The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-09
a , W1roH.
Ths story or an Experiment. en- p1er Recalled
by Becky naurch's Disappearance.

-
JoNEsPoRT, Me-, Jan. AFTER living alone In
her slab shanty on Hedgehog Island for n longer
timo than most Of tho residents OF this village
can remember, old Becky Murch, the witch. as
sho was called, has moved away. taking her
cats and her hens along. Fifty years ago she
won local distinction by driving Horace Beals
away from home to seek his fortune among the
granite quarrics of Penobscot Bay, where he
eventually became q millionaire.
The unlucky vessel that bore Becky Murch to
within wading distance OF Hedgehog Island was
wrecked on an outer ledge some time during tho
Mexican war. 1t went ashore in the night, and
when tho boats went Off to render aid the next
morning, Becky and her three cats and dozen
hons were all tho living things that could DO
found on the craft. She refused to leave 1t; but
when the boats went back to land she rugged n
line about her waist, and taking her hens and
cats waded to Hedgehog Island. For two or
three days she went back and forth in this man.
ner, carrying ships stores ashore. Then shc
built a shanty of driftwood slabs and fragments
of the vessel. stocking 1t with what she could
move from the schooner, and began n long wait
for her missing husband.
Though she caught fish. dug clans, and Guilt
waited q small garden on tho island, her labors
did not support her. and before a year she was
Off on the mainland ~lovying blackmail from tho
residents. farmers, and fishermen. While she
did not claim TO be a witch. she asserted tho
possession of supernatural powers. In case her
demands werc denied she uttered sulphurous
cursed more or less violently, but Becky Murch
was the only person who was able to enforce an
have the rheumatism until II twisted him out OF
shape, he received the full order inside of a
year. In this way she dealt out sickness and
misfortune ali over town until there was talk of
having her arrested and put on trial as a male
factor. After she had been threatened with the
law she changed her tactics and began to unload
her wrath upon such animals as she wanted and
In tho midst of hcr successful career as a
slayer of live stock Becky called upon Horace
He laughed at her. An hour after she left tho
COW she had wanted was taken III. just before
she would cure the animal II he would give her
e fat pig; Fer Dr., answer G,a he drove Dr. v e her hero out sy with b, a
piR d HGr NOT survive iiSeTth e' hight IT On the the following dRi% ing
day Becky called again, telling BealS that she
tor said the woman was a WITCH, carrying
heavy voltage, SO that no law or jail could re:
strain her. Her evil powers would continue
while she lived. Therefore she must die. He
didn't propose to kill her; for such an act might
II followed. would rid the world OF her unwei.
come presence, and at the same time nobody
vice OF the witch doctors. Beals met her demands
for a sheep with a plump refusal; emphasizing
turned to the island and the witch doctor was
ready for business.
witch doctor built an outdoor fire. and when the
sheep had grown weaker he caught her, cut
HpsR h snd th liTsl. h Sad tRh %a1lniS S t 3%t blaze tsS h sntfi
they were cooked to, a crisp: The doctor en-
of Hedgehog Island had the power of transfer
ring herself to the haslet of any person or ami
NAL she wished to aff1ict. The only way to cure
her of this habit was to- take the haslet from a
witch-ridden animal and burn it while still alive
and the curse would be lifted.
Becky Murch's shanty was shut and barred
on the inside when the witch doctor and his ad-
mirers rowed over to Hedgehog Island to learn
the door, Becky was found in bed, tossing and
moaning in pain. The witch doctor declared
that he heard her say, I'm on fire inside" and
took the declarattop for proof that his exorcism
disbelieved the witch doctor and sent for
the village physician, who said the old
woman was nearly starved to death
and was delirious from hunger. Under
a few weeks, after which the town provided for
her wants. She lived on Hedgehog Island until
q few weeks ago. when some gunners found her
shanty deserted. Nobody knows whether she
whether she has gone to new scenes voluntarily.
Since her departure the old residents have re-
vivod the witch story, telling it with many
variations and additions.
took in the witch doctors farce. About 1850 he
sold out his farm and went to work on the
granite quarries near Rockland. In a few years
he owned Dix Island. Then he secured tho con-
Washington ana became rich. In all these years
Beals never forgot the witch. paying her an
annuity while he lived and making provisions
for her in his will. Though she was nominally a
granite king moro than supported her.