Waukesha Freeman
August 24th, 1871

“Destruction of Sheep”

Mishicot, WI- We learn from Mr. Julins Linstedt, one of our patrons in Mishicot, that the farmers in that town have had killed within the last six weeks two hundred and twenty-six sheep, and they have thus far been unable to find out what animal is doing the mischief, as they are all killed in one manner and left without any tearing of the carcass. There are no marks of violence except a small hole behind the ears, from which the blood is sucked, and then left otherwise in perfect shape.

The farmers are alarmed, fearing their entire stock will fall victim to this strange animal, which old hunters think must be a panther; and as the “Schutzenverein” are out to a man hunting, we have every reason to believe that some of those good marksman will succeed in killing the brute, whatever it proves to be. The supervisors of the town held a meeting last Saturday, and offered a reward for the capture of the unknown animal. From the nature of the wound inflicted, we are inclined to believe it is a species of bat, phyllostoma spectrum, or the vampire bat of New Spain. It is very rare, and may have escaped from some traveling menagerie.

“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