This post was published 2 years 6 months 21 days ago which may make its actuality or expire date not be valid anymore. This site is not responsible for any misunderstanding.Grouping: Cryptid
Sub grouping: Lake monster
First reported: 1898
Last sighted: 1949
Country: United States
Region: Churubusco, Indiana
Habitat: Water
Status: Local legend
The Beast of Busco is the subject of a legend in Churubusco, Indiana about an enormous snapping turtle named Oscar which terrorized the citizens in 1949. Despite a month–long hunt that briefly gained national attention, the Beast of Busco was never found and is considered long gone. The story goes that a farmer began to notice his chickens going missing. Believing it to be caused by known pests, he paid no mind to it. After a few months, larger and larger livestock was disappearing, even a calf in one instance; all the disappearances occurred near the lake on his property. One day, he reportedly saw a colossal snapping turtle, estimated at 15 feet in length, basking on the lakeside. Terrified, he called the police; when they arrived, the giant reptile was still there. A plan was devised to drag the beast from the water with chains pulled by 4 Clydesdale horses; when initiated, the turtle and horses were evenly matched, but the chains broke. “Oscar” escaped, never to be seen again. Being cold-blooded, he presumably died of exhaustion from the struggle. Oscar’s memory lives on in Churubusco’s Turtle Days festival held each June. It includes a parade, carnival and turtle races.
A turtle shell labeled “Beast of Busco” hangs in the Two Brothers Restaurant in Decatur, Indiana.
Working as a Manager for Uhaul, when I do get spare time I sit with my ouija board, do as many paranormal investigations as I can, and research everything and anything paranormal. I am also very interested in railroads and model trains in general.