Short Stuff: Two Scary True Shorties!
The Stuff You Should Know podcast examines two bizarre real-life stories involving unexplained occurrences within people's homes. The first story delves into the case of a Pennsylvania family who uncovered animal remains and artifacts hidden inside their walls as part of an old folk magic ritual.
The episode then explores the disturbing tale of the so-called "Watcher," an anonymous stalker who relentlessly terrorized a family with cryptic letters about their newly-purchased New Jersey home. With ties to cultural traditions like "powwow" rituals and a fascination with haunted histories, these unnerving cases provide a chilling glimpse into the haunting mysteries that can lurk within one's own domain.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 30, 2024 episode of the Stuff You Should Know
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1-Page Summary
Unexplained Discoveries in Homes
The Breizius Family's Bizarre Find
The Breizius family in Auburn, Pennsylvania stumbled upon a peculiar discovery during home renovations: dead animal carcasses, bones, skeletons, and artifacts wrapped in old 1930s-1940s newspapers, found inside their walls. According to local experts, these items were part of a Pennsylvania Dutch "powwow" folk magic ritual intended to protect the home.
The Costly Aftermath
Handling the removal and repairs related to this unexpected find cost the Breizius family a staggering $20,000, not covered by their homeowners' insurance.
Mysterious Stalker Situation
The Watcher Terrorizes a New Jersey Family
The Brodess family purchased a $1.4 million home in New Jersey, only to be tormented by an anonymous stalker calling themselves "The Watcher." The Watcher sent chilling letters claiming intimate knowledge of the home, the family, and hinting at potential revenge through disasters. Fearing for their safety, the Brodess family never moved in and faced financial losses trying to sell the property.
The Unidentified Watcher
Despite DNA evidence and investigations, the identity of The Watcher was never conclusively determined. Suspicion fell on various parties, including previous owners, neighbors, and even the possibility of a hoax by the Brodess family themselves. The case remains unsolved, leaving an air of mystery surrounding The Watcher's identity.
Cultural/Historical Context
The Pennsylvania Dutch "Powwow" Tradition
The Pennsylvania Dutch "powwow" folk magic has roots dating back to the 1820s, as described by Sanger-Katz. It involves using protective spells, rituals, and objects to ward off harm. Practitioners are believed to serve as conduits between the divine and those seeking healing or protection.
The Watcher's Obsession with History
According to Sanger-Katz, The Watcher's fixation on the history of the New Jersey home taps into a cultural fascination with haunted or cursed properties and the idea of unseen forces connected to the past. The Watcher claims to be part of a lineage watching the home since its construction in 1905.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The items found in the Breizius family's home could be remnants of past cultural practices rather than active "powwow" folk magic rituals.
- The cost incurred by the Breizius family for removal and repairs might be seen as an investment in preserving the historical integrity of the home, rather than just a financial burden.
- The letters from "The Watcher" could be interpreted as a form of psychological warfare or intimidation, rather than a genuine threat, especially if no physical harm came to the Brodess family.
- The inability to identify The Watcher could suggest deficiencies in the investigation methods or the complexity of the case, rather than an unsolvable mystery.
- The suspicion cast on various parties without conclusive evidence in The Watcher case could be considered defamatory or damaging to those individuals if they are innocent.
- The Pennsylvania Dutch "powwow" tradition, while historically documented, may not be widely practiced today, and its effectiveness or relevance could be questioned.
- The cultural fascination with haunted or cursed properties, as mentioned in relation to The Watcher, could be seen as a societal issue where superstition overshadows rational explanations for unexplained phenomena.
- The claim by The Watcher of being part of a lineage watching the home could be a fabricated story to instill fear or a delusion, rather than a fact.
Actionables
- You can explore your home's history by visiting your local historical society or library to uncover any unique or hidden stories associated with your property. This can give you a deeper appreciation for your home and may reveal interesting facts or folklore that you can share with friends and family.
- Create a personalized home protection ritual by researching various cultural traditions and selecting elements that resonate with you, such as hanging a horseshoe above the door or planting protective herbs in your garden. This can be a fun activity that adds a sense of security and personal touch to your living space.
- Start a neighborhood watch program with your neighbors to foster a sense of community and enhance security. By working together, you can keep an eye out for any unusual activity and ensure everyone's safety, potentially preventing situations like the one faced by the Brodess family.
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Unexplained discoveries in homes
Unusual findings have left homeowners baffled when renovations reveal more than they bargained for.
Homeowners in Auburn, Pennsylvania uncover strange items inside their walls during renovations
The Breizius family in Auburn, Pennsylvania, embarked on a home renovation project only to find their walls harboring a perplexing secret.
The Breizius family found dead animal carcasses, bones, skeletons, and artifacts wrapped in old newspapers dating back to the 1930s and 1940s when they opened up the walls of their home
Upon dismantling a wall in their living room, the family encountered a bizarre collection. Dead animal carcasses, bones, and skeletons were among the items uncovered, all wrapped in old newspapers that dated back to the 1930s and 1940s.
Local experts explained these items were part of a Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic ritual called "powwow" intended to protect the home
Perplexed by their discovery, the family sought answers from local sources and were informed about the region's cultural history. Their home was situated in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, and they learned that these artifacts were components of a traditional folk magi ...
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Unexplained discoveries in homes
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The Pennsylvania Dutch folk magic ritual known as "powwow" is a form of traditional healing and protection practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch community in the United States. It involves the use of prayers, spoken charms, and symbols to address various issues, including physical ailments, protection from harm, and the removal of negative influences. Powwow draws on a blend of Christian beliefs, folklore, and superstitions, reflecting the cultural heritage of the Pennsylvania Dutch people. Practitioners of powwow, known as "powwowers," often pass down their knowledge and practices through oral tradition within their families and communities.
- The homeowners' insurance did not cover the unusual findings beca ...
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Mysterious stalker/watcher situations
The unsettling tale of the Brodess family highlights the distressing reality of anonymous stalkers affecting lives and challenging our sense of security.
The Brodess family purchased a dream home in New Jersey, only to be terrorized by an anonymous stalker calling themselves "The Watcher"
Upon purchasing a $1.4 million house at 657 Boulevard, the Brodess family's dream swiftly turned into a nightmare as they began receiving a series of chilling, threatening letters from someone who identified themselves as "The Watcher." These letters indicated close surveillance, with "The Watcher" claiming to know intimate details about the home and the family and suggesting a grim connection to the community that could mean they were any of the neighbors.
The letters escalated in tone, mentioning possible revenge through various disasters, like a car accident, fire, illness, the death of a pet, or other calamities. The Brodess family, feeling watched and threatened, never even moved into the house due to fear. A disturbing letter said, "657 Boulevard is missing you," which rattled them even further as it implied close observation. Despite their efforts to sell the property, the Brodess family faced the stark reality of financial loss due to the egregious situation.
The Watcher's identity was never conclusively determined, despite DNA evidence and investigation
The mystery of "The Watcher" deepened as the Brodess family tried to seek justice and protection. DNA testing on an envelope found female DNA, and despite the envelopes having Kearney postmarks, no conclusive identification was made. Suspicion cast a wide net, including previous homeowners, other potential buy ...
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Mysterious stalker/watcher situations
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Enhance your home security by installing a comprehensive system that includes cameras, motion sensors, and automatic lights to deter potential stalkers and monitor any suspicious activity around your property.
- By setting up a security system that covers all entry points and the perimeter of your home, you create a visual deterrent for anyone with malicious intent. For example, you could use smart cameras that send alerts to your phone if they detect movement, allowing you to monitor your home in real-time, even when you're away.
- Start a neighborhood watch program to foster community vigilance and cooperation in ensuring the safety and privacy of all residents.
- Organizing regular meetings with your neighbors to discuss safety concerns and strategies can lead to a more alert community. You might create a phone tree or a private online group where everyone can report unusual behavior, share security tips, or update each other on local incidents, thus creating a collective sense of responsibility for the neighborhood's well-being.
- Document and report any unusual correspondence or threats immediately to lo ...
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Cultural/historical context around unexplained occurrences
Understanding the cultural and historical context is essential when exploring unexplained occurrences, and two intriguing examples of this are found in the Pennsylvania Dutch "powwow" folk magic tradition and the mysterious saga of The Watcher in New Jersey.
The Pennsylvania Dutch "powwow" folk magic tradition has roots dating back to the 1820s
The practice involves using protective spells, rituals, and objects to ward off harm
The Pennsylvania Dutch magic tradition known as powwow has deep roots, with practices that date back to the 19th century. This unique tradition blends Christian elements with folk magic, often utilizing the Bible in its rituals.
Practitioners of powwow are believed to serve as conduits between the divine and those seeking healing or protection
Originating from the German book "The Long Lost Friend" by John George Homan, published in 1820, powwow involves not just spells and charms but also healing remedies. It was initially named after its foundational book but later came to be known as 'powwow,' borrowing from the Algonquin word for a gathering of medicine men. Powwow practitioners work as intermediaries, channeling the divine to aid individuals in need of healing or protection.
The Watcher's obsession with the history of the New Jersey home reflects a cultural fascination with the past and u ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Cultural/historical context around unexplained occurrences
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The effectiveness of "powwow" folk magic is not supported by empirical evidence and can be viewed as superstitious rather than genuinely protective or healing.
- The blending of Christian elements with folk magic in powwow could be criticized by some religious individuals as inappropriate or even heretical.
- The role of powwow practitioners as conduits between the divine and individuals could be challenged on theological grounds, questioning the need for intermediaries in spiritual matters.
- The historical accuracy of The Watcher's claim to be part of a lineage since 1905 is difficult to verify and could be a fabricated story capitalizing on cultural fascination with the supernatural.
- The cultural fascination with haunted or cursed prop ...
Actionables
- You can explore the intersection of spirituality and tradition by creating a personal ritual that combines elements of your faith with folk practices. Start by identifying a simple need or intention, such as finding peace or seeking protection. Then, select a verse or symbol from your faith that resonates with this intention. Incorporate a folk tradition, like lighting a candle or using a specific herb, to create a ritual that is unique to you. Perform this ritual regularly to connect with your spiritual beliefs and the tradition of using tangible actions to represent intangible desires.
- Dive into the cultural fascination with history and the unseen by researching and writing a short story based on a local historical property in your area. Begin by visiting a historical site or home and learn about its past. Imagine the lives of those who might have lived there and create a narrative that weaves in elements of mystery or folklore, such as a generational guardian or a secret kept through the ages. This activity allows you to engage with history creatively and understand the allure of connecting with the past through storytelling.
- Cultivate an appreciation for the role ...
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