The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-09
FANATICS NUMEROUS RITES
Sherfites OF Holland Accused of Offer-
ing Human SACRIFICES.

4
! Amsterdam, March S.-Amsterdam is
greatly Mortified by the shocking story
which has Just reached here of a human
sacrifice which occurred several days ago
/ on the opposite shores Of the Zuyder Zee
| in the little village of Altforst, in the
| Gelderland. An exaggerated religious IA
naticism which has for some time alarm
ell the authorities of the neighboring
/ towns, is responsible for the tragedy. OF
which man servant of the leader OF the
sect was the victim.
The fanatics who sanctioned the muir
der are known as Scherfites. after their
| leader, a rough farmer named Scherf.
whose grandfather was the founder OF
the sect. There are but twenty-four
members of this religious body, and as
all their meetings and rites were secret,
the actual character Of their beliefs has
never been known. Suspicious which
have arisen from time TO time have sub
sided again and no investigation has
therefore been made Of practices which
It is now believed were of a revolving and
lawless character.
Recently the Scherftes have apparently
become almost insane in the practice Of
were invariably held at midnight OF early
dawn, were accompanied by wild shrieks
which so terrified the villagers that they
shrank from further inquiry.
The climax came a few weeks back
when the farmer. Scherf. acting In HIS
customary role Of high priest. declared
to his followers. who are mostly women.
that the time had come when a human
sacrifice would be acceptable TO the Lord:
that in fact it had been dfvinely revealed
to him that the continued favor OF the
Most High could be obtained only BY this
means. Wherewith Ccherf generously re-
cited Old Testament passages in support
Of the practice and then announced that
it remained only 70 choose the maker Of
the sacrifice. Scherf himself was chosen
AS to the victim there were only wills
perings. A date was set. but none but
the high priest himselfsknew how the
gruesome performance was 10 be carried
out or dared 70 inquire.
On the day appointed two young girls
members Of the sect. came Just before
dawn To Scherf $ house. where they stood
bareheaded IN the snow singing psalms IN
shriH. high. monotonous voices This
was the signal. Scnerf arose and called
his wife and daughters. who Joined 10 the
chant. Then he called to his servant. who
lay IN a heavy sleep The man came
stumbling into the room where his mas
ter awaited him knife IN hand Scherf.
while the women stood about him singing.
threw himself upon his defenseless VIC
tim and plunged the knife into hts heart
with such deadly aim that the poor
wretch fell dead after one agoBizlug
shrek
The sacrifice is made" shouted the
murderer in triumph. Bring the bowls
10. his bIood."
Then IN a frenzy Of blood-thirsfiness
he seized the knife second time. swung
Il high IN The air and cut IT first the
dead mans head and then bis arrnA
Then came the important part q The
sacrifice" Every drop OF the poor crea-
lures blood was carefully preserved By
TIE murderer and the crszed women wh9
assisted him When they bad gathered
Il all they poured u into a great open I
vessel and stood about IN 8 circle singing
while they wasbei iheir haaGs ia ths /
blood 4 the innocent victim
Thus shah we b. made pure ehanfes I
scherf piogsly. Thus shall we cleaa.e 4
from SO Thas shall ws make 1
ou-seivea acceptable 81 IRE HiEst ~ ere i
L1o-d
Ant enc women echoed rs woris ~ i
ts- whsch each r. .he twenty members = 4
The sect took his fHrn a. a STARE IN fhs
horrible rte tig the szcrsacsg c.rsuony
wzs coDst3erad com1lete Ard a. . c1l-
max evsTy trace o ths b8chery vas
sgrns5
News g TIRE cerfoTrranos soez Fescbef
the police ard ihs next day seasrf ard
every sas u aix followers WTrs arrested