130 years ago in 1895, transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator:

Judas hanged. His body is then riddled with bullets and blood flows. The Greeks celebrate Easter. Judas, whose body is all filled with fire crackers, finally set on fire.

Greeks from all the surrounding country as far distant as Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Meadville, with all the members of the local Greek colony, took part in the Easter celebration of the hanging of Judas Iscariot yesterday. The celebration took place in what is known as Moherman’s woods, about four miles west of the city, near the limits of Mill Creek Park.

The ceremonies of the celebration began at daybreak and the enjoyment of the occasion was continued until dark. Before sunrise yesterday morning many of the Greeks who were to take part in the ceremonies left the city in carriages and wagons, the coffin containing the effigy of Judas occupying a place in one of the wagons. Preparations for the celebration were begun as soon as the woods were reached. Three sheep were sacrificed and their carcasses were prepared and roasted over leg fires placed at the angles of a triangle.

About 10 o’clock in the morning the ceremony of the hanging of Judas took place. The effigy was taken from the coffin and carried beneath a tree from a limb which dangled a rope, fitted with a hangman’s noose. The noose was placed around the neck of the effigy and amid jeering cries it was pulled high into the air. The rope was then secured and for a short time the wind was allowed to caper with the hand-me-down suit with which Judas was arrayed.

At a given signal revolvers were pulled and shooting at the effigy begun until… the body was riddled with bullets.

Inside the effigy had been concealed a large bottle of red ink. Almost the first bullet fired broke the bottle letting out a stream of red fluid that much resembled blood, and made the scene so realistic, that a Reuben among the large crowd of spectators present became so excited that he rushed through the crowd and demanded that the murder cease, and would not be quieted until convinced that what he thought was blood was only red ink.

After almost everyone had taken a shot at Judas, the effigy was cut down and placed on a funeral pyre built of logs, which was set on fire and the effigy cremated. Judas had been stuffed with fire crackers, and when the fire reached them there was a grand explosion, which blew Judas to smithereens.

During the ceremony of the cremation the Greeks danced around the pyre in a dance peculiar to themselves, and which in its movements and gestures much resembled an Indian war dance, as described by those who have witnessed the latter. After Judas had been disposed of the crowd, everyone being invited, feasted on roast mutton and regaled itself on fruits, wine and something stronger until darkness put an end to the celebration.

Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator by Dante Bernard, Mahoning Valley Historical Society Museum educator.