The San Francisco call., 1898-02-27

instead of being upon the de- cline among the Northern ne groes, seem rather to obtain 8 flrmer hold every day. Civiliza- : tion would appear to have little or nc effect in deterring the colored race from patrenizing "voodoo doctors" and squandering money on "conJurlng spells
 Such Is the opinion of pr. L. B. Or chard,. a well-known Southerner, who has devoted some time and study to the subject of voodooism throughout the cities on the hither side of Mason and :. Dixon's line.
 :. ~'I can state of my own knowledge, says .Dr Orchard. that there are now in New York at least seven voodoo doc tors practicing among the colored peo- pie, apparently with considerable profit to themselves. In Philadelphia l know of three voodoo doctors in the neigh 'borhood of South street alone. One of the. Quaker City practitioners of con- turing has a national reputation among the colored people. He $ Eben Massy, and his age must be about 90 years, although negroes will tell you
 
 one -hundredth winter.
 T know personally of only one voo- doc doctor in Chicago, although I have been told that there are many others. Pittsburg rejoices in a female con- Jurer. Chief of Detectives Roger O'Mara introduced me to her some years ago. She was then living in the neighborhood of Grant street and de- ing a thriving business among the col ored folk. But l believe the police have since put a stop to her career.
 Despite the education which he re- cetves to-day, the negro is still primi- tive being, and spells, magic and the hke-the stock in trade of voodooism- appeal forcibly to his credulous nature He does not stand alone among the races of civilization, either, in this par ticular. There are witch doctors among the Pennsylvania Dutch, and only last year a case was brought to light in Ire land where the black art had been in voked with fatal results.
 Tt takes considerable persuasive power, plus strong financial consider ation, to gain admittance to the sane tum of a voodoo doctor in cities where the police organization happens to be active against such imposition. Money, without other influence, will avail you nothing. AS for me, l have many friends (old aquaintanees of ante bel lum times) among the colored people. With the aid of Georgia darkies, who knew me or my kin, I have frequently secured entrance where it would have been mighty dangerous for any North ern white man to attempt to penetrate.
 For instance, no later than ten days ago, was brought by appointment to visit a New York voodoo doctor of prominence in his profession. My col ored guide led me to a fiat house in East Ninety-seventh street. in a block specially favored by negroes of the richer sort. The house was very neatly kept nor was there anything in the fiat dweif in by our 'cunjurer' to hint at the mystic performances which were gone through within.
 The grizzled old doctor was inclined to be angry when he discovered that white man had come to patronize him. Clearly he feared police espionage. But after brief talk about the South and the discovery that we both hailed from the district around Atlanta, he perceD- tfbly relaxed. Then my mentor told him that I wanted spell-'a cunjuh in spell'-he called tito charm back the