This is the Champ painting that began showing up on the sides of U-Haul vans in 1999.

August 10th…

Vermont Get Into Line

Its Sea Serpent Story, Though a Little Late, Is All Right.

The Lake Champlain sea serpent has been seen. And by an entirely credible and trustworthy witness, whose name, were we permitted to give it, would carry conviction to the most incredulous of doubting Thomases.

The monster was seen, slowly swimming southward, about midway of the channel between the Vermont shore and Split Rock. The lake at this place is only about a mile wide. Here, too, it reaches its greatest depth about five hundred feet. The monster’s distance from the observer was only about half a mile, and consequently a comparatively good view of it was obtained.

The serpent’s head appeared to be rather broad and flat — something the shape of one’s hand as laid flat on a table. The water washed over its neck, which it was therefore impossible to make out. The body, as far as visible, had the shape of a low arch. Part of the tail could not be descried, but the tip — broad and flat — protruded from the water at right angles to the body.

The length of the strange visitor was about 35 feet.

Suddenly it sank and the waters around seethed and bubbled as when a large and heavy body sinks beneath the waves. A moment later a large house boat appeared in sight, and the supposition is that its coming frightened the monster and it sought the depths of the lake.

This story is literally true in every word.

The Lake Champlain sea serpent is not a myth, but a reality. — Burlington Daily News [Burlington, Vermont].

For those that saw through the use of the turn-of-the-century label "Sea Serpent," yes, this is a case from the 19th century. Thanks to Jerome Clark for finding this archival gem, which indeed is from the Brooklyn Eagle of August 10, 1899.