Year: 1868

ceivcd from perfectly reliable source. About twenty-five miles from this city, but in this county, is small stream known as Bear creek, which empties into the Big Black river. The margin of both these streams, in that vicinity for miles back, is an almost impenetrable swamp, grown up with canebrakes and wild, tangled vines, but filled with all kinds of game, inclu- ding bear, deer, and turkeys:

 In pursuit of this game many young men resort to this spot with their hounds. For sometime past, strange stories have been told by the negroes of an extraordinary animal seen near these swamps. The negroes, in their usual manner, gave graphic and start ling descriptions of his appearance, but usually winding up with the declaration that it was the devil which had been seen by them. One pecu liarity, as described by the negroes, was that from his tracks he seemed to

 

 one foot pointed to the front ana the other to tie rear These stories were laughed at and derided by the citizens, no one believing in any such statement. This extraordinary creature had often suddenly presented himself among the negroes in the carly twilight, causing great consternation among them. He is described by the negroes as being about eight feet high, each eye, in their language, "as large as hens egg" with no nose and no upper lip, his two eye teeth as large as mans thumb, extending down over his chin about eight inches; his right foot points directly to the front and the left one to the rear, and the measurement of the track is just twenty three inches in length; his finger nails arc perfectly hard and solid, and are about six inches long the hair on his head which is stiff and wiry--sweeps the ground as he walks, and is parted in the rear and brought down on each side of his singularly formed chest which is not round or flat, but is. angu- lar like that of fowl. The hair on the body of this singular being is very stiff and grows to the rear, parting at the angle of the breast bone. growing back and uniting with long stiif' growth on his spine which extends back about one foot like the spinal fin of fish, or the bristles on the back of a boar--the hair on his arms is parted and grows in the same way, making long, thick brush on the back of the arm, extending from the shoulder to the point of the middle finger; the same peculiarity is observable on his legs. This singular and horrible ob- ject, the negroes represent, has been seen by them at different times for several months, and that night has been rendered hideous by the unearthly howlings of this unknown animal. No white person has. ever seen him until recently, when he was discovered by a hunting party. Several gentleman-- acquaitnances of ours-met on last Thursday week with view Of bear hunting in this swamp they were ac- companied by about fifteen well-train- ed bear dogs. They prepared for the hunt early in the morning, and, when about commencing, their attention was attracted to an unusual large human track in tho soft soil; upon examina- ton it was discovered that the track was continually reversed. In an in- stant the stories of the negroes occur red to the party, and at once it was determined to pursue the cresture which had made the track. The dogs were instantly called and encouraged to follow the track, which they did promptly. The gentlemen, mounted on good horses, found no difficulty in keeping well up with the hounds. In few minutes an object was presented to their view which sent chill to the heart of every member of the party They had unearthed the Nondescript A being-apparently human-sudden- ly arose from his lair-turned, and for moment stood in silent inspection of his pursuers, and then instantly, with yell truly terrific, wheeled, and with the speed of the fastest horse rushed away before the dogs.

 This wild and exciting chase contin- ned for distance of nearly ten miles,

 

 foaming with rage, was brought to bay upon the bank of the Big Black, and with fury unparalleled, it seized the foremost dog with both hands and by the exercise of supcrhuman muscular strength, buried it's long tslons in the body of the bowling brute and literally tore the dog asunder. Dropping this it instantly seized the next and sent its two immense tusks through the skull of the doomed dog. One of the hum ters becoming alarmed for the safty of the party, drew his revolver and fired twice at the monster but evidently without effect other than to frighten it by the report, when turning with a hidaus yell it plunged into the river, diving and remaining under water fully five minutes, when il would sud denly spring high into the air, scream ing with the voice of regiment of sol diers. It finally swan to the opposite side and disappeared in the neighbor ing forest, since which time has been seen only twice by white persons. Several attempts have been made to