30 November 1905PORTIONS OF THE DAMAGED DIARY OF JOANNA WOZNIAK, AS RECOVERED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF ERIE, PA, ON THE EVENING OF MAY 28, 1974.Brandon and Marilyn came last night to bring food and check on Abe and I. Marilyn expressed concern about the community back home, says the river is getting worse and tensions are rising. Fishermen haven't caught anything edible in days. The Reverend compared it to the plague of blood in the Nile, Marilyn fears men will come looking for us. She had me sore afraid, but I told her there was nowhere else for Abe in his condition. I told them how he seemed to do better when I could bring him to the creek out back, but it was a small comfort and I can't do it anymore. They were staying the night, so Brandon offered to carry Abe to-day so we could travel to the Monongahela and see if that works better. Abe seemed hopeful.
We set out at first light in their carriage. Brandon carried him down into the water, and I went along to comfort Abe while Marilyn tended the lunch and towels. When we entered the river, two lumps of water formed and stood upright and greeted us! Brandon dropped Abe and fell backward toward the shore, then ran to Marilyn. I was terrified, but took courage and tried to hold Abe while introducing ourselves. They knew him, called him Aaboukingon, said he was their brother from the next leg of the river. They saw me trying to hold Abe's head above water and stated that his nature as a spirit will not let him drown. I stayed cautious all the same. The water circled round Abe and I, it felt like it was trying to squeeze us, but it never hurt. Abe regained all his color and strength and stood on top of the water itself. I heard Brandon and Marilyn muttering on shore. The river spirits and Abe spoke for a time in a language I could not understand--Abe told me at home it was the tongue of his people, I did not ask whether he meant spirits or the Indians--before addressing me again. The spirits told me that Abe and his river would be okay for a time, but he needs to return or he will die. They then left. We had a quiet lunch on shore. It was a lovely day for a picnic. Marilyn and I talked while the men tended to the horses, and she expressed concern about Abe really being a pagan spirit. She encouraged me to let him return to his river, as it seemed best for both of us. After we returned home and they left, with one more urging from Marilyn for me to let Abe go and come home, Abe determined to stay with me and assured that the spirits were overeager. He believes he will be fine if we visit the river frequently.
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27 November 1905From microfilm records of the Pittsburg DispatchAfter much public discours in the city of Allegheney and many opinions sent to this very paper on the matter of the younger lady Wozniak, the esteemed patriarch of that estate issued a stern public condemnation over the week-end of her "illicit and unchristian behavior of late". She has been officially dis-owned by that family and is believed to be now living on the grounds of her lover.
The condemnation was announced on Saturday afternoon, and was incorporated into the Sunday sermon of the Reverend Liam Halzberg. Rev. Halzberg called on the community to reject the bewitching influence of the Red Indian and on Miss Wozniak to repent and return home. Mr. Wozniak expressed concern over rumors of a local body seeking to return Miss Wozniak to Allegheney by force and urged his neighbors to pray with patience for her safe return. 23 November 1905Official transcript: portions of the damaged diary of Joanna Wozniak, as recovered by the police department of Erie, PA, on the evening of May 28, 1974.I have determined to keep a record of all I have learned thus far of Abe and his story. I cannot continue investigating at the moment, as he has fallen terribly ill, but this information is too important to be lost as he recovers. On the evening of Tuesday, the 21st of November, I received word that Abe had been bedridden all day and was refusing doctors. I made arrangements with my family, who were deeply frightened for my safety after an event earlier that day with the Reverend Halzberg, Doctor Price, and Old Tom. I know not the details, but Father warned me that my home may be less welcoming Portion damagedI arrived around lunch on the following day, and found Abe in dire straits. He was delirious, his body bruised, and he was coughing up the most dreadful bile. He continuously muttered in a language I did not recognize, but would occasionally say fragments of a thought in English. It took me nearly the entire evening to piece these words together, and realized that he seemed to be claiming to need moving water. He appears to believe he has a connection with it, Portion damagedI solicited help from my driver, and we carried Abe to the stream at the edge of the property. When placed in the water, his mood grew more stable, and his words became more clear. Within the hour, his symptoms passed to where he could maintain his own composure. I sent the driver away, and we discussed his condition. Abe believes himself to be a spirit of a river, and not a native man at all. There is a part of me that wants to believe this is simply part of his poor health, a fleeting fancy that will pass as his mind grows strong again. But, it all makes sense. I fear that I have thrown in my lot with a pagan spirit, that the Reverend was right about him. No, I know Abe better than that. If he is a spirit, he is a blessed one, his heart pure and his touch soothing. If he is a spirit, let him be an angel. If he is an angel, let him be my angel. pages from here until entry dated 30 November have been torn out20 November 1905Marilyn,
I’ve just returned from a mostly delightful weekend with Abe at the old Madison house. Spending it here seemed unbearable with the judgement of so many friends, but he is such warm company and a light in the midst of a dark time. We were able to talk in peace and I learned much about what he does and does not remember. He has these glimpses, pieces of memories and dreams. He insists we was called Aaboukingon before, by his people, and he seems to recall exchanging favors and gifts with them, all tied to the river. On Friday, while we were gathering wood for the fire, I cut my hand. He called forth water from a nearby stream, and ran it over my hand, and healed the injury! It showed so sign of having ever been hurt. I don’t know how he does these wondrous things, but it seemed to tire him this time. He did seem to be suffering from his situation. I know not whether he was simply growing more homesick, or if he had caught an illness, but he talked of missing the river and of wishing he was not such a burden on me. Before he moved, we would visit every day, but he has no carriage in Madison and it is much farther. I promised him that I will make arrangements for him to visit it, or perhaps the Monongahela, which is much closer to him, soon. I assured him that I would return soon. There are enough guest rooms for us all, we should arrange for you and Brandon to visit sometime. You must see what he’s done with the place, it is far more vibrant than mother kept it. Sincerely, Joanna 12 November 1905Marilyn,
I sincerely apologize for not tarrying with you after church to-day. I left in quite a hurry and have only just recovered from the most distressing news. As you and Brandon saw on your visit Friday, Abe and I have been attempting to establish his full identity. His ability to actually command the water in our creek was a surprise to both of us, and he was so proud to have been able to entertain you both with it free from judgement. However, it appears that others have learned of this gift, and have conspired to label him a witch, or worse, a demon. Rev. Halzberg was intensely cross about his broken arm, and would not even allow Abe to enter the church for service! I tried to explain that it was merely an accident, and Abe apologized profusely, but the Rev. cited rumors of magic being performed on the estate and insisted that no evil spirits would be allowed in this church as long as he was ministering there. Doc. Price even threatened to throw Abe out of the building himself if we would not comply! What charity the Rev. shows! When I begged him to show mercy as our Lord has shown to us, he told me that I should have to choose between himself or Abe. Well, Marilyn, I do not wish to sound disrespectful of the cloth, but it appeared to me in that moment that Abe was in need of help which I could render, and the Rev. was in need of help I could not. And so we departed. My parents are greatly troubled by this turn of events. They have begun to speak, where they do not think we can hear, of giving Abe a parcel of land with a small house they no longer use, south-east of Pittsburg. Abe has informed me that if it would make my life easier, he would accept such an offer, and I would of course be welcome to spend as much time as I like there. I do not wish to see him go, but I fear if they make the offer it shall be either that or throwing him out into a community that wishes to see him harm. Do thank Brandon for the resources he sent over. We noticed in one writing that ‘Aaboukingon’ is the name one tribe had for the river from which Abe emerged. We shall have to look deeper into that lead, perhaps he simply took the name of the first thing he recognized. Abe has sworn to repay you both for your kindness. Sincerely, Joanna 7 November 1905Excerpt from the daily records of Dr. Harold Price, of Allegheny City, Penna. (now part of Pittsburgh)My first visit after lunch was the Reverend Liam Halzberg, and the nature of the case was so bizarre that I feel it deserves special consideration. It seems he had received concerns about Miss Joanna Wozniak and her strange visitor. I confessed to the Reverend that I had heard of this affair, and was quite under the impression the Injun fancied himself a suitor, though I had no knowledge of the lady’s opinion on the matter and liked to think she was above such foolish notions.
The Reverend, of course, felt it his duty to appraise the lady’s fidelity, and to ensure the lad had no aims at abusing her charity. She confided to the Reverend, and he in myself, that she had had no improper relations with the man, that she was trying to help him recover from some unknown trauma, and that she would appreciate the faith and assistance of those who feel more comfortable speaking about her than to her. I do not know the wording she used, but it is clear that it was delivered in a manner the Reverend found distasteful. But then came the injury. Concerned that Miss Wozniak was keeping something of the matter, he went in search of the Injun, who was taking a rest at a creek running through the estate. He reports that the man appeared to be in something of a trance, and when he attempted to speak with him in a level tone, he did not answer. The Reverend recounts that he then raised his voice and repeated his concern, that the man be not misguided about any lasting benefits from his situation, and appeared to have won the man’s attention. But when the man started muttering in some dark, unknown language at the Reverend, the latter grew afraid that he was responding with a curse. The Reverend tells me he then grabbed the man’s shoulders and demanded consideration of his words, whereupon the latter threw the Reverend across the creek! When I met with the Reverend, who left the estate quickly and in a daze, his arm was broken, his side and leg bruised, and his clothing torn from the rocks. I set his arm, of course, and praised his efforts to protect the young lady from such a beast, even at his own peril. Neither I nor the Reverend know whether it was the fall or the man who broke the arm, but we are convinced that Miss Wozniak is entertaining a dangerous savage, and will be spending the morrow ensuring that our neighbors keep a safe distance until this matter can be resolved. 4 NOvember 1905Marilyn,
I must confess, the rumor you ask about is somewhat true. Yesterday, on my afternoon walk, I did come upon a Red man who seemed in grave distress. He was lost, in borrowed clothes, confused about where and who he was, though the report that he smelled of liquor is entirely false. I’ve never seen a man more lucid, which made his questions all the more peculiar. He said that he remembered nothing before crawling out of the River some two days prior, save the ringing of a bell, though he seemed to expect his people to be here and not the city. I do not know what wild people are his, and neither does he. He introduced himself as Aaboukingon, which I found difficult to manage and solicited his permission to call him Abe for a time. When it became clear that he was an honest man in a dangerous state, I brought him to the estate where he was given fresh clothes and a room in an outer house. As I write, he is in the back, staring at the trees as though he expects something of them. I have arranged for a journey into Pittsburg today to find any knowledge about him or his people as can be had. I should like your dear Brandon to meet him, as he deals so much with the Indians of these parts. Perhaps we can welcome you both for dinner this week-end? Do reply quickly, you know how mother hates unexpected guests. She is troubled enough by Abe, I would not have her turn against you, of all people. Sincerely, Joanna |
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