Notes from German spiritualistic papers.
The lonely little village of Niedanowka, in Austria, has become of late the scene of some remarkable manifestations presenting all the well-known features of the ‘Poltergeist’ type. The medium, Johanna Chorzempa, is a thirteen year old girl, apparently healthy and normal, daughter of a peasant who owns a small farm.
The phenomena began by the letting loose of cattle and other inconvenient practical jokes. Soon it was observed that wherever Johanna went, she was pelted with missiles of all descriptions; when in the fields, stones, sand, turnips or potatoes were thrown at her; while indoors, pots and pans and other objects were hurled at her across the room, or hidden away. Vessels containing water were upset with clatter, and one day in the farmyard, the peasant, aghast, watched a large waterbutt set itself on end, while a plough seemingly crawled up to it and, together with large iron tools, was placed on the top of it by invisible hands.
The village priest came to exorcise the mischievous spirits and the farmer was persuaded to kill a cow and give the meat to the poor. The cow was killed, but the meat was sold instead of being given away, – so goes the report, – and the hostile manifestations, which had ceased for a couple of days, broke out again with increased violence.
The peasant, who, it seems, enjoys by no means the esteem of his neighbours, was now loudly accused of having attracted the evil influence by his avariciousness and his slovenly habits, and his daughter was pronounced devil-possessed. The municipal authorities of the nearest small town having been communicated with, three police officials were sent down, undertook a thorough examination of the cottage and surroundings, and stayed the whole day, noting every occurrence carefully. The phenomena taking place all the while, they could observe how miscellaneous objects flew to Johanna’s head and fell round her in a great semi-circle. They tried to sit in the dark for a short time, but most of those present were struck and bruised. A sceptical medical man, who had tried to hypnotise Johanna, but unsuccessfully, was badly hurt on the hand. The village priest alone remained unmolested, but was the object of highly humorous teasing from the invisibles.
This interesting case is reported at length and most intelligently by the police official who led the investigation. The village priest has also chronicled his part in the proceedings. The local excitement has found echoes at large, further testimony is forthcoming, and a great deal of interest is evident through the pages of the spiritualistic and animistic papers.
Light, 26th February 1898.
‘Psychische Studien’ gives further information about Johanna Chorzempa of Niedanowska, who was mentioned in ‘Light’ of February 26th. The investigation of her case has been patiently and ably carried on, but owing to the continuance of the phenomena, and the disturbing influence produced upon the girl, it has been thought prudent to remove her from her father’s cottage and she has now been placed under medical supervision.
Light, 23rd April 1898.