Offers Lead in Sheriff's Death

Article taken from The Zanesville Times Recorder, January 15, 1953

A Zanesville truck driver last night furnished Adams county authorities with a possibility new lead in search for the slayers of Sheriff Ben Perry, Sheriff David Weisert reported.

Weissert, who relayed the tip to officers in the Southern Ohio county, said it was furnished by Paul Cheek, 1286 Linden avenue.

Cheek told this story to Weissert:

He was servicing his truck at a Portsmouth filling station Tuesday morning when a stranger, wearing a chauffeur's cap and a blue jacket, approached and asked for a lift to Wheelersburg, southeast of the city.

Cheek and his helper, Albert Bassenhack of Huntington, enroute to the West Virginia city, agreed to take the hitchhiker, believing him to be a truck driver.

The stranger displayed a large roll of bills when the trio ate at a nearby restaurant. Enroute to Wheelersburg, the hitchhiker displayed a .38 caliber revolver and bragged about his prowess with the weapon, claiming he used it to kill rabbits. He was also carrying a number of shells in his pocket.

Cheek had not learned of the Adams county slaying at the time and when he did learn of the incident on his return here, he immediately notified Weissert.

Cheek furnished officers with a detailed description of the man who left the truck at Wheelersburg about 9 o'clock Tuesday morning. The shooting occurred Monday night. Portsmouth is about 50 miles east of West Union, scene of the slaying.

Last Updated:
Friday, February 6, 2004 1:57 PM