A TOWN IN TERROR 1954

Decembeer 29th. 1953. It was four days after Christmas and there was still excitement in the air. Children were riding their Schwinn bikes and pulling their Radio Flyer wagons up and down the street. Talk of a better 1954 filled the soda shop at Bridgers Drug Store. The mill was running three shifts and all was well. However, by mid-day the complexion of our town totally changed. There was shocking news of dogs and farm animals having been discovered decapitated and in some instances the blood had been sucked out of their carcass. Thus the saga of The Beast of Bladenboro had begun.

For the next thirteen days Bladenboro N.C. became the talking points for television and newspapers. What was this strange creature lurking in the swamps of this small Eastern N.C. town? The dawning of each day filled the town with more animal kills and sightings of a large creature with black piercing eyes and the sound of eerie screams that filled the night air. At night doors were locked and shades were pulled. Farm animals that usually were free to roam were locked in barns and dogs were brought inside to avoid possible encounters with whatever was terrorizing the town. If you had to venture to the outhouse after dark a shotgun went with you.

Hunters with their dogs were coming from near and far in an attempt to hunt the creature down. It was a carnival atmosphere. On January 5th. 1954, five hundred people turned out to hunt down and rid Bladenboro of the creature, but to no avail. One hunter from Wilmington said, ” We tracked it for three miles before the dogs lost it’s scent”. January 6th. 1954, eight hundred people turned out all bearing arms ready for whatever the beast had to offer. Sheriff Roy Fores was afraid this was too dangerous and called the hunt off.

I was twelve years old at the time and my imagination was running wild. There I was standing ready with my Daisy Red Ryder BB gun ( you know guys, like the one Ralphie had in the movie The Christmas Story). As fate would have it, on January 11th. 1954 the killing stopped. As life returned to normal the barking of dogs in the night made the hair on the back of your neck stand up, had it returned?

What ever the beast was, it was never found. There were rumors of large bobcats, cougars, and wolf’s being killed, but none fitted the description of what witness’ had experienced. The Beast of Bladenboro left this small town with a legend that to this day has not been solved. Could it return? Who knows what secrets the deep bowels of the nearby swamps hold. When old timers are asked that question they smile, but their eyes say, ” maybe”.

Be safe.