Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-07-01
M ESCEI. lam OUs.
THE RoDsMEN OF VERMONT.

Within thirty years there existed in Vermont
strange society of fanaticks, called the Fraternity
Of Rodsnaea, of the origin and operation of which
VIC find the following sketch in a late Vermont
newspaper. Such an instance Of complete fanati-
csm probably has no parallel in the annals of our
country, if we except the Connecticut Blue Laws
and the Salem Witclcraft. Among the intelli-
gent yeomanry Of New England these decisions
are very rare such as do form 4 plrt of our his
tory, therefore, are regarded with much interest
and curiosity. The following account is no doubt
authentic& -
About the year 1900, one or two fami-
hes in Rutland county, who had been
considered respectable citizens, and who
were, at the time, members of the Baptist
Church, pretended to have been informed
by the Almighty, that they were descend
ants of the ancient Jews, and were with
their connexions, to be put in possession
OF the land for some miles around: the
way for which was to be proyidentialy
prepared, by the destruction of their fell
low-townsmen. They claimed, also, in
splred power, with which to cure all sorts
of discases--intuitive knowledge of lost or
stolen goods, and ability to discover the
hidden treasures ofthe earth, as well asst he
more convenient talent of transmitting Or
binary substances into precious metals.
Within year, numbers were added to this
band of fanaticks; and finally, most of the
connexions of its originators were drawn
in, embracing parts of some fifteen fam
lilies and numbering nearly forty persons.
The instrument Of their miraculous pow
ers, was cleft stick, or rod something
Of the form of an inverted Y; and when
this talisman was firmly grasped in either
hand, by its two points, it was believed
to indicate the proper course to be pursu-
ed, or point out some substances of medi-
cinal utility, Or fix the locality of some
valuable mine whichever of these the
agent was pleased to wish. In pursuing
the directions of this monitor, the most
ludlcrous, and occasionally very calamit-
Gus, results followed. Ill-shape and
craggy stones, the offals of animals, decay
ed wood, and even the most offensive O.
dure,were gathered up as possessing great
virtues: and in one instance. at least, these
last articles were administered to a sick
person until the creduIous patient was re-
lieved her disgusting boluses by the hand
of death.
Before the adoption of any project
among the fraternity, nod Of assent was
required from the rods of the whole, which
was usually not wanting, provided that of
the leader, Tor Mugwump, as he was
technically called,) appeared favourable.
In executing plans approved by "the
sublime direction of the rod" excavations
were made in the mountains, some to a,
great depth the frame of large building
was put up, (Which is now in use as a
barn J and numbers of horses were killed
for their bones. From the bowels of the
mountain valuable ore was TO be taken
the building was to be erected into fur
mace for smelling and refining it and the
horses bones were TO be converted into
cruci5leS
The operations of this band of mystics
attracted but little notice, till the latter
part of the following year; when their
movements indicated something more So