New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-23
stories which have come out Of the past these
people often figure among the actors.


people often figure among the actors.
Roger Ludlow found himself mixed up IN trial
for vitchcraft and was obliged TO defend himself
before the New-Haven court in a suit entitled
Thomas Staples OF Fairfield, plant; Mr.. Roger
Ludlow late OF Fairfield. defendt" 1t was com
rlained that Ludlow had said that Stapless wife
had laid herself under suspicion OF being a
witch; that Enapp's wife (who was hanged for
1gitchcrafo hEd told him that Good Wife Staples
was witch; that Ludlow had sandered her by
saving she made trade OF lying.
Ludlow was ordered pay TO Staples. "by way
NJ fine for reparation OF his wiue's name" on the
first charge. tenn pounds and FOR his trouble and
charge in following the suit FIVE pounds more
The second charge was dropped. but in the follow
ing October the court fined Roger Ludlow again.
It was for 80 more, TO be paid TO Staples
toward We repairing his wiue's name" This fine
was for an alleged statement Of Ludlow's that
Mrs. Staples had gone on in a tract OF lying.
This was in 1864 Several years later Mrs. Staples
was indicted at Fairfield for familiarity with
Satan
In the period OF the witchcraft craze there were
more than twenty trials for this crime in Connect
cut and at least eight persons were executed
Several OF the trials held in Fairfield. and one
of the women accused, "Goody" Knapp, was
hanged on a hill near the village in 1853. One of
the last OF these trials was that Of Mercy Dsborow
and three Others in 1892. when the craze broke out
e second time.
The trial was held in the public building near the
Green On the day OF trial IL crowded TO
-he doors with curious women and stern faced
men Upon the hard wooden bench sat the Gov
ernor of the colony, the Deputy Governor and five
Others and by in row. the jury. a group or
men as sensible OF the Importance of the cases TO
be tried the solemn visaged Governor. The
court was duly opened by other determined faced
men in steey tones. and then the Governor ordered
the accused women TO be brought in There was
suppressed movement on the benches as the audi
ence turned toward the door TO catch glimpse OF
the women, Wllcm they all knew, and VINO were
hi rfTr1l NraiTT F1frI
Had they changed? Had Satan set his stamp
upon them?' were some of their thoughts little.
male faced woman, who trembled as she walked.
was led IN first between tao officials, whose coun-
tenances were as fixed and emotionless as those OF
the persons upon the bench or in the jury. Many
OF the gentler women in the audience shuddered;
some OF the sterneE faced drew back, as If afraid
of Contamination The three others followed:
of the room from the Governors lips, stand up
and a2r 'fS s fa9Ge fe Of Thoma Dsoro of
compo Fairfield, thou art here injected oy ne
fear OF God before thine eyes, thou hast had IA
ag5 VII" IN, nv his 81 instgation and heiD thou
hast in preternatural way afflicted and done harm
20 the bodies and estates Of sundry OF their mai
estes subjects or 70 some OF them contrary 10
the 18Th Of April OF their majesties reign and at
oiony t Gr do 5i Best to ' Die u O anu
you hear the Charge. Mercy Disborow: what is
'oh, sir. am not guilty. am not guilty! They
1--WE will hear the evidence. Edward Jesop, hav-
ing soieKnnly upon the Holy Writ ! do
call upon YOU 10 tell what thou dost know of this
matter"
most worthy sir saw a pig roasting that looked
very well, but when il upon the table, where
we had a good light, it seemed me TO have no
skin upon Il and looked strangely: but when said
Disborow began TO cut II. the skin, my appre-
hension. upon IL again
'she brought a Bible that vas very large print
I had a good light and looked directly upon the
book, could not letter; but, looking on it
again, when In her hand after she had turned over
q few leaves 1 could TO read above a yard of.
The same night. going home and coming to
Comp0 Creek IL seemed TO be high water, but when
I tried push of my canoe II stuck IN the mud
and IL appeared 10 be low water wandered all
night, trying to get home
Edward Jesop resumed his seat.
Let the other witnesses be brought forward and
sworn" directed the Governor. One by one they
went 10 the stand and testified IN similar strain.
The witnesses having been heard in this and
in that Of the other three women, the Governor
1--WE have Scriptural authority for that which we
may 90 to-day. And legal authority is also.
Those oiyinely appointed 10 rule have dill
gently searched the Scriptures, and in its wisdom
The General Court OF Connecticut hath established
this capital law:
a If any woman be w1tch-that IS. hath
or consuiteth with familiar spirit-they shall be
pat death
you will decide II these women be guilty under
this law and therefore should be put o DEATH
Poor Mercy DigbOroW and the others not to
go their death this time for the jury disagreed.
IL decided 20 apply the water test" which
consisted OF throwing them into a pond and CIV
ing them opportunity 10 sink and prove that
fhey.were not witches or float and prove that they