Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Robert The Doll!




Wow, this is an interesting story that I had not heard about before I saw it on a TV show the other night. I would really like to hear some feedback from you on this, especially from any of you that might have actually visited Robert at his home in the museum, so let me know what you think.



Robert's story begins with Mr. And Mrs. Thomas Otto in the year 1896. One particular servant who was assigned to take care of their son, Robert Eugene Gene, ( called Gene by the family)had a reputation for dabbling in voodoo. She decided she had enough of the Otto's cruelty and decided she would do something about it. She constructed a doll for Gene that was about 3'tall and stuffed with straw. People were amazed at it's very life-like features and the fact that the doll became the immediate constant companion of Gene. He named the doll "Robert".
Servants and family members as well as visitor to the house said that they often heard Gene upstairs talking to the doll. What scared them was when they would hear the boy answering himself back in an entirely different voice than his own.


Strange things began to happen in the Otto household. Neighbors claimed to see Robert move about from window to window, when the family were out. Gene began to blame Robert for things that would occur. People claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of him running about the house.
Gene began to have nightmares and would scream out in the night. When his parents would enter the room, they would find furniture over turned, their child in a horribly terrorized state with Robert at the foot of the bed "Robert Did It".... was all the boy could say. The doll was retired to the attic when they couldn't take any more nighttime upheavals and he remained there for many years.
When Gene's inherited the house after his parents death, Robert was rediscovered in the attic and it appeared that the doll's hold on Gene was just as strong as it was years before. Gene's wife thought the doll was unsettling and put him back in the attic but Gene would have none of it. Gene decided Robert needed a whole room of his own and he put Robert in the turret room, by a window. It wasn't long after that Gene's sanity was questioned.


It wasn't long before the people of Key West heard about Robert, and his reported evil ways. Many people walking by the home reported that the doll watched from the turret room, and made faces at them as they passed... School children were afraid to walk past the house alone. Gene reported that he found Robert in the rocking chair by the turret room window, displeased with his accommodations...home. Finally Gene himself had enough of
But Robert had other plans. Visitors that entered the house could hear something walking back and forth in the attic, and strange giggling sounds. Guests no longer wanted to visit the Otto home.
Gene Otto died in 1972 and the house was sold to a new family. Robert was found again, this time by the 10 year old daughter of the new owners. . It was not long before Robert unleashed his displeasure on the child... The little girl claiming that the doll tortured her, and made her life a hell.. Even after more than thirty years later, she steadfastly claims that " the doll was alive and wanted to kill her."
Robert is still dressed in his white sailor's suit and is clutching his stuffed lion. He lives at the Key West Martello Museum. Employees at the museum continue to give accounts of Robert being up to his old tricks still today, and some visitors claim the expression on his face changes from time to time, and that you can see visible signs of aging in Robert's features.


Some people account for Robert by saying the old voodoo mistress cursed the doll while making it by placing an evil human soul inside which she possessed from some previous voodoo spell. No one that I have read about really knows, so I'd love some feedback on this from you.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fascinating story and awesome blog you have here. I'll definitely keep this on my short list!

Kathie said...

Thank you, and please feel free to leave your comments on any post. I appreciate any interaction!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOD!!!

THAT WAS A TOTALLY AWESOME STORY!

i kinda just now started having this obsession with him...i really would like to see him in person...and maybe see if the stories are true...hopefully i will someday...but this story was so freaky! where'd you get this research?

Please tell me! i would love to know...post a comment back...

Anonymous said...

I just met Robert the Doll in Key West 6/20/09. He allowed me to take a great photo of him (I asked permission of course). Being near him I felt good vibes (not anything evil). I felt he was very lonely and sad. I spoke to him for a while and asked him to bring me good luck. He did jack with my camera after I took photos by causing my camera to flash a "memory card full" sign - when the camera memory wasn't full at all. His little way of letting me know he's real! I loved seeing him. Cool experience.

Anonymous said...

I love Robert the Doll, I've known about his histroy since last year, and let me say, it's the best haunted doll story I've ever heard!I want so much to see him one time. My grandmother lives in Florida, and I am visting her over the summer. Maybe this will be my chance, oh, now I'm getting excited. Even with the freaky stroy and the holes in hsi face, i gotta say, Robert's kind of cute. He may seem evil to some, but I think he just wantes to cause some comic mischief. He really just seems like this mischievious little child, I love his story and I'd LOVWE to meet him one day in my life! I love ya Robert!

Kathie said...

I love your responses and I agree both writers that say Robert is mischeivious and sad and lonely. I got the feeling he likes to cause a little trouble, kind of like a precocious child. I have n ever met Robert myself but I would love to. It is such an interesting. If you get to see Robert, please report back and if you can get a picture up for everyone to see, that would be wonderful! To the reader who wrote about her full memory card, I have actually had that happen before when investigating possibly haunted places. Thankyou so much for your replys. They are always appreciated!

Anonymous said...

I just saw Robert a week ago today (8/12/09) and must say the experience was rather creepy but still extremely fascinating. It doesn't help that the East Martello Towers are just about as scary as the doll but it adds to the ambiance. Robert didn't do very much except stare at us from the confines of his glass box. All of us were too scared to take his picture though! We passed through the towers and came back to him to say goodbye- as we were reading the hundreds of apology and thank you notes, the lights in Robert's section of the museum went out! It was for a brief moment and they quickly came on but it had 4 twenty-somethings holding onto each other! The lady working at the towers claimed they were on a timer...pretty GOOD timing!

See Robert if you have the chance- and be nice! It was a fun experience. I did end up losing my CDs and camera...maybe it was Robert or bad packing! Who knows!

Kathie said...

Dear Anonymous,
I loved hearing about your experience with Robert. He definately sounds creepy and I can't wait for the opportunity to see him myself! I think that having the lights go off at the precise moment I was standing there looking at Robert, I would need to do and extra load of laundry that night.....if you know what I mean :)

Anyway, thanks for leaving your comment. I hope you stick around for future posts and don't forget to enter our contest!

Catie said...

My husband and I went to the museum, I was somewhat familiar with Robert, as I follow this kind of thing and had seen him once before, as I was talking to the guide my husband went on ahead, when i caught up with him (much to my horror) he was taking pics of robert of course without asking permission! The camera went dead immediately, we had just charged it. I freaked and apologized! That night on the ghost tour when we got to the artist house, We got this huge orb right next to Roberts window! only in the first shot. Really wild! Sorry again Robert......

Kathie said...

Catie, Wow! That must have been a little freaky. Did your other photos of robert develop ok?

Anonymous said...

Robert is actually said to be haunted by the unborn child of the nanny... She was said to have been the woman mr otto cheated on with. Mrs otto found out this nanny was pregnant and loccked her in the outhouse for nine months only being fed bread and water once a day. In the summer in Florida!!! The baby died but she lived, it is supossed to be the baby that is Robert, because he never had a chance to live he haunts this doll.

Kathie said...

I have never heard that part of the story so I'm really glad you've added it here, although that's horrible. Can you imagine what that poor woman endured! I couldn't spend an hour in an outhouse in the florida sun! Did you happen to turn up any more info on the baby and have you ever seen Robert yourself?

Unknown said...

dude im 13 and i went to see him and when we came to the museam he wasnt there. they said he was in his bath lol. well we came back the week after and when we went close to him and took a picture the picture we took was all black with white spot we could't see it that was a freaky thing (sry for my bad english im from canada quebec so my first language is french and i learned my english by playing world of warcraft lol) so ty for posting this

Kathie said...

I am glad you got to see Robert but sorry your picture didn't come out. Maybe you'll get to see him again sometime.

Anonymous said...

Preform a binding spell, then bless the doll and set it a blaze...end of Robert....ta da!......it really is that simple people.

Kathie said...

It does make you wonder why that was never done, why the owners chose to have Robert put into a museum instead?

Emily said...

I have heard alot about robert. I have been researching him for about a month and a half. so far he is a really interesting doll. he does scare me. but there is so much more to learn about him. I am going to research deep in and once i see him in person i hope i get a sign!

Kathie said...

Emily, When you are done with your research it would be wonderful if you would be willing to share some of your findings with us. This case involving Robert is so fascinating, everyone I've talked to about it wants to know more.

Laura Chickie Emans said...

I had the honor to meet Robert the doll while in Key West last week. My name is Chickie and I am a professional psychic medium.

While communicating with Robert's spirit, I indeed confirmed there is a voodoo spell on Robert that entraps the spirit of a 7 year old boy in the doll. The doll is not evil, but mischievous, like a child.

If you would like to know more information about Robert the doll and his spirit, please feel welcome to contact me on the North American Psychic and Paranormal Network. www.NAPPN.net

Kathie said...

THanks for your post, and the offer to contact you. I will take you up on your offer!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

ahhh omg i juzt love thisz doll so much!<3he's the best in the world!i love his stories and his photos!they are so awsome to me.i never visited this doll in real life because im 13 years old and i cant drive or walk of course cause i live in california!lol!but i love him with all my heart im a HUGE fan of his and i wish he knew that!so people who r going to visit him please tell him that Maria Candelario(me!)said i love him and that i'll be visiting him one day when i grow up!thanxx I LOVE YOU ROBERT!

Viagra Online said...

That's great to see a doll in a museum I went last week and it immediately catch the attention of children.

Tammy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tammy said...

We go to Key West alot and have for years. It took me a really long time to get up the courage to go visit Robert at the East Martello Museum. I have several pictures of the "visit." The story still amazes me. In February, 2010, I was sick and in the hospital. My friend and his wife, who own a home in Key West, brought me a present.....a ROBERT DOLL! Robert now sits on a rocking chair in my landing and I will say good morning and good night to him. My husband calls him a freak, which I really hate. But I think Robert likes me because I'm nice to him. I can be superstitious about him!

Unknown said...

This is great paranormal material! Many people believe Robert was cursed with a Voo Doo Spell. Tonight, the North American Psychic and Paranormal Network will be discussing Robert the Doll in our Video Presentation Chat. Come join in and learn more about Robert and his story! NAPPN.net

Nicole said...

I live in South Florida and two of my friends just came down to visit this weekend. Before knowing the whole story, I booked us a room at The Artist House and they put us in the Turret Room. The more we started reading about the house and Robert, the more creeped out we started getting. We ended up deciding not to go visit the doll since we were staying in his old bedroom to begin with. As far as the house goes, we took lots of pictures in and around the house and after looking at each others pictures, we didnt see any orbs in any of them. We also didnt hear or see anything strange, which is exactly what we were hoping for.

Kathie said...

Nicole, that's great that you actualy got to stay in Robert's old room. Is there any chance you might be willing to post a few of your pictures here for us all to see. Now that your trip is over, are you sorry you didn't stop in to see Robert?

Anonymous said...

Well Robert it has been three years since I ventured to see you. I will be in Key West in early May. I was unfortunate at our last meeting to ask your permission to take your picture. Unexplained mishaps followed me until I sent back the picture. It was of Roberts Body. All opictures of his face where blurred. (I took three.) Several suddent deaths for family members. Lost my job, my car and home needed extensive repairs. My relationship with my fiance ended. When the pictures where returned things improved. Bought an new house, car job and nhave since married. Robert I respect you and am sorry for being so intrusive to you. Blessings and see you soon.

Buy Generic Viagra said...

oh my god, I'm really grateful with you it is an amazing story about ROBERT,I got the feeling he likes to cause a little trouble, kind of like a precocious KID. I haven't ever met Robert myself but I would LIKE to. It is such an interesting. If you get to see Robert, please report back and if you can get a picture up for everyone to see, that would be wonderful!
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS.

Cialis Online said...

yeah seems like the damn toy had some and that you can see visible signs of aging in Robert's features, it even had the same hair I guess, I wonder if it was taken from the real one haha

Doc Ed said...

I just found out about this doll today and it is certainly an interesting legend. Im still skeptical after reading several accounts, although I wont rule out the possibility of something supernatural, the most logical reasoning I believe, is people's own mind. Dolls have always been asscociated with spirits, perhapse due to their appearence. The fact that they look "creepy" to us, a childs imagination, and a story that quickly spreads, now you have this "haunted doll" in the back of your mind. So what does your mind do? It starts to play tricks on you, and you start to believe the stories, and you see, or think you see thinks that arent really there.

So if robert is really alive and somehow reads this, and decides to haunt me for beign skeptical, I will let you know

Anonymous said...

Hii all!I think Robert's story is just amazing! yes its creepy but its amazing! I actually visit Robert twice and iam planning on a third this December! The firs time i saw him i was a little scared i started talking to him about his story is incredible.Then i asked him can i take a picture with you if so please give me a blink and guess what HE DID! I was so amazed that i started thanking him the second time i revisited him i started talking with him with a wonderful mood! the feeling i had wasnt creepy or anything it was quite peaceful! Have you guys ever wondered that maybe Robert did all these things to the Oto's because maybe they desevered we all know they treated there servants ver badly and stuff maybe thats why...thats my thought...

Raven«3 said...

omq ii recentlyy heard about this doll nd ii fell in love wit him he has such an amazing story nd I wud love to see him, in real life yeah i did get creepd outt but.he isss sooooo awesome im already a huge fan

Katie said...

I'd love to see him! I'm going to do some more research on him for a while and maybe one day I'll visit him!

historic mayfair hotel los angeles said...

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Anonymous said...

this is so amazinfmg isnt it! i respect robert very well maybe he sad maybe lonely as well my aunty lives in key west as well if i ever go over i will tell you :)

Anonymous said...

Hello! I just found this story interesting and looked up more information on Robert. I found this: http://www.squidoo.com/Robertencounters

Anonymous said...

I was in Key West this past week and went on the Ghost & Gravestones tour, where you can visit him in the Martello Fort at night. I did not feel any negative vibes while around him. I followed his "rules" and even took a picture of him. After the tour, I went to a late dinner with my mother who also went on the tour. We were talking about Robert, when all of a sudden, the sunglasses that were resting on my forehead popped. The rim snapped in two and the lens popped out! The next day I hit a pole in my rental car! If you do decide to visit Robert, please make sure you follow his rules and NEVER make fun of him. My mom and I made the mistake of mocking him after the tour.

aprtmike said...

I have been to see the house where Robert, called home for so long, but i have yet to go and see him. I will soon. Great post thro. Check out my blog, any time you would like.

Anonymous said...

You bunch of idiots . That doll is possessed . Whatever that bohemian servant done to the doll turned it into a vessel for carrying spirits . Robert is nothing but a fallen angel trapped in a doll , feeding off your fear . You all go taking pictures of the creature and apologizing to it ?? That thing must be burned . You have no idea what you're playing with . If you want to be haunted for the rest of your lives , go on , see robert . But trust me when I say this : there is no fun in it , only horror .

Anonymous said...

"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men".

Anonymous said...

I just visited Robert today and my camera batteries died so after replacing them , my camera told me that my lens cap was still on..also another person could not get his camera to work.. love the stories and mystery of Robert. BRUCE WADDELL of
Bartow, Florida

Anonymous said...

I wonder what happens if you had Robert the doll and Annabelle the doll in the same glass case! That may start a fight

Ryan said...

My husband and I book this night tour and visited the museum tonight 03.12.2016
To my surprise not many people were taking pictures but I did because I thought it would be cool. Not really knowing details of the story and despite the warnings from the tour guide and my husband I did not ask Robert for permission.
I thought it would be silly as I'm not superstitious. Well so far nothing happened.
My camera worked well, nothing suspicious, except that one picture I don't recall taking looks blurry and I can't tell if it's Robert in it or the glass box. Anyway, I will follow up on here if anything paranormal happens

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