The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1910-07-07
DEATH FOR (WHICH"
INTERESTING RELIC OF THE
DAYS OF IGNORANCE.
Historical Archives OF Salem, Mass.'
Reveal Depths of Superstition
and Folly In Which Our
Forefathers Were Sunk.

Investigators making search through
the archives of the Peabody institute
at Salem, Mass, have just uneartned
seventeenth century warrant con-
demning to death Bridget Bishop, wire
of a Salem attorney, on charge OF
witchcraft.
Contrary to the traditions that
witches were burned in Massachu-
sets, In the warrant condemnlng
Mrs. Bishop to death William Slough
ton, who with his associates In the
warrant are styled judges of a spe-
cial court of Oyer and Terminer for
the counties of Essex, Middlesex and
Suffolk, orders that George Corwin,
the sheriff. shall hang her by the
neck until she Is dead.
Appended to the warrant Is the re-
turn certificate made by Corwin SHOW
ing that he had carried out the or
ders of the court.
The warrant and return are In sew
enteenth century English script. and
transcribed reads as follows:
ITO George Corwin Gent'n. High
SHERIFF. of the County of Essex
Greeting:
Whereas Bridget Bishop ais Oil
yer, the wife of Edward Bishop OF Sa-
lem in the County of Essex Lawyer
at a special Court of Oyer and Termi-
ner held at Salem the second Day OF
this instant month of June for the
Countyes of Essex Middlesex and Suf-
folk before William Stoughton, Esque,
and his associates of the said court
was Indicted and arraigned upon five
several Indictments for using prac-
Using and exercising on the
last past and divers days and times
the felonies of Witchcraft in and upon
the bodyes of Abigail Williams, Ann
Putnam 49,. Mercy Lewis, Mary
Walcott and Elizabeth Hubbard of Sa-
lem village single women !;
whereby their bodyes were hurt, af-
flicted, pinned consumed and tormented
contrary to the forme of the statue In
that case made and provided To
which Indictmts the said Bridget
Bishop pleaded not guilty and for
Tryall thereof put herselfe upon God
and her Country whereupon she was
found guilty of the Felonyes and
Witchcrafts whereof she stood 81 In
dicted and sentence of Death accor-
dinghy passed ag't her as the Law
directs. Execution whereof yet re-
maines to be done. These are there,
fore in the names of their maj'ties
William and Mary now King and
Queen over England &C. to will and
command you That upon Fryday next
being the Tenth Day of this instant
month of June between the hours of
eight and twelve In the aforenoon OF
the same day you safely conduct the
sd Bridget Bishop ais oliver from
their maj'ties Gaol In Salem afores'd
to the place of execution and there
cause her to be hanged by the neck
until she be dead and of your doings
herein make returne to the clerk OF
the sd Court and of this pr'cept. And
hereof you are not to faile at your
peril. And this shall be your sufficient
warrant given under my hand & seal
at Boston the eighth day of June In
the fourth year Of the reigne Of oul
Sovereign Lord William and Mary
now King and Queen over England
&C., Annoq'e Dom. 1892.
"WM. STOUGHTON.
June 10th, 1892.
According to the within writer
precept have taken the body Of the
within named Brigett Bishop out o.
their majesties gaol in Salem ant
safely conveighd her to the place pro
vided for her execution and caused J
sd Brigett to be hanged by the necl
until she was dead all which was &C
cording to the time within required
and SO make returne by me.
GEORGE CORWIN, Sheriff"