Most Americans are aware of the Salem, Mass witchcraft trials of 1692, in which 19 hapless men and women were hanged on Gallows Hill upon conviction of "witchcraft" and another unfortunate soul, Giles Corey, age over 70, was pressed to death for the same charges.

There's no doubt, these series of events remain one of the darkest stories in our nation's history.

Yet, in doing research on this sad topic, it becomes plain that there's as many theories as WHY this happened as there are victims, and the controversy over exactly what went on in this small village--rather, 2 villages, remains a mystery to this day, and it's rather too easy to blame the events on repressed Puritans, finger-pointing, hysteria, boredom, isolation, or greed--all of which have been named as possible causes.

One thing stands out--that livestock suffered along with the human victims of so called "spells"---all displayed the same symptoms of "fits", convulsions, bruised skin and hides, necks bizarrely twisted out of place.

It appears that a medical reason was responsible for the phenomena---most likely an outbreak of encephalitis. This would explain the symptoms, and why animals as well as humans were afflicted and displayed similar symptoms.
Another theory has to do with poisoned grain ingested by both livestock and citizens.

One thin'gs for sure--something bizarre and frightening was going on there. Given the climate of the times and the scientific ignorance widespread, it's a wonder that more citizens weren't hanged or imprisoned.

Personal historical footnote:

My 9 x grandpa, Samuel Abbey, resided in Salem during the time of the outbreak and the trials, along with another grandpa, Elisha Kibbe. Elisha sighned a petition testifying to the "good character" of one of the accused--however, this person was later hanged. Samuel Abbey gave spectacular testimony at the trial of Sarah Goode, claiming under oath that, after the woman had resided with his family for a while, she had been asked to leave their dwelling due to her "malicious" and "vile" character, whereupon she "cursed" Grandpa and his family with the result being the loss of 17 head of cattle and all his pigs and chickens.

Sarah Goode was later hanged.

In those days grain was ground into flour in mills with wooden floors. Grain often got caught in the cracks between the floorboards where it was infected with ergot. Some of the symptoms of ergot poisoning are burning feeling (hence its other name, St. Anthony's Fire) and hallucinations. It is quite possible that the first victims suffered from ergot poisoning and the later victims simply suffered from some sort of sympathetic mob psychology.

An interesting fact of the Salem Witch Trials is the manner of death of Corey Giles. Giles had a wooden pallet placed on his chest with rocks placed on top of it. As he kept refusing to admit to being a witch more and more rocks were placed on the pallet eventually pressing him to death. He could have ended his agony by confessing but the property of a confessed witch was confiscated by the government and that would have left his widow destitute. He chose to die in agony to insure that she would be provided for.

Pressed to death sounds interesting.
Lets hear it.

It was a slow and agonizing death, sort of like death by anaconda only slower. As more and more weight was placed on the pallet it became harder and harder to breath. With each exhalation the following inhalation became more difficult until the person finally sufficated. During the process the ribs were often broken and according to records its was quite a painful death.

Very nasty

Bit like some 20 stoner sitting on ya.

More like forty or fifty stone, Paul. Men who are into fat women can have twenty stone on their chest during sex.:hula:

I'll take your word for it.

I'm a fan of thin women, Paul. My wife weighed 97 pounds when we were first married. She is now a fatty at 107. A ten pound weight gain in almost thirty years and that is due to a thyroid condition.

Have to work this outlets see.
16 pounds to the stone, right.

no. 16 ounces to a pound zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

97lb = 7 stone.

your 6'4 hmmmm

An interesting fact of the Salem Witch Trials is the manner of death of Corey Giles. Giles had a wooden pallet placed on his chest with rocks placed on top of it. As he kept refusing to admit to being a witch more and more rocks were placed on the pallet eventually pressing him to death. He could have ended his agony by confessing but the property of a confessed witch was confiscated by the government and that would have left his widow destitute. He chose to die in agony to insure that she would be provided for.


didn't this guy when asked if he would confess, said, "more rocks"?

i'm not a fan of fat chix either. everyone knows this.

didn't this guy when asked if he would confess, said, "more rocks"?

i'm not a fan of fat chix either. everyone knows this.


!. Yes. From a bio website on Giles Corey:

The penalty for refusing to stand for trial was death by pressing under heavy stones. It was a punishment never before seen--or ever again inflicted--in the colony of Massachusetts. On Monday, September 19, Corey was stripped naked, a board placed upon his chest, and then--while his neighbors watched--heavy stones and rocks were piled on the board. Corey pleaded to have more weight added, so that his death might come quickly.

Samuel Sewall reported Corey's death: "About noon, at Salem, Giles Corey was press'd to death for standing mute." Robert Calef, in his report of the event, added a gruesome detail: Giles's "tongue being prest out of his mouth, the Sheriff with his cane forced it in again, when he was dying." Judge Jonathan Corwin ordered Corey buried in an unmarked grave on Gallows Hill.

2. lol :)

Thats the English for ya.

Man, what was the name of that book based on these events? I read it once I can't remember what it was called. The something... tribunal? Something like that.

97lb = 7 stone.

your 6'4 hmmmm
So according to my calculations I weigh... a little more than 8 stone?

i'm not a fan of fat chix either. everyone knows this.
we seen you on the moped...just stick with that story:rolleyes:

Man, what was the name of that book based on these events? I read it once I can't remember what it was called. The something... tribunal? Something like that.

There have been many books plays and movies. One of the better known plays was "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller.

There have been many books plays and movies. One of the better known plays was "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller.

Yeah, The Crucible, thats it. The one guy who got put to death by having the stones layed on top of him, and he kept asking for more weight. That guy was my hero heh.

I watched 'Salems lot' years ago.
Scared the shit outta me.

Man, what was the name of that book based on these events? I read it once I can't remember what it was called. The something... tribunal? Something like that.

Are you thinking about, The Crucible?


Sorry, I didn't see someone had already posted the same thing.

97lb = 7 stone.

your 6'4 hmmmm

Not me, Paul, my wife and she's 5'2". My weight is figured more in boulders than in simple stones.

What height arte you then Frogger.

Not that anyone asked, but I'm a midget myself and weigh 30 lbs--or about a pebble to you, paul.

Midgets are persecuted against in this country. I'ts tough to be tiny.
I feel like I'm living in Salem.

I bet your purse weights 30lb u mean.

I'm close to 1.9 meters, Paul. I used to be 2 meters but you know what happens with age.

I bet your purse weights 30lb u mean.

Well, it don't, but hubby's wallet wieghs a good amount until I get ahold of it.
Then, it weighs zero ounces.

I'm close to 1.9 meters, Paul. I used to be 2 meters but you know what happens with age.
1.9m, I hate this metric crap.
6'5 I think.
Your a big mean long Island machine.

Well, it don't, but hubby's wallet wieghs a good amount until I get ahold of it.
Then, it weighs zero ounces.
I can see your not joking in this post girl.hehe.

Reconvert. It's closer to 6'2". But it's all muscle except for the head and that's all brain. (Had to get that last part in before Evakian shows up and makes some snarky comment.)

I didnt bother using the converter, I just guessed 1m = 3.3 feet.

All muscle eh.

1.9m, I hate this metric crap.
6'5 I think.
Your a big mean long Island machine.

Metric crap is for sissies.
PS Frogger is not 6-5. that's just what he WANTS you to think.
He is not a midget--that's reserved for the special--like me--but he IS a dwarf.
He weighs 372 stone.






PPS I have pictures.

I told you that in confidence, rendova.

I'm sorry.
Send me some money and NO ONE will see the pics



















































except in a PM.

You mean thats actually him in his av.

I told you that in confidence, rendova. Now I'm going to have to get my six brothers, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy and Sleepy to come to your house and beat you up.

I didn't get to be America's Top Crook by being nice to people.

Thats for sure.

Frogger is a Witch!!!

He is because I said so!!!

HANG HIM

Hang me hell. Press me to death. I want to be pressed to death by having Shortstuff, rendova, Sal, Imp, mskimi, SmartMouthWoman, DarkFantasy and any other females who post here placed on top of me one by one until I expire. I will keep calling out, "More broads."

haha
good job your wife dosent have your password.

Salem? What went on?

Please say lesbian witch orgies.

I think they found a stash of very good mushrooms and didnt tell anybody.

I told you that in confidence, rendova. Now I'm going to have to get my six brothers, Sneezy, Bashful, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy and Sleepy to come to your house and beat you up.

Oh right, like you're Doc.

Midgets are persecuted against in this country. I'ts tough to be tiny.
I feel like I'm living in Salem.
right:rolleyes:

has anyone ever asked you to get something off the bottom shelf at the supermarket?

tall people like myself are treated like indentured servants! :rant:

Hang me hell. Press me to death. I want to be pressed to death by having Shortstuff, rendova, Sal, Imp, mskimi, SmartMouthWoman, DarkFantasy and any other females who post here placed on top of me one by one until I expire. I will keep calling out, "More broads."
remember that when we start with Warrior1972:lolhit:

I think they found a stash of very good mushrooms and didnt tell anybody. I thought it was mold on the Rye Bread...

Forget this...

*goes mushie hunting.

right:rolleyes:

has anyone ever asked you to get something off the bottom shelf at the supermarket?

tall people like myself are treated like indentured servants! :rant:

Yes, but we look so good in clothes.

PS. I guess you don't believe I'm a midget. And here I thought we were friends......

It's thanks to RUDE REMARKS like yours that I feel unspecial, have PTSD, and am on welfare.

Oh right, like you're Doc.

I made sure I was Doc because I just knew you or someone else would come in and call me Dopey. Pre-emptive strike so to speak.

I made sure I was Doc because I just knew you or someone else would come in and call me Dopey. Pre-emptive strike so to speak.
Ahh, Dopey. We chose his name for our gang name in 1st grade. Booyah.

You didn't mess with the Dopeys, unless you were a teacher. Even then, you'd need a megaphone.

We ran a pogs racket and controlled the soccer field.

right:rolleyes:

has anyone ever asked you to get something off the bottom shelf at the supermarket?

tall people like myself are treated like indentured servants! :rant:


HEAR HEAR!!!

In those days grain was ground into flour in mills with wooden floors. Grain often got caught in the cracks between the floorboards where it was infected with ergot. Some of the symptoms of ergot poisoning are burning feeling (hence its other name, St. Anthony's Fire) and hallucinations. It is quite possible that the first victims suffered from ergot poisoning and the later victims simply suffered from some sort of sympathetic mob psychology.

An interesting fact of the Salem Witch Trials is the manner of death of Corey Giles. Giles had a wooden pallet placed on his chest with rocks placed on top of it. As he kept refusing to admit to being a witch more and more rocks were placed on the pallet eventually pressing him to death. He could have ended his agony by confessing but the property of a confessed witch was confiscated by the government and that would have left his widow destitute. He chose to die in agony to insure that she would be provided for.Arent you glad you didn't live back then?

Arent you glad you didn't live back then?

Batgirl,

You don't know how old I am. I DID live back then. So did SmartMourtWoman and Rendova. Those two old harridans came to America on the Mayflower.

Batgirl,

You don't know how old I am. I DID live back then. So did SmartMourtWoman and Rendova. Those two old harridans came to America on the Mayflower.

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t33/texrose752/granny.jpg

(the very LEAST you can do if you're gonna insult me is spell my name right!!)

:bike:

Batgirl,

You don't know how old I am. I DID live back then. So did SmartMourtWoman and Rendova. Those two old harridans came to America on the Mayflower.

Hesh up, sonny.
You know what my family like to do to people who're blasphemous.

SMW,

I see you posted one of your older pictures. Do you have any more recent ones, taken like in the last fifteen years or so?:lolhit:

Nah fuck Mass. Full of Irish, what a dump.