June 22, 1883: A Joke Startles Boyertown Pedestrians

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

June 22, 1883: Pedestrians in Boyertown were started speechless this evening as they approached A.W. Wren’s Cigar Store on Philadelphia Avenue. There was a man hanging from a nearby tree.

Although suicides have been common in the area lately, they were flabbergasted to see such a public display. After a careful examination, the presumed suicide was found to be Wren’s old “cigar store Indian” who usually does duty in front of the building.

He was hung up by some jokers with the inscription, “the Keystoners hot curve pitch.” Mr. Wren cut his faithful sentinel down and he is once again guarding the store.

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