The Howard Street Cemetery Ghost

By Crusader1307

 The Township of Salem, Massachusetts (US) is well known throughout The World as the ''Mecca'' of American Witches. In reality, The Town was the sight of the infamous ''Salem Witch Trials'' of the 17th Century. Hardly any street, house or other concern can boast of a supernatural ''Tale'' or two. Which leads us to The Howard Street Cemetery. Dating to the early 17th Century, The Cemetery had a Spirit named Giles Corey.

According to records, Corey was accused and convicted of Witchcraft. His punishment (death) was by Pressing. As we have seen, this was the act of placing a person under a wooden pallet (spiked to the ground, aka ''Spread Eagle'' position). Slowly, heavy rocks or weights of iron were added until at some point, the person suffocated to death from being unable to breathe. This was what Giles was subjected to.

But to be sure, Giles had somewhat of a ''strong constitution'' and as such, it took several days for Him to die. Although convicted, He never admitted wrongdoing. Every couple of hours, His tormentors would ask for His confession as a Warlock. Each time, Giles simply stated ''More Weight''. Once declared dead, Giles was thrown into an unmarked grave ''somewhere'' in The Cemetery.

Since then, when people walk through the ancient burial grounds, at certain points, reports of feeling a ''heaviness on the chest'' had been sensed (as well as breathing problems). Although it happens infrequently, when the phenomenon happens – The Town ''experiences'' some form of ''bad luck'' or misfortune. From ''Killer Snow Blizzards'' to bizarre accidents (at least one per year it seems), Giles is still making his displeasure with The Town felt.