The Wheeling daily intelligencer (Wheeling, W. Va.), August 18th 1870
The Conservative says Clarksburg, W. Va., is excited over some kind of a mysterious creature which disports itself in the river there at night – “a big white something, which splashes around and makes a noise, to the dismay of the neighboring dogs” – the sea serpent, a mermaid or a ghost. More likely a milkmaid or some other kind, taking swim under cover of the friendly darkness.
Disclaimer: This 1870 newspaper article was published prior to 1931. Under United States copyright law (specifically the 95-year rule), this work has entered the public domain and is thus free to use or republish. It is presented here as an interesting and folkloric newspaper oddity.
Context: “The Conservative says” with the word “conservative” italicized means that it’s the name of another newspaper which printed the story prior.
Source(s): https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84026844/1870-08-18/ed-1/
[ Special thanks to: Theresa of Theresa’s Haunted History of the Tri-State for locating this article within the Library of Congress online archives. ]
Categories: Newspapers, Water Creatures, West Virginia (WV)