Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-02-06

Sent 30 Prison for Three Years for
P1actising Medicine Without a
Diploma.

sent 10 Prison for Three Years for
PIacItsing Medicine Without a
Diploma.
Professor Alfred Brown of this city,
stout, pcmpous oolored man, who fol-
lowed the avooation Of corn doctor here
for several years, was Thursday sentenced
to serve 'bree years in prison by tue court
at West Chester, Pa.
Brown practissd in Wilmington and
vicinity, and also coupled the "Voodoo"
art with his othe. work. He claimed to
possess the powers of necromancy and his
mystic arts were frequently used at the
request of the ignorant and supersiitious
people, white and black, in this city and
vicinity.
On the night Of january 4th, Brown
was arrested here on warrant issued by
Esquire Dougherty OF Landenburg,
charging him with criminal assault upon
Mrs. Annie Smith, and was taken to West
Chester to await trial. The trial began
on,Friday, but the assault charge was not
pressed, tho allegations at issue being
practioibg neoromancy, false pretence,
and practising medicine without q di.
ploma.
utuu l1uknltby uAtbs plhAth o h0hhpA
said: "a short time before Christmas
Brown came TO my house and commenced
talking about our enemies, and switched
them away. He gave me medicine to cub
upon myself to secure protection against
them. He said hs would send those enc
mics to the DEVILS headquarters, which
was in Rbodo Island. He moved q table
around the ROOM"
Ars. Anna Smith, daughter of Mr.
Barnite, testified that the professor
had treated her for SPELLS and promised
to bring her husband back by switching
him. bhe further testified that he bad &
bundle of little sticks aud other thing
for keeping evil spells away, and that be
exercised such power over her, by incan
tations, that she undressed and permitted
him to rub her person with some medi
| GiDa which be claimed would protect hei
| from her enemies.
The entire morning was consumed by
| the commonwealth, and the prosecution
had the professor" removed out OF sigh
of Mrs. Smith,S rs he exagcised suoh powell
over her that abe would faint, as che dis
when he watched her Thursday while sit
ting at one ide OF the court room full.
10 feet from the defendant.
In the afternoon he was put on tn
stand, and testified that he was only
coIn-doctor, and was permitted, unde
the lava Of Delaware, to practice. III
admitted having gone to the BurniteS
but suoppsed that it was to cure corDs
ingrowing nails, but, while being drive
there, Mr.. Burnite did some singula
talking about their family troubles. II
also admitted that he would try and ge
hack the lost husband; for all this sci
vice he charged on the first visit $5.
When the court resumed its session il
the afternoon, the pleas on three charge
Of not guilty were withdrawn, and tn
professor" pleaded guilty of praetisin
medicine without license; guilty @
practising necromancy, and guilty 9
falsa pretenoe.
Judge Hemphill sentenced him as TO
lows: For necromancy and spells, to pa
fine OF $40 and costs, and impriGonmer
for enc year for false pretonce, fine 81
and costs and imprisonment fer one yea
to commence at the expiration of the prs
ceding sentence; and, for practising med
icine without diploma, to pay u fms {
$50 and costs and imprisonment for on
year, to commence ut the expiration {
the last sentence in all, $40 fne an
three years imprisonment.