Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-05-11

some distance from their former abode; while,
with the discretion that appears to characterize
him, he took up his own temporary quarters AZ
mill where he was employed The family
now hoped to remain unmoested; out they
soon found TO their chagrin how trivial were the
impediments of space or locality to their malehc
attendants. The prudent Hoffman, indeed,
escaped further attentions, but his spouse was
less fortunate.
That lady and her offspring being domiciled
at the house Of one Shocks, in West Liberty
street, Wooster, now became the victims OF an
extraordinary series of prosecutions. Inc
clothes of the mother and eldest daughter were
first distracted and then returned in fragments,
having been cut and slashed to pieces. Some
times the garments would be stuffed in out-of-
the-way places. One day, for example, most Of
the linen Of the family was discovered carefully
packed in the mouth of the cellar drain. An
other time a silk dress was found under wood
pile; and skirts were dug up that had been de
liberately buried in earth or sand. A fresh
feGture was now added to the entertainment i'll
the shape of notes that arrived, none knew from
whence, although they sometimes appeared to
be thrown from the cellar. These missiyes con-
tanned various threats and admonitions. One of
the number advised Mrs. Hoffman, in friendly
way, that if she would come down the cellar
stairs backward on her knees, at specified day
and hour, she would find box containing
$1,000. The worthy lady was anxious to clutch
the glittering prize, but being "afraid of bodily
injury, was dssuaded by neighbors from making
the hazardous attempt" 1t occurred to her, not
unreasonably, that the task might be more
wisely undertaken by her husband; and she
therefore repaired to that cautious person at his
mill, and induced him to 90 with her to Wooster.
The spirits, however, at this juncture, promptly
transmitted another note to the effect that no
one could possibly get the money but herself;
and we are not surprised to hear by the last ac-
count that it has not yet been secured.
By way of amends for this disappointment
| the concealed powers have begun a new and
lively round of diversions. Poundings are heard
| on the walls at night, stones from the size of
pebbles to that of a mans fist are pitched
| through the doors and windows, dishes rattle,
| fire irons tumble down, and "a general rumpus
| is created, as if imps were holding high revel-
| ry." A bold young man, a visitor, having said
| something disreSpectful of the unseen agencies,
a red hot stone wac dropped on his head, and on
| taking out his pocket handkerchief he found it
was cut into shreds. All sorts of INVESTIGATIONS
are practiced. Mr.. Hoffman, for instance, an
swered one of the Esprit notes" and put his re-
ply in the cellar; but, just as got up stairs into
the room above, "his own note dropped on the
floor by his side-all his family being present"
| The family are now quite Impoverished
| by the thelts and other ravages of
their demoniac tormentors. Mrs. Hotf-
man and her daughters have no clothes
save those worn by them daily on their backs;
while the husband and father has only worn
old working suit left to him. Nearly all the do
nestle utensils, such as plates, cups and saucers,
and even the table cutlery, have been either
broken or carried away. OF course the obvious
suggestion is that all this mischief has really
been wrought by cunning mortals, and not by
spirits at all, and that, as with the artful VIM.
Parsons and his family in 1851, discovery, if
long averted, must be certain at last The local
press declares that most careful watch has been
| kept, and that hundreds OF men and women
have visited and inspected The premises without
being able to suggest any clue to the mystery.
Several clergymen and physicians have investi-
gated it, and circle of protested spiritualists
have likewise essayed to do so. As yet no light
whatever has been thrown on the matter, and,
so far as the postponement Of detection goes,
this Ohio ghost must certainly be allowed to
sgrpass in cunning his predecessor of Cock lane,
who so marvelously perplexed the wise heads of
| the last century