Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-01-08
SALEM WITCHCRAFT.

over one thousand pages each, and illus
trated by maps, photograph autographs or
wood cuts of houses connected with the
tragic events of which the beginning is de-
scribed:
81 In the winter of 1912, circle of
young girls met frequently at Mr.. Parris's
house, ostensibly to practice psalm singing,
but their principal occupation was fortune
telling and the various arts of necromancy,
magic and veutriloquism, Of which they had
instruction Of two negro or Indian serv-
ants, whom Mr.. Paris brought with him
from one of~the Spanish West India Isl
ands, where he was engaged in trade. One
of the girls was a daughter of Mr.. Parris,9
years of age, Another was Ann Putnam,
l2 years of age. The ages of the other
girls ranged fran IL 10 ls years. They
crept into holes and under benches, threw
themselves on the floor, went into spasms,
and uttered strange outcries, These pro-
ccedings were probably commenced in
sport; but as the girls became adopts they
began to attract the attention of the neigh
bors, and gave exhibitions of their new &C
compIishments. From day to day they
learned new tricks. The village doctor
was called in, who, with Mr.. Paris, con-
cIuded that the girls were under an evil
hand The community was excited and
foeked to see their strange actions. Witch
books were in Mr.. Parris's house, and the
girls probably learned how witches in Eng
land behaved. The girls were now ques
toned as to who had bewitched them.--
They named Sarah Good, poor wretched
out-cast, and Pitubs, one of the Indian SER
wants. Whether they named these serv-
ants under instructions cannot be ascer-
tanned. The time was not come for strik-
ing at higher game. The local magistrates
inquired into the matter, and held public
examination of the two persons accused
In all these trials the guilt of the accused
was assumed, and these simple people were
magistrates Sarah Good, why do you
hurt these children 2 $ do not hurt them,
scorn it, Whom do you employ, then,
to do it!' Il employ no one The chill
dren then 60 into convulsions. Sarah
Good, do you see what you have done g
Why do you not tell US the truth? | do
not torment them How came they thus
tormented? What do / know After
many inquiries of this kind, the wrctched
woman finds that her only refuge is in ac-
cusing some one else; then she says that
Sarah Osburn had bewitched her. The
girls also remember that Sarah Osburn had
bewitched them. Osburn was arrested and
brought in. She was asked: What evil
spirit have you familiarity with None
Have you made no contract with the
devil 2 No; L never saw the devil in
my life The afflicted children looked
upon her, and 90 into convulsions. Why
do you hurt these children z Il do not
hurt them Whom do you employ then 2
8 / employ nobody, / do not know that the
devil goes about in my likeness to do any
hurt s- 81 - -.
"Sarah Osburn was committed and Pi-
tuba was brought in. The same questions
were asked and the same scene enacted.
= Who is it that hurts these children p
The devil, for aught | know. Did you
ever see the devilP The devil came to
me and bid me serve him. Whom have
YOU seenr -Four women sometimes hurt
these children 'Goody Osburn and Sa-
rah Good; | do not know who the others
were.' She then confessed she tormented
the children, and made some strange reve-
lations. The devil, she said, appeared in
black clothes sometimes, and sometimes in
surge coat of another color. She was
asked how she went to witch meetings, and
replied, We ride upon sticks; Good and
Osburn behind me- Do you 60 through
the trees or over them?' We see moth
ing but are there presently This woman
was the servant of Mr.. Paris, and the in
structor of the afflicted children in their
hellish arts. John Indian, the other serv-
ant, appeared as an accuser in later stage
of the proceedings.
The delusion was now under full head
way. The next victim was the wife of
Giles Covey, devout matrou, eighty yis.
of age, who spent most of her time in
prayer. Her examination was scene for
the pehcil of an artist. The usual ques-
tions were put to her. She denied the al
legations, and asking leave to goto prayer,
knelt in the presence of the court and Of
fered up fervent supplication, When
she had concluded the magistrate said:-
I'VE did not send for you to go to prayer;
but tell me why you hurt these children?
l am an innocent person. never had to
do with witchcraft since was born. am
gospel woman The girls 60 into fits,
and declare that Goodey Covey is pinchlng
them and are not restored until they touch
the person accused. These proceedings
were enacted at every trial The pious
woman regarded the whole thing as de-
lusion, and to the question, Do you not
see these children complain OF you,' re-
piled: The Lord open the eyes OF the
magistrates and the minister She was
hung September %, 1892"
4 I,Ak H.