The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-06
NO. 1871.

WITCHCRAFT- AMONG THE COLOEED Eo-
PLE.-During the Fair. we encountered one
evening, on our return from the STounds,
an elderly colored man, with whom we had
dialogue of rather an amusing nature
so much so that We published an account
Of it, which will be well remembered in
connection with his stereoscopical exhibit
ton, which could be viewed for ten cents
by old folks and five cents by young ones
under ten years of age. 1t was he who,
when asked if he was non-combatant
during the war, replied, eyes, was, and
I staid dar, too, did myself"
Well, we did not lay eyes on our friend OF
color until day or two since, when ne ap-
preached us and remarked, ,"Look here,
boss, I see you put me in de paper bout
my show at de Fair" 80,
!" You are mistaken in the man, was the
eyasive reply.
"Ah! ah' boss. YOU think I amt got
eyes, but is, dough. / was jess as proud
O. dat thing as eff had bin my grand
father. I got 4 thing now whar | want
YOU to put in de paper. Dere is one thing
which suttingly is fac, which is dat dere
is more black 'uns dyin' now AN dere was
fore de war. Well, ax myself what de
reason o. dis, an now done found out Ole
reason why dis is so. You see desc fool
nggers don't believe in desc college doc
tors, whar done read doctor books, be-
kase, YOU see why, dey is frald bout desc
stories of desc doctors sealing up de mig
gers motives and cuttin' out deir hearts.
Well, dey gifts desc kunjerin doctors, Whar
tricks and kllngers 'em, an dey don't:knoW
no more bout curin' sick folks Fan dog"
There is something in this suggestion, as
all who know anything about the negro
character will readily admit. Richmond
and every other southern city is infested
with class of these "kunierin" " doctors,
who certainly cause many deaths. Ihey
have sense enough to dupe the poor lgno-
rant ones of their own color, and TO get
their money from them; but beyond this,
they haven't the slightest idea of medicine.
Their disDensary consists of roots, hair,
ashes, salt, pepper, potato-peelings, ana the
like. If n negro within their range OF prac-
ticc should become sick, they at once create
the impression that he is tricked, Kun
tered. or pizened." The so-called doctor is
at once sent for. He presents himself, ana
after sprinkling salt or pepper about the
room or throwing potato-peelings into the
different corners of the lot, and making the
most extraordinary and mysterious incanta-
tions, he declares the wicked charm dls-
pelled, and demands the fee OF - for his
trouble. Sometimes he demands more. The
nutient, believing the cure effected, gene
rally ia kes no further steps towards relief,
and in the majority of instances dies from
neglect. -
So firmly are the negroes possessed With
ideas of "kunjerin', pizenin', and trek
in - that often they become very trouble
some in family. They refuse to eat pe-
cause they are at variance with some one OF
their neighbors, and fear that they VIII De
. pizened''; they declare themselves, un-
able to do work because they have been
"klIniered :" and often 90 to bed declar-
ing themselves 'tricked." You will often
hear them say, "Well, Pm monstrous poly
to-day. I dunno whats de matter, but l
suttinly has got sum sickness whar amt
nachui. Sllmbody dun kunjered me, suttin
and sure" Very often q darky will sew
small bundle of hair and ashes up i'll an
old.rar. nut it in the middle OF ring III
front Of his enemy's house, spit on it, and
feel that he has called down some great eVu
upon his head.
There are many other facts which could
he mentioned in this connection, and the
examples are of everyday occurrence. Ii
is much to be deplored that in this age o.
civilization such things should be allowed
TO continue to the increase OF dangerou:
sunerstition and the destruction of human
life. The subject is one for the serious con
sideration of those who have charge OF thu
spiritual welfare of these poor creatures
and we trust they will spare no efforts tt
colnteract the eyilinauence of these " KIM
icrin" doctors. 1t is sad to think thai
much of this evil is due to the mistrust o
the white people of Virginia, which ha'
been created upon the minds of the blacks
by their so-called white friends.
The professed doctor who has the great
est practice among the blacks in Richmont
is one who has never received a complete
medical education, who is not acknow
ledced bv the medical profession, and wh'
does what no recognized physician in Rich
mond does-sues poor colored man for hi
doctors bill, and garnishee's his hard-earne'
savings to satisfy his own demands al
these are facts that would do far better TO
the earnest consideration of philanthroplst
than the waste of time and labor upon th'
bettering Of Sambo's political condition.