American Scoundrel Johann Georg Rapp

American Scoundrel Johann Georg Rapp

From True Crime Historian by Richard O Jones

April 30, 2026 · 9 min · Episode 10428

About this episode

The episode explores the controversial practices of Father George Rapp and the Harmony Society in 19th century Pennsylvania.

Father George Rapp ran the Harmony Society at Economy, Pennsylvania, by two commandments: celibacy for men whose wives he had evicted, and poverty for workers whose gold he hoarded. By 1846 the prophet was burning ledgers and stashing half a million in coin beneath his floor. He had it coming. Jump to the AD-FREE Safe House Edition Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-historian--2909311/support . You can pay more if you want to, but rent at the Safe House is still just a buck a week, and you can get access to over 400 ad-free episodes from the dusty vault, Safe House Exclusives, direct access to the Boss, and whatever personal services you require. We invite you to our other PULPULAR MEDIA podcasts: If disaster is more your jam, check out CATASTROPHIC CALAMITIES , telling the stories of famous and forgotten tragedies of the 19th and 20th centuries. What could go wrong? Everything! For brand-new tales in the old clothes from the golden era of popular literature, give your ears a treat with PULP MAGAZINES with two new stories every week.

People in this episode

Host: Richard O Jones

Topics covered

  • American history
  • religious movements
  • scandals
  • 19th century
  • cult leaders

Keywords

  • Father George Rapp
  • Harmony Society
  • Economy Pennsylvania
  • celibacy
  • poverty
  • scandals
  • 19th century

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harmony Society

Places: Economy, Pennsylvania

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