Lou’s View – June 9, 2016

The Magic Springs of Henry Shoemaker

By Lou Bernard

Well, it’s been almost twenty minutes since I told a Henry Shoemaker story, so it’s way past time again.

I can explain, for anyone who hasn’t read my column before. Let’s say someone left this copy of the Record on a bus in Ohio and you’ve picked it up. That has happened, according to my fan mail. So I need to talk a little about Henry Wharton Shoemaker, who was a writer, reporter, and folklorist living in McElhattan. Shoemaker is best known for his books, which are mostly compilations of fascinating local legends. If you’d like to learn all about the local ghosts, monsters, curses, and ancient adventures, Shoemaker’s work is a good place to start.

Back in April, I wrote a column about magical items that appeared in Shoemaker’s stories. If you read enough of them, Clinton County seems to be similar to an especially imaginative Dungeons and Dragons game, with magical items waiting everywhere to be found. Well, you could say the same about magical springs, which appear in several of his stories. There are places you can go locally and drink water that, if you believe the stories, will heal your injuries and keep you young.

Sulphur Spring: Anyone who has been to Loganton should be familiar with this one. It’s just north of Loganton before you get into town, and Shoemaker mentions it in “Pennsylvania Mountain Stories.” The Native Americans believed that this spring had the power to cure simple injuries and problems. I’ve actually tried to drink from this one, and it has a very strong sulphur taste. Chief Logan was said to believe that these waters would cure a hangover, and it’s too bad I couldn’t drink much of the water, as I was up all night acquiring one.

Wulissah’s Healing Spring: In the book “Black Forest Souvenirs,” Shoemaker tells the story of Wulissah, a Native American maiden who lived on the mountains above Farrandsville. Wulissah was in love with a warrior named Pegenink, and the other women in the tribes were jealous of their relationship. One of these women arranged to have Wulissah killed on the mountain, which is where Pengenink found her, dying.

As she died, Wulissah said,”By my death I will carry out the good intentions which filled my heart. The Great Spirit tells me that I am to become a healing spring. Farewell.”

The next morning, on the spot where Wulissah had died, there was a spring. Legend has it that you can place your hand into it, and it will heal any of your injuries. (And, yes, at about the right place, there is a spring along the trail. I’ve checked.)

Wisamek’s Fountain Of Youth: This one is the furthest away, in Rothrock State Forest over in Mifflin County, but it’s one of my favorite stories. This one appears in “Allegheny Episodes.” It’s an old story, which I like to tell my son sometimes, about an ancient Indian named Wisamek, and his journey to the Fountain of Youth.

Wisamek was the chief, and he was old. He fell in love with a younger woman from the tribe, making him the Woody Allen of the Native Americans. To court her, he needed to be younger, so he consulted with a local wise man who directed him to the Fountain of Youth, and told him how to get there.

The fountain was an underground spring in the mountains, and it was guarded by a man named Gamunk. To enter, Wisamek had to present him with the tooth from a red bear. He soaked in the waters, and came out looking young.

But it was only his outward appearance. He looked young, but still wanted to sit around ordering kids off his lawn. So he went back, and tried again, but it was one too many times, and he died.

The obvious question is how many of these I’ve found, and the answer is that I’ve gone questing for all three. I have an old Gatorade bottle in my refrigerator, filled with spring water from the Fountain of Youth. I have tried it, and I’m pleased to say that I haven’t matured any.

 

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