A Listserv Cold Case: The Case of the NorWitch Appearance

Here at the Norwich Historical Society during the colder months, we will be going through cold cases of the Norwich listserv. The first case we’ll be diving into for the next three weeks is the most interesting Case of the NorWitch Appearance.

You would think this recent history and the hullabaloo it caused in town begins with a witch flying in on a broom, landing at the entrance of Norwich, and leading the townsfolk astray, but you’d be wrong; this story starts with a series of stolen signs – and some listserv posts.

[norwich] Report of Vandalism

From: “Rob Douginson” <rdouginson@dps.state.vt.us>
To: <norwich@lists.valley.net>
Subject: [norwich] Report of Vandalism
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:31:26

At 8am, NPD was called to investigate an act of vandalism this morning at the south end of Main St. where the “Welcome to Norwich” sign used to be. A cardboard sign reading “Welcome to Norwitch” with the painting of a witch riding a broom has been put up in its place. It is possible that it is the same person/s responsible for taking the sign/s. The responding officers removed the sign and will dust for fingerprints. If anyone has any information, please call the police station.

Chief Robert B. Douginson
Norwich Police Department
P.O. Box 311 // 10 Hazen Street
Norwich, Vermont 05055
1-802-649-1460 Phone
1-802-649-1775 Fax
rdouginso@dps.state.vt.us

In order to understand the mass hysteria caused by the midnight mischief of the NorWitch sign in 2009, you must know that in the summer of 2008, the “Welcome to Norwich” sign at the entrance of town was stolen, followed by a string of sign thefts, including some crosswalk signs.

[norwich] Larceny

From: “Rob Douginson” <rdouginson@dps.state.vt.us>
To: <norwich@lists.valley.net>
Subject: [norwich] Larceny
Date: Thu, 7 August 2008 10:53:48

All;

The Crosswalk sign which was in the crosswalk on Beaver Meadow Road is missing. If anyone knows where it can be located please contact the Norwich Police Department. It was taken sometime during the last couple nights. The value of the signs are $275 each. If it can not be found in the next couple days I will order another one which would take about 3 – 4 weeks to come in. Any help locating the sign would be greatly appreciated

Rob

[norwich] Crosswalk Sign AGAIN

From: “Rob Douginson” <rdouginson@dps.state.vt.us>
To: <norwich@lists.valley.net>
Subject: [norwich] Crosswalk Sign AGAIN
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:14:58

The Crosswalk sign that was at the crosswalk on Beaver Meadow Road has once again been stolen. It appears that the sign was stolen somtime Monday night 9/29. Possibly and probably the same peson/s that stole the “TOWN OF NORWICH” sign (which has been recovered). If anyone has any information as to the person/s who stole the sign or know where it can be found please call the police station. The sign is valued at approximately $275.

Thanks for any help
Rob

The sign stealing culminated a year later in the summer of 2009 when the “Welcome to Norwich” sign was stolen for a second time, and sent the town and the listserv into a frenzy – to say the least. To this day, the case remains unsolved.

[norwich] Stolen Norwich Sign

From: “Rob Douginson” <rdouginson@dps.state.vt.us>
To: <norwich@lists.valley.net>
Subject: [norwich] Stolen Norwich Sign
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:31:12

The “TOWN OF NORWICH VERMONT” sign was stolen again sometime during the night 7/22. The sign is oval shaped measuring approximately 6′ long by 4′ high, is a white background with green lettering. The sign is valued at $2,000. Anyone who may have information about this sign is asked to contact the Norwich Police Department at 802-649-1460

So there you have it Norwichian listservers, residents, keyboard sleuths. This is the context for the witch’s appearance during the witching hour in the early, early morning of October 31st, 2009. Was it a years-long plan? Was it the same person or people? Who dunnit? Next week, we will take a look at the theories, social commentary, and fallout of the stolen signs leading up to the appearance of the Norwitch.