Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-27
wfTcncRArr IN wIsceNsIs.
sworn Testimony or Farmer Against
an Old German Woman,


A Milwaukee special says: A strange case
has recently occupied the attention OF the
Police Court in the village OF Princeton, 10
this State.
William Roberts IL q well.to-do farmer OF
Princeton. He has awiie and four children.
Across the road from his fsrm lives an old
German lady named Albright who Is unable
to speak or understand English. Since last
Christmas Mr.. Roberts claims that bis family
and house have been bewitched, and swears
10 any number OF astonishing occurrences
which cannot be well accounted for by ordt.
nary means. His entire family corroborated
him Ia series OK most surprising state
meuts. Gradually he grew TO a belief that
the witch was his little old German neighbor.
He gave her on two separate occasions due
warning that she must cease COSTING her evil
eye over him. The manifestations did not
stop, and so the other day be took his gun
and started out TO kill her. He insisted that
her death alone could dispel the evil charm.
IL became necessary that Mr. Roberts be
placed in custody before he murdered the
supposed witch, and he was therefore arrest
ed aud placed on trial. and thus the witch
craft disclosures came about.
STRANGE OCCURRENCES.
When the case was called Mr.. Roberts, for
the defence. went 10 the Witness.stand. lie
swOre that as long ago as last CHRISTMAS
things about HIS house began 10 act very
queerIy. The first he noticed was spot OF
blood on enc OF the sheets Of his bed. lie
slept alone snd 1t frightened bin. The
sheets were changed continually, but In
short time the bloody spot would again an.
pear. Then there were great letters 4" b "
and "Rn drawn on the wall in blue ink,
which would come and disappear mystefi-
ously, and strange writings on the wall. His
wife was also having great trouble with her
cooking utensils and dinner dishes. Many
Tine having gotten the meals upon the table
aud stepped 10 the door to call the rest 10
dinner, she had turned again TO find the table
nearly stripped ~ its contents. The bread
and meat had disappeared, ana plates, knives,
forks, and salt.cellars had absolutely vanish
ed ss II by magic. Sometimes they would be
found 10 out-of-the-way places, under the
wagOn-house IN the corn-crib, ont in the
garden. and often they were never discover
ed. These queer demonstrations and many
others were sworn TO by Mr.. Roberts and bis
wife IN the most honest and solemn manner
aud no questioning could divert them
from q straightforward story.
MORE OF the SANE SORT.
Both the children, Anna and John, were
placed on the stand. and they told in frank
and artless manner the same and many other
equally occurrences. A ring had
suddenly disappeared from AnnGs finger.
She bad seen dishes come sailing out Of the
cupboard when no one was near &c and settle
softly down on the floor without breaking.
Both she and the boy had seen the clothing
thrown on the beds and coats and dresses
pulled from the walls and hurled across the
room. It was suspected by some that these
children might have been the mischevOus
SCENTS OF all the trouble, but they gave every
appearance OF innocence, and not the
seyerest crOss.Quesll0nng could confuse
them. In fact, the police. the lawyers, the
crowd OF spectators, and the country people
round about are absolutely mvstiied. Anna
did not shsre her parents belief IN Mrs. Al
brighps culpablity ~ a witch. She said she
did not believe in wiichcraft, and still she
swore with emphasis and apparent terror IN
the recollection that these STANCE things had
actually TRANSFERRED. A married brother,
named Edward Albright, and his wife, who
were here on q few weeks visit, were called
10 testify. They hal each Ike unaccounta-
BILE tales TO relate. Edwards wife was pres
sent when The ring disappeared FRI N Annals
nnger. she had noticed It a moment before,
aud in the glance Of an eye It was done.
AHna's other hand was engaged at the time,
and she could not have removed 1t herself.
Later in tie day they took piIl out into the
garden and picked some berries. When
they sorted them over that night the ring
was found among them. Edward testified
that he was getting lunch one night in the
kitchen when he turned TO the cupboard and
found that a number OF the dishes had van
ished from the table. His watch was taken
from his pocket one night while he silent.
and the next day it WAS found in the cup
board down stairs.