The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-05-01
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DIABOLISM IN WAYNE COUNTY,
OHIO. ~ ai.'
A Family Rewitched.

A Family BewitChed.
From the Wooster (O.) Republican.
1.-THE Rev. Cotton Mathcr, OF witchcraft
memory, were living in these degenerate
days, he would have his hands full Of bu-
siness In this city, ut the house Of Mr..
David Hoffman, near the corner Of Pitts.
burgh avenue and J. Stibbs' lane. The
house Is said to be haunted by malignant
spirits, who are unComiortably rampant
in their evil dOings, diabolical in their
transactions and mysterious in their ways.
The family consists Of five persons
Mr. Hoffman, who Is about IS years Of
age; his wife about 30; two daughters,
respectively aged about 20 and II years,
and son, probably 10 years old. They
formerly lived in Holmes county, Mr..
Hoffman being employed as miller in
Shafps mill, two miles south Of MilIers-
burg, where the family were regarded as
respectable, intelligent and Christian peo-
pie. ,''.'n s'!7 -. I.
He stated that he was doing well at the
mill, had good salary and good home,
and in every way in comfortable circum.
stances, until disorder, in a mysterious
way, visited his family. 1t first com.
menced, he said; a year ago last June, by
his missing two dollars from his pocket.
book, after which he privately hid his
money; but that, too, disappeared in tie
most unlcconntable manner. Articles of
food and. clothing, In daily increasing
quantities, went thesame way. CroclserY
ware fell from shelves ind broke to pieces;
stones and gravel, eggs and other things,
were thrown about in the house, appar-
emily without human agency, the badness
seemingly having headquarters in the
cellar. The family, from being annoyed,
at length became frightened; and imGgin.
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.. Shocks house, West Liberty
street, was not so fortunate. The clothing
Of the mother and eldest daughter were
taken, some returned, from whence no
one could tell, all cut to pieces as II with
shears, and some found. secreted in out Of
the way places; for instance, all their IN.
derClotling was found stuffed into the
mouth oil the cellar drain, silk dress hid
under wood pile in the cellar, and skirts
Sc, buried in sand. Many written notes
werO thrown, apparently from the cellar,
bearing all kinds Of messages. One was,
that il Mrs. Hoffman would come down
to the foot Of tho cellar stairs on her
knees, on q certain specified dayand hour
she would there find q box containing
two thousand dollars. Prior 10 this the
family had become afraid 10 enter the eel.
lar; and as she could only go down tho
steps backward on her knees, Mrs. HOif.
man, afraid Of bOdilyiniury, was dissuad.
ed by Ileighbors from making the hazard.
Gus attempt. But she went to Holmes
county and brought her husband TO Woos-
ter. hoping that he could get the lucre,
and by his presence abate the Spirits"
or IT, as she calls the evil agents Of her
Preside. Another note was received,
stating that no one could get the money
but herself. 1t has not been secured up
to the present time.
Some Of the prominent spirltuallsts Of
Wooster, learning IF these transactions,
held a circle meeting, but received no
signs from that other bourne"
The troubles ragged on Mr.. Hoffman,
at q sacrifice, was compelled to give up
his situation ut tho mill and join his iami-
" in Wooster. A few weeks ago they
moved to where they now reside, fol.
lowed by IT. f ..t
BY request Of the family, clergyman
Of Wooster visited them and offered
prayer. Shortly after he left, scrap of
paper dropped strangely to the floor upon
which was written, that, rs they Che
family had "prayed to Got" the spirits
wouldn't bother them for awhile. All
was quiet for a lew days. Then more
clothes were taken, which, after an alb.
senCe OF one or two days, would DO found
in the house or yard, cut to pieces. About
ten days ago, while another reverend gen.
tleman was there, Il piece Of new calico,
sufficient for thee dresses, disappeared
A neighbOr lady next day fOundit, uncut,
under pile Of wood, and also ablanket
shawl, under box Of potatoes, in the eel.
lar.
Frequently at night there are pound.
ings on the walls, stones, from pebbles to
those as large as q, mans fist, thrown in
the rooms, and a general rumpus created,
as If imps were holding high revClry.
On one occasion Mr.. Holman called upon
IT to cease, without avail; whereupOn he
INDUCED in O little tall swearing, when
all became serene. A young man called
there last Friday evening; said that, If the
spirits could cutup his hat or handker-
chief, they,were welcome. A small stone
dropped on his head, which, when pick.
ed up he found red hot; and upon taking
out his handkerchief discovered 1t cut 10
shreds. Asanother instance very pecu.
liar, o young gentleman, and confirmed
skeptioin spiritualism, with other persons
visited the house on last Sabbath after.
noon, and ,Sn his return to his brothers.
residence, to the amRzement 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 gotup stairs into the room, his
own note dropped on the floor by his side
all his family present. V
Until last Friday, nothing of Mr.. Hof.
mans clothing had been touched. That
night his two pairs Of boots-all he had
weretaken, and also the table knives, but
the boots were mysteriously returned
next day, accompanied by an exceedingly
vulgar note. On last Saturday all his
clothing, excepting an old working suit,
was taken, and words written on the side
Of the house to the effect that they would
not be returned. u
Mr.. and Mrs. Hoffman and the eldest
daughter have no clothing but that on
their backs; while in the house arepiles
Of cut,up garments oil all descriptions, Of
good quRlity--a dozen dresses, silk, dc
lRine, calico, etc, cloth sacques, four
shawls, Undertaking, and any quantity
NJ laoonr ork;olao II 10 a okn,,sas a. 4,