Contributor Spotlight: Karen Hendricks

How do you celebrate Gettysburg?

I enjoy being an ambassador for this town, this national treasure. It’s an honor to live here and to celebrate the history, the tragedy, the story that unfolded in Gettysburg in 1863. Every time I have the chance, I invite friends or family to come here and spend time exploring Gettysburg’s past and present.

What's the best part about living in (or working in) Adams County?

It’s a fascinating mix of contrasts: past history blended with present contemporary life; peaceful, pastoral beauty in gently rolling landscapes, contrasted with charming downtown centers such as Gettysburg and New Oxford. Plus a fascinating mix of residents with diverse backgrounds and talents!

What aspect of Gettysburg/Adams County’s history do you most admire?

The words written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln during his November 1863 Gettysburg Address are beautiful and stunning in their simplicity.

What or who inspired you to become a writer/photographer? Why?

It all started with my high school journalism teacher, Miss Maureen Shields, and my high school radio club advisor, Mr. Gary Spohn, at Spring-Ford High School in suburban Philadelphia. I feel very blessed and thankful to have worked alongside wonderful mentors through the years who helped me develop the writing skills needed for my career in the media. In terms of journalism ethics, Mr. Dick Hoxworth at WGAL-TV (Channel 8) was the consummate professional. He impressed upon me the importance of seeing all angles to a story, ensuring that every story is fair and balanced—skills that I still use every day.

What's your favorite story you've written about or photographed for Celebrate Gettysburg and why? 

All of them! It’s an adventure every time! I invest myself into each one of my articles, taking great care to honor the words and stories entrusted to me. I know this might sound crazy to some people, but I feel as though the writing process is much like giving birth. Every story is like a new “baby” to me.

What one aspect of your craft do you enjoy the most?

Definitely the people! It’s a joy to meet people who entrust their stories to me—and it’s an honor to be able to retell and share those stories with the public. I especially enjoy trying to figure out what makes people “tick,” how they’ve overcome adversity in their lives, or what they’re doing to help others. I am constantly reminded that there are good, kind people in the world who are doing such positive, selfless, and caring deeds.

What's the biggest misconception people have about writers/photographers?

The biggest misconception is also a pet peeve of mine: people sometimes assume that we’re going to get it wrong. They think writers just write what they want, make up quotes, or aren’t really listening during interviews. People love to tell me about other writers who “got the facts wrong” or “completely misquoted me.” While writers are human and mistakes do happen, I take pride in my work and strive to be completely accurate, as nearly all writers do. Recently, after one of my stories was published by Celebrate Gettysburg, one of my sources called to thank me, saying, “Every time I’m interviewed for a story, there are mistakes and problems with the story. I’ve read and re-read your story and can’t find a single thing wrong with it. This is the first time this has happened so I just had to call and thank you!” That message is still on my phone!

Do you have any lifelong goals as a writer/photographer (i.e., winning a certain award, covering a specific event, etc.)?
I would love to travel the world, write for national or international publications, and continue to interview fascinating people. Writing is in my blood, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!

What aspects of the Gettysburg/Adams County area do you think make it so special and worth capturing?

Adams County is multidimensional. Although the hallowed Gettysburg Battlefield is our major attraction, Adams County has much more to offer—quaint, small hometown settings; a beautiful agricultural and orchard landscape; plus unique shops and restaurants. It’s an interesting blend of contrasts—Adams County’s tranquility vs. her Civil War past—and all in the shadow of major urban areas such as Harrisburg, Frederick, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

What is your favorite hidden treasure in Adams County? Why? (This can be a restaurant, shop, location, etc.)

It’s hard to pick just one, so here’s my top five:

1. Foxxy Moxxy – Bobbi Becker’s artist studio and gallery is nestled in the woods between Gettysburg and New Oxford, and if you haven’t discovered or visited yet—you must!

2. Visiting nearly any of the farmer’s markets or roadside markets, although Hollabaugh’s is my favorite. Going to pick blueberries at Hollabaugh’s or cherries at Boyer’s are wonderful family experiences.

3. Attending events or classes at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg. The arts enrich our lives in countless ways!

4. There are signature dishes that stand out at a number of restaurants: the Aubergine Pesto sandwich at Café St. Amand, sweet potato fries at the Avenue Restaurant, sushi from Ping’s, pizza from Deliso’s, lasagna at Olivia’s…and the list could go on and on!

5. Visiting the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on the Battlefield.

How has your perception of Gettysburg/Adams County changed since you began working with Celebrate Gettysburg?

I have a deeper appreciation for people from all walks of life. It’s so fun to put yourself in others’ shoes—to “walk a mile in their shoes” and live through their stories and experiences.

Where can we find you online?

Twitter: @karenhendricks9

Instagram: KarenHendricks9

Facebook: Hendricks Communications

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/karen-hendricks/10/368/b86

Blog/Website: HendricksCommunications.com and OfftheMerry-Go-Round.com

Gettysburg’s Civilians: Caught in the Crossfire

By Karen Hendricks + Photo by Noel Kline

A replica of the Shriver family kitchen, featured at the Shriver House Museum

Ephraim Wisler, a blacksmith who lived along Chambersburg Turnpike, was paralyzed by shock or concussion when a shell exploded dangerously close to him during the early morning hours of July 1. According to the only account of this incident, “The shock to his nervous system was so great that he became totally prostrated. He took to his bed soon afterwards and never rose from it.” Records indicate that Wisler died on August 15, 1863, some five weeks later, and was buried in Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.

John L. Burns joined Union soldiers in the line of battle and was wounded several times in the fighting west of the town on the afternoon of July 1, 1863. He survived his wounds and the war.

Charles F. Weakley, a young man of Emmitsburg, Md., following the Union Army to Gettysburg and shortly before the fighting, joined the ranks of Company A, 12 Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded on the afternoon of July 1, but survived the battle. He later enlisted in the Company G, 13^th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Weakley died in camp near Petersburg, Va., on November 23, 1864.

Charles W. Griest of York Springs volunteered to carry a dispatch from Gov. Andrew Curtin to the Union army at Gettysburg on June 30, 1863. He delivered the message to Gen. John Buford and remained with his division. On July 1, while he was carrying a message to the 17^th Pennsylvania Cavalry, his horse was shot and fell upon him, his leg severely injured. Griest and his horse both survived the ordeal.

Lizzie Waltz was wounded in the fighting at Hanover, Pa., on June 30, 1863. In 1899 an act was passed by congress directing that her name be placed on the pension rolls. According to the account, she “was wounded on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg during a skirmish near Hanover, Pa., while giving food and administering to the wants of the Union soldiers.”  

Amos Whetstone, a Lutheran Theological Seminary Student at Gettysburg, was boarding with the Weikert family on Chambersburg Street at the time of the battle. Whetstone was wounded in the skirmishing on July 4, 1863. According to Mary McAllister, who lived nearby, “I went over to old Mrs. Weikert’s and on her back porch there was a man. He said, ‘Take care, you will be shot! Oh, I believe I am shot.’ He looked down and a bullet had just gone through the fleshy part of his leg.”  

Georgianna Stauffer lived on Baltimore Street with her two children at the time of the battle. An eyewitness saw Mrs. Stauffer “sink to the ground after being shot in the hip, during the second day of the battle, as she was about to carry water to the men of his company.” The incident is said to have occurred near the home of Henry Garlach, in the area of heavy skirmishing on July 2, 1863. Her husband Jacob was a member of Company K, 1^st Pennsylvania Reserves and was present for duty at Gettysburg. That he must have visited his wife and family immediately following the battle is illustrated by the fact that Georgianna gave birth to a child on April 5, 1864. Jacob was captured during the Mine Run Campaign in November 1863 and subsequently died in Andersonville Prison on February 1, 1865.

Research provided by the Adams County Historical Society for the Gettysburg Heritage Museum

Sallie Myers: Civilian Hero

An Account of The Heroic Schoolteacher by Gettysburg Licensed Town Historian Jane Malone

By Karen Hendricks

On the second day of battle, July 2, 1863, a Union officer asked 21-year-old Sallie Myers to come to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church to help care for wounded men taking refuge there. The United Presbyterian Church across the street was also turned into a makeshift hospital. Myers gathered a group of friends to help at both locations.

She also took men into her family’s small home several doors down on High Street to give them better care. Her family gave up their beds to take care of soldiers, one of whom was Henry Huidekoper of New York, who lost his arm in the battle. However, he recovered from his injuries and paid tribute to the Myers family in an 1894 speech: 

“John Burns has been termed the hero of Gettysburg, but that title should go to one of the many women who, through the shot and shell of the second and third days of July, or in the pain and misery of the next few days, forgot all danger and all personal comfort (and)… cheerfully ministered to the wants of the helpless wounded… I say this knowingly and feelingly, for while I was a prisoner one of these good women (Miss Myers) took me to her own house, where she and her sister were caring for others. I shall soon not forget… the family of Myers.” (quoted in Sally Rogers’ book Ties of the Past).

Myers, a teacher who kept a diary, continued a life-long correspondence with many of the men she took care of in the days and weeks following the Battle of Gettysburg.