What we call Jabberwock was more commonly referred to as the Jobberwock up until the early 1900s, U.S.
New Jersey had its Jersey Devil and Delaware had its Jobberwock.
These strange sighting have been with us for generations. Some may argue that other beings have been here as long as we have, or longer, but our ancestors viewed these “monster” differently than our more modern ancestors did.
Local Crop of “Devil Stories”
Great interest has been aroused in the stories, supposed to be true, but as far from the truth as the “Jobberwock” is from Wilmington, about the Jersey Devil, alias a dozen other things, which has been creating a furor in three states.
Small boys of Wilmington are agitated over the monster, and many feared to venture out in the dark last night.
Reports from down the state are that the stories of the strange visitation have stimulated an interest in revival services in the churches, and the attendance has increased perceptibly.
Supposed tracks of the Jobberwock were seen this morning near No. 208 Searles Street, where there is a patch of snow undisturbed by the recent thaw.
The tracks were also seen imprinted in the mud yesterday and this morning they were plainly outlined because of the fact that during the night the mud had congealed and gave outline of the hoof.
A peculiar feature about the marks is that they are crossed somewhat like the palm of a human hand.
Harry McKenna, who lives at No. 208 Searles Street, said this morning that he wished The Evening Journal would send its expert to examine the tracks. But as the expert, who is the office boy, could not be found anywhere, all that could be given Mr. McKenna in the way of a definite reply was that possibly before the day was over The Evening Journal would locate its “expert” somewhere and send him out.
Some boys in the neighborhood declared last night that they had been chased by the “thing.” They were frightened when they reached home.
Mr. McIvor’s Recollection
James F. McIvor, County President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, told an Evening Journal reporter today that this is the second time he has known of such an animal.
While living in Ireland in 1878 the “Rang-a-Tang” appeared near his home. Its whereabouts were as mysterious as Kris Kringle.
Reports had it that the “awful thing” was part animal, part bird, and could swim like any fish.
It was first seen in County Antrim, and later appeared in Louth. An armed posse followed it and the “Rang-a-Tang” swam across the Boyne.
It was chased from Siane to Tara, where it flew over a cluster of trees and escaped.
Calves and sheep were killed in all parts and a young farmer, while returning from market, met the thing near Balbriggan.
The last seen of it was when it went aboard an American sailing vessel in Dublin. The crew left and a new crew was brought from Scotland.
It is no doubt the same unknown animal that is reported to be in this section, Mr. McIvor thinks.
The one in Ireland left marks with its hind feet like an elephant while the forepaws were web-footed. The head had hair like a lion, but had a long snout and its eyes were as red as fire while in its forehead was a third ball of fire.
Stories of ghosts and fairies faded into myths while the “Rang-a-Tang” was in that country.
According to reports several persons were obliged to call in doctors as they suffered much from shock. Children would not go out after dark, and young men failed to call on their best girls for weeks for they considered it better to be taken to task by their fair ones than to become the prey of the “Rang-a-Tang.”
Source: Evening journal. (Wilmington, Del.), 23 Jan. 1909.
