Mother Barnes and the Missing Money of South March

Another story about “Mother Barnes, the so-called ‘witch Plum Hollow,” is related by John Murphy, 115 Spadina Avenue. Mr. Murphy tells that in 1870s a certain resident of South March had a considerable amount of money stolen from him. He had kept it in the house been kept in the house and they suspected a certain person.

One of his sons went to Plum Hollow to see Mrs. Barnes. Mrs. Barnes refused to tell the chap who had stolen the money, but said the owner would would find it in a hole in a log at a certain comer of the house. The son went home and told his father what Mrs. Barnes had said. and sure enough, the money was there. The next day the owner of the money took a trip to Ottawa put the money In a bank. I don’t blame him– and all that it cost him was 25 cents paid to Mother Barnes for her fee.

On any day of the week a motley cavalcade of saints and sinners waited on this remarkable woman. Politicians and peddlers, rich and poor, the great, the near-great and the not-great, lovelorn maidens and dames in crinolines — all consulted the “Witch of Plum Hollow”.

where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and theSherbrooke Record and and Screamin’ Mamas (USACome and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place. Tales of Almonte and Arnprior Then and Now.