The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1896-11-28
THE YOUNGER BAo. I"

1fow - MsgFoes o1 tAs oeaEA Prsteee
1keanselves.
One Of the most remarkable myrtle
ries connected with the life Of the
southern negro, especially those Of
Georgis and Florida, u the wonderful
and abiding faith they have In the
power Of the "cunger bag" When
cornered, however, with the question
- to whether they carry concealed
about them IN article OF the kind, or
whether they ever pay q visit to the
doctor" every last one Of them will
stoutly deny the soft impeachment;
yet, ~ matter Of fact, large per cent
Of the colored population Of the south
are firm believers in voodooism and
faithfully spend portion otkheir earn
ings each month in procuring imagined
security from enemies and evil spirits,
or in laying up asnpply Of good luck for
future use.
''Cunger bags" are of two kinds. The
one made Of yellow fanner'is to ward
of evil spirits, the other of red flannel
Il supposed to insure good luck, or
bring to pass some cherished desire Of
the owner. The contents depend upon
circumstances, and the cost h from IS
cents to dollar.
The doctor hears the visitor's story,
and. after deciding what the remedy
shall be, selects small bag Of the
proper tint Of red or yellow, and puts
into 1t something like the following:
A piece Of hair or whiskers; some
earth that the right or left foot has trod
at the hour of midnight at . certain
designated spot; relic Of . dead
friend; a clipping Of the applicants
finger or toe nail; q piece Of money
from the person, or belonging indirect
" to the candidate, which must be
soaked 70 many hours in vinegar, ,lco-
hol or whisky; few watermelon
seeds; little gunpowder, perhaps, or
maybe pinch OF snuff or piece Of
Little David root" will do the busi-
ness. What Little David root" il no
mortal but Z voodoo doctor has ever
been able to find out. and yet the great
est possible faith is placed in its powers
by the superstitious darkies, who be-
lieve anything the doctor tells them.
It is - peculiar growth that looks very
much like slippery elm, and the secret
of its origin or place of hiding is held
IN common only by the doctors and the
priests who practice this style OF "black
art"
Among other things that an applicant
is told to do IN to place piece Of
this root In his or her month.
It IL almost Immediately dis
solved into . kind of soft paste.
and when pressed between the palms
the future can be - easily foretold as if
read from % many pages Of typewlit-
ten manuscript At least the aston
ished negroes think 80. and thoroughly
believe in It. Little David root" il
responsible for great deal Of supersti-
ton In the south.
There is now living in a suburb Of At
lanta, Ga., . fine, fat negress, weighing
$50 pounds or more, who has the repu.-
tation of being the most successful WOO
doc doctor in these parts. Her cabin 10
veritable curiosity shop, which il
hung about with moro symbols and
charms than an Indians wigwam.
Amorg other things her supply Of
"curgers" IL unlimited, and these nre
sold O. visitors (unbelievers included)
a* an average rate Of 50 cents each If
. higher degree Of potency IL desired. of
course, the charge Ii higher.-St. Louis
Republic.