The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-08-31
MONSTER OF IssOIR.
MYSTERY or THE FouRTEENTA AR
RoNDlssEMENT or PARIS.

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MYSTERY or TIE FouRTEENTH AR
RoNDlssEMENT or PARIS.
Singular Disappearance Of Many Tnhabit-
ants Of the 0uarter-Entfclng It's vic
tims with STusic-Death or the Gigantic
Spider.
For many years it is undeniably stat
cd that In the fourteenth arrondisse-
ment Of Paris-called the tombof Issoir
Ia number Of persons living in that
quarter had mysteriously and periodic
ally disappeared. The most careful re-
searches, the most minute inquiries, the
most skillful agents Of the police had
failed to discover the least trace Of them.
Every year successfully some inhab-
itants Of this quarter would suddenly
disappear leaving their friends over
whelmed with grief and anxiety. Il is
also stated that these strange, inexpli-
cable facts always occurred in the early
spring--from the 20th TO the last Of
March-and without regard TO age or
sex.
First o notary disappeared It was
thought he had used his clients funds
and fed to parts unknown. Then an old
woman, returning late n night from
market, wa the next victim. then Q la
borer going home from work. The last
victim had been q young girl-a flower
maker ont late delivering her goods.
From that time she had a. completely
disappeared as IL the earth had opened
and swallowed her mp. Strange to say,
no children had been among the VIC
Tins.
This peculiar fact was accounted for
in this way. These mysterious disap-
pearances always occurred late at night,
when the children were at home asleep.
AS the time was drawing near for one
Of these periodical mysteries the chief
Of police became very anxious and in
stituted a strict surveillance, confiding
the matter to q number of the most skill
full of his assistants, hoping the COM
bined efforts of SO many jealous agents
would surely be crowned with success.
You will now see the result.
One night-this fact can be verified
by applying 20 the Office OF the prefec-
ture-apoliceman about 3 O'Clock in the
morning heard a distant musical song,
which seemed TO come from the bowels
Of the earth He listened and fancied
the sounds came from an opening in the
center OF the street, ut tho foot of nm
enormous rock called the tomb of Is
soir, or the Giants cave.
Il may be interesting TO state that this
rock derived it's name from d legend
that . great giant had been buried there
many years before the Christian era,
and this rock had been placed there 10
mark the tomb.
Surprised at this strange discovery
for the opening had never been noticed
before-the policeman waited, listening
TO this peculiar song, when he suddenly
saw q young man approaching. he
knew from his costume that he was a
countryman lately arrived in the city.
This young man also seemed to hear
the subterranean sounds, first walking
slowly with . peculiar wayering step,
as If In cadence with this musical chant,
then faster and faster as he drew near
the fatal rock, until he ran with such
velocity that in spite Of the warning
cries OF the policeman he was swallow
ed mp i'm this mysterious opening. With
out taking moment 10 consider the
policeman recklessly followed, first iir-
ing his revolver and giving one Or two
vigorous blasts ON his whistle.
At this signal several Of his comrades
quickly arrived. The musical Chanting
had ceased, but they could hear In the
dark, cavernous depths the mufiied
sounds of q desperate struggle.
By the aid of ropes and ladders they
succeeded in entering ahis mysterious
chasm. The light of their lamps reveal
ed a sickening sight.
The countryman was lying on his
back writhing In the grasp of an nm
known monster, whose horrible aspect
froze the agents OF police with terror.
It was as large as q full grown ter
rier, covered with wartlike protuber-
'ances and bristling with coarse brown
fish hair. Eight jointed legs, terminated
by formidable claws, were buried In the
body of the unfortunate victim. The
face had already disappeared. Nothing
could be seen but the top of the head,
and the monster was now engaged in
tearing and sucking the blood from his
threat.
AS soon Is they recovered from their
horror and surprise . dozen balls struck
the body Of this sanguinary beast.
He raised up on his legs, q greenish,
bloody liquid flowing from his wounds,
and. with q frightful cry, expired
The first policeman, who had given
the alarm, was lying unconscious In one
corner Of the cavern, where he had fall
en-, . distance Of 80 feet
II was with great difficulty they III
ceeded I'M removing the two bodies and
the unknown monster from the cavern.
The poor countryman was dead, but the
policeman was 500 restored TO life.
The agents Immediately sant for the
commissioner Of police, who summoned
. naturalist In great haste.
The first established the identity or
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