The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-06-21
Superstition Witch Burning in Can

Unless actually demonstrated itwerehsrd
to believe that in civilized dominion, in
the nineteenth century, any one could be
found still embracing the superstitious be-
liefs regarding sorcery and witchcraft which
so much prevailed in the middle ages. Yet
so it is. A case occurred not many days
ago, in neigborhood short distance from
Christian London, that might be character
istic of English peasant life four hundred
years ago, but absurd and Outrageous now.
A witch was burnt with FIRE, on public
highway, by sn inccnscd old woman and her
husband. The woman we allude to is Gran
ny 6rif6ths, . person OF dissipated habits
and eccentric notions Of things in general
>Sunc months aEo this woman purchased
two young pigs, which iu the course Of their
eroVth became possessed Of an oddness
and singularity not in keeping with the
swinish nature, and which the old dame at
tributed, with superstitious instinct to the
operation of soma evil genius. One Of the
enimals was frequently seized with an i'm
pAlse to beat his snout persiafeatly and
heavily upon the floor, and an irresistible
inclination at times to root the cooking
stove of its legs, and to topplc it over.
tboth had the freedom of the house) |
But not content with these freaks he would
grunt savage expestulation If anything
went wrong in the domestic circle, and
would not suffer his anger to be appeased
until matters assumed their. normal condi-
ton, that is, perhaps, condition more in
consonance with principle habits. In fact
his extravagancies were SO many that to
enumerate them would be exceedingly diff
fcult. The granny fretted from day to day,
but got no solution ofthe strange hallucina-
tion with which her pig was beset. Sud
denly light fell upon the subject. When
a maid, her uncle's cattle had all been be-
witched in New York, and one night
died under it-at least all the neishbors
said that was the cause Fully persuaded
that the pig was similarly afflicted, she be-
gan to administer restoratiycs-hrsta gen
tie dram of elderberry wine was given, but
without effect; piggy's pugnacious assaults
on the floor were rcdoublcd in violence !;
then his frontal bone was lathercd and
Eshayen with razor, after which strong
mustard plaster was applied. As may be
imagined, nothing could then stand the
fury of the poor pig. He ragged about the
room in q frenzied agony, humping the
part of the head affected by tho mustard
upon the floor. He suffered all the agonies
of the bear who encountered the bees in
the fable, and lying down upon his back
sough. to rid himself of his torments by
rubbing off the plaster with his hoofs.-
Granny, in much tribulation, at once pre-
pared piggin of Cruel for him, which he
appeared to enjoy while it lasted, bu
again grew turbulent, aud became an an
noyance to all about him. Surely, granny
thought, he's bewitched, possessed Of
devils, led away by evil spirits. So she
determined to rid herself of her plaguey
pet, according to the statute Of l54l, which
declared all witchcraft and sorcery to be fel
spQy without benefit of clergy. Accordingly
with her husbands assistance, she gathered
lot Of faggots, and with them enyeloped
the hewitched pig; then AS the sun sank in
the wcs. sacrificed the witch with fire. While
the pig roasted and squeals assembled with
the smoke and flames, the beldame .howed
an ineantation and danced around the pile
in delight at. having accomplised a grea
work Next day the other pig was at the
point OF death, and granny fearing lest he
also was bewitched, ind uced the old man
to butcher him, when she boiled the heart
in accordance with the ancient usage, hav:
ing stuck pin in it, after which he was
buried with ceremony. So far as We are
aware, this is the first case Of the kind
that has ever transpired in this neighbor,
hood.