Puritan Press - Teo Ananiadis English 10 Journalism Project

The Puritan Press

Summer 1692

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Special Reports: Cover Story: Witchcraft in Salem! p.1 John Proctor Unfaithful? p.1 Court Disruption p.2 Witchcraft Signs and Book Recommendation p.3

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Witch Craft found in Salem!

Reverend Samuel Parris was shocked to discover his daughter and niece “dancing like heathen in the forest.” When questioned, niece Abigail Williams first swore to her uncle that she and the girls “did dance”, “it were only for sport.”

Then, soon thereafter, witchcraft expert Reverend John Hale came to Salem.

After much questioning, Abigail and the other girls say that Tituba, Parris’ slave girl, controlled them

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By Amity Citizen

and made them do things like conjuring spirits. Tituba first denies, then finally confirms the claim, stating that the devil came to her accompanied by other

Our lovely town, pure or infected?

women including Sarah Good and Sarah Osborn, all of which are arrested and charged with witchcraft.

Sarah Good confesses to witchcraft which means she will be spared, but Sarah Osborn shall hang as she does not confess. Before anyone could blink, thirtynine others were arrested on the charges of witchcraft and signing pacts with the devil. The question is not only are they guilty or innocent? But, how many more

John and Abigail or John and Elizabeth?

By Lament Discretion

Regular Features: Obituaries

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Church Report p.2

Editorial Gossip Crime Report World News Word Puzzle Fashion Opinion Comics

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A week ago, in a courtroom trial, John Proctor accused Abigail Williams of being a whore. Judge Danforth, shocked, insisted “you will prove this, this will not pass,” and Proctor answered in a sober tone “I have known her, sir, I have know her.” Proctor added that he should be believed since “a man will not cast away his good name” unless it were true. Abigail does not deny this revelation, but sidesteps the issue, threatening to

leave the courtroom. This was an extremely stunning turn of events for everyone in the courtroom as Proctor has always been thought to be faithful. What is even more surprising is that his wife, Elizabeth, is said to

have known all about the affair. This must be the reason that Abigail Williams was sent away from the Proctors house. More on this scintillating story in the next edition, as events unfold.

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Disorder in the Court

By Marshal Hopkins In exciting court proceedings today, soon after John Proctor made an outright confession that he had committed adultery with Abigail Williams, his wife, Elizabeth Proctor was brought into the courtroom for questioning.

Her answers were hesitant and often unclear. Finally, when Judge Danforth commanded her to answer the question clearly and definitively, she said that she only had a feeling that her husband had been with Abigail but she could not be sure. John Proctor then shouted at her to tell the truth saying “Elizabeth, tell the truth!

Obituaries

Elizabeth, I have confessed it!” hoping to save her from being detained further. It was no use and Elizabeth Proctor was removed from the courtroom.

Shortly thereafter confusion erupted when Abigail began acting like she could ‘see’ a yellow bird in the rafters that she claimed was Mary Warren.

When Mary Warren, the actual girl in the courtroom, tried to comfort Abigail by saying “Abby, I’m here,” more disorder ensued as Abigail’s girlfriends

began mimicking everything that Mary said.

Mary then became agitated and proclaimed to John Proctor that “You are the devil’s man.”

Judge Danforth soon thereafter had Corey and Proctor taken to the jail. Events continued to deteriorate until Reverend John Hale denounced the proceedings and exited the courtroom.

By Redeemed Providence On this day at dawn, the townspeople of Salem await the hangings of Rebecca Nurse, John Proctor, and five others who refuse to confess to witchcraft; according to Judge Danforth, “there will be no postponement.” Let us look back to remember the 12 souls that have withstood the same fate. Among the 12 that have already been tried, sentenced, and executed, two individuals stand out: Bridget Bishop, the first to be executed on the claim of

Church Report

By Reverend Samuel Parris Thomas Putnam accuses John Proctor of not attending church often enough. Reverend Samuel Parris claims that John Proctor attended church on the Sabbeth Day “only 26 times in 17 months” (of which includes 74 Sundays).

Twice in one year, Abigail Williams was expelled from the meeting house for “laughter during prayer.”

witchcraft, was a good wife to her husband. They were together since they first met, three years before they were joined in holy matrimony.

Isaak Ward, a family man who did his best to support his family even as he succumbed to the temptations of the bottle, plunging his family into ruin.

Though he was not hanged, Giles Corey, one of Salem’s oldest residents died by being pressed to death with large stones. The frequent court plaintiff had been held

in contempt of court for refusing to reveal the name of a witness to his accusation that Thomas Putnam was using charges of witchcraft to secure land. The large stones were laid upon Corey’s chest in efforts to gain a confession, but the fearsome man’s only words before death took him were “more weight.”

We recognize these citizens in our newspaper today and can only hope that God forgives them their sins and shows mercy on their souls forevermore.

John and Elizabeth Proctor have had only two of their three sons baptized because Proctor would not allow Reverend Parris to “lay his hand upon his baby.” John Hale views this choice as a “softness of record.”

Reverend Hale has noted, that due to so many witchcraft claims and arrests “there are orphans wandering from house to house, abandoned cattle below on the highroads, and the stink of rotting crops hang everywhere.” Can civil unrest be far behind? We must root out this evil known as witchcraft so that we may continue to lead moral and upright lives as God intended.

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Witchcraft – What to Look For

By Reverend John Hale Witchcraft and devil worship are very serious subjects that should be approached precisely and with intellegence. Since it is “my duty to add what I may to the Godly wisdom of the court,” I offer this list of things to keep in mind if you see someone or something suspicious: Person speaks in gibberish Person mutters more than usual about nonsense Person reads strange books Person seems very private Person can predict things before they happen Person cannot bear to hear the Lord’s name

Person talks to people who are dead or not there Person keeps a doll and needles to harm or give pain to others Person laughs or screams during prayer Person cannot remember the Ten Commandments Person feels sudden cold wind Person feels trembling in the ground We must be vigilant in discovering witchcraft, as I’ve said before, “Theology is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small.” If

you see even the smallest of these symptoms or signs, please report them to your local authorities! Also, read my book for further enlightenment.

The Role of the Authorities in Dealing with the Issue of Witchcraft in Salem (Editorial) By Justice Jones The Authorities consist of a court system that relies heavily on the presence of the church. The court always prefers to take the offensive on the charge, never the defensive, as they fear they could lose credibility, respect and repu-

think for himself as he said “Is every

this day and age, being accused is almost

tation. When a man or woman attacks

defense an attack upon the court?”

the same as being proven guilty. You

or questions the court or church they are

Judge Danforth has been known to

can be accused on even the slightest of

charged with contempt of court or her-

say “a person is either with the court

suspicions if the court or church deems it

esy, and either jailed or executed. Many

or he must be counted against it.”

necessary. Also, your church and reli-

church pastors and judges work very

He is what some might call a strict

gious life are entirely permissible in court

closely together. Reverend Hale seems

or unfair judge because he accuses

as proven fact.

to be the only authority that seems to

many of witchcraft and heresy. In

Goody Gossip

By Gabby Person

The whole town seems alive with fear and finger pointing in these latest witch hunts. One would think that our citizens’ shenanigans would be kept to a minimum in times like these, but there are some juicy stories to be found! Of course, we all know that Bridget Bishop lived with Mr. Bishop for three full years before she bothered to marry the man. Along the same lines, John Proctor is an admitted ‘lecher’ and told

the whole court that he ‘has known’ Abigail Williams when she served in the house of Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth. Elizabeth apparently learned of the affair and gave Abigail the boot.

Abigail has yet to find gainful employment. Sadly, Isaac Ward continued to drink his family to ruin up until his last days. Reverend Samuel Parris is the third preacher to serve us in only seven years, so it’s no wonder he seems to worry that others conspire against him

to drive him from his pulpit. And finally, Sarah Good, an elderly unwed woman with an appalling reputation, known to sleep in ditches and beg for bread and cider from the good people of Salem, was spared being hanged because she confessed to witchcraft. The surprising thing is that she won’t serve much time in jail as she was found to be pregnant in an examination by Dr. Griggs, and she is nearly 60 years old!

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Community Grievances and Crime Records Giles Corey has appeared in court six times this year, for a total of 33 times in his lifetime.

It is worth noting that Corey is always the plaintiff.

John Proctor accused Giles Corey of burning the roof off of his house John Proctor paid Giles Corey four pounds in damages as retribution for slander when his charges (of burning the roof of his house) were found to be false.

John Proctor claims that he never slandered Miles Corey, but rather paid him so that they could lay the issue to rest.

World News

By Ezekiel Cheever Putnam prompted his own daughter to denounce George Jacobs as a user of witchcraft so Jacob’s property would be forfeited. Most agree that Putnam is the only person wealthy enough to purchase this large piece of land once it became available.

This story was verified by an unnamed ‘honest man’ to Corey.

Corey’s unwillingness to reveal the name of this man resulted in his own death sentence.

Several citizens have accused Thomas Putnam of ‘land grabbing’: John Proctor reminds Thomas Putnam that “we vote by name in this society, not by acreage” and Giles Corey claims that “Thomas Putnam is reachin’ out for land.”

Mr. Walcott charged that Martha Corey sold him a pig that died soon thereafter, and now claims that ‘he cannot keep a pig alive for more than four weeks because Martha bewitch them with her books.’

Elizabeth Proctor claims in court that she was pregnant. Judge Danforth and the authorities of the court ‘examined her body’ and stated that there was no sign of it. The court was later proven wrong as, indeed, Mrs. Proctor proved to actually be pregnant.

Reverend Samuel Parris reported that Abigail Williams had broken into his strongbox and robbed him of 31 pounds so she and Mercy Lewis could escape Salem aboard a ship.

Giles Corey claims that Thomas

By Walter Cronk

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1692 has been a year of blood, faith and disasters.

Back in Europe, thing are

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falling apart. On February

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13th, the MacDonalds lost

ACCUSERS

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Dutch armies at Enghein and Stronkerke.

FLAINTIFF REPUTATION

WITCHCRAFT CHURCH CONFESSION

PROVIDENCE RUMORS

CONJURING HYPOCRISY

SALEM SPIRITS TRIALS

The Puritan Press

Page 5

FASHION WEEK 1692 Puritan Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

By Christian Die The good news is last year’s fashions are in style again this year! Once again, we are seeing women’s gowns with highnecked smocks and wide collars. Married women cover their hair with a linen cap, and can opt to wear a tall black hat over it.

Women of rank should wear modest lace and embroidery: as the various ranks of society are divinely ordained, clothing should reflect this blessing. Again, we don’t advocate wearing black for everyday, because black dye is still very expensive and fades quickly. Black clothing is best worn by the elders, the wealthy or for the most formal occasions such as taking a portrait. The newest colors are sombre brown, blue, dull green, and crimson. Fabrics to look for are wool and linen. Men have the option of wearing long curled hair, or have their hair cut short. Men and women both should avoid bright colors, shiny fabrics, and over-ornamentation. As always, our clothes represent our reputation and morality; accessories can only mean vanity which a sin associated with evil, so should be avoided at all costs.

Court system, Fair or Unfair? (Opinion)

By Jonathan Flemings In this time of witch hunting even

will be hanged for their ‘sins’ and

of the final hangings when he

the most faithful can be convicted.

those who value life over honor

said “Unconfessed and claiming

Anyone who is even the slightest

will say they are a witch and live

innocence, doubts are multiplied,

bit suspicious is brought before

on. This court system makes

may honest people will weep for

the court, and fellow townspeople

some sick to their stomachs but who have quarrels with each other seems to be fair in the eyes of the seem only too glad to cast suspiauthorities. We have to ask our-

them, and our good purpose is

cion on their neighbors. What the

selves, why are the church, court

“Postponement, now, speaks a

court does next is the most con-

system, and authorities acting

floundering on my part; reprieve

fusing part. If you are convicted

this way? Why are they so

or pardon must cast doubt upon

and put on trial, you are given two

strongly behind this literal witch

the guilt of them that died till

choices: plea innocence and be

hunt? It is as if they will do any-

now.” Clearly the men were just

hanged, or admit you are a witch

thing to protect their positions,

trying to sway opinion and hold

and live (and in most or all cases,

high and mighty above the com-

their positions, even if it means

those who admit that they are a

mon man. One can see their mo-

murdering innocents. I ask, how

witch are lying just to save them-

tives and manipulations in one

many innocents will die before

selves). These two choices are

conversation between Reverend

the people stop this madness?

nothing but cruel as those that

Parris and Judge Danforth: Parris

Because I don’t think that the

have a lot of pride and honesty

was lobbying for a postponement

courts or the church will.

lost in their tears.” Judge Danforth stood firm and replied

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