Cincinnati.com: The tale of Ohio's only known witch trial
Dressing like a witch at Halloween is now commonplace, but witchery was once dangerous business
Professor Janine Hartman, who teaches a course at the University of Cincinnati titled Women and Witchcraft, was interviewed for a feature story in the Cincinnati Enquirer on the topic of witches in Ohio’s history.
Just in time for Halloween, the article focuses on the 1803 Ohio Witch Trial in Bethel, Ohio. The trial was modeled after prior witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts…but had a much better outcome. As it turned out, the local accused of being a witch most likely had epilepsy.
Since then, movies like “Harry Potter” and “Hocus Pocus” have gentled the idea of witches and witchcraft.
"Something has changed in our culture," Hartman said, adding: Acting like, dressing like or even claiming to be a witch, is now “as American as apple pie."
However: "We have such narrow beliefs," Hartman says in the article, pointing to the fact that “many buildings still don't have 13th floors and animal shelters still report that black dogs and cats are harder to find homes for.”
Featured image of witch from iStock/Katerina Sisperova
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
How aerospace is turning to trustworthy AI
January 6, 2026
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Lynn Pickering talks to the Ohio Federal Research Network about her research into artificial intelligence and the future of AI in aerospace engineering.
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.