Year: 1868

AUOuG IHcuIy-ufC luuSo Iiiio SAcy ID oaAe'aA
stream, known as Bear Greek, which empties into
the Big Black River. For some time past strange
stories have been told by the negroes of an extra
ordinary animal seen near this creek. These sto-
ries were laughed at and derided by the citizens,
no one believing in any such statements. This ex-
traordinary creature had often suddenly presented
himself among the negroes in the early twilight,
causing great CONSERVATION among them He is
described by the negroes as being about eight feet
high, each eye, in their language, "as large as a
hens egg," with no nose, and no upper lip, his
two eye-teeth as large as mans thumb, extend
ing down over his chin about eight inches his
right foot points directly to the 'front.' and the left
to the rear, and the measurement Of the track is
just twenty-three inches in LENGTH his finger nails
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
in front on each side of his singuary formed chest
which is not round or fiat, but is angular 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 breastbone, growing back, and
uniting with long stiff growth on his spine, which
extends back about one foot like the spinal fin Of
fish, or the bristles on the back of boar; the
hair on his arms is parted, and grows in the same
way, making long thick brush on the back of the
arms, extending from the shoulders to the point of
his middle fingers. The same peculiarly is OBJ
servable on his legs.


No white person has ever seen him until recent
ly, when he was discovered by hunting party.
Sew, u gentlemen -acquaintances Of ours-met
on last Thursday week, with view of bear hunt
ing in the swamp. They were accompanied by a.
bout fifteen wel-trained bear dogs. They were
prepared for the hunt early in the morning, and,
when about commencing, their attention was at
tracted to an unusually large human track in the
soft soil upon examination it was discovered that
the track was constantly being reversed In an in
slant the stories of the negroes occurred to the
party and at once it was determined to pursue the
creature which had made this track. The dogs
were instantly called and encouraged to follow the
track; which they did promptly. The gentlemen,
mounted upon good horses found but little difficult
ty in keeping well up with the hounds. In q 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-apparenty human suddenly rose from
his lair, turned, and for moment stood in silent
Inspections his pursuers, and then instantly, with
yell truly terrific, wheeled, aadwith the speed Of
the fastest horse, rushed away before the dogs.


This wild and exciting chase was continued for a
distance of ten miles, when at last the terrible
monster, foaming with rage, was brought to bay
upon the banks of the Big Black, and turning with
fury unparalleled it seized the foremost dog with
both hands, and, by the exercise Of superhuman
muscular strength, buried its long talons 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 hunters
becoming alarmed forthe safety 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 hideous yell,
it plunged into the river, diving and remaining
under water fully five minutes, when it would sud-
denly spring high into the air, screaming with the
voice of regiment of soldiers. 1t finally swan to
the opposite side and disappeared in the neighbor-
ing forest since which time it has only been seen
twice by white persons. Several attempts have
been made to capture it, but up to the present
time without success.


What this strange creature is no one can con-
lecture. The gentlemen with whom we have con-
versed represent it as black man about SIX feet
high, but in other respects resembling to a great
degree the description given by the negroes


It has broken the negroes from attending loyal
leagues at night in that section Of the country.