The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-04-25
4 Sad Spectacle.

manifested in the lower portion Of this
county, at Stockmsn's 8 postofhce, on the
subject Of "witchcraft. -
It has certainly gotten to be a seri-
Gus matter, and ss things are at pres
ent, presents sad spectacle indeed.
Tie results have been brought about
in the following manner:
Mr.. Belton Stockman, who is an IN
dependent farmer, and the proprie-
tor of small country store and a
successful man in all his undertak-
ings, is the victim of an old negro i'm
poster.
Mr.. Stockman has for some time
past been suffering with rheumatism
in his right limb, at times being
scarcely able to walk. An old negro
appeared in his neighborhood some
months ago, claiming to be from the
loAer part Of the State, and claimed to
be doctor and insisted on making an
examination Of Mr.. Stockman's all
ment-.for which he charged 81. After
the examination was made the negro
said he had located the trouble and told
Mr.. Stockman that he could cure him
entirely, which he would do for SIP
the money to be paid after the cure was
effected.
Mr.. Stockman took the negro's
treatment for some time, deriving lit
tie or no benefit therefrcm. The ne
gro would from time to time talk to
Mr.. Stockman and tell him of his
enemies, how many he had, etc., and
claimed that he had the power to be-
witch anyone, and would resort to
his slack" or solomon" to prove what
he said.
Mr.. Stockman got worked up to
such point on the subject that he
finally lost his mind. And sad to say,
one or two others Of his family were
slightly affected, and they believe
somewhat in the doctrine of witch
craft.
Mr.. Stockman believed that he had
been bewitched and he had all Of his
hands, FIVE or six in number, and two
of his brothers guarding his house, day
and night-no one being allowed to 60
near him.
Mr.. Stockman claimed that the
house had to be guarded nine days and
nights and if anyone crossed certain
line within that time he would die. He
had salt and pepper put all over the
floor of his house and was continually
eating it, he claimed, to keep off the
witches.
This state of affairs had existed for
several days when the old negro "doc-
tor" yoodooer" or whatever you may
choose to call him (more of a lunatic
than anything else), vas arrested
and brought here to jail on Thursday
night.
On the Friday morning following
some of Mr.. Stockman' s friends came
to Newberry and had the negro re-
leased on bond SO as to take him back
to Mr.. Stockman' 8, and in this man
ner unarm Mr.. Stockman and his
guards, who had in their possession
i've or six shot guns and several pis-
tolls, with plenty ammunition, and
threatening to shoot anyone that came
near, except one or two persons; and
if possible, cause some of the af-
fected persons to lose confidence in
the negro's ability to do what he claim
ed. -
The negro was carried in Mr.. Stock
mans presence and for a short while
he seemed to become better, but by the
next morning no perceptible change
had taken place.
The negro was returned to Newber.
ry the next morning and placed in jail
to await further developments.
We gather the above report from
conversations with persons from Mr..
Stockman neighborhood.
LATER
Mr.. Bolton Stockman was brought
to Newberry last night and was
examined this morning and car
ried to Columbia on the G. N. & l..
road and placed in the asylum -Ne'0-
berry Observer.