The Trial Against Tomatoes

Tomatoes, now a staple of many farming and agricultural areas of the United States, were once banned in that very country. Considered to be poisonous, the tasty red fruit was put on trial in the town of Salem, New Jersey, not to be confused with Salem, Massachusetts, famous for their witch trials. As legend has it, Robert Gibbon Johnson, credited with bringing tomatoes to America, ate a basket of tomatoes in front of the Salem courthouse to prove their safety. Did it really happen that way? Likely not, but it certainly is fun to think about. The event has been retold and dramatized, and for your entertainment, here’s a snippet from The Story of Robert Gibbon Johnson and the Tomato, as told by the Salem County Historical Society:

Col. Johnson announced that he would eat a tomato, also called the wolf peach, Jerusalem apple or love apple, on the steps of the county courthouse at noon. ... That morning, in 1820, about 2000 people were jammed into the town square. ... The spectators began to hoot and jeer. Then, 15 minutes later, Col. Johnson emerged from his mansion and headed up Market Street towards the Courthouse. The crowd cheered. The fireman's band struck up a lively tune. He was a very impressive-looking man as he walked along the street. He was dressed in his usual black suit with white ruffles, black shoes and gloves, tricorn hat, and cane. At the Court House steps he spoke to the crowd about the history of the tomato. ... He picked a choice one from a basket on the steps and held it up so that it glistened in the sun. ... "To help dispel the tall tales, the fantastic fables that you have been hearing ... And to prove to you that it is not poisonous I am going to eat one right now"... There was not a sound as the Col. dramatically brought the tomato to his lips and took a bite. A woman in the crowd screamed and fainted but no one paid her any attention; they were all watching Col. Johnson as he took one bite after another. ... He raised both his arms, and again bit into one and then the other. The crowd cheered and the firemen's band blared a song. ... "He's done it", they shouted. "He's still alive"

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