johnnyt

Key West, Florida.

The story begins in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Otto. The year is 1896. It was well known the Otto's mistreated there servants and were not the kindest of people. One such servant that aided in the care of the couple's son, Robert Eugene Gene, (Gene) was said to be versed in the ways of voodoo. She, for one reason or the other, became very displeased with the Otto's and decided to do something about it. As the story goes, the servant gave Gene a doll. The doll stood three feet tall, was stuffed with straw, and had life-like feature that was at first very endearing to Gene. He decided to name the doll "Robert". He literally gave the doll his own first name.

The doll became a constant companion to Gene. It is said that the Otto's often heard Gene upstairs talking to the doll. This in it self might not have been so bad. However, the Otto's were puzzled to hear the boy answering himself in an entirely different voice than his own.

Many strange things began to occur in the Otto household. Many neighbors claimed to see Robert move about from window to window, when the family was out. Gene began to blame Robert for mishaps that would occur. The Otto's claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of the doll running about the house.


Artist House, Key West

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

When Gene's parents died, and the Otto home came to Gene, Robert was rediscovered in the attic. Robert's hold on Gene was strong. From the moment Gene laid eyes on him, Robert's influence could be again felt.

Gene's wife found Robert unsettling. One day she decided she had enough of Roberts glare...and returned him to his attic sanctuary. Gene was displeased, and demanded that Robert needed a room of his own where he could see out of the window. He put Robert in the turret room, by a window. It wasn't long after that Gene's sanity was questioned.

The citizens of Key West heard about Robert, and his evil doings. Many people walking by the home reported that the doll watched from the turret room, and mocked them as they passed. School children feared walking by the Otto home, in fear of Roberts mean glare.

Gene himself reported when visiting the turret room, he often found Robert in the rocking chair by the turret room window, displeased with his accommodations. Finally Gene himself had enough of it, 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. The home was sold to a new family, and the tale of Robert died down...

But Robert waited patiently up in the attic to be discovered, once again. The 10 year old daughter of the new owner was quick to find Robert in the attic. 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, she steadfastly claims that "the doll was alive and wanted to kill her."

Robert, still dressed in his white sailor's suit and clutching his stuffed lion, lives quite comfortably - though well guarded - at the Key West Martello Museum. Employees at the museum continue to give accounts of Robert being up to his old tricks still today...

Note that the history section of web site for the Otto house, now a popular bed and breakfast, keeps as far away from the story of Robert the Doll as possible.