Frank Fisher Killed His Sister

The Fairmont West Virginian, June 22, 1906

Coroner Amos Telephoned For

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     A telephone message was received here this afternoon to the effect that Frank Fisher, on the head waters of Buffalo Creek, in Mannington district had shot and killed his sister this morning.  The message stated that the killing was intentional and was witnessed by a sister of the murdered girl.  Coroner Amos was asked to come to the scene of the murder but her has not gone yet.  He and Prosecuting Attorney Lowe will probably go this evening.

     The Fisher home is said to be within a half mile of the Wetzel county line.  Very few details of the affair could be learned at press time. 

The Fairmont West Virginian, June 23, 1906

Was Arrested Then Released

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     As stated in yesterday's West Virginian, Coroner Amos was called to Mannington district yesterday afternoon to investigate the killing of a sister by Frank Fisher.  Coroner Amos started to the scene of the killing, but before her had gotten far from Mannington her met Deputy Sheriff J.D. Charlton, A.F. Millan and Brice Jolliffe, who had been at the scene of the shooting.  They reported that it was impossible to find out how the affair happened and that it was absolutely unnecessary to try to ferret out the facts in the case.  The Fishers seem to be a very trashy set of people, the father and one brother of Frank now serving time in the penitentiary.  The girl who was killed was said to be fairly good looking and had a brighter intellect than the others, but the lives of the whole family are said to be on a very low plane.

     An investigation by the officers failed to establish a sufficient number of facts upon which to base a further attempt and an order was issued to bury the girl without a coroner's investigation and Fisher was released.

     There's no more info to be found about this murder, not even what the girls name was or her age.  The whole thing just seems really strange, and I get the feeling the Fishers may be the inspiration for Deliverance.  Perhaps the police figured it best to just keep their distance!  

Berkeley Castle

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     Berkeley Castle, aka Berkeley Springs Castle, was originally built for Colonel Samuel Taylor Suit from Washington DC.  He first met his wife, Rosa, at Berkeley Springs and the residence was meant to be a place of peace and relaxation. (Apparently Rosa didn't want to marry the guy until he promised to build her a castle - he was 30 years older than her!)  Unfortunately he died in 1888 before it was finished.  After his death the quality of work done on the castle was obviously not as good but, was completed sometime in the early 1890's   You see, in his will he stated that Rosa had to finish the place before she could inherit his money. 

     For the next 20+ years Rosa lived the high life.  She threw parties and spared no expense on her guests.  She hired orchestras and caterers, and even paid for their hotel rooms.  By the time she was 50 she had spent all the money and had to start renting the place out.  She ended up in a tiny house raising chickens until her son took her to live in Idaho.

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     The castle was put up for auction a few times, and in 1916 it was bought by the Bank of Morgan County. George Cunningham, a local businessman, owned it between 1923 and 1938.  He had planned on turning the castle into a hotel, but it never ended up happening.  

     It was used in 1924 as place to throw Pasttime Club dances, and Friday nights in 1936 the "Old Castle Club" held it's dances.  Writers and artists would also stay in the castle in 1929.  

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     After Cunningham, Berkeley Castle was owned by Ward Kesecker.  He fixed the place up, did repairs, and even added an addition.  In 1939 a hobby and antiques fair was held at the castle for two weeks.  During this time is was also used by the Monte Vista Boys Camp.
     In 1954 Walter Bird purchased the castle on the creepy castle on the hill.  He's the one who finally figured out how to make some money with the place, tours.  He would make up wild stories about things that had happened there.  You know, murders, battles, ghosts, that sort of thing. He made it the place for tourists to go for nearly 50 years.

       The current owner is a Andrew Gosline who bought the castle at auction in 2002.  He was a retired data processor, from Florida, when he read an ad about the castle and auction.  Well, it was near his birthday and he decided to go check the place out.  He and his sons went and ended up buying the place.  He says, "I really didn't expect to buy it.  It's just one of those things you get caught up in."
      Although sometimes people show up looking for a tour of the place, it's just a residence now.  Mr. Gosline stated, "I find I have to keep the doors locked.  The people try to come in and walk through."  It's just a big castle for two, Andrew and his dog, Duke.
     

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     The Castle is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places, and can be rented out for weddings.  You can visit its website at berkeleyspringscastle.org and take a virtual tour here.