Awesome or Off-Putting is a weekly delve into cryptozoology, ufology, aliens, medical marvels, scientific wonders, secret societies, government conspiracies, cults, ghosts, EVPs, ancient artifacts, strange facts, odd sightings or just the plain unexplainable.

As the story goes, Mr & Mrs Thomas Otto were cruel to their servants. As an act of quiet revenge, one of these servants made a voodoo-cursed doll and gave it to their son Robert Eugene. The doll was made in the boy’s likeness – and was even given his name – Robert.

According to stories, perhaps the name Chucky would have been a better fit.

As we said, a voodoo loving witch-like servant crafted a doll for her boss’ son. The doll came complete with a sailor suit, a full head of hair, a stuffed lion attached to his hand, and an evil curse that gives it life. Well that’s how the story goes any way. Upon receiving the gift, Robert Eugene (Eugene) made a habit of talking to it for hours on end – and then he would answer himself in a different voice. His folks heard this from another room.

After that, things worsened. According to ScaryForKids.com:

“Gene began to have nightmares and scream out in the night, when his parents would enter the room, they would find furniture over turned, their child in a fright, and Robert at the foot of the bed, with his glaring gaze! “Robert Did It”…. The doll was eventually put up into the attic. Where he resided for many years.”

Robert was eventually moved to the attic by unsettled parents. He was kept in a small room with doll furniture specially made for him. Here he had an encounter with a plumber who, after returning multiple times from his truck with supplies, noticed the doll was in a slightly different place each time. When leaving the attic for good, he heard giggling behind him. He turned around to see the doll on the opposite side of the attic from where it had just been. According to one account, the plumber left the house screaming.

Years later Thomas Otto died, leaving the home to his now established artist- son Eugene. Gene set up an artist’s studio in the turret room. When he rediscovered Robert in the attic, he moved him down to his new studio. THis is where passing children said the could see the doll moving from window to window wantching them – even when nobody was home.

Gene’s behavior soon became irrational, claiming that Robert ‘wanted’ things. According to Squidoo.com:

“Gene, himself reported when visiting the turret room on occasion he would find Robert in the rocking chair by the window rocking, and complaining of his displeasure with his accommodations…”

Robert was moved back to the attic, from where guests often heard foot steps pacing to and fro – or tap dancing. We’re serious about the tap dancing. After Gene’s death the house was sold. The new owners had a ten year old daughter. According to HauntedAmericaTours.com, this is what happened next:

“Eventually, a new family purchased the old house and Robert the Doll was discovered in his attic home and was promptly presented to the family’s youngest daughter, then aged 10, as a housewarming gift. From the moment she received the doll the child was plagued by horrible nightmares. More than once, she claims, she awoke to find the doll sitting on her face, attempting, she believed, to suffocate her. It seemed that Robert intensely disliked being left behind by Gene and had no love for his new “owner.” It was also painfully obvious that he did not like little girls because he is blamed for having torn up and mutilated most of the young girl’s other dolls. When the family pet became mysteriously entwined in the cord of the nursery Venetian blinds, Robert was once again consigned to the attic.”

Are having a hard time swallowing this story? Well for good reason – but you can see Robert for yourself if you’re curious. He’s in The East Martello Museum now. People say that you can see the doll’s facial expression change before your eyes. They also say that if you take a picture without the doll’s head-leaning permission, you’ll be cursed for the rest of your life. Until you’ve saved up enough for an admission ticket, though, this video will have to do:

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