Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-25
An Evil spirit,s Haunt.


stone which marks the crossroads just before
Mount Vernon is reached. In the old days
when that historical spot was alive with the
happy voices of the plantation darkies, a man
killed his wife in quarrel over a pincushion,
and as the murdered woman fell over the stone
it has since been called the pincushion stone,
and is said to be possessed Of an evil spirit. A
venturesome farmer, to show his contempt for
the stone and its traditions, once took it home
with him and placed it in his barn. That very
night the barn caught fire and was burned to
the ground, and as he met with succession of
disasters, his experiment tended only to in-
crease the popular belief in the stone, and It
was subsequently taken back to its original
resting place.
In travelling about the country in the vicinity
OF Washington one is struck by the changes
wrought by time, even in the names of places.
On the banks of the Anacosta river is one Of the
most charming spots in the neighborhood of
Washington, and is favorite resort for pic
nickers from the city. 1t is known as Lincoln
Banks, and one would naturally suppose the
spot had been named in honor of President
Lincoln: but that such is not the case is vouched
for by many persons who remember when it was
Lickin Bank, and even this was not its original
name. 1t seems that it was first known by old
trappers, who designated 1t as the Lick In the
Bank" and it has gradually grown into its pres
ent cognomen of Lincoln Bank.
Faith in the Voudou Doctor.
Further up In Maryland Is q village now
known as Forrestville, but which in past years
was known as Long Old Fields. Civilization
flowed IN two streams up the Valleys of the Pat
uxent apd Potomac. The former was the great
er, having the richer roofing and the broader
base. Its outpost was on the crest of the rough
ridge which separates them, and which was and
is to this day wilderness. Here long 1elds
were cleared along the road at an early day, and
in time grew into old long fields. The travel
from valley to valley halted here as at half
way house, and does SO now. For generations
1t has been known as Old Long Fields, and it
was only recently that its name has been
changed by the Postofice Department.
AS far as can be learned the greater number
familiar in America had their origin in
England and upon the continent, but there
are many which seem to have originated
among the slaves in ante-bellum days. They
nave been handed down from generation TO
generation until they have come TO form part
of the religion of q vast majority of the
negroes, and in the interior of many Southern
States, where plantation life Is but little
changed from what it was 40 or so years ago.
the farm hands have the greatest terror Of q
voudou doctor, and believe implicitly in his
power to work them good or ILL., whichever he
sees fit. But the belief in old saws is noe con-
fined to the colored race by any means, for
there is many . farmer who will not plant his
crops save tin the dark Of the moor" and any
one who has lived IN sea-board town has
heard many time the merry notes of the
sailors in passing sloop as they whistle for
the wind"