The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-18
SUPERSTITION IN RUSSIA.
A Priest Sentenced for Casting Out
Devils by Fire.

Petersburg Letter in London Telegraph.
Superstition is very rife throughout Rus
sia and the east. Not only does this apply
to the lower orders, who firmly believe in
the existence of good and evil spirits which
have influence upon the lot of mankind, but
there are many intelligent and educated
respect. The story of 'the devils of St.
Petersburg is not yet forgotten here. In
this case, a certain medical man, who oc-
cupied apartments in the Rue Titejuaja,
was afflicted by COLLINS, which every night
changed the position of the furniture.
knocked down china and copper ornaments,
upset tables. etc, much in the same way as
did the devils of Woodstock, celebrated by
Sir Walter Scott in one of his novels. Later
on it was ascertained that these devils"
We're no other than the doctors servants,
who had been Squared" by certain people
who wanted to get him out of his lodgings.
Another characteristic story of this sort
relates to country house in the little ISL
and Of Kammenz, near st. Petersburg. The
establishment in question was built for a
lady of high rank, but she only lived in it
for eight days, since which 1t has remained
enapty. 1t is alleged that appartions and
visions were seen during the night Hor-
rible groans and signs and cries for help
stood this sort of thing for several nights.
but finally was Obliged to quit. In this case.
also, it turned out that the servants, whom
Nine. --- is said TO have treated harshly,
were at the bottom of the trouble
In some parts of Russia the people believe
that devils can enter into the organism of
after guide. and there are sorcerers who
profess to be able 70 cast out the spirits.
These men are utterly without scruple, and
the sufferings which they cause their VIC
tins to undergo may be easily imagined.
Very few cases ever come before the law
courts. The people look upon the wizard as
a powerful parsonage who can work them
much evil and therefore not lightly to he
provoked. Hence complaints are rarely laid
before the tribunals. However. typical
case Of the sort recently came before the
cOllrt of VladicaucaSe
A Mohammedan mollah, or priest. named
Ahmed Ramasanoff. was charged with tor
turing q peasant woman named kotchere-
tova, his object being to drive devils out OF
her. At the beginning of the present year
Kotcheretova, who was only twenty fell
ILL., her malady being accompanied by epl-
leptic fits The villagers and her husband,
a man named Aslan-Bek came to the con
clusiOn that she was afflicted by evil SPIRITS,
and the husband called upon the mOllah
Ramasanoff to cast them out The priest
came to the house and commenced his
treatment First OF ALL they made big
wood fire and when there were plenty or
hot ashes they stripped the young woman
and tied her hands and feet. Seeing these
Ominous preparations Kotcheretova began
to cry and begged them 10 desist. cut OFT
Ike, but do not burn me They PAID no
attention to her pleadings. and. picking ner
up, placed her on the fire. she then pe-
came insensible. She was covered with
burns which the doctor who examined her
declared to be OF a very severe character,
When brought before the court the priest
explained that the woman husband nad
sought his advice. He connseled Aslan-bels
to force his wife to name the SHOCKS, and