Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics
August 31, 1867

MAN OR BEAST. — The Milwaukie [sic; Milwaukee] Sentinel tells a strange story about a man-beast, lately discovered in the vicinity of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. For some months the farmers in that neighborhood had been annoyed by the disappearance of their fowls. Doors were opened and roosts were robbed in the most summary and mysterious manner; and sometimes even lambs disappeared. That these were not stolen by human hands was thought to be evident from the marks around of the fowls being eaten on the spot. One farmer determined to solve the mystery; and so, rifle in hand, he watched his premises. At about 11 o’clock he discovered an animal of some kind approaching his hen house with stealthy step, sometimes going on all fours, and sometimes erect. He fired, and a piercing shriek, like that of a human being, showed that the creature had been hit. It nevertheless made off to the woods, where it was seen the subsequent day, having the face and hands of a human being and the hairy body of a beast. But though wounded it made its escape, and though subsequently seen again, had not been captured at last accounts.

Thanks to Jerome Clark.