Robert the Haunted Doll
Written by Andrew Hagerty
Robert the Doll is a doll that was once owned by Key West painter and author Robert Eugene Otto (1900-1974). He was given the doll in 1906 or 1904 by a Bahamian servant. The servant was displeased with the Otto family and alleged to be skilled in black magic and Voodoo. It was apparently no secret in the town that the Otto’s mistreated their servants and were not the kindest of people.
The doll itself is about three ft tall. Robert is dressing in a sailors outfit, complete with a cover, or hat for you landlubbers. There have been
claims that the hair on the doll is actually Robert’s hair, but it appears that the dolls hair is actually a synthetic material that resembles wool yarn. The doll was given very human like features, which was very appreceated by Robert the non doll.
After a short while, the two were found to be inseparable. At some point in time Robert the non doll demanded that he only be called "Gene" because his doll was named "Robert." This makes it much easier for me to finish this story. Gene (formerly know as Robert the non doll) and Robert ( the Doll) would often be in the play room on the third floor. The family would hear Gene talk to Robert and a different voice than Gene’s answer back. Although at first they assumed that Gene was simply answering himself in a changed voice, they later believed that
the doll was actually speaking. Gene built the doll its own room in the attic complete with furniture, and toys, including the dolls own stuffed lion.
Whenever Gene was accused of committing some sort of mischief he would declare, "Robert did it!". This would often involve knocking over furniture in the night in Gene’s room. The Otto's claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of the doll running about the house. Guests swore that they saw Robert's expression change before their eyes. Neighbors claimed to see the doll moving from window to window when the family was out. With all this odd activity, The doll was eventually put up in the attic. Servants would say they often heard odd stomping and giggles at night from the attic.
Gene came into possession of the house upon his father’s passing. He moved into the large house with his wife Anne. Since he had become and artist, and the large turret room on the second floor had great light for painting. Upon moving into his childhood home, he rediscovered Robert the Doll residing in a cedar chest in the attic. Gene once again set up the turret room for his childhood friend. Robert now spent his days propped up against the southwest window of the turret room. School children walking by the house would look up and report seeing Robert move from one side of the window to the other and make mocking faces at them. Visitors again claimed to have witnessed his expression changing into a menacing smirk, and a plumber once fled from the house claiming he heard the doll giggle. Anne and Gene fought over the doll, On many occasions after arguing with his wife Gene would later claim that "Robert did it!" Anne despised the doll and insisted that it remain in the attic. Gene finally relented and returned the doll to the Attic. Robert would often be found again in the chair with Gene claiming he had placed him in the Attic.
When Gene died in 1974, Robert was left in the attic when Anne sold the house and moved north. A new family moved in that included a 10 year old girl. The girl found Robert in the attic and claimed him as her own, moving Robert into her room. It was not long till Robert was up to his old tricks of moving furniture and himself around. However, the girl also claimed that Robert attempted to attack her on several occasions. The Girl claims that the doll wanted to kill her.
When Robert was finally removed, it is said that Anne took up residence in the turret room to guard against the little monster's return. The Artist House is open to the public having been turned into a bed and breakfast. Visitors who stay in either the turret or attic rooms often report strange occurrences and sounds, as though someone is pacing the floor or watching them while they sleep. The staff know that it's actually Anne watching over them. That is a tale for another time, back to Robert.
Robert was removed from the house and was donated to the Key West Arts and Historical Society. Robert resides in his chair at the Fort East Martello Museum with his Stuffed Lion. He is still up to tricks. Robert has also reportedly pulled pranks aplenty on those who care for him. A museum employee left for the evening, locking the doors behind him and shutting off the lights. When he arrived the next day, several lights, including the one near Robert's case, were on. Robert was placed differently than when the employee last saw him and the bottoms of Robert's shoes were coated in fresh dust. Employees have often reported hearing a sound like someone tapping on glass as they pass Robert's case. When they turn to look, they have seen Robert's hand pressed against the glass.
You can visit Robert year round. It is said October is the best time to visit as he seems to be most active then. We at Nightwatch sugest whatever you do, do not mock Robert. If you go and want to take pictures of him, you had better politely ask first. If he agrees he will tip his head to the side. If he does not agree and the you snap his photo it is said that Robert will curse the person and their family. The walls in that room of the museum are covered in letters from people asking Robert to please take the curse off, and apologizing for making fun of him.
The doll itself is about three ft tall. Robert is dressing in a sailors outfit, complete with a cover, or hat for you landlubbers. There have been
claims that the hair on the doll is actually Robert’s hair, but it appears that the dolls hair is actually a synthetic material that resembles wool yarn. The doll was given very human like features, which was very appreceated by Robert the non doll.
After a short while, the two were found to be inseparable. At some point in time Robert the non doll demanded that he only be called "Gene" because his doll was named "Robert." This makes it much easier for me to finish this story. Gene (formerly know as Robert the non doll) and Robert ( the Doll) would often be in the play room on the third floor. The family would hear Gene talk to Robert and a different voice than Gene’s answer back. Although at first they assumed that Gene was simply answering himself in a changed voice, they later believed that
the doll was actually speaking. Gene built the doll its own room in the attic complete with furniture, and toys, including the dolls own stuffed lion.
Whenever Gene was accused of committing some sort of mischief he would declare, "Robert did it!". This would often involve knocking over furniture in the night in Gene’s room. The Otto's claimed to hear the doll giggle, and swear they caught glimpses of the doll running about the house. Guests swore that they saw Robert's expression change before their eyes. Neighbors claimed to see the doll moving from window to window when the family was out. With all this odd activity, The doll was eventually put up in the attic. Servants would say they often heard odd stomping and giggles at night from the attic.
Gene came into possession of the house upon his father’s passing. He moved into the large house with his wife Anne. Since he had become and artist, and the large turret room on the second floor had great light for painting. Upon moving into his childhood home, he rediscovered Robert the Doll residing in a cedar chest in the attic. Gene once again set up the turret room for his childhood friend. Robert now spent his days propped up against the southwest window of the turret room. School children walking by the house would look up and report seeing Robert move from one side of the window to the other and make mocking faces at them. Visitors again claimed to have witnessed his expression changing into a menacing smirk, and a plumber once fled from the house claiming he heard the doll giggle. Anne and Gene fought over the doll, On many occasions after arguing with his wife Gene would later claim that "Robert did it!" Anne despised the doll and insisted that it remain in the attic. Gene finally relented and returned the doll to the Attic. Robert would often be found again in the chair with Gene claiming he had placed him in the Attic.
When Gene died in 1974, Robert was left in the attic when Anne sold the house and moved north. A new family moved in that included a 10 year old girl. The girl found Robert in the attic and claimed him as her own, moving Robert into her room. It was not long till Robert was up to his old tricks of moving furniture and himself around. However, the girl also claimed that Robert attempted to attack her on several occasions. The Girl claims that the doll wanted to kill her.
When Robert was finally removed, it is said that Anne took up residence in the turret room to guard against the little monster's return. The Artist House is open to the public having been turned into a bed and breakfast. Visitors who stay in either the turret or attic rooms often report strange occurrences and sounds, as though someone is pacing the floor or watching them while they sleep. The staff know that it's actually Anne watching over them. That is a tale for another time, back to Robert.
Robert was removed from the house and was donated to the Key West Arts and Historical Society. Robert resides in his chair at the Fort East Martello Museum with his Stuffed Lion. He is still up to tricks. Robert has also reportedly pulled pranks aplenty on those who care for him. A museum employee left for the evening, locking the doors behind him and shutting off the lights. When he arrived the next day, several lights, including the one near Robert's case, were on. Robert was placed differently than when the employee last saw him and the bottoms of Robert's shoes were coated in fresh dust. Employees have often reported hearing a sound like someone tapping on glass as they pass Robert's case. When they turn to look, they have seen Robert's hand pressed against the glass.
You can visit Robert year round. It is said October is the best time to visit as he seems to be most active then. We at Nightwatch sugest whatever you do, do not mock Robert. If you go and want to take pictures of him, you had better politely ask first. If he agrees he will tip his head to the side. If he does not agree and the you snap his photo it is said that Robert will curse the person and their family. The walls in that room of the museum are covered in letters from people asking Robert to please take the curse off, and apologizing for making fun of him.
