A WITCH ON TRIAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8754, 2 March 1907, Page 1

A WITCH ON TRIAL.

A remarkable case of fraud, showing how much superstition and credulity still linger in the mind ol the uneducated masses, has occupied the Vienna Criminal Court. The accused was Marie Nebily, aged 43, and described as a bricklayer’s assistant. She assured one woman, to whom she gave a powder, that if it were placed in some soup it would prevent her husband being extravagant with i money. She demanded from the ■ woman half a stocking and a trouser ■ leg, in order the better to work her magic spells. Later on, when the husband, who is a chauffeur, was arrested for driving over a child, Nebily declared herself able to bewitch the entire court, so that the prisoner would be freed. The man, how’ever, was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. Nebily, states the Daily Telegraph correspondent, said that for ten kronen she would render all the witnesses in the case cripples. She sold extensively charms against false lovers, drink headache, all the ills that flesh is heir to, and all the various trials of life. Accused appeared in court dressed in black. She is an undersized, vigorous woman, and showed no trace of cunning in her open and strong countenance. She sobbed unceasingly, and declared she had faith in the miraculous power of the Hungarian shepherd, Stephan Stefanovics, and had aided all the women w'ho came to j her with the best intentions. The President: The chauffeur was accused of careless driving. You promised to bewitch the court! You then travelled to Stephan Stefanovics for the necessary charm. What did that cost you ? Prisoner : Four kronen. The President: Not dear for bewitching an entire court! (Laughter). The chaffeur’a wife, Mrs Hauck, stated that she had paid Nebily altogether about five guineas for charms.

Nebily was sentenced to .two months' hard labor.