The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-05-11
SPIRITS ON THE RAMPAGE-A FAMI-
LY BEWITCHED-STRA DOINGS
IN WOOSTER.

the house OF MI. David HOHman, near
the corner of Pittsburgh Avenue and
j. Stibb's Lane. The family is said to
be haunted by malignant spirits, who
are uncomfortably rampant in their
evil doings, diabolic in their transac-
tions, and mysterious in their ways.
The matter has fora some time cre-
ated considerable interest and excite
ment in the community, and reviyes
Spiritualism. Our reporter visited
the house last Sabbath afternoon, and
gathered the following information
The family consists of five persons
Mr.. Hoffman, who is about fifty
five years of age; his wife, about fifty;
two daughters, respectfully aged
about twenty and seventeen years,
and a son, probably fifteen years old.
They formerly lived in Holmes Coun-
Jy, Mr.. Hoffman being employed as
miller in Sharp's mill, two miles south
of Millersburg, where the family
were regarded as respectable, intelli-
gent and Christian people.
He stated that he was doing well at
the mill, had good salary and a good
home, and in every way III comfort
able circumstances, until disorder, in
a mysterious way, visited his family.
1t first commenced, he said, year.
ago last June, by his missing two doll
lars from his pocket-book. after. which
he privately hid his motley; but'that,
too, disappeared in the most unac-
countable manner. Articles of food
and clothing. in daily increasing
quantities. Il went the 4 same way
Crockery ware fell from the shelves
andsbroke TO Riecess sstones and gray-
-el, eggsand other thing were thrown
about in the house, apparently with
out human agency, the badness SEEM
ingly having headquarters in the eel
lar. The family, from being annoyed,
at length became frightened; and i'm
agining that change of abode might
bring relief from the spirits, removed
to Wooster last summer. Mr.. Hof-l
man 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 trouble be-
came even greater. The clothing Of
the mother and eldest daughter was
taken, some returned, from whence no
one could tell, all cut to pieces as it
with shears, and some found secreted
in out-of-the-way places; for instance
all their underclothiDg was found
stuffed into the mouth of the cellar
drain, silk dress hid under a wood
pile in the cellar, and skirts, &C.,
buried in the sand. Many written
notes were thrown, apparently from
the cellar, bearing all kinds of mes
sages. One was, that If Mrs. Hoff-
man would come down to the foot of
the cellar-stairs on her knees, on a
certain specified day and hour, she
would there find box containing two
thousand dollars. Prior to this the
family had become afraid to enter the
cellar; and as she could only go down
the steps backwards on her knees,
Mrs. Hoffman, afraid of bodily injury,
was dissuaded by neighbors from
making the hazardous attempt. But
she went to- Holmes county and
brought her husband to Wooster, hop
ing that he could get the lucre, and by
his presence abafeithe @spfrits," or IT,
as she calls the evil agents of her fire.
side. - Another note was received,
stating no one could get the money
but herself, 8 1t has not been secured
up to the present time.
Some of the prominent Spiritualists
of Wooster, Learning or these trans
actions. held a circle meeting, but re-
ceived no signs from that other
"bourne." "
The troubles ragged on. Mr.. Hof-
man, at sacrifice, was compelled to
give up his situation at the mill and
Join his family in Wooster. A few
weeks ago they moved to where they
now reside, followed byIT.
By request of the family, a clergy
man of Wooster visited them. and Of
fered prayer. Shortly after he left,
scrap Of paper dropped strangely to
the floor upon which was written,
that, as they (the family had prayed
to Got," the spirits wouldn't bother
them for awhile. All was quiet for
few days. Then more clothes were
taken, which, after an absence of one
or two days, would be found in the
house or yard, cut to pieces. About
ten days ago, while another reverend
gentleman was there, piece of new,
calico, sufficient for three dress, dis
appeared. A neighbor lady next day
found it, uncut, under a pile of wood,
and also blanket shawl, under box
of potatoes, in the cellar.
Frequently at night there are pound
ings on the walls, stones, from peb-
DleS 10 LnOSe as large as d HAL HsC,
thrown in the rooms, and a general
rumpus created, as if imps were hold
ing high revelry. On one occasion
Mr.. Hoffman. called upon IT to cease,
without avail; wkeielpon he indalgr
ed in little tall swearing; when all
became serene. A Young man called
there last Friday evening; said that if
the spirits gyoplda cut up his hat or
handkerchief they were welcome. A
small stone, dropped ON his head
which, whenspicked up, he found red
hot; and upon taking out his hand
kerchief discovered it cut to shreds.
AS another instance very peculiar, a
young gentleman. and confirmed skep-
tic in Spiritualism, with other per-
sons visited the house on last Sabbath
afternoon, and on his return to his
brothers residence, to the amazement
or all, at least twenty holes were
found in his handkerchief, which had
not been out. of his pocket at the
haunted shouse. Mr.: Holman an
swered one ofthe spirit snotes placed