South Bend News Times (South Bend, Ind.), August 5th 1923

Posse Hunt Ape; Footprints Clue

Two Declares They Saw Mother Ape and Seven Little Cubs.

XXSUNDAY – 

By International News Service:

SISTERVILLE, W. Va., Aug. 4. –

Reports received here declare a mysterious ape is roaming the wilds of Tyler county, in the region of Muddy Creek.

G. C. Clarke and John Farrell, employees of the Manufacturers Light and Heat Co., witnessed a sight that made their hair stand on end – a mother ape and seven little cubs. They declare their story is gospel truth.

The men were rigging up a bailing machine at a well close to a thicket, they said. Suddenly their attention was attracted to the edge of a precipice by frenzied screams. They looked and saw a mother ape, with six little ones clinging to her side, while in her mouth was another, dangling over the edge of the cliff.

Dropping their tools, the men ran. They ran as they never had before. They ran until they reached their foreman, M. G. Sherwood. With James F. Henderson as leader, a posse was formed and went in search of the apes. No trace of the animals could be found, but peculiar footprints were in evidence on top of the cliff.

Latest report from the posse is that the ape is still ahead of the pursuers.

The ape was seen on the farm of Abendogo Weekly, one of the earliest settlers of the county.

Disclaimer: This 1923 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.

Note: This newspaper article was proceeded by a similar West Virginia News article from July 21st 1923 entitled “The Tyler County Ape”

Source(s): https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn87055779/1923-08-05/ed-1/?sp=20

Categories: Newspapers, Out of Place Animal, West Virginia (WV)