The Grapevine: Past and Present with Harry Powers and Recalling Time with Famous Clarksburg Residents
By Rosalyn Queen on November 04, 2021 from The Grapevine
Throughout my entire life and especially as a little girl I heard about the Murder Farm and about Harry Powers. Anytime I heard anyone speak of this I really had an eerie feeling. Many times, my father would take us for Sunday drives, and we would pass by this farm, and I was always afraid that I would see something scary, but I never did.
This past week my son, Michael, purchased tickets for Cathy and Dan Fisher, Fray Queen, Lisa and Abe Gibson, Leslie and Dixon Pruitt and me. We were going to see the documentary Romeo Must Hang, which was showing at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center. 
Approximately 450 people were in attendance.
Approximately 450 people were in attendance.
Preceding the film, a video was shown of the Gray Agents, a local band singing about the Murder Farm. Members of the group are Davin Seamon, John Farmer, Phil Wyatt, Bob Workman and Brian Cottrill.
This documentary came about when Jeffrey Tinnell was in Clarksburg at the Waldomore working on a film about Gray Barker, a local gentleman who had a large collection of items relating to UFOs. Andy had written several books about this subject. The idea of a documentary about Powers came to Tinnell, and after discussing it with Bob Wilkinson, who was the director, an idea came to life with Tinnell as the producer. Bob Wilkinson was the director
This all happened around 1931-32 when a mother and five children were killed. His trial was held at a local movie theatre, the Moore’s Opera House. He was found guilty and sentenced to hang which occurred in Wheeling.
The Clarksburg History Museum has an exhibit of West Virginia’s most infamous serial killer. It is located on Main Street and Mike Spatafore is the board president.
This story came to be immortalized in a classic film, “Night Of The Hunter” starring Robert Mitchum and Shelley Winters. Ironically, the novel was written by a local author Davis Grubb.
Just a little “the rest of the story.” My good friend, Merle Moore, who was the librarian and lived in a little garage apartment on Main Street had a great mix of friends and you could find them squeezed in her apartment on Saturday night enjoying a glass of wine and educating me on the local culture. On one occasion I had the pleasure of interacting with both Davis and Gray.
Miss Moore is included on the documentary making comments about the Powers story. After retiring Miss Moore moved to her home on the river in Webster Springs.
Take care and until next week, “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.