New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-06-19


WITcHcRAFT AND SurERsTITIoS.-Yesterday
morning about daylight. some of the butchers in the
meat market of the First Municipality, ont OF
frolic, started report that 4 (Which III the shape
and form of negro woman, had been arrested the
previous night short distance below the City, and
was then confined in the lock-up-house under The
MAYORS office, and would be publicly burned in the
Place d Armes al o'clock in the afternoon They
moreover averred " that she had the power OF slip
ping ont of her skin AT pleasure, and could change
her complexion every five inmates If she chose
and furthermore, that at the time Of her arrest hav
ing jus, slipped out OF her skin, some persons who
had been watching her, had filled II with salt, she
was unable To enter it again, and WAS ut that time
Ms as piece Of beef.
The report spread like wild fire amongst the SUI
persttous portion ftbe lower classes aud before
o'clock large crowd had assembled in front OF III,
High ConstabIes Office, anxious 10 get sight OF The
witch, and making inquiries as 10 the precise time
at which the execution would take place. The
crowd continued 10 increase until about O'Clock,
when Captain fOuenes finding II impossible 10 dis
perse them, caused person who had been sentenc
ed to the work house 10 he wrapped III blanket,
and ordering carriage 10 the door OF his office,
three of the officers OF the police placed the prisoner
in it, and drove oil To the work house, The crowd,
believing the witch 10 be in the carriage, immediate
ly made chase after il 10 the work house; but hay-
ingarrived too late 10 get glimpse OF the witch.
thew stationed themselves upon the pavement any
ioaslv awaiting the hour of cXecu,ion.
Some of the more wise, however, still believing
the witch 10 be sgill confined III the lookup house
returned and took their position III the tIont Ut the
doors, determined not miss the sight VI any ha-
zard As the hour OF four approached, a large
crowd assembled IN Congo Square, near the Gala
bose, and in the Place d Armes some for the pur-
pose of witnessing the execution, and others with
all due soemnity describing the manner in winch
the sentence was 10 be carried ou;.
The hour of six having arrived, and the crowd be-
gnnin 10 grow impatient al the ardueSs OF the o.
fcers OF justice for keeping them so long IN waiting
TO witness The auto 9a te negrcss dressed in white
satin and having on her head white bonnet, with
ostrich feather, was seen standing the church.
Her peculiar appearance attracted the attention OF
the juvenile portion OF the crowd, who raised the CRY
thar she was the evil one whom thew were wait
ing TO behold. In an instant she was beset and he
fore the police officers, who were standing close by
the time, could rescue her. her clothes were al
torn from her BODY, and it with the utmost
difficulty that they succeeded in getting her inside
OF the high conStab office her from falling
avlcun 10 superstition IN thus, heretofore supposed,
enlightened age. Oar worthy high constable now
hnding himself III worse prvdicsment than before.
ordered carnage 10 the OF the back doors OF the
the City Hail. and placing the ncgress IN IT, told The
driver not TO spare the whip until he reached tue
house of her master, on Poydras street The mo.
eni the carriage started, the cry was again raised
that it contained the veriIabe cvi. one and twas
with difficulty that the Jehu could prevent the car
rage from being headed of, before he could gel on
Roadway enough 10 distance his enlightened pursu-
ers. New Orleans Bee, June 9Th.