THE “EVIL EYE”

Evening Star, Issue 20198, 11 June 1929, Page 9

THE “EVIL EYE”

A WITCHCRAFT TRAGEDY WOMAN BEATEN TO DEATH Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, June 10. , (Received Juno 11, at 12.35 p.in.) How belief in witchcraft still survives in agricultural districts is shown by two episodes occurring as • far apart as Somersetshire and Hungary. In the Somerset case a fanner was bound over to keep the peace for threatening an ancient neighbour, whom ho accused of casting the evil eye. The Hungarian case had a more tragic ending. A farmer named Pittlik became mysteriously ill, and in a frenzy prophesied that the witch who had cast a spell over him would appear in Iris sick room. At that exact moment an old hag hobbled into the room. Pittlik’s family boat her to death with sticks, and Pittlik leapt from his bed completely cured. The assailants were arrested and sentenced to long terms. They appealed to iho Supremo Court, and i heir sentences were reduced to three mouths, the court holding that the family were justified in the assumption that the woman was a witch.