Historic Cryptid Headline: September 10th, 1902 - Finds Strange Animal

Grand Rapids Tribune
September 10th, 1902

“Finds Strange Animal”
La Crosse Man Finds Nest Of Unknown Species In Well. Shape Of Animal Resembles A Miniature Hippopotamus With Legs Cut Off Near The Body.

La Crosse, WI- Bert Student, employed by Thill & Lapitz of this city, yesterday ran onto a nest of animals, the name of which no local student of the animal science has yet been able to tell. The animals were found down a well which he was repairing. The premises are in the eastern portion of the city. When he took the boards off the top he noticed a strange animal clinging to the pump. He promptly knocked it off. When he discovered others, his curiosity becoming aroused. He captured one and put it in alcohol.

The specimen captured is about three or four inches long, cream color with black markings about a quarter of an inch long all over the body. In shape the animal resembles a miniature hippopotamus with its legs sawed off close to the body. From the large mouth two forks of a spindle tongue protrude and with this the animal feels its way about. It has no eyes at all, indicating that it is a species that lives in caves or other dark places. It is of a consistency very clammy and damp. Just what the animal is and how it got there is a mystery, for it is evidently miles for its regular place.

There has always been a mystery connected with the well where the animals were found. There can be felt at times on hot days, gusts of fresh, cold air which evidently come from the interior of the earth. The air is damp and there is a sound of running water heard through the loose sand at the bottom. It is in the populous eastern portion of the town.

“Historic Cryptid Headlines” showcases actual articles involving cryptids that were published within United States newspapers back in the 1800’s-1900’s. The articles posted here are written exactly as they appeared during their original publishing date.

-The Pine Barrens Institute

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