Monday, July 19, 2010

Isle of Wight mystery cat from 1940

Paul Cropper has just sent this vintage press cutting from 1940 no less. It tells the story of how:

"Mrs. G. Russell, of Parkhurst, near Newport, Isles of Wight, came forward with evidence about the mysterious "monster" of Ryde, which leaves huge footprints on the ground. The monster, destribed as a animal with a head like a lion and long, black hair, is reported to have been seen twice in recent weeks, and was one persued by an armed search pearty. According to Mrs. Russell, the "monster" is no stranger to the thickly wooded country between Ryde and Newport. She claims to have seen it as long ago as last September.

Ms. Russell said: "I was crossing the Bartin Manor Estate, near East Cowes, when I saw the animal peering at me from the under growth. "It was as big as an Alsatian dog and was covered with thick black hair and had a long, thin tail.. As I watched the animal padded off down the path, moving more like a cat than a dog. I told my story to my husband and neighbours. They all ridiculed it...."

Download the entire story on a scan of the original cutting here

http://www.cfz.org.uk/Archiving/ABC1940.pdf

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