It isn’t often that you get to hear of a truly juicy story. I had my lucky day however. It was way back when I had youthful ears that pricked up at any bit of a story I could overhear. It wasn’t clear if the full story would ever be told at all, but I was gripped by it because it made so much sense.
It explained a lot of the fears and also anxieties people had at the time that were originating from far off places but lived inside them. These places aren’t ordinary towns and cities or rural areas we’ve come to know. In some periods in our history people have come together across other lines.
In this instance it happened over slaughter houses. In years since these industrial sites have been transformed, but before they were subject of intense suspicion. It was a day of rural primitivism that prevailed amongst those who believed all things like that came hand in hand.
Now we accept what we have because we believe it’s better. It wasn’t the case back then. The concerns grew stronger and yet the cry against it couldn’t raise itself. This meant an intense investigation was needed to begin and it started in a small way with small measures.
It was a start that was needed, however, and it began to unravel as soon as it began to be looked into. There were tales of people leaving abattoirs and villages beginning to thin out. This was because answers were given to pertinent questions. It was the kind of resolution that was needed.
The long story cut short is policing began to be confused with military service and in turn politics and religion were mixed in but with more words. It created a fulcrum of disturbing activity which was mixed into the rites of passage of ordinary living.
It wasn’t a cult, but it was powerful enough in its effect. It couldn’t spread institutionally so it didn’t become a movement in the way it was feared it could be. It proved sadistic enough to inspire anyone inclined to it. It was hated by the farming community and they were able to kick it out.
