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.
Printed document is a naturalization certificate infilled for "Jacob Dickart" (sic), a prolific gunmaker of Lancaster. Printed on now-brown laid paper, it is a printed form for naturalizing foreigners who did not swear oaths. Now mounted in a modern black frame.
The certificate was designed for non-Quakers who had resided in the Commonwealth for seven years and who had never taken an oath of allegiance to King George II because of conscience, eg. Mennonites, Moravians & other sectarians who believe the Bible prohibits the swearing of oaths. Although Jacob is believed to have been raised in a Lutheran home, he later followed the Moravian faith.
Edward Shippen, Jr., Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the Province of PA filled out this form for Dickert, who appeared before Judges William Atlin, William Coleman, and Alexander Stedman, in Phila. on Sept 24, 1765. An embossed seal is created out of a small square of paper and affixed to the upper left corner of the document.
HJ Kauffman notes that Dickert was born in Mainz, Germany in 1740, came to America with his parents in 1748. Family settled in Berks Co. and later, son Jacob moved to Lancaster in 1756, where he likely apprenticed with the gunmaker Matthias Roessor (as did Wm. Henry). Dickert worked c. 1760-1820. In 1764, he married Johanetta Hofer of York, PA, and the following year he travelled to Phila. to obtain this document. Kauffman states he was active in the Moravian church.
He died 1822.
See G90.7.1 file on Dickert rifle with family info. Transparency of a document with
General signs of age: soiling, minor foxing, dog eared corners with some minor losses. Fold line 3" from top, small holes along bottom. There is a backing of acidic paper which is attached with adhesive.
Mounted in a modern black frame by Lancaster Galleries for 2006 exhibit.
Large black leatherbound volume with boldly molded and decorated boards having tooling and gilt on both boards and spine. On spine is "Schoolcraft's History of Indian Tribes. / Illustrated by S. Eastman, U.S.A. / Part Third." Longer complete title on title page. Henry R. Schoolcraft. Published by authority of Congress by Lippincottt, Grambo & Co.
Gilt edged pages have elaborate impressed floral and scroll designs with centered American shield. Inside of covers is a large pasted-on panelof dark blue felted fabric with foliate designs. End papers have beautiful wallpaper-like, full-color designs of flowers and leaves in gold, green and red. Inscribed in pencil is "JBH Jr." on tissue page covering title page.
Appraiser notes a letter of presentation to Buchanan by Charles E. Mix, Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated Oct. 15, 1857. Not presently located (in pages?).
Provenance
Descent within James Buchanan Henry family to donors.
Abrasions and wear; cracking at hinge of front board and spine. Detached back board along with some pages. Most pages have liquid stains at the top; many pages have light to heavy foxing with some acid burn at edges.
Object ID
2013.008.025
Place of Origin
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
