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Appalachian: Schaumboch's Tavern
The Appalachian Mountains have always been full of mystery, abounding in legends and bloodshed during the French Indian War and the Revolutionary War. However, from 1850 to 1889, a new horror haunted these lands. Secrets of devious deeds that were carefully hidden behind the walls of a tavern owned by Matthias Schaumboch.
In his two-room tavern, Matthias confessed on his deathbed to murdering eleven to fourteen people before he lost count. Rumors had already abounded as locals whispered about Matthias killing lonely travelers for valuables and then dismembering the bodies. There were even rumors of Matthias feeding his victims to unknowing guests at Schaumboch’s Tavern.
Only later were the atrocities confirmed when the property was purchased after Matthias’s death by William and Anne Turner. They began to find human skulls in the water wells and human bones on the property. Based on true events and local history, this is the story of America’s first serial killer. Even today, curious visitors can drive the lonely road to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and view the tavern just off the road—at their own peril.
In his two-room tavern, Matthias confessed on his deathbed to murdering eleven to fourteen people before he lost count. Rumors had already abounded as locals whispered about Matthias killing lonely travelers for valuables and then dismembering the bodies. There were even rumors of Matthias feeding his victims to unknowing guests at Schaumboch’s Tavern.
Only later were the atrocities confirmed when the property was purchased after Matthias’s death by William and Anne Turner. They began to find human skulls in the water wells and human bones on the property. Based on true events and local history, this is the story of America’s first serial killer. Even today, curious visitors can drive the lonely road to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and view the tavern just off the road—at their own peril.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2021
True crime story told with a humanistic approach which gives light to a folktale going from fiction to fact. Wosochlo’s new book is booked end with the death of Schaumboch and the new proprietors buying the place off of the widow Schaumboch before we go back in time to piece together the true story of an Appalachian nightmare.
Wosochlo is able to piece together the crimes and place the events in a realistic narrative timeframe which he slowly unfolds the tale. We get the sense of Schaumboch and wife’s personalities as they head down the dark murderous path that would baffle the minds of the town when facts do come to light. The characters are well drawn out making them three dimensional instead of the normal 2D approach that some writers dealing with true crime often resort to. This is an extra bonus because it gives us an understanding of the murders and their victims and give it an almost 360 degree approach in the handling of the subject material.
The narrative is well planned out and facts are scattered within to give the reader enough information to draw them into the dark non fiction material. Using the outline of making the people human gives it another dark aspect because you feel the horror, the fear and the absolute devastation of these people fighting to survive in a dangerous time only to meet their ends of a friendly face and a warm bed. Wosochlo also adds that although the local town had an inkling of what was going on at the Tavern, they were not too keen to put a stop nor question the disappearance but keep to the understanding if I don’t question it, I don’t have to be part of it. This is an interesting thing that Wosochlo explores which gives the book that bit of extra strangeness to everything.
The village, the land, the tavern and the surrounding areas add credence to the isolation that spices the narrative. Being used to living in our modern times with buttons, sounds, bells and technology taking over, it is hard to imagine what complete silence and no hope of being rescued really is about. The author captures this fantastically and gives that extra chill to his book.
Overall, this is an interesting and entertaining book into the dark history of the American pioneer which could be added the annuals of the Donner party, Alferd Packer, Delfine LaLaurie, John Johnston, and interestingly enough a lot of female serial killers and murders. Wosochlo has given us a tale that makes the The Bloody Benders and HH Holmes seem like clear novices. Excellent read and if true crime with a horrific nightmare inducing slant is your thing, this will give you lots of sleepless night. It’s a winner.
Wosochlo is able to piece together the crimes and place the events in a realistic narrative timeframe which he slowly unfolds the tale. We get the sense of Schaumboch and wife’s personalities as they head down the dark murderous path that would baffle the minds of the town when facts do come to light. The characters are well drawn out making them three dimensional instead of the normal 2D approach that some writers dealing with true crime often resort to. This is an extra bonus because it gives us an understanding of the murders and their victims and give it an almost 360 degree approach in the handling of the subject material.
The narrative is well planned out and facts are scattered within to give the reader enough information to draw them into the dark non fiction material. Using the outline of making the people human gives it another dark aspect because you feel the horror, the fear and the absolute devastation of these people fighting to survive in a dangerous time only to meet their ends of a friendly face and a warm bed. Wosochlo also adds that although the local town had an inkling of what was going on at the Tavern, they were not too keen to put a stop nor question the disappearance but keep to the understanding if I don’t question it, I don’t have to be part of it. This is an interesting thing that Wosochlo explores which gives the book that bit of extra strangeness to everything.
The village, the land, the tavern and the surrounding areas add credence to the isolation that spices the narrative. Being used to living in our modern times with buttons, sounds, bells and technology taking over, it is hard to imagine what complete silence and no hope of being rescued really is about. The author captures this fantastically and gives that extra chill to his book.
Overall, this is an interesting and entertaining book into the dark history of the American pioneer which could be added the annuals of the Donner party, Alferd Packer, Delfine LaLaurie, John Johnston, and interestingly enough a lot of female serial killers and murders. Wosochlo has given us a tale that makes the The Bloody Benders and HH Holmes seem like clear novices. Excellent read and if true crime with a horrific nightmare inducing slant is your thing, this will give you lots of sleepless night. It’s a winner.
July 15, 2021
I had never heard about Schaumboch's Tavern... which is only 15 minutes from my house!
Once I got into the book I started telling my friends about this cool local gory story.
So many friends know the tale, and exactly where the tavern is, but few had heard of the book.
I enjoyed reading this book, especially the historical details and reflections on how different life was then, compared with how this area hasn't changed all that much since.
There were some very tension filled moments to keep it interesting.
I recommend it, especially if you're familiar with Eastern PA.
There were also a bunch of typos. I started noticing sometime during the first half of the book, and so did whoever read the book before me, because about halfway through, the previous reader started placing red marks in pen at the typos. (I do typos all the time)
Once I got into the book I started telling my friends about this cool local gory story.
So many friends know the tale, and exactly where the tavern is, but few had heard of the book.
I enjoyed reading this book, especially the historical details and reflections on how different life was then, compared with how this area hasn't changed all that much since.
There were some very tension filled moments to keep it interesting.
I recommend it, especially if you're familiar with Eastern PA.
There were also a bunch of typos. I started noticing sometime during the first half of the book, and so did whoever read the book before me, because about halfway through, the previous reader started placing red marks in pen at the typos. (I do typos all the time)
September 19, 2025
So, I grew up in the area where the setting of this book takes place. The Tavern does exist, and there are rumors of murders that occurred there. That being said, I really enjoyed the book for nostalgia purposes alone. The writing is pretty good. But the story telling in the middle gets a little repetitive. That's why it took so long for me to read this book. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and it's a really fun read, especially if you live in this area of Schuylkill County PA!!!! Alot of fun!!!
January 27, 2023
Could not get into the writing style at all.
May 3, 2021
Scary tale based on a true story
Very interesting historical fiction. Traveling alone in the older days was a risky proposition. The author brings to life (or should I say death) the worst that could happen. I’ll think twice before I stay alone at a bed and breakfast!
Very interesting historical fiction. Traveling alone in the older days was a risky proposition. The author brings to life (or should I say death) the worst that could happen. I’ll think twice before I stay alone at a bed and breakfast!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews