The man, who died in 1895, is presumed to be a thief and was accidentally mummified. It has become a local attraction.
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The American town of Reading, Pennsylvania (United States), will finally say goodbye to its most unusual resident: a mummified man who is to be buried on Saturday October 7. “Stoneman Willie” is the nickname given a long time ago to a suspected thief who died in 1895 in a prison and then transported to the Theo C. Auman funeral home. It was there that he was accidentally mummified.
A strange sight, the body lay in an open coffin for almost its entire stay at the funeral home. The mummy has fascinated thousands of people, including residents of Reading but also researchers and even, long ago, schoolchildren on a school trip. All week long, curious people lined up to pay homage to him, take photos of him or gaze at him in amazement. “Goodbye, Stoneman. God Bless you. Rest in peace”explained Suzanne Schrum, 74, interviewed by AFP.
The man, who ended up being America’s oldest mummy, gave a false name when he was incarcerated, but his name is expected to be revealed Saturday. According to his cellmate, he had been arrested for pickpocketing and had adopted the false name James Penn so as not to shame his wealthy Irish father.