New Martinsville in Wetzel County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Lowther and Cox

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 31, 2026

1. Lowther and Cox Marker

Inscription.
On October 29, 1901, Dr. and Mrs. Lowther happened upon a very drunk Friend Cox at the corner of Jefferson and Main Street in New Martinsville. Cox was a pharmacist in town. The two men got into an argument and Cox shot at the couple, hitting the woman. Dr. Lowther shot back at Cox, striking him between the eyes, but not before Cox was able to get off another round, striking Dr. Lowther in the forehead. Mrs. Lowther survived the attack, but both men succumbed to their wounds. The two rivals are buried close to each other with very similar markers identifying their final resting place.

Erected 2025 by The City of New Martinsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is October 29, 1901.

Location. 39° 40.106′ N, 80° 51.512′ W. Marker is in New Martinsville, West Virginia, in Wetzel County. It is on Energy Highway (West Virginia Route 2) 0.3 miles north of North Bridge Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in Williams Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 West Virginia-Route 2, New Martinsville WV 26155, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Northern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Ohio River Valley,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: New Martinsville's Oldest Cemetery (here, next to this marker); Williams Cemetery

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(here, next to this marker); Septimius Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Leonard Stout Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembering the Military Fallen (approx. one mile away); Wetzel County Vietnam Memorial (approx. 1.6 miles away); In Memory of All Veterans (approx. 1.8 miles away); Lincoln Theater (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Martinsville.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 31, 2026

2. Lowther and Cox Marker

The marker is the furthest to the right of the three.

Grave of Dr. Frank Lowther image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 31, 2026

3. Grave of Dr. Frank Lowther

Gravestone is in the foreground.

Grave of Friend Cox image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, March 31, 2026

4. Grave of Friend Cox

Gravestone is in the lower right.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 8 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 26, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.