After Dark: Myths, Deeds, and the Paranormal is a podcast that takes you to the shadiest corners of the past. This series unpicks history’s spookiest, strangest, and most sinister stories. It is hosted by historians Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling. The episodes that I listened to are about Salem during the witch trials, a witch hunt in England during the 16th century, and the Valentine’s Day Massacre. For those interested in dark periods of history, this is a fascinating series!
In the episode “Day in the Life of a Salem Puritan”, Delaney and Pelling describe what Salem was like during the witch trials. Interestingly, there was a village and a town both called ‘Salem.’ The village is where the witch accusations arose-the town is where the trials and executions took place. Villagers lived in poverty and were religious extremists, which the hosts believe lead to widespread accusations of witchcraft. Those that lived in the town were better off financially and grew weary of witch accusations coming from the village. In fact, the hosts read a letter written in 1692 by an individual who was concerned that innocent people were being accused of being witches.
A witch trial in England is discussed in ‘Essex’s Darkest Witch Hunt.’ The woman accused of being a witch was Ursula Kemp who was a cunning woman (a folk healer). Kemp had a disagreement with a woman named Grace Thurlow that led to these accusations. Thurlow blamed Kemp for her son’s illness and death of her baby. Thurlow had political connections to a magistrate who prosecuted Kemp that led to her execution. Delaney and Pelling sum up neighbors in Essex as being deadly and petty.
Another interesting episode is Al Capone and the Valentine’s Day Massacre. In this episode, the hosts and author Jonathan Eig describe the true story of Valentine’s Day. On this notorious Valentine’s Day in 1929, Capone’s mobsters (dressed as police officers) machine gunned down seven members of the rival North Side gang. Corruption in Chicago and in the police force prevented the crime from being investigated and Capone was never charged with the crime. Eig discusses how the Federal government used tax evasion to finally imprison him. He served seven years at Alcatraz before being released due to ailments he was suffering from due to syphilis. He died at the age of 48 due to complications resulting from syphilis.
After Dark: Myths, Deeds, and the Paranormal is a fascinating podcast for those interested in dark history. Listeners will enjoy the banter between the hosts and the interesting stories told by academics that are interviewed in the series. New episodes are published every Monday and Thursday.
Michael Walsh is an Adult Services Librarian at the Will Library. He is currently reading Sparring with Smokin' Joe by Glenn Lewis