The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-10
HALF BIRD, HALF BEAST.
The Remarkable Creature Shot by O
Canadian Farmer.
E,.o-, IN, NJ. Uya.y. ~.
from the NetO York Pres.

From the NetU York Press.
MONTREAL, Sept. ga most extraor-
binary story comes from toilette to-day,
which, If true, leaves forever buried In the
shadowy shade of oblivion the most fan
tRstic sea serpent that ever plowed the
briny. 1t is an account of the killing at
the little village Of Ste. Emelie de rEuergie
of monster half bird, half beast, whose
classification will puzzle the most deeply
learned naturalist. While have not seen
the monster in question the Enquirer cor
respondent has the story from the mouth Of
Medard Lassalle, worthy and reputable
farmer of Ste. Emelie de pEnergie whose
SOD, Joseph Lassalle, captured and killed it,
and also from three well known residents of
toilette, where the monster now is being
prepared for exhibition to the scientists OF
MoGill University of Montreal
The storysof the capture of the bird beast
and Its description are as follows: For
two weeks past the farmers OF Ste Emelie
| de PEnergie and neighboring villages have
suffered from the depredatlons Of some beast
Of prey. who nightly visited their sheep
folds and carried off some of the finest
lambs. 1t was generally supposed that a
bear was in the neiRhborhood, and the
farmers have been on the alert for the capt.
ure of his bearship.
On Wednesday Of last week, Joseph Las
sale, big young fellow of Is years, went
in search of the supposed bear, armed with
a double barreled rifle. Some five miles
back in the woods from the village named
ne was startled by hearing loud croaking
cry, and looking upward he saw, oircling
high up in the air, an immense creature
that he at first took to be a monster
eagle.
The bird, or whatever ii was, was rap
idly descending and Lassalle, who ia q crack
marksman, took careful aim and fred The
monster was struck and badly wounded by
the heavy rife bullet, and, screaming with
pain and rage, it came tumblinR to the
earth. AS it landed he gave it the other
barrel OF the rifle, and still thinking it was
an eagle, rushed on it with his clubbed gun.
A terrible battle ensued, lasting for ssv-
eral moments; then the victory was with
the man and the monster lay dead at his
feet. He had now time for a ooser inspec-
ton of his game, but the thing presented
such an awful and unnatural appearance
that he was terror stricken and ran back to
the village for help.
he was accompanied back by his father
and four other young farmers. The mon
ster was then carefully examined by the
farmers, who described it as follows: 1t
had two great wings measuring fifteen feet
from tip TO tip. The head, which was
nfteen inches IN circumference, resembled
that OF large monkey. The body was five
AooV IOliks anu Wulle Une DdCK part was
covered with big black feathers, the under
part was covered with a fur or coarse hair.
The feet or claws resembled the legs of a
wolf, and under the tail feathers was a loug
appendage with a tuft at the end that
looked like the tail of a calf Lying with
wings extended on the ground the
monster looked as big as a horse,
and when weighed was found TO turn
the scale at 300 pounds A team had
to be sent to bring 1t back to the village.
Then IL was seen by Alderie Charland, a
councillor Of the town Of toilette, who was
going through the country purchasing pro-
duce. lie bought the monster probably for
exhibition purposes from the Lassalles, and
Friday evening last it was brought by train
TO his place OF business in Toilette, where 10
IS now in process OF preparation to prevent
decay, after which IL will be shipped to this
city for scientific examination. Those who
claim to have seen the monster say 1t IS the
most extraordinary sight they ever wit
messed, and 1t is hardly possible that all the
respectable meu who tell the story about it
can be lying, and, If not. what can the
monster be that is at present causing such a
sensation in the Toilette district OF the
province.