The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-11-15
The Independent State.
ANOTHER TERROR PINACLE
YARN.
One OF the Jules vcrne's Cutie Fish
Cayorting Around in Elk River

VIC SukaO
Cayorting Around in Elk River
Another ingenious gentleman, whose
main fault. we reckon, is that he is
troubled with diseased imagination,
has been connecting yarn in relation
to the wonders Of the Independent
State; which. while it answers very
we'll for sensation, is not nearly so
we'll materializcd as the Terror Pima
Gle story. The Courier is the party
sold this time; and tho yarn readeth
as follows: Enclosed you find the uc-
count Of an almost incredible event
which occurred yesterday. We're not
tho gentlemen who related tho circum-
stances to your correspondent men of
irreproachable character and uuim-
peachcd veracity. he would have hest
tatcd somewhat ere he vouched for the
truthfulness Of the story. as hc receiv-
ed it from their own lips. But
Messrs. Zachariah and James Andrew
Thorps are so we'll known to this com.
munity that we are not permitted to
doubt their words. Mr.. James An
drew Thorps is the gentleman who
was mentioned last Fall as most suit
able person to gil tho Office Of Sergeant
at Arms for the State Senate. He
says that his brother and himself were
on Elk river in their skiff. They had
Just passed the Blue Hole, so called
from the color Of its water Which in
tina, place is 50 deep that tie opinion
prevails among many that no bottom
can be found to it. They were ap.
p.oaching the fish reservoir lately built
by Mr.. Samuel Given, the popular
landlord Of the Addison Hotel, when a
remarkable noise and great splashiug
Of water attracted their attention. and
they became horror stricken at the
sight of an immense. and to them un-
Known monster, which was causing
havoc and destruction among the fish
within the palisades. The body Of
the animal was nearly tho size OF a
common barrel; its eyes were very
large, bright and horrid its horny
jaws resembled 10 shape tue beak of a
hawk. With its aeshy arms, come 5
or 10 feet in length, it could reach in
every direction and seize its prey;
they we're likewise used as instruments
Of loc.motion; its head always went
last. and it seems to push itself buck.
wards ia whatever direction it wanted
to move. Mr.. Thurp md others lo.k.
ed upon this strange sight with awe
and wonder, for several minutes. but
soon had to arouse themselves from
tho state Of horrid stupor 10 which
,hey we're, and prepare for the fight.
Fastening one Of its boards on the
bending limb Of an ovcrhauging tree.
the monster cleared all obstacles and
made q bold attack on the boat,
and would have capsizcd it, and proba.
bly, dragged them to depths unknown.
had not Mr.. J. A. Thorps caught au
axe, which was fortunately ut baud.
and with well.aimed blows severed
two Of the animals arms from the
body. The cuttle.ish, for such i,
must have been, disappeared in the
mud hole. The excitement has no,
yet subsidized. Several persons have
resolved to watch for tho Devil and
capture him il they can. The ampu'
tated boards, which had fallen in the
skif, weso brought to Mr.. P. I, Duf.
fy's store, aud shown there to a wild
and excited crowd. Tho cups or suck
ers. we're of q sufficient capacity to
hold upwards Of two GALLONS of water,
aud the thickness Of the arms were
such that few persons present could
clasp them. Mr.. P. F., Duffy is one
Of the committee appointed to repre-
sent this county at the Centennial.
BE has reported this remarkable occur.
renee to Hon. A. R. Botelcr, aud pro.
poses to have these boards stuffed aud
forwarded to Philadelphia, next sum.
mer, among other rare productions,
and specimens abounding il Webster
county. Can any one account for this
heretofore unheard Of phenomenon,
the appearance off sea fish in the
mountains Of West Virginia? Will
not this event reopen the long dis.
cussed but still uusolred problem Of
subterranean streams and lakes?