Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1857-05-14
'om the Mansfied (ohio) Herald, April %
A Witch Exercised.


April 18th, we noticed a particular para
graph, which reads as follows:
MYsTERIoUs Lock OF HAm.-"A large
locust tree, measuring two feet across the
stump, and probably century cid, was
felled on Monday morning at the farm of
Col Schley, adjoining this city, and upon
splitting the butt a lock of beautiful auburn
hair about sixteen inches long, and tied in
sigle knot, was found imbeded in the
heart. 1t is evident that hole was borc,,
in the tree many years ago, the lock placed
in it and secured by wooden pin. In
course Of time the bark in successive layers
of woody fibre grew over the pin, perfectly
concealing it from detection and hermeti-
cally preserving the secretcd tress. Who
can tell the history of this 1ock of hairy
This reminded US Of story related by
our grandfather more than thirty years ago.
In thinly settled portion of the western
country, lived two fair twin sisters very
similar in manners and appearance,and syn
pathetic in their feelings. They were mer-
ry light hearted creatures, the joy and COM
fort of their aged parents. But the change
came! Both were seized with the most
terrible commissions, in which they fancied
that an old hag came and inflicted wounds
on their arms with her sharp teeth. As
the marks could be plainly seen, the family
and neighbors firmly believed it TO be the
effect of witchcraft. Every day did the
terrible visitations come. - -..-.aa
In vain the doctors skill, and the watch
full care Of many friends. The girls were
wasting away under the infiction, and dur
ing the time of suffering, their screams far
heard were indeed pitiful. The circum-
stances became generally known, and their
sad condition elected much sympathy, while
the cause and cure remained wrapped in
mystery. Thus matters stood, and hope
had already given way to dependency,
when the arrival of a stranger in the per
son of an aged German soon caused an al
teration in the aspect of affairs. He told
the parents there was still hope, for
he knew remedy, which he had tried in
Germany, with eminent success, but, al
though the cure was certain, it involved
some trouble and little delay. Upon be-
ing assured that they were willing try the
experiment, he departed, and for four days
searched in the woods in every direction re-
turning every evening weary and evidently
disappointed. On the fourth, however, JOY
beamed from his countenance as he in
formed them that he had found the object
of his search, which was tree of certain
height, with peculiar branches, and which
land met. He then said that if the young
ladies would accompany him to the place
which was four miles from their home, he
would certainly cure them, moreover they
would not have one of the spells while on
their war.
Accordingly on the next day they start
ed, having hired men to cut away through
the trees for the wagon. Having arrived
in safety at the place, they alighted, and
the old man took knife and cut aOooden
pin from one of the surrounding trees;
having shaped it in their sight he bored
hole to the heart of the tree. "Now," said
he, ''therc are the very locks, warrant the
old witch is in them," and so saying cut
from each of their heads lock of hair, tied
them together, thrust them into the hole
and secured them with the pin exclaiming,
"there, did you not see her, she is in there
and cannot get out, for the bark uH grow
over the place and fasten her in forever"
Strange as it may seem the girls recovered
entirely, and were very grateful for the
kindness of the old man.
This map throw some light on the
otherwise mysterious circumstances, for
the facts related were strictly true, hay-
ing been confirmed by ministers, and Jud-
ges of the law, who were acquitted
with the young ladies and had seen the
pin in the tree and also the place after
the bark had grown it. The men were
living at the time of our grandfather's re-
cital, but are now, without doubt, reposing
in the. embrace of death.
t-sj ,.@ Respectfully yours.
TERRAPIN.