In the year 1692, Salem Village and Salem Town in Massachusetts were overtaken by witchcraft hysteria. The hysteria initially started when two young girls began exhibiting strange behavior. According to history, the behavior of the girls included such things as epileptic type seizures, uncontrollable screaming, renouncing God, throwing things, complaining of being pricked with needles, and so on.   Because no one could explain what was wrong with the girls, and because of the accusations that the girls made in an effort to explain their behavior, the townspeople came to what they thought to be the only logical conclusion; witches had invaded Salem.

As the weeks and months passed, many people were accused and subsequently charged with the crime of witchcraft. After being charged, people were tried and, if found guilty, were condemned to death. The favored form of execution for the unfortunate souls whom had fallen victim to the hysteria in Salem Village was that of hanging by the neck until dead. Salem Village saw a total of nineteen victims hanged, one crushed to death and approximately another four died in prison while waiting to be tried.

The following images of the Salem Witch Trials help us to understand the attitude of the townspeople toward the unfortunate people that were condemned to death during this turbulent time.