Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-07-07
BELIEF IN wITCHCRAFr.
Something of the Fearful Torturcs
suspects Were Put To.

The recent horrible case of the DELHI
crate burning to death in Tipperary
of a woman supposed TO be a witch
may render the following facts of in
terest. They have been CLEANED from
the pages OF Lecky and Buckle, and
arc reproduced almost verbatim.
Mr.. Lecky tells us that for more than
1900 years II was universally believed
that the Bible established, in the clear
est manner, the reality of the crime
of witchcraft. Tens of thousands per-
ished by the most agonl2ing and pro-
tracted torments without exciting the
faintest compassion. Martin Luther,
speaking Of witchcraft, said; II would
have no compassion on these witches;
would burn them ALL
The ablest defender of the belief in
witchcraft was Glanvil a clergyman
of the Established Church of England;
one of the most influential was Baxter,
the greatest Of the Puritans Wesley,
the greatest religious leader of the last
century was among the latest Of Its
supporters.
In England, according to Mr.. Buckle,
so far as the educated classes are con-
cerned, belief in witchcraft persisted
between the Restoration and the Revo-
luton; that is to say, in 1850 the ma
Jority of educated men still believed in
witcheraft, while in 1858 the majority
disbelieved In 1t.
In 1866 the old orthodox view was
stated by Chief Baron Hale. who, on
trial of two women for witchcraft. said
| to the jury; THAT there are such crea-
lures as witches / make no doubt at
al, for first the Scriptures have af-
nrmed so much; secondly. the wisdom
Iot all nations hath provided laws
against such persons, which is an ar
gument of their confidence of such a
crime"
| This reasoning was irresistible, and
| the witches were hanged: but the
change in public opinion began to at
rect even the judges, and after this
| melancholy exhibition such scenes be-
came gradually rarer.
| Three persons were executed in
Exeter for witchcraft in 1852. Two
witches were, according to DIR. Parr,
hanged at Northampton In 1905, and in
ll2 i've other witches suffered the
same fate IN the same place. The last
trlal FOR witchcraft, at least of any no.
| torety was that of Jane Wenham,
| who was prosecuted In 1912 by some
Hertfordshlre clergymen. The Judge
entirely dlsbeleved in witches, and ac-
\ eordlngly charged the jury strongly in
favor of the accused, and even treated
with great disrespect the rector of the
parish. who declared on Ibis faith as a
lergyman" that he believed the woman
TO be witch. The jury, being ignorant
and obstinate, convicted the prisoner
but the judge had no difficulty in oh.
tanning a remission of her sentence.
Confessions of witchcraft were fire..
quently ELECTED in Scotland by Tor.
ture one of the most powerful incen.
tlves to confession was systematicnlly
to deprive the suspected witch Of M
refreshment OF her natural sleep. Iror
collars or witches brides are sim nre
served in various parts Of Scotland
which had been used for such ininui
tous purposes, These instruments wer,
! so constructed that by means of a hoo,
E which passed over the head. a Moo,
: of iron having four points or prong,
was foroibly thrust into the mouth IN,
\ Of these being directed to the tor en-,
and palate, the others pointing cnt
wards to each cheek. This infsrna
machine was secured by n padloclt A
the back of the collar was fixed n VIM
= by which to attach the witch 10
staple In the wall of her cell ,Thu
: equipped. and night and day ken
: awake by some persons appointed "a,
: her inquisltors, the unhappy crea .,ra
: after n few days Of such dIscin1ine
: maddened by the misery OF her fny,n,.,
: and helpless state, would be renasra,
: III for confessing anything in order +,
r, be rid of the dregs OF her wretcbe'
! life. At Intervals fresh examinnti,
\ took place, and these were re,aa,a,
? from time TO time until her "nont,,
= macy as II was termed, was sui
:, dued.