26. The Headless Horseman of Paoli

05/05/20 • 24 min

In this riveting episode, we delve into the dark and haunting tales from Paoli, Pennsylvania. First, we explore the tragic events of the Paoli Massacre of 1777, where a surprise night attack by the British led to the brutal deaths of American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. We uncover the historical details, personal stories, and lingering impact of this grim chapter in American history. Next, we venture into the eerie legend of the Headless Horseman of Paoli, a spectral figure said to haunt the grounds where the massacre took place. We trace the origins of this chilling ghost story, discuss local lore, and ponder the connection between history and hauntings. Join us as we blend historical fact with spine-tingling folklore in an episode that will leave you questioning what truly lingers in the shadows. References: 1. The Paoli Massacre: - "Paoli Battlefield Historical Park" - Official website with detailed history and visitor information: [Paoli Battlefield](https://www.paolibattlefield.org) - "Paoli Massacre: September 20, 1777" by Thomas J. McGuire - A comprehensive historical account of the events and aftermath of the massacre. 2. The Headless Horseman of Paoli: - "Legends and Lore of Western Pennsylvania" by Thomas White - A book detailing various local legends, including the Headless Horseman. - "Ghosts of Southeastern Pennsylvania" by Charles J. Adams III - A collection of ghost stories and paranormal accounts from the region. Our featured music is from https://exosetmusic.bandcamp.com/ with their song, "Database" Mentions in the episode: *https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/acmecast/id467959673

Previous Episode

25. Puckwudgies: Little People of the Woods

"If you ever see them, don't be afraid. Talk to them, be nice to them, and they will bring you luck." Kiki defends the honor of the sometimes mischievous Puckwudgies against the brutal onslaught of JC. Kiki takes us on a tour of the great North American legend of the Little People of the Woods with stories from the New England Mohegan tribe, heading down south to the Muskogean tribal legend of the Choctaw and then ending with Pennsylvania's local Algonquian tribal tale from the Lenni Lenape.

Our featured music is from Foghorn Lonesome with the song "Ghosts of the Oak".

Resources used for this episode:

Native Languages
First Peoples
Adams, Richard C., Legends of the Delaware Indians and Picture Writing, Syracuse University Press, 1997 Original publication - 1905. ;
The Good Giants and the Bad Puckwudgies. ; The Deetkatoo: Native American Stories About Little People by John Bierhorst
Love's Calendar, Lays of the Hudson, and Other Poems By Charles Fenno Hoffman (notes at the end talk about the puckwudgies specifically as not being mean-spirited but just spirits of the forest.)

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Next Episode

27. General Wayne: Drunken Adventure, Battles and Bones

In this episode, JC takes on a quarantine experiment involving Mead from Stonekeep Meadery, while Kiki enjoys a nice Vanilla Porter from Breckenridge Brewery. Together we talk about the courageous Pennsylvania General, "Mad" Anthony Wayne, his most famous battle - The Taking of Stoney Point - the odd way in which his burial was conducted, and the haunted inn named after him.

Our musical guest is Three Irma Louise with their song "Bones" (used under CC License 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)