Once again, I’d like to remind my readers that I will be at the West Virginia Book Festival on October 19. I would love it if anyone showed up.

Oct. 7, 1854—Poet Julian Maplethorpe is found confused and weakened, sitting on a bench in Pandemonium town square that morning, dying that night seemingly without cause. Maplethorpe, a Stranger, lived in Pandemonium his whole life and was often notable in the state of South Carolina as being one of the few abolitionists in the state. Maplethorpe’s last words were “the green flame” which he repeated over and over after being found until his death.

Oct. 8, 1961—Following a speech by President Kennedy, Todd Whitfield, Pastor of the Stranger church, encourages his congregation to build bunkers in the event of nuclear war. Whitfield sets a good example, building one such bunker under the rectory.

Oct. 9, 1651—Phineas Sineater succeeds Thomas Cramner as Satanic High Priest of the Pandemonium coven. As Cramner’s first successor, Sineater is sacked and run out of town after proposing to the Strangers that the Witches be allowed to use their slaves for human sacrifice.

Oct. 10, 1902—The Pandemonium Suffragette Society is founded for the purpose of supporting votes for women. The first meeting turns fractious, however, as the Fieldhands send a delegation, leading the Witches to walk out.

Oct. 11, 1822—A steam powered ferry begins running between Pandemonium and the mainland, making travel and commerce easier. The ferry is stopped late that week by a group of Strangers, demanding to see how the boat runs without wind and making crazed accusations of witchcraft.

Oct. 12, 1692—The Salem Witch trials end. Witches in Pandemonium celebrate, with Satanic High Priest James Flamel famously stating, “Thank Satan below that none of his true servants died, only innocents.”

Oct. 13, 1924—The Ze’ev establish a local chapter of the B’Nai B’rith, engaging in Philanthropy and fighting anti-semitism. Several anti-semites from the Stranger side of the tracks attempt to break up the meeting, only to arrive a few minutes after the Ze’ev’s transformation and being torn to shreds.