No Grass On The Grave, Strangely Enough, G. B Colby.

No Grass On The Grave,
Strangely Enough, G. B Colby.

In 1821, John Newton, a Welshman, was sentenced to death by hanging for a crime he stoutly maintained he did not commit. All through his long and controversial trial he continued to insist upon his innocence, but the two main witnesses against him were prominent citizens of the town, and their word carried more weight than his.

They were unwavering in their accusations against him, for if John Newton were acquitted, suspicion would fall on them. Their stories were long and loud, and at last the court was convinced of his guilt. As the death sentence was passed on him, Newton turned to the judge and jury and said quietly, "I am innocent, and no grass will grow over my grave for a generation to prove it."

In due time he was hanged, and his body was buried in the local churchyard. Although no one really believed what he had said, the sod was replaced with special care. In a matter of days, however, the newly replaced sod turned brown and died. Not only did the grass over his grave wither, but the bare spot of earth was in the shape of his coffin. The towns people, disturbed over what they considered a mere coincidence, promptly replaced the sod, only to have the new grass die for no apparent reason.

Several attempts were made to break the curse of John Newton. Fresh soil was put over his grave and special grass seed planted there, but to no avail. The bare spot remained mute testimony to his innocence. In 1852, an article about the incident was published. "Thirty years have passed," it said, "and the grass has not covered John Newton's grave."

This account rekindled interest in the case, and a new attempt was made to fill in the rectangular area. Fresh sod was brought to the churchyard and care- fully set into place. Soon the grass over the head of the grave died as before, but for some time the rest of the area was partially covered with the new growth. However, a few months later that too withered, and once again the accusing coffin shape appeared. In 1886, more than a generation after John Newton was hanged, the spot was still bare, but then a change began to be noticed.

Grass started to grow on the sides and fill in the area. The grassy spot gradually took a new shape. The grave was never completely covered, but by 1941 the grass upon it had assumed the shape of a cross.