National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-20
IHnLn RRPER8TITInN

among tne norf1ole superstiLOne Wnlcn stlu
exist in some parts of the world, that Of the
vampire Is one Of the worst. A recent lawsuit
IN Germany has shown that this weird belief
still exists, notwithstanding the boasted en-
lightsnment Of the nineteenth century.7Gt Il
On the 9Th Of February, 1870, there died at
KAntzyno, Q village in Western Prussia, Of con-
sumption, Q respectable gentleman, named
Francis Won Pollock, sixty-three years Of age.
A few days sfter his funeral his eldest son,
Anton, was takeusick, and died on the 18th Of
the same month. According TO the physician,
his disease was what IL known Is "galloplng
consumption"
Almost at the same time this mans wife and
6 young daughter were taken sick; second
son and brether-in-law felt very unwsll, and
al these persons complained Of feeling inde-
scrfbsble anxiety ana oppression.
The superstitious notion was now adopted by
the family, that the dead fsther was so-called
vampire, and thst they must all die II help
were not ct once obtained.
A vampire Is supposed 70 be body which
cotttndes TO live IN the gfave, rising therefrom
Sy S 2 sue sAs RIsS 3. sss RON
thus u psarlis frsslf and prs7sei ths nsas
declv. - y %&
N' ii. persca. attacked, d |. ssia, sciesiimss.
feel thsmselSes IN dream cAnght by the meek
and almost strangled; or unable % keep oftbe
fearful Hsttsnt who Lies Cd tier breast, they
decline very rapidly, and met their death be-
eome thspsslves vampires, and 90 on WITHOUT
end, until, y sems tsiaibls nsasufss ths fear
According 70 this superstition, which prevails
In Poland and Western Prussia, the ability 70
beceme vampire b given with the so-called
fortunAtus' cap, which IN all ages and among
all people has been regarded a. an emblem Of
prosperity. Such vampire Candidates arc said
70 be Somewhat dicfat6risl and svaricious. The
tee e6tpse. Tho fsce retains its color; the
blood noks freely the stiffness and ofiensive-
psss ofdead bodies are entirely absent, - though
the person WERE 10 strsnce.
There are various methods adopted BY these
supe.stltious people FOR destroying the YAM
pife SOME mia, othefs more severe. One p
70 turn the dead body In the coffin face dpHHf
wards. Atother % to drive wooden Sake
though the btesst, snd further, 70 cut e
tSo lesA Whils tht body Is thus horribly
hSSrd ma wnd hnshtsE nom the mum Of the
yAppiss. In some essss the BODY Il burned TO
Amer Anton Won POSlockd's death and his
mother spd sister were taken stek, the 1hiiy
SstssnjnsSs 70 gs:os. 70 z .ss ssssre |ss,efss
tie second SOD, JoSsph, vhe Vas iew DE Sssd
Of Isl family. Ths sans operAtie6 w. q bg
psriormed dn the athes On the Digit bsiors
thf son's funersl.-l s.s;Ste -
Joseph Won Peslocki, Win this Yiik, Vent
the Gay before 70 the grdve-eigEf Of The plaza,
ard offered him 9 round sun of npAss q ~
Ss a' q for o III s'S xSos hss
trouble, break through the separating eafth,
and open the eofha Of the supposed vampire.
The erkye-diegef CONSENTED 70 do this, but
irst consulted Tbs pastor Of The Village church.
The worthy clergyman forbade his taking any
part in snoh Dissertation, and ordered him 10
dig the Grave % usual. He also set Q watch
on the night before the funeral. Ths watch
man was, however, careless, and the msn were
not disturbed until they had accomplished their
purpose.
Joseph and his assistants ware tried for their
act Of Dissertation, and were found guilty by
the District Court. This sentence was reversed
by the Court Of Appeals, but the verdict was
Sc. aside BY the Superior Court, and the case
sent back TO be tried again BY the tribunal Of
the district. The trial was ptotracted through
two years, but all the parties were finally
acquitted on the insufficient ground that they
II now We ask for'ths origin Of this strange
and horrible superstition, We shall probably
ind Il in the ancient doctrine that the souls Of
the dead pass into the bodies Of other animals
Ia doctrine still hsld By the Hindoos. There
is q bat In South America which sotnetimes
sucks the blood Of animals, and II this species
once existed IN Europe, II may have given rise
10 the belief that the dead sometimes r.se from
their graves and nourish themselves on blood
Of the living. The wonder sthAt the supers t.
ton should still maintain tie ground In this age
Of almost universal eduestion and Of scientific
fnoufrV.