age: 53

Cleveland Leader 8/8/1859:
E. T. Sterling, president of the Cuyahoga Steam Furnace Co., died Aug. 6, the victim of a cruel attack. He was found unconscious at Bank and Frankfort sts. And died without regaining consciousness.

Cleveland Leader 8/8/1859: The community was thunder-struck yesterday to hear of the death of Elisha Sterling, a prominent business man of the city. Mr. Sterling was found lying unconscious on Bank St. in the early morning. Circumstances surrounding the incident suggest foul play. It is know that Mr. Sterling spent most of the night in the room of his friend, Mr. Sherman. At the coroner's inquest Mr. Sherman stated that Mr. Sterling had tumbled down the stairs as he was leaving the rooms. Doctors examinations reveal that Mr. Sterling could not have sustained such injuries by a mere fall. Testimony of other witnesses indicates that he was slain as an aftermath of a night of gambling and drinking. A verdict in the case is expected tonight. Mr. Sterling lived at 10 Euclid St.

Cleveland Leader 8/9/1859: In a letter to the editor, "Anti Grog and Murder" says: Drinking and grog shops are responsible for the murder of E. T. Sterling, and should be closed.

Cleveland Leader 8/9/1859: W. J. Warner offers a $500 reward for the arrest and conviction of the murderer of E. T. Sterling.

Cleveland Leader 8/9/1859: A coroner's jury yesterday began hearing evidence in the death of E. T. Sterling.
Mr. Sterling's son James, testified he had been awakened by Kinsman Sherman, in whose room E. T. Sterling had been drinking, and playing cards. Mr. Sherman told him his father had apparently fallen downstairs and been killed.
Five physicians, however, testified that Mr. Sterling's wounds were too severe for a fall.
Several witnesses said they had heard noises at the side of the Weddell House (where the murder was committed) but said they had seen nothing. Thomas Dorsay, watchman, claimed to have seen Mr. Sterling with three companions at the Weddell House. He said they had left Mr. Sterling there.
The jury adjourned until today.

Cleveland Leader 8/9/1859: Mayor Senter called a special meeting of the city council last night to take some action on the murder of Elisha Sterling. The coroner's jury reached no verdict. Council adjourned until tonight.

Cleveland Leader 8/10/1859: Ten more witnesses testsified at the coroner's inquest into the death of E. T. Sterling.
One witness testified to having heard loud talk and swearing at Bank and Frankfort sts. (murder site) but recognized none of the voices.
J. W. Garwood said a man whom he didn't know told him he had seen Mr. Sterling with about $3,000 in winnings in the card game at Mr. Sherman's room, outside which the murder occurred.
The story is not impossible, but highly improbable as any intelligent reader can see. The jury has adjourned to reach a verdict.

Cleveland Leader 8/11/1859: The coroner's jury found that E. T. Sterling had died of a hemorrhage on the brain produced by a fractured skull. Circumstance pointed to violence at the hands of an unknown person, but the verdict also expressed the possibility of the fracture being caused by a fall.
"We understand the last clause was added as a compromise to a single juror . . . . An arrest of the persons implicated by the circumstances of Mr. Sterling's death is demanded by the blood of a murdered citizen, by justice, the public safety and the public voice."

Cleveland Leader 8/11/1859: "The real facts in the case (Sterling) may never be found out."

Cleveland Leader 8/12/1859: "The verdict of the coroner's jury investigating the death of Elisha Sterling was a compromise decision. Many conflicting stories were given in evidence and it was practically impossible to determine the nature of Mr. Sterling's death.

Cleveland Leader 8/12/1859: City council met last night and transacted the following business: Resolutions adopted – That the mayor be authorized to offer a reward of $2,000 for the arrest and conviction of the murderer of E. T. Sterling. That the thanks of the council be tendered to the mayor and the police of the city for their efforts to bring to the notice of the coroner's jury any and all information connected with the death of Elisha Sterling.

Cleveland Leader 8/12/1859: A judicial investigation into the death of Elisha Sterling should be made. Circumstances surrounding Sterling's demise indicate foul play. Citizens are urged "to meet and take steps to detect the shedder of Sterlings blood, so that life and property may, in the future, be safe."

Cleveland Leader 8/13/1859: County commissioners authorize Sheriff Wichtman to offer a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who murdered E. T. Sterling.

Thanks to Find A Grave contributor Lorraine Hess dor the following:
Elisha Sterling
View Memorial
Suggested Edit:
p. 396, North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000
Name: Elisha Thomas Sterling
Gender: Male
Age: 53
Birth Date: 15 Jul 1806
Birth Place: Salisbury
First Marriage Date: 30 Jul 1833
Death Date: 7 Aug 1859
Father: Elisha Starlin [Elisha Sterling]
Mother: Alma Canfield
Spouse: Margaret Tuttle
Child: James Tuttle Sterling

p.342, North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000
Name: Elisha Starlin
Gender: Male
Age: 71
Birth Date: 5 Nov 1765
Birth Place: Sterling City
First Marriage Date: 25 Jan 1791
Second Marriage Date: 8 Dec 1830
Death Date: 3 Dec 1836
Father: William Sterling
Mother: Jemima Sill
Spouse: Alma Canfield
Sarah Norton
Child: William Canfield Sterling
Harriet A Sterling
Frederick Augustine Sterling
John Montgomery Sterling
**Elisha Thomas Sterling
Theodore Buel Sterling
Henry Dudley Sterling
George Washington Sterling
Alma Canfield Sterling