The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-29
Joe. Mulhattan's Wonderful Dis
covery in the Vicinity Of
the Broadwater.
Ho Tells of the Finding OF a Sub
terranean Lake and q
Peculiar Race.
Two Captures Mad Which viii be Exhib-
tied Mt Parchen's and the Hotel
Hclcna-Th0 Aiiidnvit.

The original Joe Mulhattan, who ia visit
ing a sister residing at Woodside, in Mis-
soula county, has been spending n few days
in Helena. Friday he made one of q party
that went out to the Brondwater. After
looking over the grounds uniting the nata-
forum and hotel, the day being pleasant.
ths visitors concluded to take a tramp over
the surrounding hills. About six miles
from the cave the party ran across a cave
which they named the spirit Cnvo.'' says
Mulhatton. I'm it," he continued. I'VE
discovered in q aubterranean lake a race Of
human beings, with scales and tails. They
are amphibious and subsist on eyeless fish,
bats and mushrooms, which abound in great
rrofusion in this wonderful cavern, which
is undoubtedly the largest and most beau
tiful in all America. Its avenues, which
branch off in various directions, will meas-
ure, in all probability, twenty miles.
well known and responsible citizens of
Helena who were with me can vouch
for the ~yeracity Of these statements. We
suooesded In capturing one Of the females.
She is a genuine mermaid, beyond all ques-
ton. About fifty others that were playing
with her on the banks OF the subterranenn
lake plunged into its deep waters as the ex-
ploring party approached them. The cries
and struggles of the captive mermaid we're
indeed terrible; it required all the efforts Of
her captors to hold her, such g Herculean
task being rendered the more difficult OF
account of her slippery scales. She finally
went into Mysteries and tainted as she fell
into the arms of one of the party. 1t was
deemed best o'leave her at Kessler's place,
where Mr.. Keasler has a few unused beer
tanks, in one of which they placed tho mer-
maid. Drs. Cole and Carmiohal will
bring her to Helena. She will be placed in
q tank now building for her in the rear Of
Pnrchen's drug store. " i@
"She is a very beautiful creature with
pearly teeth. Her hair is rsven-black and
falls in great profusion and l~uxuriousness
about four foet down her back. She ia fine
specimen physically, stands about five feet
ten inches, and weighs one hundred and
seventy pounds. She can articulate and
apparently talk with great vehemence, like
all other females. A doctor who wa, in the
party. captured one of the males of this
singular race of a%mphibious human beings.
after q desperate struggle. The doctor will
nav a large glass tank built for the mer-
man, which he will place in the rotunda Of
the Helena hotel, whore thousands of tour
ists and the scientific world generally can
have the opportunity of gazing upon this,
the greatest Of all modern discoveries. IN a
living and progressive age. "
"Ihe norman Is a very handsome fellow
His beard is raven-blaok and reaches down
his breast Of shining scales about three
feet. His hair ia of the same color and
about the same length as his whiskers. His
moustache is about six inches ON either
side and is very luxuriant. He weighs two
hundred and thirty-seven pounds. I for
got to mention that these amphiblous peo-
pie have long a%ppendages or tails closely
resembling those of the alligator. The tail
of this mermaid measures three feet and
three feet and eleven inches, and eovared
with scales" Z
Mr.. Mulhattanss story was such a re-
markabls one that no one in Til %INpEpEND.
N office would creditit, especially az none
of tho parties whom he named as being of
the party could be found, either to sub
stantiate or deny it. 81 had an idea you
secured the following afidavit:'
10 WHOM TT MAY CONCERN: Before me,
a notary public, in and for the county of
Lewis and Clarke, state of Montana, ap-
pearsd DR.. G. X. Cole, Attorneys General
Haskell, Judge Armitage and Jerome Norris,
who hereby testify on oath that a race of
amphibious human beings, with scales and
tails was discovered in a subterranean lake
near the Broadwater hotel, Feb. 26, 1892.
"Subscribed and sworn to before me this
9th day of February 1899.
JAMES SANDERS, SR.,
Notary Public. Helena. Montana"
It was quite late last evening when Mr..
Mulhattan called: too late to interview
Mr.. Parchen or Mr.. Kessler, and neither
could be raised by telephone. An effort
will be made to-day to get at the merits Of
h story.