Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-01
From the vicksSurg Herald, March ~ 777.'
An Extraordinary Creature Discovered
in Mississippi.


An Extraordinary Creature Discovered
in Mississippi.
About twenty. five miles from this city is q
small stream known as Bear Creek, which
empties into the Big Black River. For some
time past strange stories have been told by
the negroes of an extraordinary animal seen
near this creek. These stories were laughed
at and de,ided by the citizens, no one believ-
ing in ~! any sucl: statements. This extra-
ordinary creature had often suddenly present.
ed himself among the negroes in the esrly
twilight, causing great CONSERVATION among
them. He is described by the negroes as be.
ing about eight f ct high, each eye, in their
language "as large as hens egg," with no
nose aud no ur!er lip, his two eye teeth as
large as inshs 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 Jus, t~s'ir three inches in length his 6n-
ger nails are about six inches long; the hair
on his head-rlici is stiff and wiry-sweeps
the ground As he walks, aud is parted in the
rear and brong.t down in front on each side
of his aingularly formed chest. which is not
round or Aat, hut is angular like that of a
loul. The hair On the body Of this singular
being is very stiff. aod grows to the rear,
parting at the nagle Of the brcast-bone, grow.
ing back, and uniting with long, still growth
on bis spine. which extends back one foot
like the spinal fin of Gsh, or the bristles on
the back OF o bDar-the hair on his arms is
parted, and grows in tie same way, making
a long, thick brush on the back Of the arms.
extending from the shoulders to the point of
his middle finger. The same popularity is
observable OF his legs. No white person has
ever seen him putil recently, when he was
discovered ny hunting party. Several gen.
tlemen-acquaintances of ours-met on last
Thursday week With view of bear hunting
in this swamp They were accompanied by
about fifteen we'll trained bear dogs. They
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 examination it
was discovered that the track was constantly
being reversed. IN an instant the stories of
the negroes occurred to tie party, and at
once it was determined to pursue the creature
which i.Gd lnadc this track. TIE dogs were
instantly called and encouraged to follow the
arack which they did promptly. The gentle
men. mounted upon good horses, found but
little difficulty in keeping we'll up with the
hounds. In few minutes su object was pre-.
sented to their view which sent chill to
the heart Of every member ofthe party. They
had unearthed the noudescript. A being
apparently human-suddenly arose from his
lair turned and for moment stood in silent
inspection Of his pursuers, and then instantly
with yell truly terrific, wheeled and with
the speed Df tue fastest borse, rushed away
before the dogs This wild and exciting chase
was continued for distance OF nearly ten
miles. when at last the terrible monstor
foaming with rage, was brought to bay IN
the bank of the Big Black, and turnp nth
fury unparalleled, it seized the forer Jst dog
With both hands, and by the exercise of gu
perhuman muscular strength, buried its long
talons in the body Of the bowling brute and
literally tore the dog asnnder. Dropping this
it instantly seized tie next and sent its two
immense tusks throughthe skull Of the DOOM
ed dog. Ore ofthe hu9ters becoming alarm
I'd for the safety Of the party, drew his re-
vover and fired twice at the monster, 5ut
without effect other than to frighien it by
the report, when, turning, with hideous yell
it plunged into the river, diving and remain
r? under water fully five minutes, when it
oould suddenly spring high into the air,
screaming with the voice OF a regiment of sol.
diers. 1t finally swan to the opposite side
and disappeared in the neighooring Forest
since which time it has only been seen twice
by white persons. Several attempts have
been made to capture it, but up to the pres
cnt time without success. What this strange
creature is, no one can conjecture. The gem
tlcmen wi:h whom We have conyerscd repre-
sent it as L black man about six feet high,
but in other respects resembling, to grest
degree, the description given by the ncgros.
1t has broken the negroes from attending
Loyal Leagues at night in that section OF
Country.