Supernatural-Grandma Dorie believed strongly in the supernatural, which was a fundamental aspect of her character. She often told me a variety of stories that she firmly believed occurred, each one more intriguing than the last. One such story revolved around a priest from St. Mary’s in Greensburg, who had died prematurely. According to Grandma, after midnight, his spectral figure could be seen in the church, performing the Masses he had been unable to fulfill in his lifetime, his presence a haunting reminder of unfinished duties. She would often recall, a many of evenings when many locals in Yorkville reported seeing a strange light, an orb, that would follow them on their evening outings, creating an eerie sense of otherworldliness. After countless sightings, inexplicably, the light vanished into a grave at St. Martin’s Cemetery, leaving behind a lingering mystery. Fr. Sonderman, the parish priest at that time, felt a strong compulsion to confront this ethereal light, his curiosity piqued, yet he never found the opportunity to do so. Additionally, Grandma Dorie and Grandpa Mike had made a pact filled with a touch of superstition: whoever crossed over first would return to share the secrets of what lay beyond. Unfortunately for Grandma Dorie, that chance never came, and she lived with the hope of that visit. During my stay with her, spanning a couple of years, these tales and others she shared filled my mind with an unsettling jitteriness, especially at night when the shadows danced around me in the farmhouse. But Grandma Dorie, with her calming demeanor, would assure me, “Don’t worry, ghosts have never hurt anyone.” I sought reassurance from Dad, and when I asked him about the ghost stories shared around our hometown, he recounted his own chilling experiences of as a small child at a wake in someone’s home, where the stories told were so vivid and spine-tingling. But he said of the light seen at night in Yorkville, it was always a night when his relatives had been at a party and alcohol was served. lol
HEX-A custom or a practice from the “Old Country” that continued into the 2nd Generation with Grandma Dorie and her contemporaries—they believed that someone could put a hex on another person. A hex was considered more of an inconvenience in life, not a direct curse, such as an illness in the family, or the loss of livestock, failing crops, and other unfortunate events. Similar to the “evil eye” given to bring bad luck. Geometric signs designed to ward off a hex or bring good luck were typically inscribed on the exterior of buildings, where they could act as protective talismans. When I traveled to Alsace Lorraine in 2013, I was fascinated to find that such signs were prominently displayed on the majority of the barns in the area, each telling a unique story of the local culture and beliefs. The locals explained that the belief in the power of a hex remains evident today, with some families still adhering to traditional practices to safeguard their homes. Grandma Dorie, with her deep understanding of such customs, taught me a way to determine if a person entering the house was indeed a hex. To this day, I have never put that ritual into practice.
Gypsies – Grandma told me stories of Gypsies traveling through the area from time to time, painting vivid images of their lives. Grandma Dorie described how the women wore colorful dresses adorned with intricate patterns, captivating everyone around them, and how they would gather in groups, sharing laughter and secrets while telling fortunes. Intrigued, I did a little research and discovered that bands of Gypsies came to Dearborn County off and on from 1870 to 1920, according to the local newspapers. The Lawrenceburg Press in 1883 recorded an astonishing caravan in the City of Lawrenceburg: “The caravan consisted of four light wagons, one led horse, one donkey, one jenny, seven bears, and one monkey. Seven men, six women, and four babies were part of the entourage. Amid this bustling crowd were many young children, looking for cigar stubs on the street, and a coop of chickens clucking in the background. As soon as they settled, townsfolk eagerly opened their coffers to have their fortunes told and to witness the exotic displays of dancing bears, a spectacle that enchanted both young and old alike.” In 1883, the following was recorded in Aurora, Indiana: “A band of Gypsies with all the paraphernalia, tents, dogs, horses, ponies, goats and fortune tellers camped on Cobbs Hill last Sunday. Their camp had more visitors than all of our churches.” I don’t know if the Gypsies traveled through Yorkville, but on one memorable occasion, Grandma Dorie found herself captivated by a Gypsy woman’s gaze as she had her fortune told. The woman, with an air of mystique, predicted that Grandma would “lose money.” By the end of that fateful day, Grandma had indeed lost her purse, which contained all her money, leaving her to ponder the mysterious ways of fate and the uncanny insight of the traveling fortune-teller.
Dowsing-Witching for Water – Grandma taught me how to “witch for water,” a fascinating art steeped in history that goes back to the Middle Ages. This ancient practice involves using a specially shaped willow branch, one that is Y-shaped, which is said to possess a unique sensitivity to subterranean water sources. As one walks with the branch, it is believed to dip or shake when it crosses over a hidden stream or aquifer, almost as if it has a mind of its own. Though many today classify dowsing as a pseudoscience and regard it as unreliable, Grandma Dorie held a different belief. conviction She had conviction as she recounted her own successful adventures in finding water, stories of the many times the willow branch led many families to life-sustaining wells in arid times.
FAITH-Grandma Dorie was devoted to her Catholic Faith she learned at St. Martin School before Vatican II took effect. The Mass was said in its entirety Latin, even though she could not understand all that the priest said, her faith was strong and unshakeable. She often spoke of the importance of the Catholic Church teachings and traditions in her daily life, reminding me that it was a vital connection to God. Whenever Mass was offered, or a service was held at St. Martin Church, Grandma was there with some of her grandchildren usually, her presence a familiar sight for all. Her unwavering dedication to the Faith is truly inspirational as she related to me that when Dad was overseas serving in the US Army during World War II, she attended daily Mass and lit a candle in prayer for his safe return. Also, at a young age, she impressed upon me to always share what I had and to do good things for others. (Grandpa Mike and she shared what they had on the farm during the Prohibition and the Great Depression with family from the city and Hobos who made their way to Yorkville from Bonnell—getting a meal before hopping on the train again.) She stated that if my deeds became known, I would not get a reward in heaven because I got the “thanks” on earth. This perspective on charity instilled a deep sense of commitment within me to serve others without expecting anything in return. Heaven was Grandma Dorie’s goal in life, and she paved a path for me to strive for the same, illustrating that a life lived with Faith in Jesus Christ, compassion, love of family and others is the true essence of spiritual fulfillment. (And cannot forget to mention Grandma’s love of Yorkville, Indiana.)
Another story from Grandma Dorie involves her Uncle Bernard, also known as Benjamin Nordmeyer. For continuity sake, I will refer to him as Benjamin. Benjamin was a younger brother to Herman Nordmeyer, born in 1844 and grew up in the small, close-knit community of New Alsace, Indiana, where the values of hard work and family were deeply ingrained. From an early age, Benjamin showed a keen interest in craftsmanship, which led him to pursue carpentry as a trade, honing his skills under the watchful eye his relatives. He would have attended St. Paul’s School, where he not only received an education but also became a devoted member of the church, often participating in community events and gatherings. His dedication to his craft and faith shaped him into a respected figure within the community. At the age of 22, in 1866, he made a significant decision to enlist in the US Army, seeking adventure and the opportunity to serve his country at a time of national healing following the Civil War. He was posted to Ft. Gibson in Oklahoma, a key site during the Post-Civil War Reconstruction era marked by efforts to implement new Native American policies. Cherokee treaties were brokered, with two main goals: to maintain peace amongst the various factions and to manage the ever-changing frontier, which was fraught with tension and opportunities alike. In Benjamin’s discharge papers, the following was written: “A private in Company C of the 6th Regiment of Infantry who was enlisted on the 15 day of January, 1866, to serve the term of three years, is hereby discharged from the Army of the United States. Said Benjamin was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, is 24 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches high, dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair. I discharge him from the Army, given my hand at Fort Gibson, this 15 day of January in the year of Our Lord, 1869.” M. Bryant Capt. 6th Infantry Battalion. Character—Good. This document not only marked the end of his military service but also the beginning of a new chapter in Benjamin’s life, as he returned to his roots with stories to tell.
When Benjamin returned to New Alsace in 1869, he married Elizabeth Nordmeyer, who appears to have passed away at a young age. In January 1889, Benjamin married Rosa Krieger, who was likely a widow with a son from a previous marriage. Together, they had at least three children: Gertrude, Albert, and William. On June 1, 1902, when William was about a year old, the family was returning home from a First Communion Party. After dropping the family off at their house, Benjamin went to tend to the horses and was struck by lightning, resulting in his immediate death. He is interred at St. Paul’s Cemetery and will be recognized this Memorial Day as a Civil War Veteran. Their home is believed to be the current residence of the Lunsford family. Shortly after Benjamin’s death, Rosa relocated the family to Covington, Kentucky. Rosa applied for Civil War benefits for a widow and was awarded a pension. Her final days were spent in California.
Grandma did not relate the following story to me, as I discovered it while doing research. William must have experienced significant difficulties following his relocation to Kentucky during his adolescence. According to the Lawrenceburg Press in August 1918, at age 17, William robbed a bank in Reading, Ohio. The court report indicated that William’s “perpetual reading of Jesse James class of cheap literature” inspired his actions. After consuming five shots of whiskey and armed with two pistols, William held up the cashier and stole 7,000 dollars. Law enforcement quickly apprehended him (within a week, maybe) and recovered all but 170 dollars of the stolen money from a cellar in a Covington, Kentucky home. The Juvenile Court subsequently committed William to the Lancaster Reformatory. The records do not indicate his whereabouts or activities following the completion of his sentence.
To close this blog, I have to reminisce a little. Forty-six years ago today, with Dad, I watched the US Hockey Team defeat the Soviet Union for the gold medal in what would become an unforgettable moment in sports history. Dad was thrilled with the victory, his excitement palpable as we celebrated together, and I know today, with the US Hockey Team’s incredible victory over Canada for the gold medal, he would be just as excited as I am, undoubtedly sharing in the joy and pride of this remarkable achievement from above. February 22 is clearly a significant day for the US Hockey team but also being the birthdate of Robyn Kirchgassner. Happy Birthday, Robyn! May your day be filled with love and happiness, just like the spirit of the game we cherish. In other Kirchgassner news, we ask everyone to pray for God’s blessings on the upcoming nuptials of Samuel Kirchgassner and Hailey Fritz, which are just about two months away. This season of love promises to be a joyous celebration, uniting our family further and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Please also pray for Tony and Floyd Trossman as they continue to heal along with John Kirchgassner, who just had hip replacement surgery after an accident at home.
Once again, thanks for reading my blog, hope you enjoy it as much as I do researching the material. I research because I want to be sure my memory is correct–so far everything Grandma Dorie told me over the years is documented on the internet. Yeah! Until next time, Fan Go Maith and Blessed be God!