Pennsylvania mummy 'Stoneman Willie' to be laid to rest after 128 years on display
Stoneman Willie
Around 128 years ago, a petty thief died of kidney failure in a Pennsylvania, US jail. Now, more than a century later, residents of the small city of Reading will give his mummified remains a proper send-off and burial.
The unidentified man, to locals, is known as Stoneman Willie and has for long been a creepy part of the city's lore. For the past many years, the mummy has been on display, satiating the curious gazes of tourists, locals, both adults and children.
Stoneman Willie
The petty thief, as per Reuters, died on 19 November 1895, in a local jail. His remains were then accidentally mummified by a mortician who was experimenting with new embalming techniques.
Since his death in November 1985, his remains have been on display at Auman's Funeral Home.
Also read |US' divided Supreme Court starts new session with gun rights, Trump's prez dreams and more on docket
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
National Handloom Day 2026: From Alia Bhatt to Samantha Ruth Prabhu; Actresses who celebrated India's textile heritage as brides
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Unitree Robotics targets $9 billion valuation in landmark IPO backed by DeepSeek and Tencent
)
India names 27 sites in Arunachal Pradesh
)
Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata OTT: When will Kangana Ranaut's film stream online?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many soldiers operate one S-400 battery?
)
Shakib Al Hasan ready to return to Bangladesh—under one condition
)
‘Fake news’: MEA rejects report claiming India sought defence pact with Israel after Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey deal
)
Rockstar to unveil GTA 6 extended look ahead of November launch
)
Russia forms Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade to fight Ukraine
)
Drug-resistant fungus that hides in hair and enters bloodstream reported in 23 US states
)
Technology transfer deal boosts India's defence manufacturing ambitions
)
Border row erupts in Europe after Ceuta crossings, Spain imposes border controls on Italy
)
Morale plummets on USS Abraham Lincoln: Are US sailors reaching a breaking point? | GRAVITAS
)
'Security can't be bought with Pakistan, Turkey deal': Iran tells Saudi Arabia
)
Baba Vanga's 2026 prophecy: 2 predictions 'already came true', 3 terrifying ones remain. Details inside
)
Colombia’s new president Abelardo de la Espriella vows to ‘defeat narco-terrorists’, signals hardline shift
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (August 7, 2026): Operation Safed Sagar, Vadhandhi, Main Vaapis Aaunga- 6 movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth scripts history as Indian Air Force gets its first woman ‘Top Gun’ pilot
)
RSS says Gen Z protests reflect genuine distress
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
IAF officer held for sharing sensitive information in 'honey trap' case, booked under Official Secrets Act
)
Stray Kids under scrutiny? Fans react to Grammy submission silence after BTS boycott
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI doesn't need external fuel tanks to fly vast distances
)
Jugal Hansraj reunites with Shekhar Kapur after 40 years for Masoom: The Next Generation
)
New speed limits, automatic challans: Big traffic change coming to Delhi-Meerut Expressway. All you need to know
)
India officially names 27 places in Arunachal to counter China's renaming claims
)
Trump calls White House ballroom ruling a 'national disgrace' as court says Congress approval needed
)
US sanctions Iran’s crypto network after Strait of Hormuz attacks, offers $15m bounty for intel on IRGC finance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why the Su-30MKI is one of the heaviest fighters ever built
)
Uttarakhand young innovator builds India's own flying vehicle, conducts first test flight: WATCH
)
Chilling video shows students take cover as teen opens fire at Thai school
)
Reese Witherspoon's father hospitalised after poolside incident in Nashville: Report
The thief's true identity remains unknown, as at the time of the arrest he had given authorities a fake name. Now, more than 100 years later, his true identity may finally be known to all.
Why was he embalmed?
As the thief's true identity was not known to the authorities, their search for a next of kin wasn't fruitful. While they searched for his family, the funeral home attempted an experimental embalming technique on him.
When the search failed, the funeral home petitioned the state for permission to keep the thief's body instead of burying it. The funeral home reportedly did this because they wanted to monitor the experimental embalming process.
True identity
More than 100 years after Stoneman Willie's death, the funeral home, using modern technology and a thorough search of historic documents, may have finally uncovered Stoneman Willie's true identity.
On Saturday (Oct 7), Willie will make his final journey through the streets of Reading. He will be buried at a local cemetery, and at his graveside, the funeral home will reveal his real name.
The mummified thief will be buried with a tombstone engraved with his real name, reports Reuters.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
