Lore Podcast Episode 296: Revisiting "Half-Hanged" (December 29, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this special episode, host Aaron Mahnke revisits one of Lore’s most beloved and chilling classics: “Half-Hanged.” Originally episode 12, this story remains close to Mahnke’s heart for its exploration of superstition, social fear, and the resilience of those maligned in history. The episode masterfully blends eerie folklore with gritty historical reality, focusing primarily on the harrowing but ultimately triumphant story of Mary Webster, the so-called witch of Hadley, Massachusetts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Superstition in Colonial America

• Superstitions frequently explained misfortunes in early American towns, especially through witch accusations (03:21–05:10).
  • Witchcraft accusations often served as tools to target disliked or marginalized neighbors, sometimes for financial or social gain.
  • Notable Example: Salem witch trials highlighted class, property, and religious divides, with sinister motivations cloaked in spiritual concern.

Folklore and Fear: Local New England Witch Tales

• Various regional legends are recounted with trademark Lore atmosphere (04:30–08:35):
  • Simeon Smith of New Hampshire: rumored sorcerer blamed for local misfortunes; legend said he could grow and shrink in size and torment the countryside.
  • Exeter, Rhode Island: a cat, believed to be a transformed witch, was shot with a silver bullet, causing a local woman to break her hip.
  • Salem, NH: a bewitched cow led to a gruesome “folk solution” and a suspicious house fire.
  • West Newbury, VT: a local crafted a wax figure of a suspected witch, burned it, and the targeted woman died mysteriously at the same time.

The Tragic Tale of Mary (“Merry”) Webster: “Half-Hanged”

• Mary Webster's background (09:20–11:20):

  • Poor, cranky, and ostracized, Mary and her husband survived on the outskirts of Hadley and were at odds with townsfolk—seen as ill-tempered, irreligious, and suspect for her poverty.
  • Previously tried and acquitted for witchcraft in Boston, returning to Hadley as a social pariah despite her exoneration.

• Philip Smith’s Illness and the Mob’s Response (12:15–16:49):

  • Smith, a respected town leader, succumbed to a strange illness, claiming to be pricked by invisible nails and haunted by the presence of a woman—immediately interpreted as witchcraft.
  • Local young men repeatedly harassed Mary under the belief that disturbing her would break the supposed spell.
  • “Convinced that they knew who was causing Smith’s illness, the group of young men returned to the home of Merry Webster. This time, though, they had more than disturbing her peace on their mind.” (16:45)
  • Assault, lynching, and Mary’s survival:
    • The mob beat, hanged, and buried her in the snow—an act Mahnke calls “one of countless examples of what superstitious people are capable of when their fears get the better of them.” (18:50)
  • Despite this assault, Mary survived the night and lived another eleven years.
    • “Even though she had been beaten and hanged from a tree before being buried in the snow and left overnight, Mary had somehow survived.” (19:51)

The Legacy of Mary Webster & Margaret Atwood

• Margaret Atwood—descended from Mary—wrote Half-Hanged Mary, a poem from Mary’s perspective recounting her ordeal.
  • Mahnke quotes the final lines: “Before I was not a witch, but now I am one.” (20:39)
• The tale is framed as both cautionary and inspiring: “not because of the violence or accusations, but the victory she finally had over a community who shunned and abused her.” (20:26)

Bonus Folklore: The Legend of Debbie Griffin

• The final segment shares another story of a supposed witch, Debbie Griffin of Simsbury, Connecticut (24:58–30:40):
  • Griffin, an outcast famed for her skill at foraging and spinning impossibly fine yarn, becomes the scapegoat after a church theft.
  • The townsmen claim to have witnessed supernatural feats: Griffin vanishing into smoke, leaping into a pond after being shot, and never resurfacing.
  • “She didn’t fall over, though, not right away, raising the golden plate over her head. Debbie Griffin was said to have jumped high into the air before landing headfirst in the dark waters of the pond, and she never resurfaced.” (28:26)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the tradition of reruns:

  • Mahnke reflects: “For nearly 11 years, the lore team and I have created regular, brand new episodes without missing a release date. One of the costs of that priority, though, is that vacations rarely happen... Now, though, I see the benefit... and letting a classic story from our back catalog do the hard work so that they can have a break.” (00:54–01:49)

• On neighborly suspicion:

  • “It was easy to blame Merry Webster. She and Smith had not been on the best of terms, although few people in town were on good terms with her. She was cranky, you see.” (10:08)

• Mary Webster’s resilience:

  • “Even though she had been beaten and hanged from a tree before being buried in the snow and left overnight, Mary had somehow survived. In fact, she went on to live 11 more years before passing away in her 70s.” (19:51)

• Margaret Atwood’s poetic tribute:

  • On Half-Hanged Mary: “Before I was not a witch, but now I am one.” (20:39)

• Aaron Mahnke’s closing lesson:

  • “Clearly, the tale of Merry Webster is one of the most powerful, but not because of the violence or accusations, but the victory she finally had over a community who shunned and abused her.” (20:26–20:39)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:54–02:51 – Host introduction, Mahnke’s reflection on podcasting and reruns
• 02:51–09:20 – New England folklore & Simeon Smith’s story
• 09:20–19:51 – The story of Mary Webster: her history, trial, torment, lynching, and survival
• 19:51–20:39 – Mary’s legacy and Margaret Atwood’s poem
• 24:58–30:40 – The “One More Witch” tale: Debbie Griffin of Simsbury, Connecticut

Tone and Style

Mahnke’s narration is calm, even, and atmospheric, blending historical detail with folkloric eeriness. The storytelling is compassionate toward history’s victims, critical of mob mentality, and tinged with philosophical reflection on the dangers of unfounded fear.

Summary

This episode is essential Lore: a haunting meditation on how social fears and superstitions can destroy lives, contrasted by remarkable stories of resilience. Through the saga of Mary Webster and the legend of Debbie Griffin, Mahnke captures both the horror and humanity at the heart of America’s witch-craze history. For longtime listeners and newcomers alike, “Half-Hanged” remains an unforgettable tale—a reminder of the real cost of fear, and the quiet power of survival.