Executioner's hood, or cap, of "black Albert twill serge", was made by John C. Dinan and mentioned twice in the June 29 New Era article "MURDERERS PAY PENALTY." It was worn by Lee Furman, convicted murderer, for his hanging on June 29, 1905.
Hood is form-fitted to a round head shape, with a protrusion at the middle of side (for nose?). Hood narrows at the neck and flares strongly out to shoulders and extends to mid-chest in length. Vertical flap extends from bottom to perhaps jaw line, where there is a small, circular opening, likely to accomodate the rope. Flap is secured by 3 cloth-covered buttons. Expertly sewn, likely by a local seamstress or tailor.
Also included with gift is a postal card postmarked Sept. 9, 1905 from H.S. Eckels & Co. in Philadelphia to Mr. J. Fred. Fisher at 128 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA. message is handwritten in black ink: "Hood use(d) on Lee Furman Hung Thursday June 29, 1905 for the killing of Samuel Ressler "Toll gate Keeper" July 1, 1904." See NOTES on Fisher.
Provenance
Hood was purchased by Mayor Smithgall for $100 from a woman whose father reportedly had acquired it from the mortician. Postal card is unexplained (J. Frederick Fisher was a clerk for the P.R.R. and boarded at 504 N. Queen St. according to the 1890 Directory.
Merchandising box for Hager & Bro., Inc. Originally light blue checkerboard twill pattern with logo on the lid. Original items removed: skeins of colored thread.
White ribbon, made by "ERISMAN, Lancaster, PA, is printed with gold lettering: "Shiffler/ FIRE/ Association / No. 7 / Lancaster, /Pa"
Bow: Hand made of white fabric. Hemmed length, folded with a 1 3/8-inch band in center, stitched in back with small elastic loop in center. both ends are edged in green floss buttonhole stitches.
Christmas card featuring Amish family in front of fireplace "O Come All Ye Faithful." Hand watercolored. Inside printed "May the peace of Christmas abide with you throughout the year Elizabeth and Henry Kauffman." Printed "Zoe T. Kauffman" on front.
Christmas card. Front has angels and the Virgin and Child with the words "May the Christmas tide remind us of our faith let us.. close our eyes to man's... Creations and pray that. The true Christmas... Spirit pervades the earth." Inside written "Christmas Greetings from Henry and Zoe Kauffman." Printed on front "Zoe T. Kauffman."
