Comments for Witch Hunt: Page 1

Jubeele - You were just voted down again and I removed the minus point. I replied a few minutes ago to tell you the same thing but probably didn't hit "publish", so am responding to you once again.

Regards, Melda

Jubeele - I have had a number of karma points deducted. I know why and from whom. It's okay. Next time I'm invited to offer an honest opinion I think I'll just shut up. Even when asked to be open and honest, you aren't allowed to be.

Regards, Melda

Hah! And so it begins. The Negative Troll Fairy has already struck in the last few minutes and down-pointed me! 😜 Every few weeks, someone (or maybe a whole pack of them), has been quietly removing points from me. This has been happening ever since I joined YGS. Tsk, tsk. Now, I really wish they would tell me what I said has upset them so.

This is bullying behaviour and most troll-like!

Val and lady-glow, oh wow. 😳 Thanks for the vote of confidence. We'll do our best. My troll hunter name is Fruity Tanglin.

Lady-glow, like many others here, I'm glad of your piercing laser-bright eyes to catch the discrepancies. You keep us on our toes and the site is all the more better for it. 😘

Val - I've made extra pot stickers just for you.

Melda - you've spoilt Big T-Rex. You've been letting him stay up late watching the cricket! 😁

Em - I think MrRiggs made the Mint Juleps. RC made the choc chip cookies. Mojitos sound like a great idea. I've also brought the thermos of Bloody Marys, plus the toothbrushes. ❤

Melda and Val,

Big T-Rex here. Love looking after all of you. I've put on a bit of weight while in SA, looking after Aunty Melda. The bad people taste yummy.

Rex-T's secret name is Rastas Pittwater.

I can always go to Fergie's place.

You are all safe
T-Rex 🐲

Is it too late for Susie Chinquapin to join? Who was it that makes Mint Julips? Was that RC? I make a mean Mojito. I know you kill vampires with a stake, so maybe a sharpened tooth brush...hmm. Count me in.

Val and Rex-T - I'm Rexie Meyer. Oh my word, I'm getting cold feet. T-Rex, as fond as I have become of him through his regular visits, might consider me a threat 😨 Rex-T, please leave him at home.

Regards, Melda

Somebody say pot stickers?
Jubeelee and Rex, you'll need your troll hunters' names.
You take your first pet's name and the street you were born.
For instance, I had a dog named Rebel, and I was born on Racine Ave. That makes me Rebel Racine.

Thank you lady-glow.

I'm sure Jubeele and myself will be up for the 'rites of passage' challenge. Hmmm... Let me qualify that remark, as long as the challenge does not require any death defying feats (I've had a 'gut full' of them) or burning any unfortunates at the stake.

Now down to business!

I'm bringing tonic water with a twist of lime (time for a change from soda water) and Jubeele has whipped up another batch of pot stickers with her famous dipping sauce. This will mean that Big T-Rex with be lurking around the bus.

Don't worry Puff, he is very good at pushing buses that run out of gas, looking after 'good people' and dealing with 'bad people'.

Thanks again,
Jubeele, Rex-T and Big T-Rex 😁

But lady-glow, that's what I and I'm sure many, many others love so much about you! 😉 ❤

Your nikpikityness is the shining light on the discrepancies of these "stories". You go the extra mile and don't hesitate to call foul.

I feared you'd gone soft there for a bit but appreciate seeing that you haven't. 😊

babygoatpuller: your comment makes me blush!
Sometimes I wonder if I'm acting like a grumpy, nitpicky witch.

You made my day! 😘

Jubeele and Rex-T.
The first ride on the bus is a rite of passage for any YGS's new member... A graduation ceremony, and a welcome to the 'Troll Patrol Unit'.

Welcome my friends, let's find and fight 🐂💩!

All aboaaaard!🚌

Gh0stHunter, your stories have been well-written and quite entertaining, despite the irregular gaps in detail. However, Val has already put into words what I wanted to say. I do hope you're able to get more details from Aaron. Book title, author, name of the library. These details matter more than the preamble at McDonalds.

I would like to give you the benefit of the doubt and say that perhaps someone saw your group at the gravesite and thought it would be fun to frighten you. Or were you set-up? The whistle could be a signal from the pranksters. The snicker was someone laughing at the joke they were playing on you. These are distinct possibilities.

Rook - since you missed our "feel-good" After-New Year online party (see comments page from my account "Horsing Around"), I've brought you a platter of fried pot-stickers and my special dipping sauce. Can you please put on "Blue Moon" (Bobby Vinton's version), Van Morrison's "Moondance" and "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival?

I'm not ready to board the bus just yet. As I wait on the steps, can someone please mix me a Blue Moon cocktail? 🍹

Hi everyone,

I'm a neutral observer on this story. Why? I am not qualified to give views on a subject that I know nothing about (Witches in Texas).

I did go for a look on Google and found the sites that lady-glow and Rook posted recently.

I don't know why but I kept going and found another site that talked about Bittick Cemetery and a woman (who is named Elizabeth) that was hung for either being a witch, stealing a horse or being a Unionist. This all sounds familiar.

Anyway, the link to the site as follows,

Http://texasmosthaunted.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/bittick-cemetery.html

Rex-T

I was wondering how long this was going to be allowed to go on. Thank you lady-glow for your always insightful and dogmatic insights and bringing to light the possibility that something is "off" with this OP.

For me, the skepticism started with the first story. I let it go, didn't comment and moved on. Shortly after, another story and it made less sense halfway into it and by the third one, I felt I was being more "entertained" than anything and stopped reading the stories and just read the comments. I am so happy to know that I'm not sitting on the bus by myself anymore and apparently haven't been! 😊

Rook- you're late! Let's get this thing going! 😜

Mack,

Good ta see you blow off some steam.

I agree with your view on graveyards in general... A couple of exceptions would be something like and individual that was killed instantaneously, and has no idea that their physical body has died. So now they roam where it is buried reaching out to individuals trying to find out what happened to them...

OR

The Family chose to bury an item with their dearly departed... An managed to pick an item the individual was attached to.

I have always found cemeteries quiet and comforting. Some do seem to have a protective spirit/entity of some sort but in my experience that particular spirit/entity has never 'felt' human in origin.

Respectfully,

Rook

Hello GhostHunter

There's a general vibe with the comments that this story is possibly just that: a story. I can kind of understand that feeling, with all due respect.

I have never heard of babies being burned or executed as witches. To my knowledge, there was usually a "trial" which involved a forced "confession" by torture. I mean imaging torturing a baby? Even the Church had it's limits, surely? That's just taking things a bit far. I mean what on Earth could a baby be doing that casts suspicion on it? Sleeping through the night? Chewing on a toy cauldron? Wearing black nappies? Sucking on a black cats tail?
Scratching the wart on it's little button (hooked) nose?

My opinion on the witch tials (and subsequent murders) was a combination of good old fashioned religious righteous hysteria / mania combined with an unhealthy dose of general misogyny. Maybe a pinch of salt with that ugly recipe? And the eye of a newt?

And I have a problem with the old "creepy graveyard" as a place that spirits would choose to "hang out / haunt". That just seems like a worn out horror movie-type cliche. To be frank, I think it's kind of ignorant to believe that spirits feel the need to hang around their old decomposing bodies, of which they have ABSOLUTELY no further use for.

It makes much more sense that spirits (same people as they were before death but now people without physical bodies) would gravitate around their old loved homes or living loved ones.

I believe that the seemingly irrational fear that people have of graveyards is simply a projection of their irrational fear of Death. That projected fear then creates "ghosts" where there aren't any (noises, shadows, sounds etc).

Aahh, it's been a long time but gee it feels to good to have a good old rant!

Regards

Mack

Ah I thought it was just the strange English that had me confused and doubtful. Uhm, I googled Witch Grave and Texas and found stories that seems to share points with this. Almost as if the writer had cobbled them together. I probably shouldn't make that kind of speculation and I apologize if I broke any rules. GhostHunter if I am wrong or unfair please forgive me.

Maggie

Catleyablu, No, no, don't get us wrong we tried to follow him up but things is just not working right. So THIS is what would happen.

E.Lynx

If I see that this poster is the one who submitted the story once I've clicked into it I just go ahead and click to go back. Not even going to pretend like I believe this person. Smh. 🙄 😕

A LARGE Double Decker Bus Turns the corner, its painted early 70's style (Think Muppets Electric Mayham) and the Sound system is Rocking...

"Dark in the city night is a wire
Steam in the subway earth is afire
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo
Woman you want me give me a sign
And catch my breathing even closer behind
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo

In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt down I'm after you
Smell like I sound I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the wolf
Straddle the line in discord and rhyme
I'm on the hunt down I'm after you
Mouth is alive with juices like wine
And I'm hungry like the wolf

Stalked in the forest too close to hide
I'll be upon you by the moonlight side
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo
High blood drumming on your skin it's so tight
You feel my heat I'm just a moment behind
Do do do do do do do dodo dododo dodo"

(Duran Duran - Hungry Like The Wolf)

I tried to 'say something' without 'saying' it when the story with the wolves howling was published... Should have know better... (Oh that would make a great second song... Whitsnake anyone?) I mean 'yes' the sound posted by the OP sounded kind of like a Wolf... But my very first thought when I heard it was a Bird... Something about its 'tone'. So I posted all the information concerning Wolves in Texas... Now this? This is just... Well UNLESS the O/P can provide the Name of the Book and the Author... And the book was not published as a work of Fiction, well then, there is a place for research to begin... But until such a time...

"All Aboard the Miss Demeanor!" The finest fiction finding, Troll busting, Party bus around.

Puff Bayram

Geez, I am finally hearing some "hop" upon this OP's stories...
Lady-glow, I was waiting for this bus for a month lol

One more GREAT incident guys and gals...
Witch-hunt in Texas in 1800's!? Hmm, that's new or did they wait for centuries to build just 2 graves for 1 "witch" and her baby? Totally odd...

Let's BUST on people.

E.Lynx

Rookdygin: I had trouble trusting GhostHunter's stories after his second submission, but he finally tripped on his own tongue.👅

Happily heading to the bus carrying a Thermos full of chocolate atole and a bag of churros!

We need to add the phone number of a certain 24/7 psychic service to our 'ghost hunting kit' 😆

Rook, I've been 'just rolling' with a lot of things on here of late. The clincher with this one for me was the book. If I found something which documented an event I'd experienced I'd be all over it. But here it feels tacked on and elusive.
So yeah, I'm a-stepin' on the Miss Demeanour!

Sorry for joining in late.

Val,

There are those who feel mirror gazing is done better in a small, enclosed space called a Psychomanteum...

Psychomanteum: a small, enclosed area set up with a comfortable chair, dim lighting, and a mirror angled so as not to reflect anything but darkness intended to communicate with spirits of the dead. Sometimes all 4 walls are covered in mirrors as the reflected image represents 'infinity' and some people believe this helps the spirits communicate or at least manifest in the mirrors.

As far as this 'experience' goes...
Witches in Texas? Not so sure about that one... I am a native Texan, I really enjoy my home states paranormal history and the closest I can find to a 'witch' being killed in the state is this 'blurb' from Weird Texas:

"The story of the 'Witches Grave' in the Hunt Cemetery of Liberty Hill, Texas dates back to the 1800's, when it is said that a young black girl (possibly a slave) was accused of witchcraft (and/or possibly horse thievery), and was hung in a tree in or next to a lonely graveyard. Legend has it that she was then buried in the same cemetery, and that her stone was marked with words to the effect of "whoever passes over this grave, shall die as I died." They also say that if you dare to go to the cemetery at night, you will see the girl's body hanging in the tree and hear her cries."

(http://www.weirdus.com/states/texas/cemetery_safari/witches_grave/index.php)

Please note it states this individual was HUNG and it may have actually been for stealing horses and no infants were involved.

One other thing the Liberty Hill Cemetery, where this grave is reported to be, is approx. 199 miles from... "cemetery that was down the street from the fort that we usually go to."

There are other 'reported' Witches Graves scattered across Texas... None of them seem to involve a burning at the stake and many of them are 'modern day' (let's say from the 1960's through today).

Respectfully,

Rook

Gh0stHunter,

I have tried, and tried to just 'roll' with your submissions but aside from what I have mentioned above even at the height of the Witch Hunts in Europe I do not believe there are any reported cases of INFANTS being burned along with their mothers for fear they were a witch as well. This goes doubly for here in the U.S.

I hereby toss a LARGE BS Blankie on this submission. "All Aboard the Miss Demeanor!" Drinks on the upper deck and snacks down below!" This particular submission needs an old fashioned BS Blankie party.

Val, mirror gazing is amazing. I used to do it as a teen, but I didn't know back then it was a thing, thought I'd stumbled on something unique lol. Probably got the idea from the story of Snow White, whose origins likely lay in historical witch documentation. Zing!

Tweed,
True enough. People were accused of witchcraft over all kinds of things. However, in answer to your question, " what about the witches who were never found out? Surely they must haunt the land occasionally, and surely they'd be helpful ghosts." The reason we don't hear about them is they still haven't been found out! Lol
You've heard of Bloody Mary right? Look into a mirror in a dark room with only a candle, say her name and she gets you! EEEK! You're doomed if you don't have your trusty toothbrush at the ready!
However there is also a thing called mirror gazing (quite a bit like scrying), which is also used to see the dead. Dim light preferred (candle) and while gazing into the mirror you concentrate on the person you wish to contact. Some say to call that person's name, others say silence is better. Now, I'm willing to bet, most have not heard of this art, for lack of a better term. Why? It just isn't as sensational as the mirror with Bloody Mary. And so it is when it comes to tales of a witch. Just look at who is remembered most from literature/movies - Glenda, the good witch, or Wicked Witch of the West.

Wow, this I would need to stop and think a lot my friend...
First of all, back 1800's no one really gave a burial ground for people executed doing witchcrafts, there are mass graves for them but never a proper burial ground unless they were found misjudged, but it is quite rare, they would just find another reason for the execution, the judge was always right, though they are very wrong. Was it a grave of a famous person around?

Well... Considering whether or not the spirit is trying to trick you or "trap" anyone of you, "smell" is the main key. According to rare but some information that I have, in some suicide sites, people will smell something "sweet", kind of flowery honey type of sweetness, that's when a spirit is trying to trick people in to their trap of death (like falling off a building, ending up being hit by a train, etc). Ever heard people will say to go with your best health? If you have blocked nose, probably if the team is advance they will just tell you to rest at home. Am I right?

Also, there are other warning signals too, I think you will be hearing this more often. During an investigation in such area (haunted places), if people would smell something odd (burnt hair, rotten meat, etc) which is obviously getting stronger, that is the sign that you need to leave the area, stronger the smell the more powerful the spirits are, they are gaining power either from people around or the device they have in hand, danger for even the strongest person since the spirits maybe draining energy from living (sometime people feel sick and wanting to puke, guess what? That is the sign when your body needs a rest too, coincidence?).

I don't know what to say, I just felt a little strange of you to find a grave... No, 2 graves for witches, just that really... Correct me please since I may have wrong information too.

E.Lynx

I have some general questions about Witches:

In traditional, or less enlightened times, weren't 'witches' punished for merely being different? Or for possessing knowledge of herbal remedies and living 'alternatively' to the status quo of the time? Likewise weren't non-witches also punished/accused for witchcraft if they were a little different?

I know these are daft, silly questions that have already been covered. But I don't get why almost every witch is vengeful. Like you never hear of a helpful fair maiden witch. It's always a moose with a grudge.
Fair cop, being run out of town or killed for being different would annoy even the most advanced soul, but what about the witches who were never found out? Surely they must haunt the land occasionally, and surely they'd be helpful ghosts.
I'm rambling now. It seems witches got a bum deal throughout history and are continuing to cop it today, unfairly.

My general question is: What up wid dat?

GhOst,
Did you actually see this book? Because, I have to tell you, it sounds like Aaron was spinning a yarn, or repeating an urban legend.
First of all, there is NO documentation that anyone in America was ever burnt as a witch. (Notice, I didn't say no one was ever burnt at the stake, because that did happen in places like Germany, but even most of Europe preferred hanging.) If, this was an isolated case that somehow escaped any historical mention, then how did the author learn of it?
Although a pregnant witch may suffer the noose, she would not have been burnt. Indeed, generally the execution was normally delayed until after she gave birth.
They were buried not within the confines of the local cemetery, however outside on the perimeter, or perhaps, placed in a family plot on their own property. Certainly not in the center of the site.
In the 1800s, when a woman died in childbirth and the babe stillborn, the child was placed in the arms of the mother and they were buried in the same casket. Next to her headstone would be a smaller one representing the babe. The same held true for a pregnant woman. One casket, two headstones.
I'd certainly be interested in the name of this cemetery, or even the title of that book.

Umm, generally I do my best to be quiet, but here are facts about Salem, as I do not live far from where the horrible colonial witchcraft events took place. NO ONE WAS BURNED AT THE STAKE IN SALEM MA.
Hung, yes, stoned yes, but not burned.

I know that Bathsheba Spooner of Brookfield Ma was hung while pregnant, as in her time her sin was so great. Perhaps others as well, but not BURNED. Look her up!

In New England, when wandering about an old cemetery, often found is a gated area, where family members are buried together. This was done as several plots were made, the fencing and gate surrounded the plot, showing the claim of family plot with a foot or two outside and around the fencing, often a small seat for the visitors is just aside the gate. Unfortunately, the size of the plot was often measured in the amount of dollars that went into the offered basket or how close the pews that family sat to the front.

On the other hand, a person believed to be odd or different, or even thought to be practicing spells, or have committed a sin or crime, will be buried in back corners or just outside the cemetery fencing. I read of an instances (a child) involving disfiguring birth marks, possibly mentally challenged, having been placed in the back with headstone turned.

Just facts, sad facts

Could you please provide the name of that book? I'd love to read it!

"...it did indeed say that they had burned the baby as well..."

"So, my guess is, either these people were absolute monsters or, she was one of those women who don't show if they're pregnant so, they had no idea of possibly knowing. Still, it's a horrible thing."

Are you suggesting they performed a postmortem c-section on the mother's burned body? Is that even possible considering all the damage caused by the fire not only to the skin, the muscles, tissues and organs of the mother? It's possible that there wasn't any of the baby's body left. After all, don't criminals set fire to people and crime scenes in an effort to conceal any evidence?

"... He had done some research and sites have said that back in the 1800's a mother was burned at the stake for the assumption that she was a witch and had gotten caught practicing witchcraft. Her baby was burned as well for IT was considered a witch too. Thus, explaining the baby tombstone next to the normal sized one."

"After doing thorough research about the site, it surprised me to see that there had ONCE been a rare report on the same mysterious crying coming from not the void but, from the graveyard itself..."

Could you provide the links, articles or any other source to this information? I find it really frustrating when I cannot find something in the net!

You are talking about Phantom Hill Cemetery, aren't you?
Do you remember the names recorded on the headstones? I found the following list of (some of the?) people buried in that cemetery, but don't see any two persons buried on the same date, as I would expect the mother and child would be.

Http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/Wtx/Jones/cemetery/PhantomHill.html

Do you think it possible that something else was making those sounds? Perhaps the wind blowing through the scarce vegetation, or an animal calling during the night. After all, you guys just said "Paranormal!" and ran out of the place without taking the time to look for other possible source/s of the sound.

I'll appreciate your feedback.

EmmalineTexas

I was told that it could be a trickster trying to get us to quit disturbing the grounds.

Well, knowing this, my assumption is now that they had no idea she was pregnant. I hope.

lady-glow

Aaron had managed to find a book at the library about that cemetery and as horrible and odd as it may seem, it did indeed say that they had burned the baby as well. She was apparently a famous 'witch' in that time but, I just saw her as a woman who practiced or was good at, witchcraft. The book failed to reveal HOW she did it however. She only had two full pages in the book sadly. But yes, the baby was burned as well. The baby was still inside her womb.

So, my guess is, either these people were absolute monsters or, she was one of those women who don't show if they're pregnant so, they had no idea of possibly knowing. Still, it's a horrible thing.

Are you sure that the story was true about a witch being burned? I can't imagine a witch being buried in hallowed ground. Outside of the cemetery where you heard crying was a much more likely spot. Sounds like a trickster spirit played on your fears by mimicking a woman. Also, I've never heard of a baby being burned because of witchcraft. They would be considered innocent and given to another family to raise; even in the 16th and 17th century when belief in witchcraft was prevalent.

Thanks,
Emma

Are you sure the baby was burned too? 🤔
I know superstition has a way to make humans forget our humanity but, a baby would have been considered innocent of their mother's sins and spared such a cruel punishment.

Do you have any reference to that history or is it just an oral story.

Umm... I find it rather odd that they would have allowed to burie a witch in sacred land. 😕