The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-08-22
MONSTER OF ISSOIR.
MYSTERY OF THE FOURTEENTH AR
RoNOISSeMeNr or PARIS.


ants OF the Quarter Enticing IT. Vie
tins with Mu-,c-p-nth of the Gigantic
spider
For many years it IL undeniably stat
cd that in the fourteenth arrondisse
ment of Paris-called the tomb Of Issoir
"A number Of persons living in that
quarter had mysteriously and periodic
ally disappeared The most careful ro
searches, the most minute inquiries. tho
most sltillful agents of tho 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
whelmcd with grief and anxiety IL Is
also stated that these strange, inexpli
cable facts always occurred in the early
spring-from' the Goth to the last Di
March-and without regard to age oi
sex.
First notary disappeared IL was
thought he had used his clients funds
and fled to parts unknown Then an old
woman, returning late one night from
market, was the next victim, then n la
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 il 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 ono
Of these periodical mysteries the chief
Of police became very anxious and in
stituted strict surveillance, coniiding
the matter to 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 sec the result.
Ono night--this fact can be verified
by applying 10 the Office of the profec
ture-a policeman about 3 O'Clock in tho
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 tho
center of tho street, at the foot of an
enormous rock called the tomb of Is.
soir, or tho 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.
I'll -
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 Ho
knew from his costume that he was n
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 in spite of the warning
cries of the policeman he was swallow
ed up in this mysterious opening. With.
out taking u 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 in the
dark, cavernous depths the mufiled
sounds of desperate struggle.
By the aid of ropes and ladders they
succeeded in entering this mysterious
chasm The light of their lamps reveal.
ed sickening sight.
The countryman was lying on his
back writhing in the grasp of an un
known monster. whose horrible aspect
froze 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 hut the top of the head.
and the monster was now engaged in
tearing and sucking the blood from his
throat
AS soon rs they recovered from their
horror and surprise dozen balls struck
the body of this sanguinary beast.
He raised up on his legs. greenish.
bloody liquid flowing from his wounds,
and. with 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.
It was with great difficulty they suo.
ceeded In removing the two bodies and
the unknown monster from the cavern.