They Died Crawling: And Other Tales of Cleveland Woe

by John Stark Bellamy II

The foulest crimes and worst disasters in Cleveland history are recounted in these 15 incredible-but-true tales,
These gripping narratives deliver high drama and dark comedy, heroes and villains, obsession, courage, treachery, deceit, fear, and guilt—all from the streets of Cleveland. “A rollicking, no-holds-barred account of the facts (and continued speculation) about some of the darkest events and weirdest people in Cleveland’s history.” — Youngstown Vindicator

Genres: True Crime, History, Nonfiction, Local History

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1995

About the author

John Stark Bellamy II is the author of six books and two anthologies about Cleveland crime and disaster. The former history specialist for the Cuyahoga County Public Library, he comes by his taste for the sensational honestly, having grown up reading stories about Cleveland crime and disaster written by his grandfather, Paul, who was editor of the Plain Dealer, and his father, Peter, who wrote for the Cleveland News and the Plain Dealer."

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you not like a book called They Died Crawling? Very likeable survey of Cleveland disasters interspersed with crime sprees, with a riot thrown in for good measure. The author can get a little lipsmackingly impersonal about the people involved (more so with the criminals than the disasters), but the general lessons are: 1) Cleveland criminal justice authorities were often corrupt and/or inept in the early 20th century; 2) What a good thing there's some sort of regulation of businesses/utilities/sales of fireworks nowadays; and 3) Look what happened here! Perfect for under the Cleveland Christmas tree.

[Katie Moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read and a really fascinating historical look into Cleveland’s history.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting, at least for me. The stories were fascinating, but also completely depressing. I love learning new things about my hometown and seeing a glimpse of history. This book included stories about the waterworks explosion, a couple of murder mysteries (including the famous Sam Shepperd trial) and some other crazy things. It was a pretty good read! Easy to get through and very interesting.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this as a souvenir in the official Cleveland souvenir shop, where they had a good half-dozen of Mr Stark Bellamy's books; I was very impressed at their candour. This is a well-rounded selection of tales with a lot of research work put into it. I enjoyed the clear retelling of the backstories and long-term consequences of all these cases, not to mention the action in between. One thing I especially appreciated was the author's care to print the names and words of passersby who, caught up in violent events, became unexpected heroes.

[Kevin Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed how the author employed a style of writing that would reflect the periods depicted. Alongside the sensationalized headlines that were taken from actual newspapers, detailed eye-witness accounts and the beforementioned stylistic writing, made for a fun read on a dark subject - Cleveland's ugly underbelly.

[Gregg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellamy gives a very detailed read on many notorious crimes from Cleveland.

[David Burnworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow!!! Cleveland is jinxed. You have to read this one to believe how much Cleveland seems cursed.

[Chuck Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book about the worst crimes and disasters in Cleveland's history. Includes 15 different stories, including the 1954 murder of Marilyn Sheppard and subsequent trials of her husband Sam Sheppard, the 1944 East Ohio Gas Company explosion and fire on the near east side, as well as the still unsolved 1910 murder of millionaire William Lowe Rice in Cleveland Heights. Almost as interesting as the stories of the crimes themselves are the descriptions of Cleveland from different eras.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a native Clevelander, I had to read this. At times, the "tongue-in-cheek" tone got annoying, but on the whole it was an interesting collection of stories, some I had heard and/or read about; others were new to me.

[Joe Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle says it all: True Tales of Cleveland Woe. And Cleveland has seen a LOT of woe. Morbidly fascinating.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first in a series of books about the Cleveland area. I had no idea the crazy stuff that has happened in Cleveland's past. A definite must-read for anyone living in Ohio.

[Tina Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book , easy read, Since I am from Cleveland I can relate to the locations.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing little stories of disaster and death in Cleveland, Ohio, the city known to many as "the mistake by the lake." Perfect Christmas gift.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the stories are fascinating and give a glimpse into Cleveland's darker past, it's hard to ignore the subpar writing and redundant style.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting Stories - a bit over-the-top writing-wise.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, morbid, historically 'useful' "true stories of foulest crimes and worst disasters in Cleveland history". Couldn't have read another by the time I'd finished.