The Hatchet Man

Huntsville – Logan County, Ohio 

Andrew Hellman also know as Hatchet Man ( Ohio’s First Serial Killer)

I tricked my nieces into going on a little adventure with me. I told them we were going legend hunting for Ohio’s first Serial Killer. While driving to Logan Co Ohio I told them the story as it was told to me. 

Andrew Hellman was a German immigrant to migrated to Central Ohio in the mid 1890’s with his wife and three children. It was not an easy time to be a immigrant in Ohio. People do not like different. He struggled to find work and take care of his ever growing family.  Over the course of a year Andrew’s children mysteriously died. The following year Andrew’s wife was found cut into pieces in their family home. Killed by Andrew with a hatchet. Andrew was arrested and sencenced  to death by hanging but escaped and fled to Maryland. While in Maryland Andrew met and married his second wife.  Shortly, after they were married his second wife was also found murdered, cut into pieces in her home. Her husband Andrew claiming he had no idea what happen. By this time word of what Andrew had done to his first family reached local Maryland Authorities and Hellman was arrested again. He did not escape this time and was executed by firing squad in Maryland His body was sent back to Ohio and was buried next to his wife an children.

This story always struck me as odd, that they buried this man next to the family he supposedly murdered. But, the head stones are there at the Harrod Cemetery Andrew his wife and three children.  

I have been the this cemetery twice now but, last time there was a new housing development going in so I do not know how much longer it will be there. If you would like to go see he Harrod Cemetery and visit the Grave of Ohio’s First Serial Killer you can find it off Highway 56 in Logan County outside of Huntsville.