June 18, 1886: Suspected of Being Under a Religious Spell, John Steinman Kills Himself and His Animals

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

June 18, 1886: John Steinman, a bachelor farmer, committed suicide under peculiar circumstances. He was found head first in a barrel, held in that position by the weight of stones he had tied around his neck.

Five of his cows and two horses were also found dead, all with their throats cut. The knife used was in Steinman’s hand, still damp.

There was $1000 in greenbacks found sewn in his coat. It is not known what caused him to kill his animals and himself, but it was speculated that he was under some kind of religious spell.

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