Steps: 3,175,457
Miles: 1326.12
The most popular version of the Jersey Devil legend begins in the 18th century when Deborah Smith from England immigrated to the Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey to marry a certain Mr. Leeds, who wanted several heirs to continue his family name. Consequently, the new wife was continually pregnant.
After bearing twelve healthy children, she was dismayed to be pregnant with her thirteenth. She cursed the unborn child, declaring a preference to bear the Devil's child rather than another Leeds. Apparently, her wish was granted as the new child had cloven hooves, claws, and a tail. The horrific newborn proceeded to eat the other Leeds children and the parents, before escaping through the chimney to begin its reign of terror.
Some skeptics believe the Jersey Devil to be nothing more than folklore of the English settlers. The aptly named New Jersey Pine Barrens were shunned by most early settlers as a desolate, threatening place. Being relatively isolated, the barrens were a natural refuge for those wanting to remain hidden, including religious dissenters, loyalists, fugitives and military deserters in colonial times.
Such individuals formed solitary groups and were insultingly called "pineys". Pineys were further demonized after two early twentieth century studies depicted them as congenital idiots and criminals. It is easy to imagine early tales of terrible monsters arising from a combination of sightings of genuine animals such as bears, the activities of pineys, and fear of the barrens.
January 1909, saw the most frenetic period of Devil sightings ever recorded. Thousands of people claimed to witness the Jersey Devil during the week of January 16–23. Newspapers nationwide followed the story and published eyewitness reports. During this period, the Philadelphia Zoo posted a US $1,000,000 reward for the creature's capture. The offer prompted a variety of hoaxes, including a kangaroo with artificial wings. The reward remains available to this day.
Also in 1960, merchants in Camden offered a $10,000 reward for the capture of the Jersey Devil. They said they would build a private zoo to display the creature if anyone could capture it. The reward is unclaimed.
Source
So, you can make $1,010,000 by capturing a single Jersey Devil - Prospective hunters should read up and be knowledgeable before stalking their prey in hopes of getting the rewards.
Much more information is available at the world's largest New Jersey Devil website
3 comments:
Hmm interesting. The drawing on Wiki reminded me of this though. The only difference there seems to be is that the one walks about on 2 feet while the other is four-legged.
Oh, cool picture, Styxie! It would even "work" as a Jersey Devil - since there are literally hundreds and hundreds of different and conflicting descriptions of it.
:)
Now I know where the New Jersey Devils (the hockey team) got their name from! Thanks for that informative post, Iggy.
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