Between 1956 and 1959, the residents of northern Greenville County lived in fear of a creature they ominously dubbed the "Devil Beast." Reports indicated that there may have been more than one beast terrorizing the area, as eerie screams and blood-curdling shrieks echoed through the night.
During this tense period, livestock, particularly chickens, were found mutilated or mysteriously snatched away. Reports of dogs being attacked and killed added to the community's anxiety. The sightings of this mysterious creature were often accompanied by chilling tales of its fearsome presence.
In February of 1958, the mystery seemed to take a turn when residents of Marietta captured and killed a 50-pound wildcat, believed to be one of the "Devil Beast" suspects. Locals claimed it was the largest wildcat they had ever seen, yet the strange screams continued, suggesting that the terror was far from over.
By mid-1959, the "Devil Beast" was at the forefront of local lore. Two men from the Travelers Rest area had a close encounter with the creature. John T. Hopkins, a retired farmer, described it as tan in color, ringed with whitish stripes, with bulging eyes and a head that resembled that of a large collie dog. The creature walked with the grace of a mountain lion and even had two cubs by its side. M.L. Loftis, a neighbor, attempted to shoot the creature but missed as it vanished from sight.
Within days, reports continued to pour in. The "Devil Beast" was spotted near North Highway 25 and Mountain Lake Colony, as well as in Locust Hill, where several dogs had been killed. A truck driver passing through the North Saluda Reservoir believed he saw the beast dart off the road, describing it as resembling a large groundhog. Meanwhile, a woman in Mountain Lake Colony reported hearing the creature scream from the nearby woods.
The frenzy reached a new height in early July 1959, when Ken Williams, a rancher at the Flying F Ranch, claimed to have captured what he believed was the "Devil Beast." His dogs had cornered a hefty goat weighing 60 pounds, complete with impressive 22-inch horns and a 34-inch horn span. Williams hoped this was the end of the local panic, but the haunting presence of the "Devil Beast" would not be so easily dismissed.
On August 18, 1959, Richard Jones reported seeing the creature again in the Locust Hill area, describing it as a large bobcat. He recalled hearing its scream during the previous night, further deepening the mystery surrounding the "Devil Beast."
The legend of the "Devil Beast" persisted, with occasional sightings in the Blue Ridge area, although locals were careful not to confuse it with the similarly mysterious "Whampus Cat" of the Lake Robinson, Groce Meadow, Double Springs, and Mountain View regions. As the years have passed, the tale of the "Devil Beast" continues to haunt the memories of those who lived through its terrifying reign in northern Greenville County.
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