Timothy and Alison tell true stories of three unique characters from Berks County, Pennsylvania. Timothy tells tales of two men, Matthias Berger and Benjamin Laub - both were known as “The Blue Mountain Hermit”. Berger was killed and his murderer was never found, while Laub may have started the forest fires that burnt down Berger’s home. Alison then relates the story of Tommy Collins, a peddler with a double life, and a penchant for fine clothes. He spent his life wandering Berks County in a coat covered with pins and badges.If you would like to help us continue to make Strange Familiars, get bonus content, t-shirts, stickers, and more rewards, you can become a patron: http://www.patreon.com/StrangeFamiliarsIf you would prefer a one-time payment to help us out, here is a PayPal.me link - you can change the number 25 in the URL to any amount: https://www.paypal.me/timothyrenner/25Our Strange Familiars / Lost Grave etsy shop has art, books, patches, t-shirts, and more ... including original art done for Strange Familiars: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lostgraveStrange Familiars t-shirts and other designs are available here: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/strange-familiars?ref_id=14000Episode 211 notes and links:Gofundme to help Jedidiah’s wife: https://www.gofundme.com/f/erica-lost-her-soulmate-help-her-keep-her-farm90 Days to the Perfect Puppy: https://perfectpuppies.sithappens.us/90-daysRiverbend Comics: https://www.riverbendcomics.comKarmic Garden: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KarmicGarden Timothy’s book of paranormal illustrations, Apparitions, is available to order now… directly from us: https://www.strangefamiliars.com/home/apparitions-illustrations-of-the-other-book or, if you prefer, on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/877387099/apparitions-art-book-by-timothy-rennerTimothy’s book, with co-author Joshua Cutchin, Where the Footprints End, Volume II, ordering information: https://www.strangefamiliars.com/home/where-the-footprints-end-volume-ii-available-nowPhoto of Benjamin Laub:Photo of a young Tommy Collins:Photo of Tommy Collins later in life:Strange Familiars Photo of the Week #55: Ambrotype of ChildYou can purchase this photo in our etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/937873471/ambrotype-of-child-strange-familiarsTimothy’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Timothy-Renner/e/B072X44SD5Strange Familiars ‘Awoken Tree’ t-shirts are available in our Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/739690857/strange-familiars-podcast-awoken-treeAlison: https://www.etsy.com/shop/odpeacockChad’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNB7MSJ2F1SRBPcQsEFLnvg (make sure to subscribe to Chad’s channel, Ruck Rabbit Outdoors.)Chad’s etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RuckRabbitOutdoorsTo help with the Capuchin Day Center’s work with the homeless you can donate here: https://www.capuchindaycentre.ieand here: https://www.cskdetroit.orgContact us via email at: strangefamiliarspodcast@gmail.comhttp://www.facebook.com/strangefamiliarsJoin the Strange Familiars Gathering group on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strangefamiliars/instagram: @strangefamiliarshttp://www.strangefamiliars.comIntro and background music by Stone Breath. You can find more at http://stonebreath.bandcamp.comThe closing song is The Coming Fires by Stone Breath. You can find this song on the album, The Aetheric Lamp: https://stonebreath.bandcamp.com/album/the-theric-lampSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/strange-familiars/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy