Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-05-13
For the Ellsworth American
Witchcraft in Ellsworth.

In former article ! promised 10 give
Jacob simmons story as he told II a, the
meeting held at Mrs. W.. also the par'icu-
lars Of the nt'emp, to shoot Mrs Maddox.
~nom .onae Of those deiudef ~r-iche. be-
l-vet to be witch We wiil hTs, give
simmons story a. he told IT, presIou. 70
Capt. Louder. using the goose quill on the
gltl believed 10 he bewi,ched. viii also gi,e
short sketch OF Jacob simmons earl, life
HIS father came 10 Ellsworth abou, 1890.
and was among the FIRST 10 settle at Reed.
Brook. He settled on the place afterwards
purchased b, Gary Townsend. and where
n. buildings Of some of Nr, Tounsrnd's
descendants now stand. Jacob Simmons was
left IN Massachusetts 10 pursue hIs studies At
one Of the best public schools, AIs father in
was sixteen years Of age at that time Re
naming Al the school about Two snd half
ye.rs,he left unknown 10 his psr,ut, and
shipped With Capt. Louder. sai.iny with him
two years. becoming tavoritr With Captain
and crew. He DID al his writing. and soon
became an excellent navigator. and the
second year be vas with Capt. Louder, much
OF the time acted as his second mate. he
came to Ellsworth With Capt. Louder and re-
mained with his parents several wears. While
in Ellsworth he speu, much Of his time hunt
ing and rowing in the woods; he made himself
very agreeable to oil the young people, and
took the .eal IN all iher amusements. and
was al~ay. foremost 10 take part in an,-
thing Of a Troublesome or frol.csome nature:
and when vitehcraft was at It's highest
pitch in Ellsworth, TO use the words Of
another, Jacob was a. busy as the devil in
gale Of wind" When Capt. Louder had
the trouble with j., at Mr.. vs.. Young
Simmons made his way over chairs and
benches to the captains side, and said to J..
Come on, ne are ready for YOU and your
priests" Capt. Louder put his hand on
Simmons and said. Stop, there must be 10
trouble, and you must keep still" All this
was after Simmons had tod his story Of his
ride with the witches, which | will now give
as ! have often heard it related by Capt.
Louder
Simmons commenced by saving he had
often seen that Old black cat, not only a,
Mrs. VS.. but at his fathers barn-where
he had fred at her several times. bu, She
was buckshot proof, would vanish when he
fired at her and appear again almost IN
stanlly in another place. He went To the
barn one evening about eight O'Clock. saw
the cat moving round the barn, supposed
she was trying 10 get into the barn. but
could not. as be had nailed lot Of old horse
shoes on the doors and windows, as j. had
recommended that il was a sure protection
against witches getting into the barn or in
juring the cattle. He picked up few
stones, sat down on log TO watch for the
cat, intending TO pelt her when she came
round. While sitting there he thought he
dropped to sleep, ,and was aroused by hearing
gisgling and whispering all around him. He
saw he was surrounded by large number Of
very queerly, and they seemed like shadows
on the wall they would appear and disap-
pear in a moment. All of them were riding
on wild or domestic animals. One of them
who appeared 10 be the leader came near
him, took of his cap, which set led to be
the whole top of his head made low bow,
then said. "We should be pleased to have
you join our jolly band and take ride with
US. We will learn you 10 go through the
air like bird, instead of groveling round on
the ground like pig or wood chuck"
had not the least fear of them; (as Mr.. J
| had informed me that witches could not in
any way injuIe the first torn, and my moth
er had told me that | am the first born, and
l think she knows all about it, l asked the
leader. "Where are you going ?" He replied,
ITO Beech grove, where we intend 10 hold
an occult dance. Beech grove was formerly
very pleasant grove of about three acres
of land nesr the base of Beech Hill (; the
growth was large beech trees. In the fall
ii was good place to gather beech nut. !;
and the young people frequently went there
for frolic, and to gather beech nuts. and
| the girls that were said TO be bewitched,
said the witches rode them to this grove
and hitched them to the trees while they
| held their incantations.) He said he was
| anxious to find out who they were, and to
see the dance, and said TO the leader, 81
| will 60 with you;" be then gave hoarse