Harry F. Powers | |
|---|---|
 1920 mugshot | |
| Born | Harm (Herman) Drenth November 17, 1892 Beerta, Groningen, Netherlands |
| Died | March 18, 1932 (aged 39) |
| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Other names | John Schroeder Joseph Gildow Cornelius Orvin Pierson A.R. Weaver |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Spouse | Luella Strother |
| Parent(s) | Wilko Drenth Jantje Woltjer |
| Conviction(s) | First degree murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 5+2 not proven |
Span of crimes | June – July 1931 (known) |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | West Virginia, possibly others |
Harry F. Powers (born Harm Drenth; November 17, 1892 – March 18, 1932) was a Dutch-born American serial killer who was hanged in Moundsville, West Virginia.
Powers lured his victims through "lonely hearts" advertisements, claiming he was looking for love, but ultimately murdering them for their money. Davis Grubb's 1953 novel The Night of the Hunter and its 1955 film adaptation and 1991 TV adaptation were based on these crimes, with Preacher Harry Powell being the character inspired by Powers.[1] Preacher was played by Robert Mitchum in the 1955 film and by Richard Chamberlain in the 1991 TV movie. Jayne Anne Phillips's novel Quiet Dell (2013) examined the Powers case anew. Sergio Aquindo's graphic novel Harry & the helpless children (2012) traces the killer's career and the fascination the case aroused in the press at the time.
- ^ "Harry Powers: W.Va. serial killer". skcentral.com. June 25, 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012.
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