The Death of John Pancake: A TALA Tale

Former 2nd St. Bridge---Weston, WV
Source: WV Regional History Center

On January 22, 1917, John H. Pancake, a trusty patient of the Weston State Hospital went missing. He was last seen around 6 am that day, and according to local newspapers (without any explanation as to why), it was believed he either jumped or fell into the West Fork of the Monongahela River, which ran directly in front of the hospital. The river was very high, almost at flood level, and actions were taken to dredge the river in hopes of finding Pancake's body. The papers also note that his family back home in Hampshire County had not heard from him. 

It wouldn't be until the morning of February 3rd that his body was finally found. It was found floating at the foot of the 2nd Street Bridge. His death was ruled a suicide by drowning, and the date his body was found was given as his official date of death.

Unfortunately, not much is known about John H. Pancake, and what little I could find came from his death certificate. Mr. Pancake, who was 58 years old at the time of his death, was described as a single, white, male farmer from Romney, WV. He had been institutionalized at Weston State Hospital since September 19th, 1908...a little over eight years. 

His reason for being sent to the asylum were not listed on his death certificate, nor could I find any newspaper articles to explain his condition. And, although his body was sent home to Romney for burial, I cannot find exactly where he is buried.  There are quite a few John Pancakes from the Hampshire County area, but no John H. Pancakes. 

Perhaps we will never truly know John H. Pancake and what led him to spend his final days at the Weston State Hospital. But, I'll continue the search for additional answers in hopes that yet another patient will be respectfully remembered. 

Historical Note: The 2nd Street Bridge where John's body was found was the third such bridge crossing the West Fork River at this location. It was built in June of 1891 to replace the former bridge that had fallen into disrepair. This iron bridge was the site of another tragic chapter in Weston's history. In 1892, a black man accused of murder was lynched off this bridge. A photograph of the event was sold as a souvenir, documenting a dark practice in vigilante law enforcement.  You can read about that in my post (A Lynching in Weston).  

A new, concrete bridge---the bridge that visitors see today---was built in 1922. There's a wonderful article about the history of bridges at this location by Anna Cardelli. You can find it on Clio (The East and West Second Street Bridge). 

Looking for more information on the Weston State Hospital, also known as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum? I have a whole page of articles about the haunted history of this iconic location, with more being added all the time! 

TALA TALES

Martinsburg Evening Journal
31 January 1917

The West Virginian (Fairmont)
05 February 1917

Death Certificate for John H. Pancake
WV Vital Statistics