128 Years Later: Pennsylvania Mummy 'Stoneman Willie' Finally Laid to Rest

Stoneman Willie (Photo: Twitter)

"Stoneman Willie," a notorious figure from the late 19th century, has been a subject of intrigue and mystery for over a century. Known for his petty thefts and alcoholism, Willie's real identity was concealed under the pseudonym "James Penn." His life took a tragic turn when he succumbed to kidney failure in a cell at Berks County Prison in 1895, following acute alcohol withdrawal.

The story of Stoneman Willie doesn't end with his death. In an unusual twist, his body was accidentally mummified by a mortician experimenting with a new embalming technique. The result was so successful that Willie's body was preserved with remarkable detail, including his hair, teeth, nails, and even his mustache. His skin took on the appearance of dark, weathered leather, earning him the nickname "Stoneman Willie."

For 128 years, Willie's mummified body was kept on display at Auman’s Funeral Home in Reading, Pennsylvania. The funeral home had sought permission from the state to keep Willie's body to monitor the experimental embalming process. Over the years, Willie became a local icon, a part of Reading's folklore, and was affectionately referred to as a friend by the funeral home staff.

Stoneman Willie (Photo: Twitter)

However, after more than a century, the decision was made to finally lay Willie to rest. On October 3rd, 2023, it was announced that Willie's real name would be revealed at his burial, putting to rest the long-standing mystery surrounding his identity. The city of Reading commemorated Willie's life with a parade featuring a motorcycle hearse carrying his casket, allowing local residents to pay their respects one last time.

On the day of his burial, Willie was dressed in a suit with a bow tie, a red sash across his sunken chest, and a tuxedo befitting a gentleman of his era. His final journey through the streets of Reading ended at a local cemetery, where his real name was finally inscribed on his tombstone.

The story of Stoneman Willie serves as a fascinating glimpse into the past, a testament to the advances in embalming techniques, and a reminder of a man who, despite his flaws, became an enduring part of a city's history.