Monday, January 02, 2006

THE BEAST OF ULANAWA

There is a lake that sometimes runs red. There is a lake that holds a ferocious beast. There is a lake haunted by a vicious turtle.

In Ulanawa Lake, there lurks SNAPPER!

Many claim to have seen SNAPPER, but physical evidence for the creature's existence has yet to be found. The only thing on record is the following photographic evidence. The photos were developed from film found in a bloody camera on the banks of Ulanawa Lake. The blood was determined to be of human origin, but the donor was never found or identified. The discovery was followed by the largest rash of mysterious deaths and disappearances in the history of Ulanawa Lake.



It is assumed that these photos are either a hoax or the last photos taken by a person or persons who met their fate at the jaws of SNAPPER.

Though these photos brought on a revival of SNAPPER sightings and supposed attacks, reports of the Beast of Ulanawa were nothing new. Cherokee legends claim that the lake is home to an evil spirit trapped in the body of a turtle, hence the lake's moniker, Ulanawa.

A tale originating in the 1800's claims that SNAPPER was the trained attack pet of a local freed slave turned gunfighter. He had trained the beast for the sole purpose of brutally slaying the man who murdered his father. After the deed was done, the gunfighter released SNAPPER into Ulanawa Lake. A reward for the turtle, but an eternal curse upon the townsfolk.

For the purpose of our videos, our stories our based upon the claims of a local eccentric. According to him, his mentally deficient twin brother and a companion were slain by SNAPPER on an ill fated fishing trip. The two were indeed found dead and mutilated in a wooded area near the lake, but it was never proven that SNAPPER was the culprit.

Unfortunately, the authorities alluded to the beast when informing the man of his brother's death. That was all it took. He needed someone to blame. He chose SNAPPER.

In the months that followed, the man claimed to have hunted down, slain and even eaten his reptilian quarry. He swore he was assisted by a man he referred to only as The Turtle Hunter. He also claimed that this hunter had lost his life to SNAPPER in the process. Authorities searched the lake upon hearing these claims, but no trace of hunter or turtle was ever found. The man claimed to have kept SNAPPER'S head, but had eaten it as well for good measure.

With no body or evidence of any kind, authorities deemed the man a harmless crack pot and left it at that. They assumed the loss of his twin brother had frayed his last nerve.

He now roams the streets, telling his tales to anyone who will listen. His latest raving concerns his passing of an egg swallowed during his feasting upon SNAPPER'S innards. He claims to have attempted to raise SNAPPER'S offspring, only to have things go horribly awry.

Just exactly what happened he refuses to say.

If you're ever in the Ulanawa Lake area, ask someone to point out the Snapper guy. He'll gladly relay his supposed experiences for you.

Until that day comes, check out our SNAPPER videos by clicking the links in the top of the right hand column. You can watch them on your computer.

Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of T.N. Clay. Images originally appeared in his book, THE CURSE OF SNAPPER.