New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-12
DIABsLIsM IN OHIO.
An Entire Family Bewitched.

tFium SSso VooctoA tOhsOf NcPAuAtoA.i
If the Rev. Cotton Mather, of witchcraf
memory, were living in these degenerat,
days, he would have his hands full of hTsi
ness in this city, at the house of Mr.. Davit
Hoffman, near tee corner of Pittsbrug ave
nue. and j. Stibbs' lane. The family is sane
to be haunted by malignant spirits, @ht
are uncomfortably rampant in their 'evi.
doings, diabolical in their transactions, and
mysterious in their ways.
The family consists of FIVE persOns-Mr
Hoffman, who is about ffty-tive years OF
age; his wife, about fifty; two daughters,
respectively aged about twenty and seven
teen years. and son, probably htteen
years old. They formerly lived in Holmes
county, Mr.. Hoffman being employed as
miller in Sharps mill, two miles south OF
Miflersburg, 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 commenced, he
said, year ago last June, by his missing
two dollars from his pocketbook, after
which he privately hid mis- money; but that,
too, disappeared in the most unaccountable
manner Articles of food and clothing, in
daily increasing quantities. went the same
way Croekery fell from shelves and broke
to pieces, stones and gravel, eggs and
other things were thrown about in the
house. apparently without human agency,
the badness seemingly having headquarters
in the cellar. The family, from being an
noyed, at length became frightened; and,
imagining that change of abode might
bring relief from the spirits, removed to
Wooster last Summer, Mr.. Hoffman remain
"a L. al a%NI
byany evil visitation. But his family, who
lived in Mr.. Shocks 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 Sc
creted in out-ofthe- way places; fr instance,
all their underclOthiug was found stuffed
into the mouth of the cellar drain, a silk
dress hid under woodpile in the cellar, and
skirts, ETC., buried in sand. Many written
notes were thrown apparently from the eel
lar, bearing all kinds of messages One
was thatif Mrs. Hoffman would come down
to the foot of the cellar stairs on her knees,
on certain specified day and hour, she
would there find a box containing two thou-
sand dollars Prior to this, the family had
become afraid to enter the cellar, and as she
could only go down the steps backward on
her knees, Mrs. Hoffman, afraid of bodily
Ajury, was dissuaded by neighbors 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
Spirits" or ''it,r as she calls the evil agents
If her fireside. Another note was received,
stating that no one could get the money but
rerself. 1t has not been secured up to the
present time.
Some of the prominent spiritualists of
Wooster, learning of these transactions,
leld circle meeting, but received no signs
rom the other "bourne"
The troubles ragged on. Mr.. Hoffman, at |
sacrifice, was compelled to give ND his |
ituation at the mill and Join his family in |
Wooster. A few weeks ago they moved to |
where they now reside. followed by at"
BY request of the family, clergyman of |
Wooster visited them and offered prayer. |
Shortly after he left. scrap of paper
ropped strangely to the floor. upon which
vas written that, as they (the family had
prayed to Got" the spirits wouldn't bother
hem for while. All was quiet for a few
avs. Then more clothes were taken, which,
fter an absence of one or two days, would |
e found in the house or yard, cut to pieces
bout ten days ago, while another reverend
entleman was there, piece of new calico.
for three dresses, disappeared. A
eighbor lady next day found it, uncut, I'M
er pile of wood, and also blanket shawl. |.
nder box of potatoes in the cellar.
Frequently at night there are poundings
n the walls, stones. from pebbles to those
) large as mans fist. thrown in the
'oms, and general rumpus created. as if
ups were holding high revelry. On one
'cesion Mr. Hoffman called upon it to
ease, without avail, whereupon he in
ylnaH in IiftIa FOL IN |
ecame serene. A young man called there
st Friday evening; said that, if the spirits
)uld cut up his hat or handkerchief, they
ere welcome. A small stone dropped on
s head, which. when picked up, he found
ID bot; and upon taking out his handker-
lief discovered it cut to shreds. AS an
her instance very peculiar, a young gen
oman, and confirmed skeptic in spiritual
N, with other persons visited the house on
st Sabbath afternoon, and on his return to
$ brothers residence, to the amazement of
], at least twenty holes were found, in his
which had not been out of
S pocket at the haunted house. Mr. Hoff-
an answered one of the spirit notes,
aced his reply quietly in the cellar, but
st as he got up stairs into the room his
yn note dropped on the floor by his side
his family present.
Until last Friday nothing of Mr.. HOff-
ans clothing had been touched. That |
ght his two pairs of boots, all he had, |
ere taken, and also the table knives; but
g boots were mysteriously returned next
y, accompanied by an exoeedin gly vulgar
tie. On last Saturday all his clothing, ex-
pting an old working suit, was taken, and
Drds written on the side of the house to
e effect that they would not be returned. |
MIR. and Mrs Hoffman and the eldest
Iughter have no clothing but that on their
lcks, while in the house are piles of cut-up
r1nents of all descriptions, of good quail
7; dozen dresses, silk, delaine, calico,
c., cloth sacques, four shawls, undercloth-
g, and any quantity. of lesser articles 1t
a shame, this wanton destruction of prop
tv. From man comfortable in life Mr..
offman is getting into reduced circum-
ances. He said he had lost about thou
nd dollars during the past year.
The whole matter is confounding. There
e, however. several plausible theories for
e cause of the seemingly marvellous
Careful watch has been kept,
no clue to the perpetrators of the out
ges has been discovered. Hundreds of
IN and women have visited the premises.
is said that the spiritualists propose
lding meetings at the house, and get up
circle to see if anything can be devei-
ed. We will keep our readers posted
on the subject.