Iowa County Democrat

June 6, 1879

“The Lake Champlain Serpent.”

A Resident of Maquam Sees and Describes Him Minutely.

Mr. Holmes Record, a farmer living on the shore of Maquam Bay, says the St. Albans Advertiser, saw on Saturday last what he believes to have been a genuine sea-serpent. He was at work near the shore with his hired man, when his attention was called to the water of the bay by a sound resembling the discharge of a gun. Upon looking out on the bay, both men saw an animal moving in a northerly direction, with a head shaped like a serpent, only much larger.

Apparently the greater part of the monster was under water, but about fifteen feet could be distinctly seen above the surface. The body was jointed and appeared like lumps connected with each other by narrow sections. After viewing it for some time with the naked eye, he sent to his house for a spy-glass, but it was too small and the air too hazy to be of much value. They saw the animal distinctly for about two hours, during which time he appeared to be about sixty rods distant, and moved slowly, and, at short intervals, he made a sound like the concussion of powder, followed by a loud roar.

The wind finally changed to the north, and the monster raised his head several feet out of the water, and, turning round, went south with greater speed, and soon disappeared from sight. Both men watched him while he was visible, and could distinctly see the outline of his shape and form. He splashed the water as he moved along, the propelling motion being apparently concentrated in his head and tail. He moved in undulations both up and down and from side to side.

Mr. Record is said by prominent citizens of Swanton to be a very trust-worthy man, with a reputation for strict veracity, and more inclined to make a story appear less than it is than to exaggerate. The monster is probably the same one seen several days ago by three respectable citizens of St. Albans, whose description coincides with that of Mr. Record; so that the existence of a lake monster is no longer a myth.

“Historic Cryptid Headlines” showcases actual articles involving cryptids that 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

Want more historically strange stories in your life? 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!