Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore | “The White Cat”

The “Pennsylvania Dutch” refers to the group of people who migrated from modern-day Germany to the United States and Canada (primarily Pennsylvania) during the 1600s and 1700s. They had a rich tradition of folklore, often passing down stories orally from generation to generation. The following tale comes from the book “Folk Tales of The Pennsylvania Dutch: Stories of Witchcraft, Magic, and the Supernatural” by William Woys Weaver.

Melchior Rausch was a farmer who worked on Lizard Creek, in Schuylkill, Pennsylvania. Needing some extra help, he hired an additional hand. But only two days after being hired, this young man was found dead, in morbid conditions. It looked as if he had been attacked by a wild animal. The man was a foreigner with no family, and so he was buried behind the church, with the poor.

Following the incident, Rausch would have to find another hand to help out on his farm. He disclosed to his next hire about what had mysteriously happened to his prior. In response, the man confidently assured him, “Mach’s nix aus!” (Not a problem!) He explained that he slept with a rifle each night and was prepared to fight any creature that threatened him.

Again, two days after beginning work, the man was also found dead. Rausch examined the scene and observed that his body was also in morbid condition, like he had been attacked. When he picked up the dead man’s riffle, it wouldn’t shoot.

Rausch was beyond perplexed as to why this was continuing to happen. Looking around, there were no open doors or windows that an animal could have crept through. Anything that could fit through the fireplace wouldn’t be large enough to kill a person.

Calling the sheriff, Rausch pointed out how the riffle was unable to fire. The sheriff determined that this gun had been charmed by a witch. He advised Rausch to find a Braucher (a Christian folk healer) — and do not hire anyone else until this mystery was resolved. The second hired man was buried next to the first hired man.

A couple of days later, a third man came up to Rausch and asked if he could work for him, seeing that he needed help on his farm. But Rausch firmly declined, explaining that there was some kind of curse in his home, in which his men were getting killed.

“I believe that I can break this curse,” the man determined, “just give me a pot of boiling water along with a knife. And most importantly, do not tell anyone about this water and knife.”

Finally, Rausch agreed.

Two nights later, the hired man awoke at midnight to find a huge, white cat that had crawled through a tiny hole. The hole in the wall was so tiny that it was not physically possible for a cat to fit through — especially one that size.

“Get out!” The man yelled, as he threw the pot of boiling water onto the cat. As the cat tried to escape back out of the little hole, the man chopped off its front paw with a knife. The cat escaped, but the paw remained on the floor.

That next morning, it was discovered that the paw had changed into a finger with a wedding ring. The man immediately informed Rausch, who took a look at the finger, and recognized that ring as his wife’s wedding band.

Rausch ran upstairs to find his wife in bed. She’d been complaining about a headache. Ripping off the covers, he spotted her left hand wrapped in a bloody cloth, missing her ring finger. Mortified, Rausch and the hired man grabbed her, tied her up, and dragged her into the graveyard behind the church, where the murdered men had been buried.

“Let the murdered men decide her fate,” Rausch declared.

The minister of the church looked out of the window and saw what was happening at the graveyard. He recognized one of the men who was a Braucher.

“Wait!” The minister called out as he ran to the graveyard with a cup of holy water. “This man is not allowed here!” He pointed to the third hired man, “that man is a Braucher!”

“And my wife is a witch!” Rausch explained.

“Liewwer Gott im Himmel!” the minister shouted, sprinkling holy water.

But the minister could not stop the madness. The murdered men, Rausch’s first two hires, rose from their graves and attacked the witch. As they violently shook her around, she screamed out in fear. They shook her so hard that her head came off. Her body fell to the ground, and her detached head morphed into a white cat.

Satisfied with their revenge, the ghosts of the murdered men happily threw the woman’s head up into a tree. The half-woman-half-cat head would spend the rest of eternity searching for its body — a punishment that is worse than death.

They say that the witch’s head roams the countryside at night. You may find it resting on fence posts or perching in the trees. You may hear its cries in the middle of the night, still trying to find its body.

This is one of the most haunting, chilling, and violent folktales of PA Dutch tradition. But it tells us a lot about their culture.

“Braucher” is a term that is often used in PA Dutch folklore. It can be best described as a Christian folk healer, but there’s a lot more to it. Brauchers are healers that use both practical means (such as plant medicine) in conjunction with spiritual methods. But all spiritual methods are based on Christianity — such as praying, invoking the power of Christ, etc.

Alongside, the term “witch” is strictly associated with evil magic. In current times, this term is viewed more broadly, with the separation of “good witch” and “bad witch.” But in PA Dutch folklore, a witch is always something negative. In contrast, a Braucher can be seen more as “a good witch.”

The sheriff’s reaction to the crimes are telling, in which he infers that witchcraft was involved, and recommends a Braucher. It represents societal fear of witches, which was extremely present in the 1600’s America. It also shows respect towards Brauchers, with reverence for magic and sorcery.

It’s fascinating that the third hired man does not immediately reveal himself as a Braucher. It’s not until the minister finds him, in which his identity is shown. The Braucher sought to help the farmer with no hidden motive or agenda. He was not asked to help, instead, he went out of his way to solve the mystery and break the curse.

This shows that the Pennsylvania Dutch viewed Brauchers as kind and benevolent, as healers who will help others without being asked. But it also shows a sense of secrecy, as the Braucher felt the need to hide his identity to the farmer. While Brauchers were respected, they were also seen as somewhat controversial.

What’s most interesting the the minister’s reaction to the Braucher. He is the only character in the story (besides the witch, of course) who fears Brauchers. Despite Brauchers using Christian beliefs to heal others, they are still seen as a threat by the church.

There’s a connection between witches and cats, which is common in folklore. We never find out the wife’s intent. In stories like these, witches are seen as evil and destructive, with no motive or reason. And what makes it most haunting is how the witch will be haunting the nights for the rest of eternity in this specific landmark. I’m trying to picture a head without a body that’s part woman, part cat. It’s not easy to imagine — and I don’t think I ever want to see it!