Women’s
Literary Club
The Women’s Literary Club met Friday at Togi’s, with President Mary Lou Detweiler welcoming everyone to the group’s first regular meeting of the year. This is the 139th year of the Women’s Literary Club.
A moment of silence was observed for two members, who had passed away this year, Eugenia Nelson, and Harrijane Moore, who were both past presidents. Nelson was a member for 45 years and Moore was a member for 35 years.
Guest speaker James Baumgratz, gave a program titled “Mysteries of the Wilds.” Vice president Carol Shannon introduced Baumgratz, who is from St. Mary’s and began writing a true crimes newsletter in 2001 and began researching local true crimes in the local area at that time.
In 2018, he published the book “Murders and Mysterious Deaths in Elk County,” and has published six books to date. He has also written a book called “Missing in the Pennsylvania Wilds” as well.
James stated that he begins his research at the Prothonotary’s office at each courthouse. He researches old newspapers and attempts to find any relatives as well. He goes out to the murder scenes and visits each person’s grave. He has researched over 600 homicides from the Pennsylvania Wilds, most before 1960.
Many murders occurred during the Prohibition times, because of gangs and bootleggers in Western New York and Western Pennsylvania. He said that many missing children were grabbed in the 1930s and probably taken to orphanages where the wealthy would pay good money for these children.
After the speaker, Mary Lou introduced past presidents and gave each a mum for their service. She recognized the Hostess committee members, with Judy Yorks as Chair. Melissa Colligan read the correspondence and Judy Yorks read the new budget, which was approved as written.
Vera Cloud was recognized as a new member. Members were reminded that this is not a book club, but a social club with a variety of speakers.
Card day will be at the Bradford Library on Oct. 13, with a luncheon provided. On Oct. 20, the next program will be “Bradford Senior Center 50th Anniversary” presented by Carol Stech.
