San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-09-15
MONSTER OF IsSOIR.
MYSTERY OF THE FOURTEENTH AR
RoNpISsEMENT OF PARIS.

ants of the Quarter-Enticing Its Vic
Tins with Musis-Dsath OF the Gigantic
Spider.
For many years it is undeniably stat
ment of Paris-ealled the tomb of IsSoir
"a number of persons living in that
quarter had MyEteriously 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. 1t is
also stated that these strange, inexph-
cable facts always occurred in the early
spring-from the goth to the last of
March-and without regard to age or
sex.
First a notary disappeared. 1t was
thought he had used his clients funds
and fed to parts unknown. Then an old
woman, returning late one night from
market, was the next victim, then Ia
borer going home from work. The last
victim had been young girl-a flower
maker out late delivering her goods.
From that time she had as completely
disappeared as if the earth had opened
and swallowed her up. 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 a 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 to the Office of the prefec-
ture-a policeman about o'clock in the
morning heard 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, at the foot of an
enormous rock called the tomb of Is
soir, or the Giants cave.
1t may be interesting to state that this
rock derived its name from legend
that great giant had been buried there
many years before the Christian era,
and this rock had been placed there TO
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 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 a peculiar wavering 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 i'll spite of the warning
cries of the policeman he was swallow |
ed up in this mysterious opening. With
out taking a moment to consider the |
policeman recklessly followed, first fir
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 III the |
dark, cavernOus depths the nuffied |
sounds of a desperate struggle
By the aid of ropes and ladders they |
succeeded i'll entering this mysterious |
chasm. The light of their lamps reveal
ed sickeniNg sight.
The cOHntryman was lying on his
back writhing in the grasp of an I'M
known monster, whose horrible aspect
froEe the agents of police with terror.
1t was as large as full grown ter
rier, covered with wartlike protuber-
ances and bristling with coarse brown
ish 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 bat the top of the head,
and the monster was now engaged in
tearing and sucking the blood from his
throat
AS soon as they recovered from their
horror and surprise dozen balls struck
the body of this sanguinary beast.
He raised up on his legs, a greenish,
bloody liquid flowing from his wounds,
and, with frightful cry, expired.
The first policeman, who had given
the alarm was living unconscious in ono
corner of the cavern, where he had fall
en-, distance of 80 feet.
1t was with great difficulty they sue
ceeded in removing the two bodies and
the unknown monster from the cavern