9 - The Murder of Old Suss

A 1934 murder of a supposed witch in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania is recalled, as is a 1949 case of a supposed curse near Claysburg, Pennsylvania which reads like an episode of Supernatural.

“1934 valley hex murder charges dropped,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 10, 1976.

“Aged prophet of Bedford hills tells how faith heals,” Altoona Tribune, March 9, 1949.

“Aged woman of North Union Township victim of assassin's bullet,” Pottsville Republican, March 19, 1934.

“Another arson case in valley,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, December 1, 1976.

“Dead GI's body exhumed to break spell on widow,” Altoona Mirror, March 4, 1949.

“Hex house burns down,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, November 9, 1976.

“Hex killer insane, says Dr. W. Bowers,” Mount Carmel Item, March 26, 1934.

“Hex slayer sleeps well, believing he has broken spell,” Harrisburg Telegraph, March 23, 1934.

“Hex slayer to escape trial,” Danville Morning News, March 27, 1934.

“Hexed nine years, slayer of woman tells detectives,” Sayre Evening Times, March 23, 1934.

“Man re-enacts slaying woman who hexed him,” Lebanon Daily News, March 23, 1934.

“More under spell of woman killed by victim of hex,” Harrisburg Daily Courier, March 25, 1934.

“Mountain hex slayer may be sent to state hospital for insane,” Pottstown Mercury, March 26, 1934.

“Powder mill explodes,” Pottsville Republican, July 6, 1910.

“Recall murder near Nuremberg,” Hazleton Plain Speaker, November 30, 1943.

“Reuben was a good boy, mother says,” Altoona Tribune, March 8, 1949.

“Seek to free suspect in valley hex murder,” Shenandoah Evening Herald, March 21, 1969.

“Slayer of widow is contented in Pottsville jail,” New Castle News, March 23, 1934.

“Vet's body exhumed to chase hex,” Pottstown Mercury, March 7, 1949.

“Victim's life story checked,” Altoona Tribune, March 24, 1934.

“Will stand trial for '34 slaying,” Lebanon Daily News, January 10, 1976.

“Witch lore motive for killing,” Pottsville Republican, March 22, 1934.

Find a Grave: Albert Shinsky. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98667816/albert-shinsky

Find a Grave: Pvt. Reuben C. Rock. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119132235/reuben-c-rock/photo

Find a Grave: Susan Fuhrman Mummey. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62218671/susan-mummey

St. Mars, Augustus. “The famous witch of Ringtown Valley,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 4, 1942.