West Virginia Voodoo: Volume I

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Voodoo’? Chances are, your mind is transported to the deep south, around the bayous and swamps of Louisiana. Perhaps your mind goes straight to New Orleans, where even today there seems to be a voodoo shop on every block in the French Quarter. Love spells, curses, sticking pins into dolls, little bags filled with mystical ingredients to aid in protection, wild dancing to the beat of rhythmic drums…all of these things conjure up a stereotypical picture of what we think of the practice of voodoo. 

The mountains of West Virginia, while known for her own flavor of folk magic and practitioners, seems far removed from the mix of African and Caribbean traditions merged with Catholicism. However, as Black Americans began migrating north en masse around the turn of the 20th century, voodoo spread as well. 

After reading a book on New Orleans voodoo last year, I became interested in finding any references to the practice here in West Virginia. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find MUCH of interest (was really hoping for some zombies or some otherwise supernatural tales), but I did find several stories in local newspapers that I wanted to share. The first is from Huntington, WV:

The Daily Advocate (Greenville, OH) 16 March 1933

Mrs. Georgia Burks:

Mrs. Burks was born in Atlanta, GA, but found her way to Huntington, WV sometime prior to 1926. In 1933, the 38 year old Black woman was living with her husband, James. Unfortunately, her health had not been good for some time, and she passed away on February 28, 1933. That wouldn’t be the end of her story, however. I’m not sure what prompted it, but about two weeks later, newspapers around the country began running a small article stating that Huntington police had begun an inquest into Burks’ death and were awaiting results of an analysis of her stomach contents. Apparently, Mrs. Burks had died shortly after visiting with Robert Fojoe, a Voodoo ‘doctor’ from New Orleans. Fojoe claims he treated Mrs. Burks’ illness with a grapevine tea. 

To further complicate matters, another man, a Mr. Henry Nickle, was also taken into police custody. He was charged with practicing medicine without a license for his role in treating Mrs. Burks. For whatever reason, newspapers felt that was the end of the story—I haven’t been able to find any follow-ups. I assume, however, that no foul play was ever found in Mrs. Burks’ untimely death. Her death certificate states that she died from pneumonia and was buried in Huntington’s Spring Hill Cemetery. 

Obviously, there are a lot of questions left unanswered, beginning with motive. Why did Mrs. Burks seek the advice of a voodoo practitioner to aid in her illness? Had traditional medicine failed her, over and over again…or did she believe there was some supernatural cause to her troubles? Did she feel that someone had cursed her? And who the hell was Henry Nickle and what was his role in this whole situation? My quest for information on this case isn’t over, and I will update if I find any additional details. Plus, our quest for voodoo in West Virginia isn’t over either! Check back soon for more cases throughout the Mountain State! 

The Portsmouth Times (Ohio) 24 March 1933

Death Certificate for Georgia Jackson Burks