Historic Oddity Headline: August 30, 1888 - A Spider And A Frog
The Democratic Press
August 30, 1888
“A Spider and A Frog.”
A gentleman tells the Mecklinburg, Va., Democrat, that in company with another, he was walking along the banks of a stream when their attention was drawn to a noise near them in the water. It was ascertained that the noise was caused by a fight between a monster spider and a frog. Whenever the two came together the spider would seize the frog with his poisonous fangs; the frog would then by a supreme effort shake his enemy off and hop away to a peculiar looking plant which grew near, and after biting off a portion of the leaves and eating then would return to the combat with renewed energy. The two gentlemen watched the interesting combat for a long time, when one of them concluded that he would keep the frog away from the plant, which it seemed to be using as an antidote for the poison of the spider. So when the frog as usual, started for the plant after being bitten, he kept him away; the poor fellow made frantic efforts to get at it, but was prevented, and in a few minutes the poison of the spider, not being counteracted, took effect, and the poor frog expired immediately.
“Historic Oddity Headlines” showcases actual articles written about truly odd occurrences that took place and were published within United States newspapers back in the 1800s-1900s. The articles posted here are written exactly as they appeared during their original publishing date.
-The Pine Barrens Institute
The Superior Times
June 29, 1907
“Produces Chicken That Talks.”
Californian Crosses Parrot and Guinea Hen with Strange Result.
The Hartford Herald
July 25, 1894
“STORY OF WITCHCRAFT.”
IN THE SOUTH - - - OLD KATE BATTS’ AWFUL SPELL.
History of the Famous Bell Witch and Its Tragic Persecution of an Entire Family in Tennessee.
A CHAPTER OF MYSTERY.
Press and Daily Dakotaian
February 21, 1889
“THEY FLED IN TERROR.”
The Odd Occurrence that Startled the Inhabitants of Litchfield, Ills.
Iron County News
December 10, 1921
“Mystery of Lost Atlantis.”
Believed by Many to Be Merely Legend, but Idea Can Not Be Entirely Uprooted.
Northern Wisconsin Advertiser
November 3, 1922
“EASY FOR SNAKES.”
Fisherman Was a Benefactor, Though He Didn’t Know It.
But for Chance Encounter, Mystery of Missing Catfish Might Never Have Been Solved.
Watertown Republican
September 27, 1893
“FOUND TWO SKELETONS.”
It May Result in Clearing Up a Mystery at Oconomowoc.
The Washburn Times
February 9, 1911
“Rodents Hoard Much Gold.”
Office Boy of Chicago Jewelry House Solves Mystery of Disappearance of Valuables.
Wausau Pilot
February 2, 1922
“Secret Doors In Mystery House.”
“Chain Girl’s” Story Makes Modest Appearing Cottage a Mecca for Curious.
PRISONER IN ATTIC.
Through Days and Nights of Terror Fifteen-Year-Old Girl Languished in Chains, According to Statement to Police.
Daily Arizona Silver Belt
September 11, 1907
“September 9 Is His Unlucky Day.”
For Nine Consecutive Years Mike O’Byrne Has Met with Accident on this Fatal Date.
FATHER’S DEATH ON SAME DAY AN ODD OCCURRENCE.
Slipped into a Shallow Shaft at San Carlos on Monday and Broke His Arm - Full Diary of Nine Years of Hard Luck.
The Lafayette Advertiser
November 25, 1913
“Hay Ricks Lifted On High.”
Remarkable Phenomenon That Is Said to Have Been Witnessed by Party of Scotsmen.
The Wisconsin Weekly Blade
February 8, 1917
“Finds Hidden Rooms In House Of Mystery.”
Carpenter Work on Old Place Reveals Apartments None Knew About.
Want more historically strange stories in your life like the one above? If the answer is yes, then make sure to check out our book ‘Monsters In Print: A Collection Of Curious Creatures Known Mostly From Newspapers’, available from Amazon!
Make sure to also check out our shop for official PBI shirts, totes, buttons, and stickers!
The Minneapolis Journal
November 16, 1901
“PREHISTORIC.”
Skeleton of a Giant Found in a Cave With Specimens of Rude Art.