A large wildcat was spotted in Northwestern Pennsylvania in 1914. One witness described the cat as having eyes that glowed like balls of fire – a common feature in the realm of cryptozoology.
Wildcat Big as a Lion
PRESIDENT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Farmers in the vicinity of President, a hamlet near Tionesta, are in a state of terror over a big wildcat which has been prowling about the forests and streets the last several days.
The tracks of the animal were first discovered on rotten logs by Frank Boyd and Warren Gayetty.
Yesterday afternoon William Andrews, who was hunting partridges in the woods about a mile south of President, discovered the animal perched in the branches of a hemlock tree with its eyes glaring at the hunter like two balls of fire.
Mr. Andrews’ gun was loaded with birdshot, and he was afraid to shoot at the animal for fear of being attacked.
The huge cat made no attempt to attack Mr. Andrews, but as the hunter retreated it leaped from the tree and ran into underbrush.
Mr. Andrews said it was as large as a mountain lion and was by far the biggest wildcat seen in [the region].
It was reported that a large number of chickens went missing within the last few days, which are believed to have been devoured by the beast.
Many people are afraid to venture out after dark.
A party of hunters from Oil City is expected here Thursday and will scour the woods and try to kill the big animal.
Source: The Topeka state journal. (Topeka, Kansas), 01 Jan. 1914.
