Watseka: America's Most Extraordinary Case of Possession and Exorcism

by David St. Clair

Mary Roff, a gentle, unassuming 19 year old girl, died suddenly on the morning of July 5th, 1865, in the town of Watseka, Illinois. Her death was strange, but her life had been stranger. For several years she had been subject to sudden, unaccountable "fits"- But death brought to an end her sad and disturbing case...

Thirteen years later, in 1878, Mary Roff reappeared—in the living body of Lurancy Vennum...

Genres: Horror, Paranormal, Fiction

310 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite unlike any other I have read on the topic of possession and exorcism. usually when one thinks of exorcism they think of a priest coming in to cast out demons, but that's not always how intruding spirits are cast out. Many cultures have their own rituals for curing one of possession, but the way in which the intruding spirits were dealt with in this supposedly true story is one I would have never imagined.

Mary Roff was the daughter of Asa, and Ann Roff. Asa had been one of the founders of Watseka Illinois. Neither the families riches nor their faith protected the family from spiritual invasion. Young Mary Roff started suffering from what the family called fits when she was just six months old. This was a year or two before the Fox sisters started the spiritual movement, so all of this was still very new territory at the time. Without the proper help, or understanding Mary passed away at eighteen taking the mystery with her. Twelve years later however another teenage girl started suffering the same kind of violent outburst on a much grander scale in the same town of Watseka.

Lurancy Vennum was a healthy girl until suddenly she started claiming to hear voices in the night, and took to collapsing into a rigid trance like state passing along messages from her dead grandfather. Lurancy's parents Tom, and Lurinda were just an average hard working couple, definately not the sort to want the kind of attention being brought to their family by Lurancy's extreme outbursts. Lurancy was luckier than Mary Roff in that the spiritual movement was far more advanced. When a spiritual minister heard about the girl he felt compelled to help her. With the help of the town mayor, and Mary Roff's father he began to have sessions with the girl which led to a most extraordinary event! Mary Roff took control of the body of Lurancy Vennum for a period of three months going on to live in the home of the Roffs until Lurancy could be completely healed.

This is one book I wont be forgetting soon! I just knew I was going to enjoy it! I'm actually quite suprised that I had never heard of this story before considering how old it is. If you're interested in the paranormal, or just want to read something that will creep you out then this is the book for you!

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and character focused. Think Stephen King, the early years. Spooky spiritualism with a surreal exorcist vibe. Highly recommend reading this one if you can track down a copy.

[Fishface · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the novelized true story of Mary Roff and Lurancy Vennum. Well written, so much so that I felt I was almost back visiting the time period described. What a bizarre case and what a wonderful outcome. Recommended.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled on this book and ordered it whilst not knowing much about it, when I received it I realised it was by David St.Clair (author of the devil rocked her cradle) I was pretty pleased by this as I have been meaning to read some more of his books.

I have to say that it was not what I was really expecting, It is not your average tale of possession and casting out demons from a young girls body, whilst the book does have its fair share of that there is a lot more to it, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought that this tale of possession would in its own way be a hell of a lot more difficult to deal with for the families involved than just having a demonic child strapped to a bed who was cussing and mouthing obscenities.

The book wasn't anywhere near as frightful as others I have read on this subject but that doesn't distract from the overall enjoyment of the book, if you have any interest in the paranormal or possession in general then you won't go far wrong by reading this.

[sarah harrison-taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book. Full of facts about a shocking event which changed the lives of so many people.
Theres another book in what is a similar story, (again based on facts) called "Mine to kill" and the two together make you think a lot about life and "what if"
I highly recommend reading these if paranormal events are something you are interested in.
Strange tales of exorcism and possession that will haunt you forever.

[Kristen Loftin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by my grandmother and it was so interesting! I have family from the area (Watseka and Milford) and was always curious about the supernatural history associated with the town. I sneaked this book when I was a kid and I remembered it freaking me out, but nothing else. It was well worth the re-read.

[John Dunning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book years ago and thought it was a really fascinating read. Not spooky scary or sensationalist, but thought provoking.

Thought about it again this morning at 1am when my 4 year old daughter shouted out in her sleep, "I'm haunted. Look at me!"

That was a spooky moment.

[Abbie Mearns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent horror fluff.

[Keith CARTER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, highly recommended.

[Angela Herd]

One of the scariest and most fascinating books. It's very old, and I had to go on a hunt to find it after many years of searching.

[Mark Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, it may not be fair to give a review, but here I go. I was just sitting here trying to remember one of the first books I read for fun. Not the books that made a life impression on me, you know, like the Catchers in The Ryes and Walden's, but the fun, "oh my gosh I can't wait to read this tonight" and this book came to mind. So good to see it still has the same cover. But this book left an impression on me, was creepily wonderfuly and suspenseful and I gobbled it up. Good stuff.

[Geneva Scorah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very unexpecting, I thought it was going to be a really gruesome story of 2 possessed girls but was pleasantly surprised by the actual story. It was such a good read as there was never a dull moment, there was always something happening that was exciting. Overall I loved this book and would happily read it again, which I look forward to doing in the future.

[Joy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book at about 13 years old , it fascinated me then and it still does . A true story of possession of 2 young girls 13 years apart . If you have any interest in the paranormal I would urge you to read it .

[Emma Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though i hate the film "The Exorcist", I love this book. Can't wait to read it again. :)

[Scotty Pigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

From this town in Illinois and the story still amazes me today.

[Babatunde Rafiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please can I get it on PDF

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vert interesting and creepy.