The New York herald., 1879-11-23
WITCH BURNING IN RUSSIA.

STRANGE STORY OF FANATICISM-A VILLAGE
GIRL BURNED BECAUSE SHE WAS THOUGHT
TO HAVE THE EVIL EYE.
from tho London Standard.l
BERLIN, Nov. Z, 1879.
The following 10 the full history Of remarkable
case which has recently occurred in Russia. Agra
fena Ignatjewa . child simple and amiable,
neither sharper more stupid than all the other
girls Of her native village. wrstschewo. in the
government of Novgorod. But the people Of
the place having from her early youth. made
up their minds that she had the "evil
eye." nothing could eradicate that impression.
Being branded with this reputation 1t naturally
folio wed that powers of divinaon and enchantment
were attributed to her. including the ability to
aict both men and animals with various plaques and
sicknesses. In spite, however of the supernatural
skill with which she was credited she met with
suitor save poor soldier. She accepted him gladly,
and going with him. shortly after her marriage. to
st. Petersburg. wratschewo lost sight of her for
no means forgotten there; for when, after
the death of her husband. she again be-
she found that her old reputation still chung
to her. The news of her return spread like Wild
IRE, and general disaster anticipated from her
injurious spells. This, however, was. from fear,
talked OF only behind her back. and dread of her
at length reached such pitch that the villagers and
their wives sent her presents and assisted her in
every hoping thereby to get into her good
arts arts. - As she was now Atty years Of age somewhat
weakly, and therefore unable living. these
attentions we're by no means unweicome. and she
minds. Their superstition enabled her to 1.-Two
fortsbly and without care. and she knew very well
produced the slightest effect short time after her
return to wratschewo several women fell ill., This
was Of course laid at the door Of Ignatjews, par
ticuiariy as one of these women. the daughter
OF peasant. had been attached immediately
n.
pcned IN the village all fingers pointed q,
lgnatjewa az the source Of it. At the beginning Of
the present year dismissed soldier in the interest
of the community, actually instituted criminal pro-
cecdings against her before the local urjsdnk the
charge preferred being that she had bewitched his
wife.
THE virI.AaEns GROW EXCITED.
Meanwhile the feeling in the village against her
became intensified that IL resolved by tho
people. pending the decision ON the complaint that
far ~ to fasten her up In her cottage.
The execution OF this resolve was not delayed .
moment. Led by Ksuschin, Nikisorow, StArovij
and old man Of seventy. one Schipensk. whose
wife and daughters were at the time supposed to be
out on the way to Ignatjswa's dwelling. Nikisorow
had provided himself with hammer and nails. and
the bad spirits" Finding the cottage door locked
they beat 1t in and while portion OF them nailed
up the windows the remainder crowded in and an
nounced TO the terrified woman that by unanimous
decision she Was, tor the present. to be kept fast
enod up in her house some Of them then
they found, unfortunately, several bottles
containing mcdicaments. Believing these TO bo
enchanted poons, and, therefore. conclusive proofs
OF 1gnatewa's guilt, II decided. ON tho suggcs
ton of Nikisorow to burn her and her devilish work
there and then. 1--WE must put end to It," shouted
the peasants in chorus; "if let her OF now
shall be- bewitched one and ALL" Kauschin, who held
in his hand lighted chip Of pine wood. which he
had used 10 smoke ont the spirits" and to light
him about the premises, instantly applied it to
bundle OF straw lying In room. after which all
hastily left lrnaijewa attempted in vain to follow
them. The agonized woman then tried to get out at
the windows. but these already nailed up. In
front OF the cottage stood tho people, blankly star
ing at the spreading flames istenn to tho cries
OF their victim without moving muscle.
BURNING UP.
At this point Ignatjewa's brother came on the
scene and toward the cottage his sister
But q dozen arms held him back. Don't let her
out" shouted the venerable Scbipensk the husband
aud father of the bewitched women; ''Pll
it," That we won't father; we have put up with
her long enough" replied one of the band. "Ihe
Lord be pfaised" exclaimed another. 'let her burn
away; she bewitched my daughters, too" The
iittle room in which Ienatjewa had taken refuge
not % yet reached BY tho nre Appeals