TwistedPhilly

Episode 26 – Originally Published 2017

This week I had the opportunity to meet a delightful man who owns Philadelphia’s oldest continuous operating ale house in the city – McGillin’s Olde Ale House.  If you’re not familiar with McGillin’s , it’s on Drury Lane between Juniper and 13th Streets. There’s an enormous old fashioned neon sign on the front of the building and it  looks very much the way it did almost 160 years ago.  Owner Chris Mullen and I talked about the history of McGillin’s, the impact the ale house has on the country’s perspective of Philly as a beer town, the great food and drink you can get there, and the ghosts of Ma and Pa McGillin.  Yes, McGillin’s is haunted!  Check out McGillin’s on their website – www.mcgillins.com, and be sure to visit for their very own McGillin’s craft beers, mile high meatloaf, an Eagle-tini and some fish and chips.  Plus you can keep an eye out for Ma McGillin’s ghost on the second floor between the bar and the TV.  Apparently she prefers conversation to the animated box. 

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

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Episode 25 – Originally Published 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about domestic violence and murder

The first “earth week” was held in Philadelphia in 1970. A group of students and professors from University of Pennsylvania Design School first conceptualized the idea of earth week: activities dedicated to focusing on our planet and how we can improve and preserve the earth.  One of the stand outs from that first earth week was a broadcast on CBS news. People all over the country could see the massive outpouring of support at teach in’s and events at Fairmount Park and Independence hall.  A local man stood out during that special; not an honored speaker but someone who grabbed the microphone for a few minutes.  That broadcast began Ira Einhorn’s self-professed claim to fame as an earth week organizer.  He became better known as the Unicorn Killer.  

Einhorn was a local activist around the Penn campus and Philadelphia.  He ran in circles with some of the biggest names in social and political activism. Businesses and corporations in Philly took care of Ira Einhorn.  They paid his living expenses and gave him money for food in exchange for his unique and unconventional consulting services.  Einhorn didn’t visit visiting them in their board rooms – he set up shop almost like a mafia don at a desirable table in a Philly restaurant called  La Terasse in University City  And that’s where he met Holly Maddox, a recent graduate from Bryn Mawr College who moved here from  Tyler, TX.  His politics aligned with hers, his activism was exciting, being in his presence was an experience and Holly Maddux was completely taken with him.  Their relationship born of peace and love became one of violence and turmoil.  After 5 years Holly found the courage to end her relationship with Ira Einhorn.  On September 9, 1979, Holly Maddux disappeared after a visit to the apartment she once shared with Einhorn.  Eighteen months later Holly’s mummified remains were found inside a trunk in a locked closet in Einhorn’s Philadelphia apartment.  What followed was a 23-year man hunt that spanned an ocean in an attempt to bring Einhorn back to the states to face justice. 

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

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Episode 24 – Originally Published 2017

Not far from the Pennsylvania/Maryland border, south of York, is a house with a dark history – the Hex House. It was once owned by Nelson Rehmeyer, a Pennsylvania Dutch medicine man who was savagely beaten and murdered by local townsmen in 1928. In an attempt to hide their crimes, these men attempted to set the house on fire, but it wouldn’t burn.

Nelson Rehmeyer was considered a witch by some, and the fact his house wouldn’t burn was considered proof of that status. Take a trip out to central Pennsylvania to Rehmeyer’s Hollow, filled with ghost stories and legends from the past 100 years.

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts.

The post Haunted Tales and the Hex House appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 23 – Originally Published in 2017

Philadelphia’s City Hall was destined to be the largest building in the world when it was constructed, but we never quite got there.

City Hall cost $25 million to build in 1901, over $7 billion in today’s economy.  And it would have cost just as much to tear it down, which is exactly what the city wanted to do over 50 years ago because they thought it was a eyesore.  To me, it’s nothing short of magnificent, rich with history and turmoil, and seedy stories like you’d never believe.

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

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Episode 22 – Originally Published in 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about abduction, sexual assault, torture and murder

Gary Heidnik was one of the most notorious serial rapists, torturers and murderers in the United States in the late 80s, and the boogey man of Philadelphia.  

On March 24, 1987, Philadelphia police received a call from a hysterical woman telling a wild, unbelievable story.  Her name was Josephina Rivera.  She claimed she’d been held hostage for over four months in a dirty house in North Philadelphia, chained in a pit with other women, at least two of whom were dead.  They’d been shackled, beaten, raped every day, tortured and electrocuted.  Gary Heidnik’s house of horrors began and ended with Josephina Rivera. 

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Episode 21 – Originally Published in 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about murder

Doctor Lois Farquharson was a psychiatrist at Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry in 1971 when her girlfriend, Gloria Burnette, murdered their neighbor, Dr. Leon Weingrad who was also a colleague of Lois’. Weingrad made life difficult for Lois and Gloria, in part because of his disdain for their relationship.  Whether they were at home or at work, Weingrad spread his negativity about Lois and Gloria, including complaining to their superiors at Byberry about their romantic relationship and Lois Farquharson’s abilities as a psychiatrist.

Although Gloria Burnette is the one who pulled the trigger, not once but three times, killing Leon Weingrad in the parking lot of their Society Hill Towers apartment complex, Lois is the one who was sentenced to life.  Lynne Abraham, who was an assistant district attorney at the time, argued that Lois was the mastermind behind the murder scheme, and treated Gloria like a puppet.  And although Gloria initially told police Lois had nothing to do with the murders, she testified against Lois in exchange for a lighter sentence, then recanted her testimony admitting she made it up for leniency.  And it didn’t matter.

Lois Farquharson was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.  Not conspiracy to commit murder, man slaughter, or even second degree murder.  Murder in the first degree.  And in Pennsylvania a life sentence means there is no possibility for parole.  In 2016 Lois Farquharson was the oldest living female inmate serving a life sentence, until she passed away in early January, 2017, at the age of 91. Through my research about Lois Farquharson’s case I learned about organizations in Pennsylvania that promote education and awareness about rehabilitation and reconstruction within our prisons, and advocate for improved qualities of life for inmates serving life sentences. For more information about the Fight for Lifers visit http://www.reconstructioninc.org/programs/fight-for-lifers/

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

The post The Good Doctor – Lois Farquharson: Part 2 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 20 – Originally Published in 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about homophobia and murder

In the 1970s, one of the largest employers in the city was the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry, or just Byberry as the locals called it. Dr. Lois Farquharson was a psychiatrist working at Byberry. She and her partner, Gloria Burnette, had recently moved to Philadelphia from New Jersey and shortly after Lois took up residency as a doctor at Byberry she got Gloria a job there as an aide.  Although Philadelphia celebrated our first Pride Parade in the summer of 1972, the culture of the city wasn’t entirely accepting of LGBTQIA+ persons.  Lois and Gloria were subjected to scrutiny, even harassment, especially by a colleague, Dr. Leon Weingrad.  Weingrad was also their neighbor at the upscale Society Hill Towers.

One hot summer day in August, 1971, Gloria had enough.  She followed Dr. Weingrad through the parking lot of their apartment complex and shot him three times at close range.  But it was Lois who did the time; Lois who wasn’t at the scene, Lois whom Gloria insisted was innocent of this crime.  Gloria pulled the trigger, but Lois was sentenced to life in prison.

Lois Farquharson was 48 years old when she entered Muncy Correctional Institute for Women in 1973.  And she was 91 when she passed away in January 2017, denied appeals and denied pardons, even as recently as 2014 when she was 88 years old. Why was this woman sentenced to life in prison when someone else planned the murder and pulled the trigger?  In part one we discuss the relationship between Gloria, Lois and Leon, the trials and Lois’ time at Muncy.  Next week in part two we talk with someone form the Fight for Lifers group, an organization associated with Reconstruction, Inc., dedicated to improving the quality of life for inmates serving life sentences in Pennsylvania.

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts.

The post The Good Doctor – Lois Farquharson: Part 1 appeared first on TwistedPhilly.

Episode 19 – Originally Published 2017

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Philly author and public relations expert Irene Levy Baker, author of 100 Things To Do In Philly Before You Die. 

This book is an absolute gem, filled with the best of the best restaurants, museums, concert halls, everything that’s wonderful about the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.  Leveraging her experience providing tours for travel writers, whom are not easily impressed, Irene presents the gems of our city – some hidden, and some well known but not the way Irene knows them – creating a guide-book that’s great for visitors and equally as wonderful for Philly natives. Irene Levy Baker is funny and smart, curious, charming and I know you’ll love her as much as I do.

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

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Episode 18 – Originally Published 2017

Trigger warning – discussions about child abuse and death of a child

While the “Boy in the Box” may be the most infamous cold case from Philadelphia, it’s certainly not the only one and tragically, it’s not the only one about children. This is the story of the “Girl in the Trunk” and the “Boy in the Bag” – children who actually had names – Aliyah Davis and Jerell Willis – but went unidentified for a period of time after their deaths, known only for the way they were found. They spent years without names, without families, without the protection they deserved but didn’t receive. Aliyah and Jerell were on the radar of human service organizations before their deaths, yet no one took action.  

TwistedPhilly is researched, hosted, and produced by me, Deana Marie, and available biweekly wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow me on Tiktok and Instagram at twistedphilly To see many of the locations and histories I discuss in the show. 

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