Great information posted by Jim AKA “Bear”, Jim writes “This comes from the West Coast Times in New Zealand, dated 29th of August 1868.
A MONSTER.
We take the following from the St. Louis Despatch
A strange-visaged creature, apparently one of Nature’s prodigies, has just been discovered near Meadville, Franklin County, Miss., causing much excitement in that usually monotonous village. A letter from a friend residing in that village, dated June 2, says:- “M. at this time is very much agitated on account of the strange creature seen near there. It is said to be similar to the one seen near Vicksburg last fall.”
A Vicksburg paper, of a date some few days subsequent to the discovery of this strange creature near that place, gave a full description of it and the manner in which it was discovered, which, given from memory, is in substance about as follows —”Some time in September last, as a party of huntsmen were driving in the swamps some few miles from the river, a trail was broken by the hounds, and followed up at a brisk pace, leaving the party far behind. In following the dogs, they discovered the track of the game in some miry places, which appeared similar to the track of a human foot; and they observed also that, the toes of one foot turned backward. On coming up with the dogs, which were now baying, they beheld a frightful-looking creature, of about the average height of man, but with far greater muscular development, standing menacingly a few yards in front of the dogs. It had long, coarse hair, flowing from its head and reaching near its knees its entire body also seemed to be covered with hair of two or three inches in length, which was of a dark brown color. From its upper jaw projected two very large tusks several inches long. Its head and face, as well as could be determined from the distance of the observers, bore a striking resemblance to that of the negro, except that the chin and cheeks were covered with long hair.
“On the near approach of the hunters, it fled with great rapidity toward the Mississippi river, and was not overtaken again until within a few yards of the bank. When the party came up with the dogs the second time, the monster was standing erect before them, none of them having yet dared to clinch with it. But when the dogs were urged by their masters, they endeavored to seize it, when it reached forward and grabbed one of them, and taking it in his hands, pressed it against its tusks, which pierced it through and killed it instantly. “Becoming alarmed at this display of strength, the hunters fired several shots at the creature, which caused it to leap into the river, It remained under water several minutes, and then rose almost entire length above the surface, uttering shrieks which almost petrified the pursuers with terror. No similar sound had ever come to these men, who were all familiar with the howl of the wolf, the whine of the panther, and the hoarse bellowing of the alligator. After sinking and rising several times, it swam to the Louisiana shore and disappeared.