The legend begins in Chester County, PA in the late 1700’s.  John and Elizabeth Wilson, along with their 2 children, William and Elizabeth, lived on a family farm in East or West Bradford Township in Chester County.  They had modest means, but were known to be a reputable family.  When the children were still young, their mother died and their father remarried.  But the new wife did not care for her stepchildren and urged the father to send them away as soon as they were of age.

At 16, William left the farm to become a stone carver in Lancaster County and Elizabeth went to Philadelphia and either became an employee or a patron of the Indian Queen Tavern.  In early 1784, Elizabeth was seduced by a tavern guest (who soon afterward disappeared) and became pregnant.  When her pregnancy became an embarrassment, she was made to leave the tavern.  She returned to her parents’ home where she gave birth to twin sons.  Later that year Elizabeth disappeared while traveling to meet her lover in Newton Square.  While she reappeared several days later, her twin sons were nowhere to be seen. Their bodies were soon found hidden in the woods nearby and Elizabeth was arrested.  She was found guilty of murder in the first degree and was sentenced to hang.  The execution date was set for December 7, 1785.

William was unaware of his sister’s predicament but one day he mysteriously claimed he was needed in Chester and returned home.  When he arrived at the jail, Elizabeth was finally willing to tell the story of what happened to her sons. William assembled respected officials to listen to her story.  She said that her seducer agreed to meet her at Newton Square but unexpectedly met her in the woods about 2 miles west of town.  He killed the children and swore Elizabeth to secrecy.

On December 6, William presented the confession signed by all the witnesses to the Supreme Executive Council.  The president of the Council was Benjamin Franklin, and its vice president was Charles Biddle. Biddle’s journal includes a brief discussion of the Wilson case and, in addition to court and Council records, is one of the more reputable sources regarding the matter. The Council ordered that the execution be postponed until January 3rd, 1786, in order to allow them more time in which to consider the case.

In the meantime, William went in search of his sister’s lover, but when he found him on a New Jersey farm he denied ever having known Elizabeth. William then began to seek out witnesses who could link the man with the city of Philadelphia and with his sister. He was successful in compiling a list of several people, but he became ill around Christmas and spent some time recuperating at a friend’s home in Philadelphia.

Upon his next visit to the Chester jail, he was horrified to learn that Elizabeth’s execution was scheduled for the following day. He rode to Franklin’s home to request another postponement of Elizabeth’s sentence but had to wait several hours to see him. Franklin felt that it was improper for him to act and referred William to Vice President Biddle. William found Biddle at the State House. Biddle wrote the order, “Do not execute Wilson until you hear further from Council,” knowing that the members of the Executive Council were sympathetic towards Elizabeth and intended to grant a full pardon.

With Biddle’s pardon in hand, William began the 15-mile ride to Chester. He rode down Market Street and approached the Middle Ferry to cross the Schuykill River. Because of heavy rain, the river was dangerously high and choked with ice and debris; the ferry was not in operation. William pleaded with the ferryman for several hours but could not persuade him to operate the ferry. Finally, in desperation, he drove his horse into the icy water. The animal struggled against the current but was struck in the head by a chunk of ice or driftwood just fifty feet from the opposite shore. William swam the rest of the way, and by the time he reached dry land he was approximately 2 miles downstream from where he’d entered the water.

Meanwhile, officials in Chester began preparations for Elizabeth’s execution. The sheriff of Chester was one of the many who had come to believe that Elizabeth was innocent and who, following her confession, suspected that she might be pardoned. He stationed flagmen at intervals along the Queens Highway (4th Street), leading from Philadelphia, who could signal if William were coming with a pardon. Those assembled watched expectantly for a signal but none was seen. Noon arrived, and by law the sheriff could wait no longer. The order was given and the cart was pulled from beneath Elizabeth Wilson’s feet. She did not die outright but showed little sign of struggle. Several long moments passed before the crowd noticed white flags waving along the road from Philadelphia.

William rode to Hangman’s Lot calling, “A pardon! A pardon!” His horse reared at the sight of Elizabeth’s body, throwing him to the muddy ground beneath his sister. The sheriff quickly cut the rope and tried frantically to revive Elizabeth, but it was too late to save her.

After several months in a state of delirium, William returned to work as a stone carver. However, he had lost all interest in society and eventually abandoned it. He began to roam westward across southeastern Pennsylvania, interacting with others only when he needed to negotiate for provisions. In 1802, William came to the place that would be his home for the last nineteen years of his life. The cave (today known as Indian Echo Caverns) where William set up residence is located at the foot of a high bluff, or “palisades,” at the head of a horseshoe bend on the Swatara Creek.

There are many caves in that area, but the Hermit’s cave is particularly large and accessible. The natural entrance is approximately 26 feet wide and was well known to local residents from the earliest times. The “room” that became William’s primary living quarters was over 98 feet inside the cave and around a “corner.” Although natural daylight often reaches that area, particularly late in the day, it is not directly visible from outside. The cave provided shelter and maintained a constant 52 °F temperature. There is a natural ledge, reputed to have been William’s bed, beside which stands a stalagmite that bears marks attributed to the rope ladder used to reach the ledge. William’s possessions were few: a straw mattress, a table and stool, some cooking implements, a Bible and other religious books.

On October 13, 1821, the Harrisburg Intelligencer ran the following notice:

Died lately at his lonely hovel among the hills, twelve miles southeast from Harrisburg, Pa., ——– Wilson, who for many years endeavored to be a solitary recluse from the society of men… His retirement was principally occasioned by the melancholy manner of the death of his sister, by which his reason was partially affected… (He) was observed frequently to be estranged, and one morning was found dead by a few of his neighbors, who had left him the evening previously in good health.

As was the case with his sister, the details and location of William’s burial remain unknown, although it is often assumed that he was buried somewhere on his friend’s farm in Lower Swatara Township.

This is the time of the year we normally see the first black bears of the season. The forest is reviving itself after the long, snowy winter and everything is finally green again. The air is filled with the sweet, sweet smell of blossoming honeysuckle bushes…and the woods surrounding the house are filled with them. And that sweet smell will be tempting the bears to leave the higher ground and come visit our house.

From the PA Game Commission’s website:

Ursus americanus is the black bear’s scientific name; it means “American bear.” Although three species of bears inhabit North America, only the black bear is found in Pennsylvania. A population estimate in 2015 showed approximately 20,000 bears living in the commonwealth. Black bears appear heavy, but are surprisingly agile; they can run up to 35 miles per hour, climb trees and swim well. They may live up to 25 years in the wild.

Black bears are intelligent and curious. Studies show that bears can see colors, recognize human forms, and notice even the slightest movement. Bears usually rely on their acute sense of smell and, to a lesser degree, hearing, to locate food and danger. Despite their common name, black bears are not always black. They may be cinnamon or, even rarer, blond. Many bears have a white blaze or “V” on their chest.

Adults usually weigh around 200 pounds, with males being heavier than females, often more than twice as much. Some weigh up to 600 or more pounds and rare individuals up to 900. Males are called boars; females, sows. Black bears measure about three feet high when on all fours or about five to seven feet tall when standing upright.

In Pennsylvania, bears mate primarily from early June to mid-July. Males are very aggressive towards each other at this time. Sows give birth in January to litters of one to five. The newborn cubs are blind, toothless, and covered with short, fine hair that seems to inadequately cover their pink skin. Cubs begin nursing immediately after birth, and are groomed and cared for daily by the sow. Nurtured with the sow’s rich milk, they grow from as light as 10 ounces at birth to as much as 10 pounds by the time they leave the den in early April. Males do not help rear young.

Most cubs stay with the sow for a little more than a year. They watch her every move and learn by imitating her. Cubs are playful, regularly romping and wrestling with their littermates. The sows are very protective of cubs, sending them up trees if danger threatens. Adult males occasionally kill cubs. The family group disbands when the cubs are about a year and a half old and the sow is again ready to breed.

We saw a lot more bears when we were first building our home. I believe the new smells and sounds piqued their curiosity. They’ve balanced precariously on the rim of our burn barrel–butt in the air–reaching down inside the barrel to nab any edible bit left there. They’ve ruined our hummingbird feeders (lesson learned there–we take them in nightly now) and even left muddy prints on the logs on the side of our home.

But they are such fun to watch, safely inside the house. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too much longer this year!

Octopuses are marine creatures that have an excellent sense of touch, powerful, beak-like jaws and venomous saliva. Their suckers have receptors that enable an octopus to taste what it is touching. They are predators, and they typically kill their prey by dropping down on them and enclosing it with their arms. The prey is then pulled into their beaks and broken up. An octopus’s beak resembles a parrot’s beak.

An octopus has three hearts, two of which pumps blood to the gills and the third heart circulates blood to rest of the body. Their blood is actually blue, mainly because of the presence of hemocyanin – a copper-based protein in its blood cells instead of an iron based system like we have. An octopus can squeeze itself into ridiculously small cracks and crevices because it has a soft body and lacks an internal skeleton.

The size of octopuses usually vary, normally ranging from 12 to 36 inches in length. According to National Geographic, the giant Pacific octopuses, which are found throughout the Pacific Ocean, weigh between 50 kg to 272 kg and measure over 30 feet long.

Octopuses are known to be masters of disguise in which they can easily change colors in 3-tenths of a second. It is one of their distinct features as it eludes predators easily. This talent is so impressive that they can instantly change colors accurately to that of their surroundings–including texture–hiding in plain sight to help catch prey off guard.

Because they have such a large brain, octopuses are a highly intelligent marine species. They also have a well-developed central nervous system and 500 million neurons found in their arms, allowing for touch, taste, and gripping its prey. 75% of the octopus’ neurons are located on its arms and each arm can do something on its own at the same time. When one of their arms is severed, it will actually regenerate itself.

Octopuses have a very short life span. Some species live only for six months; however the giant octopus can live as long as five or six years. According to some research, octopuses mate and then die in a few months. They are an egg-laying species, and a female octopus can lay 200,000 to 400,000 eggs at a time and will guard the eggs without eating until they hatch. The female octopuses die through cellular suicide soon after the eggs are hatched.

When an octopus is relatively hungry, everything is on the menu, and they will even eat their fellow octopus. Furthermore, scientists and researchers have also witnessed female octopuses eating their mating partner once breeding is done. However, male octopuses have learned how to avoid getting killed once copulation is done– including mating within arm’s reach to avoid getting eaten by the larger female and sometimes sacrificing one of its limbs just to get away as it will just soon regenerate.

All octopuses are venomous but evidence shows that the animal does not make the venom by itself. It is produced by symbiotic bacteria instead. The blue-ringed octopus is the most venomous to humans and they are fatal. It is estimated that a single drop of tetrodotoxin is enough to kill about 27 people in a matter of minutes.

Octopuses are fast swimmers, but they usually prefer to crawl rather than swim. While swimming, the systemic heart becomes inactive and stops delivering blood to its organs and makes them exhausted very soon. They can, however, crawl on land…which is why I avoid the beach!

Elephants are amazing creatures! They are the largest living land animals on earth and have the largest brain in the animal kingdom! They hear and communicate by foot stomping, and creating a low-frequency rumble that generates seismic waves in the ground that can travel nearly 20 miles. The sensitive skin in an elephant’s trunk and feet helps them to pick up the message, and interpret them as a warning, or distant danger.

There are three recognized species of elephants – The African bush elephant (also known as the Savanna elephant), the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant.

The African elephants used to be considered one species, until genetic studies concluded that they were separated between 2-7 million years ago.

African elephants are typically significantly larger than their Asian elephant cousins, with bulls growing up to 13 feet tall and weigh between 4,000-7,500 kg, while Asian elephants reach no more than 11.5 feet, and weigh less, between 3000-6,000 kg.

African elephants ears are larger, and reach up and cover the neck, while their skin is also more wrinkled. Asian elephants have a twin-domed head with an indent in the middle (known as ‘dorsal bumps’), whereas African elephants have fuller, more rounded heads. African elephants also have concave backs, while Asian elephants have convex or level backs.

The African elephant is on the left, in comparison to the Asian elephant, on the right.

Both female and male African elephants have tusks, but only male Asian elephants do. An elephants tusks are used for digging, debarking trees, moving trees and branches when clearing a path and for attacking and defending when fighting. By raising the tips of their trunks above the water’s surface, elephants can cross rivers totally submerged walking on the river bed–their very own snorkel!

Elephants form deep, intimate family bonds and live in groups, known as a herd. These herds have a matriarchal head, which means the oldest, and usually largest, female in the group will lead the herd. She is referred to as the matriarch. A family usually includes the mother, her sisters, daughters and their babies.

The size of the herd will depend entirely on the size of the family and the terrain they have chosen to live on. Normally a herd of elephants can number between 8 and 100, however there have been recorded aggregations of up to 1,000 around watering holes.

The entire matriarchal herd will protect a newborn calf, and help to raise it. Males have a very different behavior pattern. They usually leave the herd between the ages of 12 and 15 after reaching puberty. Males who have left the family unit will either live temporarily with other males, or may just be alone for the rest of their lives. Even after pursuing and selecting a female mate, a male elephant will then resume his predominantly nomadic and solitary life, to roam alone.

Female elephants have the longest pregnancies of any mammal at 22 months and give birth to huge babies. The average newborn calf will weigh between 200-250 pounds! Thankfully, the average birth is a single calf but although twins are rare, they do occur occasionally.

An elephant’s skin is very thick–about an inch thick–and although it’s tough, it’s also very sensitive! Elephants love mud baths–which they use as sunscreen for protection–and dust baths which they use to remove parasites.

Elephants will show affection to other members of their herd by stroking their heads or backs with their trunks to console or comfort them. If an elephant herd comes across a pile of elephant bones, they will stop and touch the bones with their trunks, and stay there for a long while. Are they grieving? Showing respect? They do not exhibit the same behavior with the bones of other animals.

But one the most interesting facts I discovered about elephants is this: They are afraid of bees! Imagine!

Frog Facts

One of the smallest frogs is called a spring peeper. It’s maximum length is 1 1/2 inches and males make a chirping, cricket-like sound in spring mating season.

The Goliath Frog, found only in Western Africa, reaches about a foot in length and constructs its own ponds for its tadpoles to grow in.

Wood Frogs, found in Northeast America and Alaska can survive below freezing temperatures in which up to 65% of their bodies turn to ice! In the winter, the Wood Frog’s body freezes and its heart stops beating. They also stop breathing and remain in this state until spring.

Frogs in general do not drink water, they absorb it! They have almost 180 degree vision and cannot eat and keep their eyes open at the same time! And most frogs have teeth!

One last interesting thing about frogs…a group of frogs is called an army.

Humming birds are amazing birds and one of my absolute favorites!

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly in different directions. They can hover forward, backward, sideways, in mid-air, and even upside-down! They can also fly in the rain and shake their heads off to remove drops of water. What is incredible though is that they can shake their heads as fast as 132 times per second and rotate up to 202 degrees. And they can do all of this while flying!

Hummingbirds have a very fast metabolism, which is nearly 100 times faster than that of an elephant.

They eat nectars and insects such as ants, gnats, mosquitoes, and wasps the entire day just to survive. These hummers can feed every 10 to 15 minutes and scout between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers every day for food.

Don’t judge them by their size as hummingbirds have speed and stamina. They have been clocked in direct flights at about 30 mph and in courtship dives at 45 mph. In addition, their heart can beat up to 1,200 times per minute when flying and 225 times at rest. And their wings? Well, they can flap to as fast as 70 times per second on a regular flight and 200 times when diving.

Once a hummer has found a food source, it will return yearly. We generally begin to see ours in mid-April (depending on the warmth) and they depart in September. Our neighbor once told us that the hummers would fly to his windows in the spring and “say hello” and that’s when he knew it was time to get his feeders out. (Although hummers have no sense of smell, bears do and in early spring the sweet smell of the sugar water attracts bears, so we take our feeders in every evening.)

We found that in the mornings, the hummers will indeed fly at the window to “announce” they are up and to signal they are ready for breakfast…LOL