Why did the people back in JSs day punish people with tarring and feathering? I understand that the person is covered with tar. It is hard to get off and hurts etc. But what are the feathers for? ISn't the tar enough? I know this is a weird question but I really want to know.
Tar and feathering was actually a dark ages / medieval punishment. Usually when Pine tar was used during construction of log and stone homes to help in thatching roofs and waterproofing ships. Beds were stuffed with feathers so when a "rascal" was to be thrown out of town, his bed mattress was ripped open to cover him in the feathers.
My guess is that in those days it took weeks or months for the feathers to wear off the sticky tar, which would subject the person to continued harassment from those in contact.
Another reason tarring and feathering was common was that the tar could cause at least second degree burns if it were hot enough, which would be more likely to get infected. As antibiotics were a relatively recent thing in history, an infection was more likely to kill someone, and with so much of the torso being covered with burns, that type of punishment was an even slower way to kill someone than if the feathers were actually lit.
If other sticky substances were used in the tarring portion, then it would be more of a way to humiliate the victim. As Smith's skin was described as raw after his tarring and feathering, then the type he had was more of the first type, vigilante justice. Since that wasn't enough to kill him, he was shot in that gun fight in that jail.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/24/2014 01:14PM by adoylelb.