The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-03
sorccry I'm Martinique.

Sorcery, or obeah, is extensively prac-
ticed by the creole and negro population
of all the West India islands, in spite Of
all the efforts Of the civil and religious atl-
thorities for its suppression. The. sor-
cerer is generally some person superior IN
cunning and other qualities to the mass OF
the negro population, and Is held in great
dread and veneration by those over whom
he is supposed to hold mysterious power
for good or evil. Under the protection OF
this dark superstitious fear. he is able to-
commit or instigate the most atrocious
crimes, as no negro, and few white people,
will voluntarily testify against an obeah
man, lest he or his accomplice should take
summary vengeance upon them. THESE
sorcerers are employed by persons who
have grudges against their neighbors; and
as inauests on the bodies of negroes are
rare occurrences in Martinique, it is
the easiest matter in the world
for the obeah man to furnish
a customer with the poisons he wants in
order to get rid Of some one who may
have wronged or offended him. But such
is the terror inspired by these sorcerers 10
the minds Of these ignorant negroes that
it is not always necessary to resort to ac-
tual poisoning. A word, o sign, look,
from the obeah man is enough to strike his
victim with mortal horror, under the infiu-
ence Of which many poor creature has
pinned away into the grave. It is said that
ssrcerers are not only very skillful in pre-!
paring poisons to be administered with food
or drink, but that some of them carry Q
small globulc Of serpent's venom under o
sharpened finger-nail, by which they can
inflict death with slight puncture of the
flesh. These are dangerous customers,
and they are rarely meddled with. The
sale of charms and love-powders is also q
part of their business. az
Strange as it may seem, these obeah men
are frequently employed by whites who
wish to get rid of an obnoxious person.
The name of Cowper Karr, who was few
wears ago d famous sorcerer in Martinique,
will long be remembered with detestation
in the island. After long career of crime,
believed to have committed many murders
and lesser offences innumerable, he was
arrested and brought to trial with an old
negro woman, his partner in guilt but
although every one believed them to be
worthy of the severest punishment, NO
one was found willing to give evidence
dgainSs ineuS auu tney Woio H.ahy
released, with Recommendation from
the court to be careful as to their flu.
ture conduct. On leaving the courtroom
they passed through dense crowd o
whites and negroes, who had assembled
to witness the trial; and Cowper Kari
stopping for "a moment to face group o
citizens, said, with slow and stern delibera.
ton, ''Look well at me now! Should
declare how many of you have applied fol
my services there would be few who woult
not hang their heads. This remarkable
trial took place in 1871. Cowper Karl
was no common character. He wa.
shrewd, quick-witted, and well qualifiet
to exert q powerful influence on his igno
rant fellow-conntrymen. His bearinl
during the trial was discreet, and hi
answers to the interrogations of the cour
evinced sagacity and intelligence. IS. Car
valho, IN Hape,'s Magazine for January.