since less.JanSarlo

[@joanneweislocher8540]

So horrible😩but, I bet there’s been thousands of murderers walked away free. Thank you for sharing their story✝️

[@melm4760]

Leo & Heather, thank you all for another wonderful video.

[@Jo-lg8rj]

Thank you for documenting the grave yard

[@Tracywhited2]

Sounds an awful lot like a good deal of our current events going on. What a sad story. May they rest in peace.

[@GodSpeedMinistries]

It’s sad the police wouldn’t investigate a crime that involved the lives of one of their own, but we see police corruption even today, all over the state.

[@chrishensley6745]

So true man...here in East Tn. also...not here to serve and protect like years ago.

[@janetsides901]

It’s the whole world really corrupt police everywhere

[@DJoeClark]

Horrible tragedy. People are so evil and cruel. Thanks for keeping the story alive.

[@Regina-ov7yi]

Such a sad turn of events for 8 innocents. I agree with Leo in that Chicago Illinois didn't have a thing over on Williamson WV in the 1920's.

[@brianlykins6663]

Thanks for the story, guys. I think y'all are right about this being a murder, not an accident. Back then, even up into the 40's, 50's & even 60's, with a lot of folks living rural or small towns , there were probably a lot of murders that were not looked into and nothing ever done. Some, from what I've been told, were done with small corrupt law enforcement. A lot of areas then were only covered by a Sherrif and maybe a few deputies. If they were corrupt, anything could happen. Look at moonshiners, mine owners / operators, politicians, etc. What a shame these folks died with no regard for finding the truth. May they all have found peace, and the guilty parties got their just rewards. Thank y'all for all you do to bring these stories to us. God bless y'all and stay safe out there on your travels.

[@Lynn-uo3jl]

An infant= any baby under 2 years old.

[@gregorygibson5455]

Hello Leo and Heather

[@sharonprice9841]

Thank you Leo amd Heather

[@45beetle]

All those people were murdered the ones that did it didn’t get away with it maybe in this life but not in the next

[@annedurant6000]

Such a sad story 😞 RIP to all the victims 🙏 thank you for sharing this story guys😘🥰

[@GodSpeedMinistries]

I can’t see the backdrop of the hill in the 1927 picture. Could the Raymond Hotel possibly be on the other side of the street? It’s hard to discern which direction the photograph was taken. The sidewalk looked better in 1927 than it does now, however.

[@debpalm8667]

I saw a photo of Randall Macoy and his wife standing in the front row at Cotton's hanging. Reportedly didn't want him to hang. Please do a video and avoid the snakes. Blessings.

[@monicaann5459]

Wow never heard this story amazing sad story

[@sandrasmith7091]

So what happened at the trial? Was the man who killed that woman's husband get convicted at trial?

[@Susan71105]

Thank you

[@mjandjlholesapple2045]

Sounds like stair steps two young babies were probably born nine months apart in my great grandmother terms of lingo that girl was supposed to put a aspirin between her knees and not let it drop a very sad story great instigation

[@pammiedoodle8693]

Tragic and heartbreaking 😢💔

[@katgrey6239]

New subscriber here from Charleston, WV.

[@judypierce7028]

How horrible! Yes, the world is evil and cruel and always has been. Right on! It is not going to change anytime soon Leo. Sometimes research can be quite frustrating. You hit a dead end and don't know what direction to move. Been there and done that Leo. This case is probably one of the worse in WV's history. Thank you for this story.

[@bethgiesey9405]

So, so sad. Thank you

[@brendashaw2035]

Love your stories

[@jeffsmith6077]

Thank you for the video loved the story so sad ❤ from Vermont

[@Everett-eh4nn]

I am Leo's Yankee translator. When Leo say "To die", that means today!!! When he say" Buy B. He means baby.

[@White_Widowx]

Oh they got there justice when there killers have 2 meet there maker

[@gearhead2017]

People are just plain evil to burn up a mother and kids in a fire,RIP pearlie and kids

[@pakedermsfavs9080]

How did she have a five month old and a newborn?

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Just retelling what the newspaper said. Maybe one wasn't hers? I don't know.

[@roxannelandolt7852]

Maybe they were not both hers?

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

What a horrible tragedy made worse by the fact no one was ever brought to justice

[@OldGearTech]

One of the babies was likely a niece or nephew. Or the original report got one of their ages wrong.

[@wheredidthetimego8087]

They probably meant to say 5 year old

[@karenmiller2642]

Where are the babies?

[@user-ow1iu2wz1x]

Sad story. ❤

[@louellenrichard2807]

So sad

[@katgrey6239]

God knows what happened and who committed the crimes! He has already taken care of this tragedy.😢

[@debpalm8667]

😢

[@debbieeggiman6761]

Very sad♥️🙏🏻

[@bettywells1308]

Those days were very violent. I have a family story we need cleared up. I’d like you to look into it if you have someway for me to contact you…

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Our Email is: [e-mail]

[@connie2558]

Sad, sad, story would Mr. Johnson be willing to tell a little of the people buried in the cemetery? That was heartbreaking to hear he will be the last generation to own the land. Also, the "negro" man saving his brother it would be interesting tracking down their descendants to see what they know. Heroes to be remembered. Thanks again.

[@bobvalentine8927]

Very interested story

[@melindaschluter1669]

😢 ❤❤❤

[@sheliahyatt2531]

Where is the children buried?

[@lorie1357]

Cain & Able

[@mercedithcompala8148]

😢🎉

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Very sad story. May all the victims rest in peace 🙏 I agree with you Leo, the circumstances are too suspicious, this was murder. By the way Leo, I have some nice ocean front property in Idaho. Would you like to trade? ( Just kidding 😅 ) Thank you very much Leo and Heather, for telling this tragic story. 😥 Take care.

[@erichoppe]

I love your videos and i love your mustang beautiful car love the color As for the evils of this world as much as we try it seems nothing changes I guess this is why the good book bible says God seals his own on day they are born please forgive me if I got this somewhat wrong or totally wrong Question do you know what the verdict was by chance