Post by Matt Costa on Jun 2, 2006 21:33:50 GMT -5
The Jersey Devil
The legend of the Jersey Devil or is also called the Monster of Leeds or Leeds Devil started in the mid- 17th century. In the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, Mother Leeds, after giving birth to her Thirteenth child and was understandably fed up with giving birth to that many children she uttered the words “I am tired of children! Let the Devil take this one.” and with that said, the child began to change before everyone’s eyes. It grew taller than a man and sprouted wings, a snake-like body , horse-like head and a forked tail. A cry was heard and it flew up the chimney and into the Pine Barrens but not before devouring its siblings.
Another version of the tale tells of a expectant mother bend on having a perfect child but when the child is born, it is the ugliest child anyone has ever seen. So, engulfed with shame and embarrassment she drown her baby in the river and has been haunted by the Jersey Devil ever since. Over the years many people have died in the river; those who swim near the site get sucked underneath and released only after death.
In January 1909, the highest concentration of sightings occurred. At least one sighting a day from January 16-23 of that year. Businesses and schools were eventually closed due to the mass hysteria.
Accounts of the Jersey Devil are generally the same: about 3 to 7 feet tall, long and slender body, large bat like wings, curled horns on it Horse-like head, long tail and some accounts report the creature without hair and others report thick long black hair.
info en.wikipedia.org
