VAMPIRE SUPERSTITION IN SERVIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2462, 21 April 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

VAMPIRE SUPERSTITION IN SERVIA.

♦ The Pester I.hvjil reports from Belgrade a ease of superstition which almost had a fatal result. The poline found some nights a,?O, lying in the street, the body of a man apparently frozen to death. Efforts to revive him failed, and his identity having been ascertained, he was handed over to his family for interment. The cemetery was a considerable way distant; and as it was being reached, the driver of the hoarse told the pope, who attended for ths religious service that he heard some noi 3in the coffiu. The clergyman and other* drawing near also heard the noise, and all ran away lest a vampire should issue from it and attack them. The

driver, terrified at finding himself alone turned about aiul drove the hearse to the nearest police station. By this time a knocking was distinctly audible. The coffin wtis forced open, and the man was found alive, but in a very exhausted state. He complained pathetically of the attempt to bury hira despite his remonstrances. He was taken to the hospital, and has nearly recovered. Fie had been sponding the evening with some boon companions, and wandering in a state of intoxication foil and became inpensiblo from thn cold. Probably tho

jolting of the hearse revived him. It is a superstition in Servia and among: many Bl.iv people l hut, when a man dies suddenly iiis spirit returns as a vampire, and preys on his near relatives and friends.