Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-03
FAMOUS WITCH.
A Noted PcnnsYivania Character
BEAD

A Harrisburg pa special says: The
death il reported Of Barbara Fisher, the
famous 0witch woman" OF northern Ian
caster county, in whose supernatural powers
Young aad old members OF certain class OF
residents in that section bad the greatest
faith. She was nearly ninety years old, and
had lived alone IN rude hut TN the noun
fains a few miles from KeinhOldsYille for
more than SIXTY years. The belief 10 witches
and the power OF certain persons to
drive them away still prevails to Il
surprising degree among the simple
Dutch farmers not only Of Lancaster, but
nelghboring counties, and Mother Fisher
was one Of the most confidently consulted
Of many "wItch women" one al least OF
whom is 10 be found In every farming COM
muniiy. The writer saw Mother Fisher two
wears AGO in her hut She was then sctive
ana apparently physically strong, but much
bent and WFinkled. Her hair Was as white
as snow. and long white hairs grew from her
chin I'm such proiusiOn as 10 almostgiNe them
the dignity of a beard. Her eyes were as
bright aud sharp as a hawks, and altogether
She was most striking person TO look at-a
typical witch herself. and IA fact she possessed
the nower. according 70 the belief OF the people
in her community, Of bewliching her neigh
bors. their cattle, their wells, or what she
chose, a qualification thSt madc her an object
OF great fear 10 them as well as OF venerailon.
II was during the writer's visit 10 that
peculiar community that he had an extraor-
binary illustration OF the creduhty and
snnerstision OF ITS people. well-tO.dO
former had brought suit before Justice Of
the Peace TO recover damages for the loss OF
a dog. which he grayely charged her
With having killed by bewilehlng It,.
The Justice, instead OF refusing 10
consider such charge, put the case
10 trial, and on the evidence pre-
sented gave judgment against Mother
Fisher, The woman bad the reputa-
tion of being vindictiye witch. and she
lived alone in a small cabin, her family ana
neIghbors stunning her. The charge made
against her by the farmer was that she had
hewitched his dog and refused 10 drive the
witch away until he paid her certain sun
Of money. He refused aud upon his refusal
the dog began running wildly about 10
circle, suffering great agony, untl II 81 last
fell down from exhaustion ana dled. \
large number OF witnesses were examined
m the ease and all gave testimony as
TO having been sufferers IRON
the defendants powers OF WHICH,
craft. One witness swore that ne bad
been solicited by the defendant not 70 ap-
m the case on tNuAlA W w i'''-'-'N%f 49,
that he had refused 10 comply with her re-
onest. few days sfterward bis well be-
came dry and bis COWS gave bloody milk'
His bsby. which at the time he refused the
dcfendsn,s request was Fat and healthy, had
refused TO he sucked, and had grown so
nuny that it, death was hourly expected.
To can the climax Of this remarkable trial,
tbe defendant, after hearing the evidence,
confessed herself guilty OF The charge. Inc
Iusllce gave the farmer Judgment for 80 and
the cost Of the suit.
Mother Fisher had a curiosity ia.a strange
volume. printed in the German hngutge,
and over 800 years old. II was called :" he
Wonder. Book" and Il was brought from
GERMANY bv female ancestor who came TO
lancaster county with the Dunsers IN lIl9.
rh.t ancestor was also a Noted "witch
,so,asn ;, sud there had been one in the
tsm,ly ever since until the death OF Barbara
Fisher. who was the last OF her me, sue
hevIng never married. "The Wonder-
pook 3 was pouderous volume bound
n boards and Us heavy covers Sc
cured by brass elsmps. NO other hxna
hn. hers was ever permitted 70 touch
ths nrecious book, and from 1t she drew
her in.Dlration for "wonder workinT."
mi. shrewd and cunning beldame could
never he induced by any offer TO Try her
nowers on stranger or On any one VINO
tiysd outside OF the neiehborhood III WINCH