Janesville Daily Gazette

August 3, 1903

“Who Said He Saw A Sea Serpent?”

Starr and Fathers Both Deny Imputation. Now Up To County.

Delavan Lake, WI- The Delavan Lake sea serpent has again been seen, or at least it was “something big.” It was three gentlemen from Janesville, who are in camp at the assembly, who only the strictest of temperance principles prevail and one of the three is the county clerk of Rock County, and the three each and severally, upon on solemnly affirm that they saw in the lake the head of some large animal or fish protruding some two feet from the water and moving in an unexplainable fashion.

The neck was at least twelve inches in circumference and the head was simply enormous. The creature disappeared upon their approach and they have since been discussing its identity. Some aver that it is the sea serpent others that it is a big pickerel and others have different theories, but Nev. Washburn, who is authority of such matters, say that it is a deep sea porpoise which he brought from the Gulf of Mexico.

The above is an extract from the Chicago Chronicle for yesterday. The county clerk of Rock County is Frank P. Starr, so he was called to account. “Not guilty,” said Mr. Starr, “I haven’t been near Delavan Lake. Perhaps it is Jim Fathers. They may have confused the county clerk with the city treasurer.” Mr. Fathers was next accosted, “Not guilty,” was his story. “I was at the assembly, but I didn’t see the serpent, or start the report. I’ll tell you who it must be. It was Miles Rice. It was the county treasurer and not the county clerk.” Mr. Rice is out of the city and will not be here until Thursday. In the meantime the county treasurer’s reputation for veracity rests under a heavy cloud and his return is eagerly awaited.

“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