Worcester daily spy., 1872-11-30
SATAN in Esuaale-A swiss Couple the Vic
sIisis OF SOrcGrys


From the Buffalo Courier
\ genuine, undeutable instance of witchcralt
has come TO our knowledge, here in our own
highly moral city. Last Saturday forenoon an
aged couple made their appearance before the
police commissioners and told an appalling and
narrowing story of suferingS, the result of sor-
cerieS practiced, as they alleged, by policeman
of th3 fourth precinct They entreated that
some action might be taken to Illustrate the
Vaccinations OF the wizard in brass buttons.
The afflicted complanants stated that en-
chantmentS had been so wrought that they
could build no fire in their stove, and could not
perform the simplest household duty without
unwarranaDle manifestations Should they
SHUT the doors they would slam open with ire
SIstDe force, and on the other hand, if they
opened them they would SWING back with equal
violence Ii either oil the pair attempted TO 20
10 anv particular destination, the evil influence
would resstlessly direct their steps miles out of
the proper course, although though they were
well acquainted with the city. They had been
trpped up and thrown down bv satanic traps
and the female exhibited severe bru ses about
her head in testimony Of her truthfuness of
TINS part of the statement. These were only a
few OF their complaints. Worse than all, the
woman, who is but 65 years OF age, asserted
shat the astrological patrolman was practicing
incantatiOnS and nccromantiC spells to suiy her
virtue and enSnare her soul. Hhe hapleSs par
wepI pleOusly while narrlting their story, say
ing that the witchcrat was becoming more and
more unbearahle, and that unless the feud he
exercised in some way, they knew not to what
condition OF mental and physical condition they
would be driven.
The .ceplplaiuantS averred that their tor
mentor was a fourth precinct patrolman,
Wilhelm Helsburger. Our reporter at once
repaired to the station and interviewed that
official; but Helsburger denied the allegation;
protested that he knew nothing about the peo
pie, and asserted that he didn't 90 a cent on
witchcraIt. Our reporter VS. satisfied that
HeSOurger had signed no diabOcai contract
and had not dabrIed at all in practices OF
dldbOlism In company Of an eminent citizen
who is entirely cuuYerSant with the language of
the SWzerS, the reporter next repaired to the
habltauOu of the prosecuted parties, u little
old frame house at the rear Of another which
fronts Hickory street, a short distance from
Sycamore street.
o enng side door our reporter and the n-
terpretr stepped INTO what proved TO be the
kitchen Of the domcile. Ii was a large room
with ceiling very low and very smoky. Over
the stove bent a brown and wrnked woman,
with bruised head tied up, attending to her
culinary affairs with one hand, and holding an
ancient black letter PRAYER book in the other,
During the first part Of the interview the huS-
band was not present. he being at church, but
shortly he rcturned-a little old weazeu yiSaged
man with very dark hair, slightly numped and
his head set low down between his shoulders
The couple are natives of a small village in
Switzerland. they have been in this country
long time, and were married in Lancaster, Pa,
twenty.one years AFRO.
Wichclaft has been the bane of these unfol-
Inmates, who would seem to be especially
chosen as the victims OF magical and deYilish
arts. Witchcralt drove them from Pennsylya.
mia. They came here eight weeks ago and
stopped at the Hamburger SchosS," but the
SehlOsS was no better Than a Stamping ground
lor hendS. They then stopped night at one of
the starion houses but imps danced and cara
c,Ial tho ,I,,
the GuzwelleIs secured the lodging place they
now occupy, and for more than four weeks they
have suffered all manner of torments occasioned
by the pOce magician who occupies a neigh
boring house. He has fastened their doors so
that they could neither get in nor out; has
forced them ID jump IN aud out of their kitchen
window; has afflicted them with pans, cramps
aud dizzuess, and has perpetrated many other
equally wicked prosecutions. AT night the
afflicted poodle have been unable to sleep, the
evil influence fOrOidding them TO close their
eyes, and tiend in the shape Of the so called
poceman's vile has been IN the haOlt of sitting
upon them with crushing weight.
Ihe woman recently procured bottle of holy
wafer from priest, with which she has sprin-
kled her pillow, and this las had a Sautary
effect in keeping the spirit at q respectful dis
tance The twain manifested much grief over
their Affections, and at times during the nara
ton the woman wept most bitterly
Leaving the house occupied by the sufferers
from this most remarkable haucination, our
reporter instituted inquiries among the neigh
bors. The individual spoken OF as a policeman
was ascerlained 10 he no policeman at ALL but
au industrious parsonage OF good reputation,
who denies having inIeriered in any way with
the GutzwellerS or any OF their domestic ar
rangementS. 1t was also aScertaincd that dur
iug the few weeks OF their residence in the
vicinity, they had accused several persons of
practising evil arts. Certain il is, however, that
theSe Od people are completely possessed OF the