The Murder of Wade Marcum: An OHOCH Story

The Old Hospital on 
College Hill

It's been awhile since I've written about one of SRI's favorite haunted locations, the Old Hospital on College Hill! This haunted hot spot, located in Williamson, WV has quite a few ghost stories that have made it famous among paranormal investigators and paranormal enthusiasts around the country...but we've found that during our investigations at the former Williamson Memorial Hospital, we've been more apt to interact with some unknown entities. Therefore, I think it's important to highlight as many of the stories of those who died within the walls of this historic hospital as I can find. You never know who might try reaching out to you and who might not be completely at peace yet. With such a violent and bloody past as the Mingo County area has, there is no shortage of tragic tales and potential ghosts walking the halls of The Old Hospital on College Hill. 

One of the unfortunate souls who lost his life within the walls of the old hospital was Deputy Sheriff Wade Marcum. As the story goes, it was Saturday night, January 5, 1935. Marcum had stopped his car at the one-way bridge between Dingess and Kirk, in Mingo County. Albert Dillon, 33 years old, go out of another car and started shooting at Marcum. A gun battle ensued. Dillon was wounded in the left wrist. Marcum, however, took shots to the abdomen and the left leg. 

Hurt badly,  42 year old Marcum was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital where Dr. Henry Hatfield was called in from Huntington to attempt to perform a lifesaving operation on him. Dillon turned himself into authorities in Logan. On Monday, January 7th at 6:30am, Wade Marcum succumbed to his injuries, dying from shock. Later that day, Dillon made his first appearance in court. Until the very end, Dillon maintained that the shooting was done in self-defense. His father went on record as saying that Dillon saw Marcum's stopped car, and therefore got out of the car he was in and approached Marcum. He struck up a conversation and for no reason, Marcum started shooting at Dillon, hitting him in the wrist, and striking the other vehicle. Dillon turned briefly, and then began firing back. 

Not much was mentioned about the case until February 22nd, when a local newspaper mentioned that jury selection had begun and that Judge B.F. Howard had overruled a motion for a continuance on the grounds that three witnesses were absent---he instead sent out arrest warrants for the three missing witnesses. Deliberations only took a day or two, because by the February 23rd newspapers, it was reported that after 4 hours of deliberation, the jury had still not reached an agreement. 

I'm not sure if they ever did. As of this writing, I can't find any more mention of the case in any of the newspaper archive services I subscribe to. However, I did find a death certificate for Mr. Albert Dillon dated for 1948. He died in Logan County...not at the WV State Penitentiary. So, if he WAS found guilty, he didn't do more than 13 years.

The Old Hospital on College Hill is an awesome place to investigate, and it offers various public and private investigations throughout the year, as well as many other fun and spooky events. Check out their website, or follow them on Facebook for more information! 

Wade Marcum Death Certificate
Source: WV State Archives