Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-07-19
Satan i'm New HAMPSHIRE

The Waterville Me- Nail is publish
ing extracts from the diary of the late
Asa Redington, of Waterville, who was
a revolutionary soldier The strange in
cident recorded below happened in New
Salisbury, n. H., in 1874, while he was
working for Mr. Greeley: IAN elderly
lady by the name of Bailey, and of whom
it was said she was a lover of toddy,
happened to be at the barn one day.
when there came on heavy shower of
rain and thunder, during which period
the prince of darkness appeared unto
her; in consequence of some valuable
promises made to her, she entered into
contract with him, agreeing to give her
self up, both soul and body, to his infer
nal majesty, at certain hour on a GER
tain day, and in about six days after this
interview When the storm was over
the good lady returned to the house and
gave them a history of what had taken
place, adding that she had signed and
sealed the contract with her own blood,
showing the wound on her finger from
whence the liquid was drawn. Her
! friends We're exceedingly alarmed at the
dreadful story, and the news spread like
wild-fire both far and near, and oh, what
could be done to save her? Notice was
Immediately given to Mr.. Scarf, the
then settled minister of the town, and,
like good shepherd, he at once deter
mined to defeat the evil one if possible
Accordingly, on the Sabbath following
he mennoned the appalling circumstance
to the congregation, and with tears in
his eyes told them Il being one of the
hearers that the prince of darkness had
appeared in bodily shape to one Of his
Pensioners, and on a certain day was
again to make his appearance, according
to the contract, and take off with him a
member of his church to the regions OF
despair, and on the day named for the
exhibition he should, by consent of the
church then present, appoint a meeting,
and wished that if any one present had
any objections he would make it known.
4 pause then ensued, and not even a
whisper was heard. The minister then
said he should, and accordingly did, APP
point the meeting. On that important
day a multitude of persons of all ages
and sexes assembled i'll Mr.. Pettingells
orchard on an elevated piece of ground,
measures having been previously taken
to have ten Or twelve ministers from the
neighboring towns to attend at the meet
ing, and they accordingly appeared on
the ground III due season for the exer-
else. The good old lady was then intro
duced and placed in the centre of the
multitude, the ministers forming in a
circle around her, then another circle
composed of deacons, elders, and mem
bers of churches present, and then i'll
the rear of those the multitude formed
in close column. Everything then be-
ing prepared for action, and at least one
hour before the time appointed for his
satanic majesty to make his appearance,
the exercises began by singing, praying,
and supplications, all in favor of the
good old lady and against the tempter,
which continued till p NJ, it being sew
eral hours after the time appointed for
the explosion, and no smell of birthstone
or appearance Of danger, the multitude
began to dispense, and the lady was de
livered over to her friends, and by sunset
the ground was cleared. Mr.. Greeley
early in the day geareC, up his old steed
with saddle and pillion, went number
of times, taking the females of his fam
| lily, on the ground in season, and return
ing home in the same way, which was
not accomplished till nearly dark. [ did
not attend at this scene of folly, but the
meeting took place in sight Of where |
was hoeing corn in Mr.. Greeley's field,
and [ could plainly see the gathering
multitude at the place of action. The
particulars of what took place at the
meeting had from several persons pres
ent. My brother, Thomas Redington,
then resided near Mr.. Greeley's, and had
a knowledge of the transaction and now
recollects it"