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5 Myths of Tarring and Feathering
Journal of the American Revolution ^ | 12/13/2013 | J.L. Bell

Posted on 10/07/2014 7:57:28 AM PDT by Textide

1. Myth:

Tarring and feathering could be fatal.

Busted:

The notion that hot tar caused severe, sometimes fatal burns is based on the assumption that “tar” meant the asphalt we use on roads, which is typically stored in liquid state at about 300°F (150°C). But in the eighteenth century “tar” meant pine tar, used for several purposes in building and maintaining ships. As any baseball fan knows, pine tar doesn’t have to be very hot to be sticky. Shipyards did warm that tar to make it flow more easily, but pine tar starts to melt at about 140°F (60°C). That’s well above the ideal for bathwater, but far from the temperature of hot asphalt.

Pine tar could be hot enough to injure someone. The Loyalist judge Peter Oliver complained that when a mob attacked Dr. Abner Beebe of Connecticut, “hot Pitch was poured upon him, which blistered his Skin.” But other victims of tarring and feathering didn’t mention severe or lasting burns among their injuries. Rioters probably applied the tar with a mop or brush, lowering its temperature. Sometimes they tarred people more gently over their clothing.

(Excerpt) Read more at allthingsliberty.com ...


TOPICS: Education; History; Society
KEYWORDS: fedup; tarandfeather
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To: Textide

It was done for humiliation. If it injured them I don’t think too many were concerned but that was not the intent. If they were feeling murderous they’d have strung them up.


21 posted on 10/07/2014 8:51:01 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: dblshot

Stop complaining and plant some pine trees!


22 posted on 10/07/2014 8:51:59 AM PDT by jiggyboy
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To: Textide
It’s always good to know such things

Only 140 degrees? Hell, and here I've been lying awake worrying about all the neighbors I've p---ed off.

Bring it!

23 posted on 10/07/2014 8:59:43 AM PDT by Fightin Whitey
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To: SpinnerWebb

I did. I want hot tar. Not honey or pine tar. Harry deserves the full monty with asphalt tar.


24 posted on 10/07/2014 9:17:09 AM PDT by longfellow (Bill Maher, the 21st hijacker.)
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To: Textide

We used to buy pine tar in cans at the hardware store. Open it wit a can tapper and it would flow just fine without heating. We used it to seal up a cow’s head when we cut her horns off.
Also used it to patch a leaky roof.


25 posted on 10/07/2014 9:29:30 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: longfellow

can *I* wear the blindfold, then?


26 posted on 10/07/2014 9:31:56 AM PDT by SpinnerWebb (IN-SAPORIBVS-SICVT-PVLLVM)
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To: SpinnerWebb

OH sorry, I didn’t really think that image through.


27 posted on 10/07/2014 9:33:04 AM PDT by longfellow (Bill Maher, the 21st hijacker.)
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To: Textide

fiberglass house insulation. Or would that be too cruel.


28 posted on 10/07/2014 9:37:54 AM PDT by CJ Wolf
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To: jaydee770
if you get gorilla-glue anywhere on you, within just a minute or two it will not wash off.

Gorilla glue "sets" by absorbing moisture!

Regards,
GtG

29 posted on 10/07/2014 10:26:20 AM PDT by Gandalf_The_Gray (I live in my own little world, I like it 'cuz they know me here.)
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To: jaydee770

Gorilla glue and packing foam peanuts.


30 posted on 10/07/2014 10:30:04 AM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: Textide

I’ve been calling for tar and feathers for several gov’t idiots recently. Thanks for the info.
LOL
(Sarcasm in neutral)


31 posted on 10/07/2014 11:07:11 AM PDT by TheConservativeParty (Colleen Hufford, American. We will never forget.)
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To: CrazyIvan

Also “repeat as necessary”.


32 posted on 10/07/2014 11:09:24 AM PDT by TheConservativeParty (Colleen Hufford, American. We will never forget.)
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To: Textide

We can do better than this. Think what a boon spray-on tar would be! You could always have a can ready for city council meetings, party conferences, visits by luminaries, eco-nazies, race-baiters, Algore...I smell a business opportunity here.


33 posted on 10/07/2014 11:13:24 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: CJ Wolf

“fiberglass house insulation. Or would that be too cruel.”

No - considering who we’d like to tar, I’d say your constraint is admirable. I guess feces would not adhere well to tar or glue, would it?


34 posted on 10/07/2014 11:14:56 AM PDT by TexasRepublic (Socialism is the gospel of envy and the religion of thieves)
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To: Billthedrill; jaydee770
Good idea! Like jaydee770 posted earlier, adhesive technology has advanced. Blisters begone from tar and feather victims!


35 posted on 10/07/2014 11:25:05 AM PDT by Textide (Lord, grant that I may always be right, for thou knowest I am hard to turn. ~ Scotch-Irish prayer)
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To: Textide

Sounds pretty safe to me. Time to bring it back.


36 posted on 10/07/2014 12:30:11 PM PDT by Sans-Culotte (Psalm 14:1 ~ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”)
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To: dblshot

They used molasses and feathers in Memphis wrestling with no fatal effects...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqxFSdZHC2U


37 posted on 10/10/2014 8:29:21 AM PDT by stratman1969 (IMPEACH, REMOVE, & IMPRISON OBAMA)
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To: golux; MrB
Hold on, you two! I fear you are both lurching toward Political Incorrectness.

Before tarring and feathering anyone with Stockholm Tar (The Yacht-Club version of plain old Pine Tar), permit me to suggest a much more non-racist adhesive that dries or cures clear and at ambient temperature: good old Polyester Resin. Make sure you do not use inappropriately coloured feathers: Rhode Island Red? Out. Plymouth Rock? Out. White Domestic Turkey or Leghorn? In. (and particularly appropriate for Dingy Harry Reid)

Plus, the Resin and Feather treatment can be applied with a chopper-gun, meaning you could be done and outa there before the SWAT arrives. Good luck and gentil plumerai la tete.

38 posted on 10/11/2014 9:43:31 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (Program. Plan. Leader?)
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To: Kenny Bunk
gentil plumerai la tete, is, of course, a "pleasant feathering of the head."

Je te plumerai la tete, pronounced the same would of course mean "I am going to scalp you."

Is it any wonder "Je t'aime" means

"I like you reasonably well"

and

"I am in love with you."

Is it any wonder our Founders adored the French?
39 posted on 10/11/2014 11:30:38 AM PDT by golux
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