Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1912-01-12
Pullman Widow Hands Over Large
Sum of Money at Command of
Strange Woman
Mrs. Anna Booth Energies From Hypnotic Spell and Re-
lates Sensational Story

A remarkable story of hypnotism
and swindling has been unearthed by
The Herald in which the leading
characters were an estimable Pull
man widow and a swarthy Gypsy
woman, endowed with the mysterious
powers which for centuries have been
ascribed to the Gypsy race.
The victim was Mrs. Anna Booth,
some 2 years ago, has successfully
managed their farm of 10 acres east
of town and has shown such com mon
sense and good Business judgment
that her action in this matter can be
explained in no other way than that
she was under a powerful hypnotic
influence. The story which she tells
is substantially as follows:
Mrs. Booths Story
One day last fall (the 18th of Au-
gust, to be eXact). while she was in
her house on High street, she heard
the door bell ring and on opening it
faced a very dark complexioned
woman, who looked to be about 30
years of age. The strangeB remarked,
You have a nice face | would like
to tell your fortune" Mrs. Booth de-
clined, and then the woman asked for
drink of water. Mrs. Booth is
little deaf and has formed the habit
of closely watching the face and lips
of anyone addressing her. She says
that as soon as she looked into the
woman's eyes she felt a peculiar SEN
sation, but she went and got a glass
of water. The visitor then caught
her by the hand and whispered; You
have an abscess in your ear" which
was true. You have money hidden
in this house; | want it. You have
enemies and | am going to work on
your planet. You have money in the
banks; they are going to beat you out
Of it. Your enemies are going to
burn you out. You must give your
money to me-
Relates Past Incidents
The visitor then proceeded to tell
many incidents in Mrs. Booths past
life, from the days of her childhood
and also incidents connected with
other members of the family. She did
this so accurately that Mrs. Booth
was deeply impressed and became
completely subservient to the will of
her visitor. She handed over some
thing over $500 in cash which she
mad in the house, but the woman
said, Il dare not touch this money;
you must wrap it up in a silk hand
Kercmet. Mrs. Booth replied that
she did not have a silk handkerchief
and would have to use a cotton one
which she did. The Gypsy then made
little bag out of a piece of cloth
and handed it to her victim, saying.
Ihis is piece of the veil in which
| was born | would not give it to
many people, but will work for you
as would my own mother. Wear this
and it will protect and bring you
luck. She then placed the money
IN bag and went away, saying that
she would return the next dav,
Asks for More Money
She did come and told Mrs. Booth
to go to the bank and get some more
money. Unable to resist the nyp-
motto spell of her visitor Mrs Booth
went to the Pullman State bank and
drew out 5000, which she took home
and gave to the Gypsy, first wrapping
II IN black cloth, as commanded
The woman said that she was going
10 put the money on Mrs. Booth
planet, which was very bright. and
would put $1,000 of her own funds
with 1t to bring good luck. She
again warned her victim to beware
OF enemies and promised to return in
lew days for more money.
On October 18th she appeared
again at the house and finding no one
at home made inquiries of a neigh
Dor Mrs. Bockman. and learned that
MRS. Booth was doing some work at
the home of Rev. A. B. Clark. She
at once went there and inquired for
Mrs. Booth. Mr.. Clark invited her in
and called Mrs. Booth. The Gypsy
simply said to her victim, Il want
you' and Mrs. Booth at once went
with her. When they reached Mrs.