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120 Years Ago, 1906 transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:
"Killed jealous rival. Sensational shooting. The principals in awful tragedy little more than children. Chas. M. Ludwick shot through the heart last night by Elton F. Ackerman. Both sides were suitors for the hand of Miss Theresa O'Connell who was a witness to the shocking affair."
"Fearful that his jealous rival had a revolver and sought his life, Elton F. Ackerman, a 15-year-old boy, shot and instantly killed Charles M. Ludwick at the front door of Thomas J. Lawlor's residence, 232 West Lincoln Avenue, Sunday night at 11 o'clock.
"The details of the shooting are intensely sensational, the three persons figuring prominently in the tragedy being scarcely more than children.
"Charles Ludwick, a young teamster who will be 20 years old in January, had been keeping company with Theresa O'Connell of Lansing Avenue, a girl of 16 years, employed as a domestic by Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Lawlor. Everything went smoothly until Theresa met Elton Ackerman, a tall blonde of 15, with whom she fell in love. Ackerman sought to call on the girl and his attentions were accepted, the girl informing Ludwick that she could no longer accept his favors. Ludwick was insane with jealous rage and threatened to get even with Ackerman, whom he accused of coming between himself and Miss O'Connell.
"One night some time ago he met Ackerman and the girl on the Public Square and showing a revolver told Ackerman that unless he gave Theresa up he would kill him. Again more recently at the home of Miss O'Connell's sister in Garland Avenue, while Ackerman was visiting there Ludwick put in an appearance, pulled a gun on his successful rival and threatened to kill him. Ackerman fled and informed the police. An officer searched for Ludwick but could not locate him.
"When Ludwick went to the house where Miss O'Connell was employed Sunday night Ackerman was there. He feared Ludwick again carried a revolver, but as he had one himself he was not afraid and prepared for a duel, meeting Ludwick face to face and warning him away. Then Ludwick grabbed him and there was a struggle, Ludwick trying to wrest the gun from Ackerman's grasp. The latter saw a friend of Ludwick's on the street in front of the house and expecting to be attacked by both men during the struggle, he pointed the weapon at Ludwick and fired, shooting the young man through the heart and killing him instantly. He then notified Mr. Lawlor and later surrendered to the police….
"The police had been looking for Ludwick for some time before the shooting occurred. A report was received early in the evening from the livery stable kept by Malloy & Kane at No. 7 East Front Street, that two young men, one of them answering the description of Ludwick, had hired a rig, and the owners had been told they were driving fast and abusing the horse. The police were notified to watch for the rig. When driven to police station after the shooting the horse was in an exhausted condition and the buggy was badly damaged.
"Ludwick's body was taken to Shriver's undertaking establishment and prepared for burial, after which it was removed to the home of the dead man's mother at 423 Clyde Street. His father is employed in Cleveland. Ludwick was a teamster….
"Elton's sister Edith has been looking after his affairs largely and has retained William S. Anderson to defend him."
– Compiled by Dante Bernard, museum educator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society