The Hex Hollow Murders

Looking for events on the Trails of History - Halloween-themed or otherwise? Check out the October program page.

Today's guest post is by Corine Lehigh, an archival clerk at the PA State Archives. She is currently attending Penn State Harrisburg for her graduate degree in American Studies. Corine has contributed to Trailheads several times, including her first post as an Archives intern. Please note that there is some slightly graphic historical description below - don't say you weren't warned!

Powwowing, or brauche in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect, is a magico-religious practice whose chief purpose is the healing of physical ailments in humans and animals. It has had other aims as well, such as conferring protection from physical or spiritual harm, bringing good luck, and revealing hidden information. Powwowing has been practiced in Pennsylvania since the first German-speaking Protestant settlers arrived in the 18th century. Prior to the late 20th century, powwowing was practiced routinely by the descendants of these European settlers.

Don Yoder, a recognized expert on Pennsylvania German folklore and customs, considered powwowing to be based on ancient religious healing traditions sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church. It was driven underground among Protestant populations, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch, and placed into the hands of lay practitioners. Its more direct antecedent was the book The Long Lost Friend, written in 1820 by Berks County healer John George Hohman. Eight to twelve powwow practitioners still live and work in south central PA today. Powwowing rituals involve the use of one or more acts, varying between incantations, gestures and body position, and manipulation of physical objects. Modern powwowers have their recipes committed to memory and none of them use any of the charm books historically employed by powwowers, such as The Sixth and Seventh Book of Moses, Egyptian Secrets, or The Long Lost Friend.

Nelson Rehmeyer, of York County, was an alleged powwower in the 1920s. His neighbor John Blymire reportedly had a run of bad luck, including losing his job. Blymire consulted the local river witch, another powwower named Nellie Noll. Nellie told Blymire that his bad luck was due to a hex that Rehmeyer had put on him. Nellie told Blymire that he needed to steal Rehmeyer’s spell book, along with a lock of his hair, and bury both 6 feet underground. On Nov. 28, 1928, Blymire and two local accomplices went to Rehmeyer’s house to retrieve the items. Rehmeyer confronted them. Blymire and the two local boys tied Rehmeyer up, beat him, and strangled him to death. They then set his body on fire. The house withstood the fire, which was put out by heavy rainfall that day. However, the spot where Rehmeyer’s body burned left a charred spot on the wood floor. The case quickly drew national attention. Blymire and his accomplices were jailed. Despite this, Blymire stated until his death that once Rehmeyer was dead, his bad luck was gone. Rehmeyer’s house still stands in southern York County, and some say it is haunted by his spirit, still not at rest.

(Editor's note) For more information on Pennsylvania German culture, the history of powwowing, or the Hex Hollow case:

• Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum interprets the lives and culture of Pennsylvania Germans; the Landis Valley Cookbook includes a chapter on powwowing and other medical traditions
• The upcoming Winter 2017 issue of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine will include an article, "Powwowing: Ritual Healing in Pennsylvania Dutch Country," by Patrick J. Donmoyer
• David W. Kriebel's 2007 book, Powwowing Among the Pennsylvania Dutch (Penn State University Press), explores the past (including the Hex Hollow case) and present of the practice
• The York Daily Record just last week posted a story about the Hex Hollow murders on their York Town Square blog

Whooosh!

Summer is speeding by, and I probably always say that right about this time. But this year, I mean it! The August program page will provide you with lots of ideas for making the most of the last full month of summer. If you're still looking for something to do this evening (8/5), call Cornwall Iron Furnace to see if tickets are available for their Blast! event, featuring beer, wine, and a pig roast next to the iron furnace building.

On Thursday, July 28, Pennsbury Manor provided a beautiful setting for 47 people from 21 countries to become naturalized American citizens. As the Democratic National Convention was in its final day in nearby Philadelphia, some reporters covering the event asked many of the new citizens about their new right to vote. (You can see more from the Bucks County Courier Times or ABC6 news.) This was not the first time that Pennsbury has hosted a naturalization ceremony; the most recent was in July 2014.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has an ongoing series devoted to National Park Service sites in Pennsylvania in honor of NPS's Centennial this year. The most recent entry in the series looks at the Oil Region National Heritage Area, located in northwestern PA. One of the stars of the piece is, of course, PHMC's own Drake Well Museum, which tells the story of the birth of the oil and gas industries and features a replica of Edwin Drake's oil well. The author notes that the best souvenirs in the region are PA crude oil or pieces of the Marcellus Shale sold in Drake Well's museum store. There is also video of oil field machinery (be sure the speakers on your computer or device are on).

The Pennsylvania Military Museum held its annual "Vietnam Revisited" program this past weekend. Exploring the combat and non-combat experiences of serving in Vietnam, the event featured a bivouac and simulated jungle patrols. Among other features was a map of Vietnam that veterans could sign to show where they were during the war (see photo below and check out PMM's Facebook page for more).

Vietnam Remembered (via PA Military Museum Facebook page)

If you're reading this Friday morning (Aug. 5) you might still have time to get to the State Museum for a lunchtime talk on the newly renovated Carboniferous Forest exhibit on the museum's 3rd floor (even if you miss the talk, you can see the reopened gallery). Get details on the museum's website; museum is open 9 am to 5 pm, the gallery talk is 12:15-12:45 pm (or come at come at 11:30 am to learn about new plans for Mammal Hall). Programs are included in general admission.

Somerset Historical Center has announced the upcoming publication of a book on the Shade Furnace, a 19th-century iron furnace and community located in the northern part of Somerset County. Pre-publication orders are now being accepted (see form for more details).

The PA Lumber Museum reminds us that the first in a series of local Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) reunions is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 13, at Leonard Harrison State Park. As you may know, the Lumber Museum's core exhibit includes a history of CCC activity in PA and the outdoor exhibits include a CCC-built chestnut cabin and statue honoring CCC workers. (On a side note, the Lumber Museum has a couple of on-site programs coming up this month that I initially left off the August program page but have now remedied, so please check that out, too. Thx.)

Honoring Women's History in Erie County

It's October already, and you can find the monthly program listing on the sidebar.

Lucky you. We're back to guest posts! This week frequent Trailheads contributor Linda Bolla, Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara, writes about two recent PHMC historical markers dedicated in Erie County. Photos are courtesy of Allan Montgomery, Linda Bolla, and John Baker.

This has been a banner year for the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program in Erie County, with three new markers dedicated this summer: Miracles on Maple Hill; Pennsylvania National Guard 112th Infantry Regiment; and Making of the Flag “Don’t Give Up the Ship.”

The fact that two of these recognize the efforts of women gives one pause to reflect on the nature of women’s contributions to history and culture in the age before the later 20th Century feminist movement. These words come to mind: quiet, but profoundly inspirational.

In her children’s novel Miracles on Maple Hill (1956), Virginia Sorensen reveals the miracles of nature as well as of healing body and mind. Her simple story, inspired by people she knew and experiences she had living in Edinboro, PA, was honored in 1957 with a John Newbery Medal, given for the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Sorensen’s book has not lost any of its appeal, even as we approach the 60th anniversary of its publication. Generations continue to read a very old-fashioned story about a little girl and her family, because the values and bonds of family and friends are universal, and because Sorensen crafted her story in a way that transcends the modern age. Her picture of a place in time has proven to be timeless.

Children and adults met and had their books signed by Marilyn Hilburn (left), who was Virginia Sorensen's model for the character Margie, and Amy Hipple Bjork (second from left), Sorensen's model for Marly. Lisa Nathanson of Hurry Hill Maple Farm Museum (background) had Sorensen's book, Miracles on Maple Hill, for sale. Sorensen’s Newbery Medal is on exhibit at the Museum.

While the weather was not-too-cooperative for the June 27th unveiling of the Miracles on Maple Hill marker, the event was still full of old-fashioned fun, with nearly 200 people enjoying music, talks, book signings (photo above), and maple ice cream sundaes. In the photo below, Amy Hipple Bjork has the honor of unveiling the marker, located on Route 6N in Edinboro.

The women who made Oliver Hazard Perry’s “Don’t Give Up the Ship” flag remained steadfast to their task amidst the fear and tension of Erie preparing for war. The flagmakers shared the common bond of family (all were part of the Forster family) and quietly made their stitches while fathers, brothers, and sons engaged in the more obvious aspects of war as soldiers. They certainly had no thoughts beyond the immediate. While they hoped their work would inspire Perry’s men, they could not have known that the flag they made in 1813 would continue to speak through centuries, inspiring generations of naval officers as well as anyone who needs to stand persistent to win the day. While their work is preserved and exhibited at the US Naval Academy Museum, their names are not remembered there – it is on the state historical marker that they are finally brought out of the shadows.

East High JROTC joined Ship’s Company, US Brig Niagara 1813 to provide a color guard for the Battle of Lake Erie Commemoration. In honoring both the 1813 period colors along with our nation’s flag, we honor the fallen of the War of 1812 as well as the veterans and those who continue to serve today.

Dedication of the “Making of the Flag” marker took place on September 10th at the Erie Maritime Museum as part of the annual commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie. While the service itself was solemn, there certainly was a sense of joy when the marker honoring the flag makers was unveiled. In the photo below, Forster Family descendants N. Lane Nelson and Becky Forster (center, left and right), along with Sabina Freeman (left) and PHMC Commissioner Craige Pepper Victor (right) reveal Pennsylvania’s newest marker. Descendant Nancy Gorman (far left) and Master of Ceremonies Jay Breneman (far right) applaud.

Liberty's First Crisis

Thanks for today's post go to John L. Moore, author, freelance writer, and storyteller. Moore is also a member of the board of the Friends of Joseph Priestley House. His non-fiction Frontier Pennsylvania Series is available from Sunbury Press, Inc. The June program listings include author Charles Slack's program at Joseph Priestley House this Sunday (June 28) at 2 pm.

In his new book, Liberty's First Crisis, author Charles Slack chronicles the prosecution of newspaper editors who published articles critical of President John Adams. Among them was Thomas Cooper, editor of the Sunbury and Northumberland Gazette. Cooper was a close friend of Dr. Joseph Priestley and even lived in Priestley House following his release from prison in Philadelphia in late 1800. Slack visited Northumberland and Priestley House in 2012 while researching his subject.

Joseph Priestley's Northumberland home, completed in 1798 (photo Janice Mullin)

In 1798, President John Adams won passage of a number of federal laws known in U.S. history as The Alien and Sedition Acts. The laws spelled out stiff penalties for people who criticized the government. In addition to Cooper, others targeted by the Adams administration included Benjamin Franklin Bache, a grandson of Benjamin Franklin. Bache’s newspaper, the Philadelphia Aurora, frequently attacked President Adams.

A newspaper reporter before becoming an author, Slack said that he had long been curious about the enactment of the 1798 laws, “when the United States government decided to make criticizing elected leaders a crime. What were they so afraid of? Weren’t these the same men who, seven years earlier, had enshrined free speech as the first right in the glorious Bill of Rights? What were they thinking? And, who were the victims of this law?”

Slack will return to Priestley House this Sunday, June 28, at 2 pm to talk about Liberty's First Crisis. His other books include Noble Obsession: Charles Goodyear, Thomas Hancock, and the Race to Unlock the Greatest Industrial Secret of the Nineteenth Century and Hetty: The Genius and Madness of America’s First Female Tycoon (about financier Hetty Green, 1834-1916).

William Penn’s Legacy: Another Look

Back in February, we talked about PHMC’s 2011 theme, “William Penn’s Legacy: Religious and Spiritual Diversity” and promised to keep you updated as theme-related stuff rolled out. So, here we go.


The theme website has launched and includes loads of resources for learning more about the complex roles of religion in Pennsylvania’s fascinating history. The Trails of History page, in particular, features information on and links to the PHMC sites that are most closely tied to this year’s theme.

The Winter, Spring, and Summer 2011 issues of Pennsylvania Heritage magazine are filled with articles on various aspects of Penn’s religious legacy, including an article in the Summer issue by former PHMC staffer (and friend of Trailheads), John Robinson, focused on Trails of History sites. (In a tangential but not unrelated note, the summer issue also includes a new Trailheads feature that will appear quarterly until they tell me to stop.) Links to some of the theme-related articles, as well as other interesting reading, are here.



A brief commercial break: You can purchase individual copies of Pennsylvania Heritage at PABookstore.com or receive a subscription as part of your Pennsylvania Heritage Society membership (we now return you to our regularly scheduled programming).




The Pennsylvania Military Museum has a temporary exhibit that explores the topic of religion and military conflicts, highlighting objects, images, and information from the museum’s collections. As the PMM website explains, “Special exhibit labels discuss the organization of the U.S. chaplaincy corps, religious and mystical symbology, the rationalization of warfare through religious beliefs and the impact of faith through the spirituality of individuals throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.”




Oh, and if anyone other than John Robinson played “Name That Zoom” a couple of weeks ago, PA Military Museum was, indeed, the answer.

Award-Winning Projects!!

Two PHMC projects were among the 59 recipients of Leadership in History Awards from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), recently announced by the organization.




“Soldiers to Governors: Pennsylvania’s Civil War Veterans Who Became State Leaders,” a publication written, designed, and published by PHMC staff, and “William Penn: Seed of a Nation,” the visitor orientation exhibit at Pennsbury Manor that was based on years of research by staff and consulting scholars, were recognized for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.




Congratulations to all the folks involved with these projects on this national recognition.

Four other Leadership in History award recipients are from Pennsylvania: Jefferson County History Center, Brookville; Wharton Esherick Museum, Paoli; Fairmount Park Art Association, Philadelphia; and the City of Philadelphia Department of Records.