The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-15
MODERN WITCHCRAFT.
Some Queer Examples of 1t Found
~. in England.
Strange Revelations Through the Demise
OF Purported wizard-Absurd
Letters from Simple
Minded Folk.

That IN extraordinary amount of SUI
perstition still exists in some of the ar
ricultural counties, particularly in the
west of England, has been demon
( stratcd recently, says Casscll's Saturday
journal, by circumstances which have
come to light in connection with the-re-
cent death of Taunton oracle, who
was known throughout Somerset,
Devon and Dorset as BILLY the Piper"
lie was for many years looked upon rs
the Wizard Of the West" and largo
bundle of letters which were found in
his house reveal to un astonishing eX-
tent the credulity of certain people in
those parts.
Billy, who was sevcnty-SiX when he
died, had lived in the same house for
forty years. He commenced life by
hawking pipes, but doubtless the nc
quaintante he formed with country
folk while he was percgrinnting with
humble "clays" opened his eyes to their
supcrstitious beliefs and induced him to
pose as past master of witchcraft and
fortune-tclling And it was not only
simple villagers who were rcckoned
among Billy's clients. Farmers and
well-to-do people frequently consulted
cast disease out of their cattle, the lat
! ter regarding him as an infallible aid in
the discovery and punishment of those
who had done them wrong.
Billy was Il thin, wizened old man,
and in his long Inverness cloak and
sombrcro hat was 4 familiar figure all
tho country round. His fingers were
covered with rings, and dilapidated
wig, which covered tho top part of his
face, rendered his appearance extreme
ly curious. 1t is said that when he Wis
tied some parts of Somerset offers of
hospitality were SO numerous that he
had to exercise his choice. This rose
from an idea that it was lucky to have
"the wise man" under the roof. The
letters which were found in the house
mt the old mans death arc mostly from
llliteratc people.
In many references are made to in
closures for valuable services" Ono
woman wrote: ."Everything is going
wrong Mt my house to-day. 1 don't
know whose been, or if they caused it
without coming. Mother was going to
have the chimney swept, and the man
isn't come yet, and l expect he will
como after dinner, so shan't have Il
chance TO burn the water as you said
Also | thought of going to grand site
Mt Exeter, but they have caused my
father to want to go, and we can't both
get away. Also they caused the girl
not to be able to do her work fast
enough"
An example of the absurd idea that
the wizard could divulge the name of u
person'scncmies is found in the letter
of Dcvonshirc girl, who said: "She
camc back again last night. 1 hope
you will try and stop her, as it makes
me quite i'll, the thoughts of It'll wish
the old thing was dead, as I'm :. aid
there won't be no peace for me while
she is living. There is another woman
that she is very friendly with, who goes
about to places with her, so I've been
told. Her name is -. I've done all you
have told me. forgot to tell you be-
fore that she takes in work what I
used to do"
Dcvonshire farmer, equally simple,
wrote: 81 thought would drop you q
few lines to let you know how things
are getting on. We have not lost any
thing since, but the things seem to be
taken in n very queer way sometimes.
"A" ehSy was hot 10 Work yesterday one
of the horses fell in the hcdge-trough,
and they were obliged to get two or
three men to helpit out again. have
done and am doing every morning what
you told me- should like to know
who my enemies are, that might be-
ware of them"
A Bridgewater "clicnt," growing inn
patient, thus addressed the wise man:
Dear Mr.. Brewer: have carried out
your instructions, but find it don't in
feet the parties yet. Do you think
you could recommend any other thing
to find them out, as fancy l want
to know who it is that is doing me
wrong?"