Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-11

A Marvellous Story.

If the Rev. Cotton Mather, of witch
craft memory, were living in these de-
generated days he would have his hands
full OF business in this city at the house of
Mr.. David Hoffman, near the corner of
Plttsburg avenue and j. Stibbs lane. The
family is said to be haunted, by malig-
nant spirits, who are uncomfortably ram
pant in their evil doings, diabolical in
their transactions and mysterious in their
ways. w
The family consists of five persons-Mr.
Hoffman, who is about fifty-tive years Of
age his wife, about fifty two daughters
respectively aged about seventeen and
twenty years, and son, probably fifteen
years old. They formerly lived in Holmes
county, Mr.. Hoffman being employed as
miller in Sharp's mill, two miles south of
Millersburg, where the family were re-
garded as respectable, intelligent and
Christian people.
He stated that he was doing well at the
mill, had a good salary and good home,
and in every way in comfortable circum-
stances, until disorder, in mysterious
way, visited his family. 1t first COM
menced, he said, a year ago last June,
by his missing two dollars from his pock-
etbook. after which he privately hid his
money; but that too, disappeared in the
most unaccountable manner. Articles of
food and clothing in daily increased guam
titles, went the same way. Crockery
ware fell from shelves and broke to pieces;
stones, gravel, eggs and other things
were thrown about in the house, apparent
ly without human agency, the badness
seemingly having headquarters in the
cellar. The family, from being annoyed.
at length became frightened, and, imagin-
ing that change of abode might bring
relief from the spirits, removed to Woos~
ter last summer, Mr.. Hoffman remaining
at the mill, where he was unmolested by
any evil visitation. But his family, who
lived in Mr.. Snook's house, West Liberty
street, was not SO fortunate. The clothing
OF the mother and eldest daughter was
taken, some returned, from whence no
one could tell, all cut to pieces, as if with
shears. and some found secreted in out of
the way places-for instance, all their un-
derclothing was found stuffed into the
mouth of the cellar drain, silk dress hid
under a woodpile in the cellar, and skirts,
&C., buried in sand. Many written notes
We're thrown, apparently from the
cellar, bearing all kinds Of messages.
One was that if Mrs. Hoffman would
come down to the foot of the cellar stairs
on her knees, on a certain specified day
and hour, she would there find a box con-
tanning $4,000. Prior to this the family
had become afraid to enter the cellar land
as she could only go down the steps back
ward on her knees, Mrs. Hoffman, afraid
Of bodily injury, was dissuaded by neigh
bors from making the hazardous attempt.
But she went to Holmes county and
brought her husband to Wooster, hoping
that he could get the lucre. and by his
presence abate the Esprit, or sit" as
she called the evil agents of the fireside.
Another note was received. stating no one
could get the money but herself. 1t has
not been secured up to the present time.
Some of the prominent spiritualists of
Wooster, learning of the transactions,
held circle meeting. but receiving no
sign from that other "bourne." es3
The troubles ragged on. Mr., Hoffman,
at a sacrifice, was compelled to give up
his situation at the mill and join his fani-
ly in Wooster A few weeks ago they
moved to where they now reside, follow
ed by it.
BY request of the family clergyman Of
Wooster visited them and offered prayer
Shortly after he left scrap of paper drop
was written, that, (the family had .'pray-
ed to Got, the spirit wouldn't bother them
for awhile. All was quiet for a few days.
Then more clothes were taken, which, af
ter an absence of one or two days, would
be found in the house or yard, cut to piec-
es. About ten days ago, while another
reverend gentleman was there, piece OF
new calico, sufficient for three dresses.
disappeared. A neighbor lady next day
found it. uncut, under Il pile of wood, and
also a blanket shawl, under box of po-
tatoes, in the cellar. E. ~
Frequently at night there are pound
ings on the walls, stones, from pebbles to
those as large as mans fist, thrown in
the rooms, and a general rumpus created,
as if imps were holding high revelry. On
one occasion Mr. Hoffman called upon it
to cease without avail; whereupon he in
dulged in little tall swearing, when all
became serene.
A young man called there last Friday
evening; said that if the spirits would cut
up his hat or handkerchief they were well
come. A small stone dropped on his head
which, when picked up, he found to be red
hot, and upon taking out his handkerchief
discovered it cut to shreds. As another
instance very peculiar, Young gentleman
a confirmed skeptic in spiritualism, with
other persons, visited the house ON last
Sabbath afternoon, and on his return to
his brothers residence, to the amazement
of all, at least twenty holes were found in
his handkerchief, which had not been out
of his pocket at the haunted house. Mr..
Hoffman answered one of the spirit notes,
placed his reply quietly in the cellar, but
just as he got up stairs into the room his
own note dropped on the floor by his side
all the family present. .i .ssav
Until last Friday nothing of Mr.. Hoff-
mans clothing had been touched. That
night his two pairs of boots--all he had
Were taken, and also the table knives, but
the boots were mysteriously returned next
day, accompanied by an exceedingly vul-
gar note. On last Saturday all his cloth
ing, excephngan old working suit. was
taken, and words written on the side OF
the house to the effect that they would not