The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-20
The What-Is-it Outdone..
AN EXTRAORDINARY CREATURE DISCOVERED IN
THE FORESTS OF MISSISSIPPI.
From the vickshurg Herald, March IL

From the VlcR4purB Herald, Marcn L.
About twenty-five miles from this city is a
small stream, known as Bear Creek, which emp
ties into the Big Black River. For some time
nast. rs =. strange at Stories have been told BY the
negroes Of an extraordinary animal seen near
this creek. These stories were laughed at and
derided by the citizens, no one believing in
any such statements. This extraordinary
creature had often suddenly presented him
self among the negroes in the early twilight,
causing great CONSERVATION among them.
He is described by. the negroes as being
language, 'sas large as hens egg" with
no nose and no upper lip, his two eye
teeth as large as mans thumb, extending
down over his chin about eight inches; his
right foot points directly to the front, and the
left to the rear, and the measurement Of the
track is just twenty three inches in length; his
finger nails are about six inches long; the hair
on his head-which ls stiff and wiry,sweeps
the ground as he walks, and is parted in the
rear and brought down in front on each side Of
his singularly formed chest, which is not round
or fiat. but is anguler, like that of fowl The
hair on the body of this singular being is very
stiff and grows to the rear, parting at the
angle Of the breastbone, growing back, and
uniting with long, stiff growth on his spine,
which extends back about one foot like the
spinal fin of fish, or the bristles on the back
II II.
grows in the same way, making a long, thick
brush on the back of the arms, extending from
the shoulders to the point Of his middle finger.
Tne same popularity is observable on his legs.
No white person has ever seen him until re-
Gently, when he was discovered by hunting
party. Several Observation-Disclosures Of
ours-met on last Thursday week, with view
of bear hunting In the swamp. They were ac-
companied by about fifteen well-trained bear
dogs. They were prepared for the hunt early
in the morning, and, when about commencing,
their attention was attracted to an unusually
large human track in the soft soil upon exam
ination it was discovered that the track was
constantly being reversed. In an instant the
stories of the negroes occurred to the party,
and at once it was determined to pursue the
creature which had made this track. The dogs
the track; which they did promptly. The gen.
tlemen mounted upon good horses, found but
little difficulty in keeping well up with the
hounds. In few minutes an object was pre-
sented to their view which sent chill to the
heart Of every member of the party. They had
unearthed the nondescript. A being-apparent-
" human - suddenly arose from his lair,
turned, and for q moment stood in silent in
spection of his pursuers, and then instantly,
with a veil truly terrific, wheeled, and with the
speed Of the fastest horse, rushed away before
the dogs.
This wild and exciting chase was continued
for distance of nearly ten miles, when at last
the terrible monster, foaming with rage, was
brought to bay upon the banks OF the Big
Black, and turning with fury unparalleled, it
seized the foremost dog with both hands, and,
by the exercise Of superhuman muscular
strength, buried its long falons in the body of
the bowling, brute and literally tore the dog
asunder. Dropping this, it instantly seized
the next .and sent its two immense tusks
through the skull Of the doomed dog. One of
the hunters, becoming alarmed for the safety
Of the party, drew his revolver and fired twice
at the monster, but evidently without effect
other than to frighten it by the report, when,
turning with hideous yell, it plunged into the
river, diving and remaining under water fully
FIVE minutes, when it would suddenly spring
high into the air, screaming with the voice OF
a regiment Of soldiers. It finally swan to the
opposite side and disappeared in the neighbor-
ing forest, since which time it has only been
seen twice by white persons. Several attempts
have been made to capt1re it, but up to the
present time without SUCCESS.
What this strange creature is no one can
conjecture. The gentlemen with whom we
have conversed represent 1t as black man
about six feet high, but in other respects re-
sembling to o great degree the description
given by the negroes.
It has broken the negroes from attending
loyal leagues at night in that section Of the
country.