On’ July 11, 1897, three boys discovered the clothes of Chris Siebke on the banks of the Ohio River. Siebke was a prominent man in Wheeling known for bottling beer and owning the Tidal Wave Saloon.
Siebke’s saloon was one of the more popular saloons in town. Located on Market Street, the Tidal Wave boasted to have the purest wines and liquors, imported Key West and Domestic Cigars, imported New York Oysters, and even delivered to any part of the city and abroad.
Siebke had a knack for saloon marketing. In 1875 it was advertised that the Tidal Wave Saloon received a large turtle that weighed over 100 pounds. The turtle attracted large crowds to the saloon because many had never seen a turtle such as this before on display. Siebke explained that he planned to exhibit the turtle for a short while and then serve him up as turtle soup and steaks.
In May of 1875 Siebke also announced that he would open a bottling cellar under the saloon where he would bottle lager beer and deliver “this healthy summer drink” to any residence in the city. Siebke served as secretary of the Nail City Brewing company and bottled their beer exclusively. His bottling company quickly flourished, and at its height was producing 3,000 bottles a month and 20 to 30 barrels on a daily basis. This explains why to many he was known as a “superior beer man.”
During the Christmas season, his saloon would have been the place to be for holiday cheer. In December of 1876 he advertised that the Tidal Wave Saloon would always have a fresh supply of eggnog, scotch whiskey, and hot punches for enjoyment.
Siebke advertised that the Tidal Wave was located just south of the Opera House (where presently the Laconia building stands) and had a prime location for the saloon life of Wheeling. There was no shortage of saloons from which to choose. In 1876 the Wheeling City Directory listed 86 saloons open for business throughout downtown and south Wheeling.
Siebke was said to be known as one of the best German citizens in the city and was a member of numerous secret and fraternal organizations. He also was known for being educated with many general qualities which made him a very agreeable companion.
The Unanswered
Reports state that around 5 a.m., Siebke borrowed a towel and some soap which gave the impression that he was going to bathe in the Ohio River. Siebke enjoyed sitting outside the hotels on Water Street and also was seen there around 4 a.m. in front of the Howell Hotel.
By this time of Siebke’s life he had moved on from the saloon and bottling businesses and was listed as a bookkeeper. Reports also indicated that he was in good spirits and gave no signs of suicidal thoughts which would be a theory that developed after it was discovered that he was missing.
So, on July 11th when the boys found the clothes of a man on the banks of the Ohio River just north of the wharf near the Steel Bridge, they immediately notified the police. Upon their arrival the police found a complete set of clothes, minus underwear. In one pocket a laundry ticket was discovered. Upon some more investigation, the police discovered that a man named Captain Bennet had loaned Siebke money to have his laundry done, but the ticket revealed that he had not spent the money on the laundry.
Many would bring up the unusual hour that he chose to go swimming, approximately 5 a.m. Later it became unknown if he actually borrowed a towel and soap from anyone. He was also reported saying on the day that he went missing he wished he could be “sunstruck,” and when asked why he said it would be any easy way to die.
It’s unclear as to whether or not his body was ever actually recovered from the river. His death certificate states that he drowned and was interred at the Peninsula Cemetery. Siebke left behind a wife and several children, “but he had not lived with his family for years.”
Siebke was “around 55 years of age when he disappeared.”
Bustling
As I retraced Siebke’s footsteps with Brittany Fehr on a drizzly Friday at 5 p.m., we imagined how different Market Street would have been in 1897 at this hour. The sounds of horses, wagons, factories all around the city – the hustle and bustle of movement and commerce would have been everywhere.
Imagine the conversation and noises coming out of the Tidal Wave Saloon! The clang of bottles, beer mugs, and shot glasses hitting the bar. The smell of tobacco and sweat from a hard day’s work. With a little imagination it’s easy to create your own time machine and visit the days of Chris Siebke.
As we ventured toward the waterfront and present-day Heritage Port, our minds wandered to where Siebke entered the Ohio River. This was where Brittany encouraged me to take a close-up photo of the river bank and water – the last place Siebke breathed with ease.
It was 125 years when ago Chris Siebke vanished from the banks of the Ohio River. The proprietor of the Tidal Wave Saloon was himself swept away by a sort of tidal wave, the current of the Ohio River.
Was it an accident? Suicide? We’ll never know, but the next time you’re along the banks of the Ohio River, remember Siebke, his story, and his fate that early July morning.
