Rather than ask themselves how Costa Rican wildlife officials managed to capture 13 creatures undevoured, some readers bought the tale. Until the Feb. 14 issue of the Echo revealed the hoax, chaos reigned in parts of Webster County. The regional DNR office began getting irate phone calls from concerned citizens. One guy reportedly ran over one with his car. According to a local conservation officer, a brawl almost broke out at a lumber company in Cowen between those who believed in the abbagoochie and those who didn't.
Beliefs die hard.
Even though it's since been unmasked as a hoax, I'll lay even money that the mythical abbagoochie will continue to haunt the hills and hollows of West Virginia for years to come.