A MYSTERIOUS, 35-foot horned sea creature may be the world's second Loch Ness monster - and it's been hiding in the waters of a twisty Florida river for nearly two centuries!
Residents of the town of Astor in Lake County say they have known about and steered clear of the brute for decades, dubbing the giant "Johnnie" because they believe it lurks in the murk of nearby St. Johns River.
The first reported sighting of the beast was in 1849, when a shaken-up ship's captain described "an immense sea monster," which he referred to as a "serpent" and a "monster of the deep."
The captain said he and his crew ran into the varmint at the mouth of the St. Johns River, where it "lifted its head, which was like that of a snake, several times out of the water and at such times displayed the most of his body, exhibiting a pair of frightful fins several feet in length."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JAMES EARL JONES' DYING REGRET
Broke Darth Vader turned down piece of Star Wars profits
REBEL VANNA SEEING SAJAK ON THE SLY!
Dishing all the dirt about Wheel & Ryan
TAYLOR & TRAVIS FRANTIC TO PROVE THEY'RE REAL DEAL
Fighting bizarre buzz their romance is just for show
GOSSELIN SON: CRUEL KATE ZIP-TIED ME & LOCKED ME IN CELLAR
THE tragic Jon & Kate Plus 8 feud between reality star mom Kate Gosselin and 20-year-old son Collin has exploded again with his bombshell charge that she cruelly tortured him as a kid — binding him hand and foot and locking him away in a dark basement room like a prisoner of war!
COURT ORDERS DIDDY TO PAY SEX ACCUSER HEFTY $100M
Rapper didn't respond to suit
BRAGGART BITTEN BY WORLD'S MOST POISONOUS SNAKE!
Hospitalized after boasting on video he was in control
RUSSIAN WHALE KILLED AS SPY!
Critter shot multiple times
HOW OUTCAST HARRY SPENDS SPARE TIME
Stressed-out prince takes it very easy
81 ANIMALS DIE IN GUN RAMPAGE
Beast collared hiding by farm
BODY SNATCHER INVADES VEGAS
Caught stealing casket & corpse after beer bender