Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-09-29
CHAPTER vi.
THE FIRST WHISPERS.

THE FIRST WHISPERS.
The misfortune that tefell John Wins
low happened at time when the people
of Salem we're led to believe men,
women, and children were in league with
the devil. The sermons of minister
who preached what many too day regard
as an arid religion excited the apprehen-
sions Of the intelligent, and intensified
the preiudices of the ignorant and super
stitious. The speculations Of the edu-
Gated. the guarded language of the men
of the closet and the bookworms. all
proved like the spark that fires the prairie
or forest in autumn. The consequences OF
Cotton Mather's utterances were far
reaching. The craze that swept over the
community. influenced by his and others
teachings, was as appalling In moral
sense as The creates st confagr .tion that
ever swept the earth.
Men who had borne arms in defense OF
their families and their nelghbors, VINO
had displayed extraordinary cout G. In
maintaining their love of liberty and re-
ligious faith surrendered - bowed craven,
like before the storm of prejudice excited
against witches. Then was beheld the
most pitiable exhibition of cowardice
too credulous people ever presented 10
the world. Women and baoes were I'M
prisoned upon the most fimsy charges
Women. whose lives were pure, whose
conduct afforded no ground for suspicion,
were torn from their homes, immured IN
prison, and hanged Some wretched
creature whispered they were guilty OF
witchcraft; the story was repeated until
the authorities were compelled 10 take
cognizsnce of the circumstances. A trial
or hearings followed, which in these days
would be termed farce; those charged
with witchcraft were returned to prison,
confined there many months, and some
were hanged.
The time was ripe for accusations OF
this nature when the people of Salem
learned that John Wins ow's horse and
sheep we're klled in the open field. In
st ntly the tongue of rumor ascribed
this act of unparalleled baroarlty to
witches. The rumor spread rap dly. A
hundred tongues were wa9glng ut the
same time
There were 70 detectives in those days
of simplicity and severe living; no news
naper reporters assisting justice and
comneline for the latest news. The as
sumption that the horses throat, even il
cnt by mortal hands, was evidence of the
presence of witches, was not openly
Questioned, and upon this assumption
the community rested and based all fu-
ture action.
The public temper was in this condl-
ton when the Marshal of Salem encoun-
tered Giles Ellis.
This is a strange affair OF Master
Winslow's," said Samuel Hobbs
"No stranger than many other things,
Giles answered. He looked meaningly a
the Marshal.
"You speak vaguely. Is there aught
should know in my clpacity?"
"No. no, Master Hobbs. make NJ
charges. Far from it. You will hav'
plenty of work to your hanls withou
any of my adding. But / hear strang
rumors concerning the Lees.
The Marshal looked grave. The Lees
Then /. for one, speaking as Q man, sa;
it is time gossips gave their tongues rest
II will be hard to make men believe i'll
John Lee. l know no braver, no bette
citizen or friend than John Lee. Why
was it not his hand saye1 my life whel
the Indian had me at his mercy? No, nc
You will so far yet find no man in Mas
sachusetts who thinks i'll of John Lee,
said the Marshal, warmly.
ITO BE CONTINUED