Harry F. Powers: The Bluebeard of Quiet Dell
Early Life
Harry F. Powers, born Harm Drenth on November 17, 1892, in Beerta, the Netherlands, immigrated to the United States in 1910. He initially lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before moving to West Virginia in 1926. In 1927, he married Luella Strother, a farm and grocery store owner, after responding to her lonely hearts advertisement.
Modus Operandi
Powers lured his victims through "lonely hearts" advertisements, claiming he was looking for love but ultimately murdering them for their money. He constructed a garage and basement at his home in Quiet Dell, West Virginia, which later became the scene of his gruesome crimes.
Crimes and Victims
Using the alias "Cornelius Orvin Pierson," Powers began writing letters to Asta Eicher, a widowed mother of three residing in Park Ridge, Illinois. On June 23, 1931, Powers visited Eicher and her children—Greta, Harry, and Annabel. He soon left with Eicher for several days, leaving the children with Elizabeth Abernathy. Later, Abernathy received a letter stating that "Pierson" would pick up the children to join him and their mother.
- Asta Eicher - June 23, 1931, Park Ridge, Illinois
- Greta Eicher - June 1931, Park Ridge, Illinois
- Harry Eicher - June 1931, Park Ridge, Illinois
- Annabel Eicher - June 1931, Park Ridge, Illinois
- Dorothy Lemke - Northboro, Massachusetts
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