Alex Sanders and the fith-fath, Norton Mockridge's column, The Tribune (Scranton), 28 February 1970

The Tribune (Scranton, Pennsylvania), Saturday 28 February 1970, page 9. Norton Mockridge's syndicated column, carrying the same item about Alex Sanders and the fith-fath that appeared in The News of Paterson, New Jersey, on 24 February. Sanders denies being a wicked witch and explains that the charmed doll is a way to silence or restrain someone, such as 'a meddlesome mother-in-law', not to harm them. The crop includes the whole column, with Mockridge's photograph. How to cite: Norton Mockridge, column item, The Tribune (Scranton, PA), 28 February 1970, p. 9. Alexandrian Witchcraft Timeline & Archive.

[From Norton Mockridge’s column] Alex Sanders, who is supposed to be the most powerful hereditary witch in Europe, is written about in a book by June Johns called “King of the Witches,” and she tells how he rules over some 4,000 British witches. Sanders was asked by some people who've read the book whether he is a wicked witch, and he said: “Absolutely not. I believe in doing good.” “But,” persisted one of his questioners, “don't you use a fith-fath - a sort of charmed doll - to harm your enemies?” “Oh, I use a fith-fath,” said Sanders, “but not to harm anyone. It’s simply a means of silencing or restraining someone. Suppose you want to restrain a meddlesome mother-in-law, Well, you simply fashion a doll in wax or plasticine. “You then sew its lips together, or fasten them with a pin, and you bind its limbs together. Then you have a high priestess breathe life into it as the rest of us recite the correct incantations. We do not wish the mother-in-law harm; we just want her to keep her mouth shut!” Dolls, anyone?