The Standoff in Woodard

     Just northeast of State college along Route 45 is the small town of Woodward. With a population of just over 100, not much happens and you probably wouldn’t even know you drove through it. However, in the spring of 1896, the sleepy town was in an uproar over a menacing outlaw that was terrorizing the area.

     William Ettlinger was a known terror in Center County and was always getting into trouble and fights. Reportedly  Ettlinger had beat his father-in-law to a pulp with a whip handle and had a warrant out for his arrest. Ettlinger fled the small town and hid out in the mountains for about 6 months and evaded the local law enforcement, but continued to terrorize the small town. Ettlinger even promised to poison the towns water supply with pesticides. Many of the townspeople were looking for someone to stand up against this outlaw and one man finally did.

     John Barner was a newly appointed constable for the area and made a promise when he got the position that he would bring Ettlinger to justice. Trying to make good on his promise, Barner went to serve Ettlinger his warrant with two deputies but was met at the door by two blasts from a shotgun. Ettlinger then stepped out and slit his throat for good measure and began to fire at the deputies who ran for help. Sheriff Condo was called in from Bellefonte with a few armed men to stop Ettlinger. A standoff developed with volleys of gunfire and Ettlinger throwing an occasional stick of dynamite. The Sherif and his men lit Ettlinger’s house on fire in an attempt to smoke him out. Eventually Ettlinger came out of his home firing and then took his own life.

     After Ettlinger was dead, John Barner was laid to rest in Woodward Cemetery and William Ettlinger was thrown in a shallow grave in a near orchard. Years later, descendants of Ettlinger moved his remains to Woodward Cemetery only a couple years away from Barner. To this day people have reported hearing and smelling gunfire in the cemetery and strange shadows. On my visit to the cemetery, I found it quite peaceful and had no difficulty finding the grave sites of the two men. Please be respectful if you plan to visit this location.