Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-07-11
IgCREDIBLE CREDULITK.

The Tribunal OF Correctional Police, says
LtzitgaHi's Messenger, on W Wodnesday tried 10y
default a man named SOudc and a woman
named Tessler, on charge Of swudiiug. The
circumstances OF the case were Of such an eX
traordinarv character, as to be almost incredi-
BILE. Awealthy farmer and his wife named ChO-
tar. residing at Clichy, near Paris, took Soude
into their service IN the month of June, 1892.
They were exceedingly weak-minded people,
and the man soon obtained q complete ascen-
deHcy over them. After while, he told Cho-
tar that his mother-in-law was a pagan. Che
tar became alarmed at the idea of having any
thing to do with such person, and by the
mans advice. he broke off all communications
with her, and made his wife do the salne.-
Soude afterwards made the foolish couple be-
iieyc that all their friends and acquaintances
were paganS, and they stunned them accord
ingly. When he had tbps separated them from
AZ society, he told them that he was a MEM
Der Of the famous :: Society of NussulmanS =
which could DO everything that it wished
which enjoyed perfect happiness, and which
rave to each OF its members l. fr. a week
and > per cent Of all sums deposited in its
hands. The chiefs Of the society were, he
said, called patriarchs, mardbouts and dca-
cons and a small plaster image which he pro-
duced was, he added, that OF the mother of
the association, and was possessed Of miracu-
lous qualities. His statements made q pro-
found impression on their minds, and they
{
He said that he would try to get them in, and
he required them 10 practice certain ceremo-
piCs to purify themselves previously. lie also
required the woman to submit to what he
called naturalization, which was giving herself
up to him; but this she did with the full con-
sent Of her husband. He strictly forbade them
to speak to any pagan OF what Uas taking
place and said that, if they did, they would
lie burned alive. and that the hooks which held
up the sky would give way, and that it would
fall and crush them. While this was going
on he made thC silly couple give him as much
money as he thought they could procure he
also made them provide aim with clothing
and let him take away nearly all their furni-
ture, bit by bit. In the course of two years
| he got from them as much as 12,009f. in
money. In addition to the perfect happiness
/ which they were destined TO enjoy when thev
should be admitted members of the society.
/ he frequently did them the honor of causing
/ the plaster image representing the mother, to
write letters to them; but In all cases the let
/ ters contained commands to them to make him
presents He also held out a vague promise to
/ Chotar, that perhaps he might be able in the
/ course of one hundred and fourteen years to
! get him raised to the dignity OF deacon. The
/ man carried OH these audacious frauds for up
wards of two years, and would probably have
| continued his operations still, if a young wo-
/ uIan named Preyel whom he attempted to in
/ itiate into the mysteries Of the society, had
not discovered what he was doing, and made
disclosures to the police. In all his proceed
/ ings, the man was seconded by the woman
| Tessier who lived with him. The Commissary
I of Police, on hearing the details of the case,
| could not at lirSt believe them, and whilst he
was making inquiries the man and woman
deemed it prudent to take to flight. 1t has
not since been possible to discover their re-
treat, The Tribunal sentenced them severalIy
10 five years imprisonment aud 30 francs fine.