In Mendon, Utah (a town of 1,200 people located near the Idaho border) there is a large tree surrounded by a circular wooden fence. Many people in the area refer to this enfenced tree as The Mendon Witch Tree. Legend has it that many years ago, a gypsy who was praciting witchcraft was lured into the mountains by an angry mob and burned to death. Prior to bursting into flames, the gypsy cursed the tree, and the land around it. Hoping the fence and touching the tree are supposed to bring very bad luck. I find this story very curious, because there are very few tales of withcraft in Utah. Its all Satan this, and demons that... But, virtually no witches. Try as I might, I was unable to establish a timeline or origin for this tawdry deep fried witch tale. I know that Mendon, Utah was settled in 1859 by a group of Mormon Settlers. James G. Willie served as mayor and postmaster in those days. He headed a Pinoneer Handycart company which eventually went bankrupt. From the images I viewed, the Witch Tree looks fine and healthy today. The very curious fence does still stand. Is this story the invention of a bored high school student, or is an attempt to keep the Wiley women of Mendon in line? Or, was that fenced in tree the site of some ugly scene that haunts bystanders to this day? I guess well never truly know. Thoughts on this?
Posted on: Wed, 22 Oct 2014 20:05:09 +0000
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