Robert the real doll

In the late 19th century, Thomas Otto and his family moved into a mansion on the corner of Eaton and Simonton Streets in Key West Florida. Now the house is known as the "Artist House". The Ottos were notorious for not being very good with their domestic staff. From time to time they even abused them. It was the mistreatment of a Haitian servant that led to this event.

The woman was assigned to take care of the son Robert. One day Mrs. Otto is said to have caught the housekeeper trying black magic in the garden. Mrs. Otto then fired the housekeeper.

Before the housekeeper left, she gave Robert a lifelike doll. This was three feet high, had buttons for eyes, human hair (or so it seemed to Robert), and was stuffed with straw.

Dolls resembling children were not uncommon during this time. But this was still a special doll. Robert named the doll after himself and even dressed her in his clothes. Robert the doll became a very good friend of his. He would take them into town whenever he went shopping with his family. The doll even had its own seat at the dining table. When the parents weren't looking, Robert gave the doll something to eat. Robert the doll always wanted to sleep in the boy's bed. The relationship soon became increasingly strange.