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Cryptid

Beast of Busco

A giant snapping turtle, possibly 500 pounds, in an Indiana lake. The whole town hunted it in 1949. They drained the lake. They never found Oscar. He's still down there.

1949
Churubusco, Indiana, USA
100+ witnesses

The Beast of Busco (nicknamed “Oscar”) is a legendary giant snapping turtle reportedly living in Fulk Lake near Churubusco, Indiana.

The Legend

In 1949:

  • Farmer Gale Harris spotted a giant turtle
  • Estimated at 500+ pounds
  • Shell 4 feet in diameter
  • Multiple witnesses followed
  • The hunt became national news

The Hunt

Efforts to catch Oscar:

  • Hundreds of people searched
  • Multiple capture attempts
  • The lake was partially drained
  • Divers searched
  • He was never caught

Methods Attempted

Hunters tried:

  • Nets
  • Hooks
  • Female turtle lures
  • Draining the lake
  • Deep sea divers
  • Nothing worked

Media Frenzy

The story attracted:

  • National newspaper coverage
  • Newsreel cameras
  • Thousands of spectators
  • Carnival atmosphere
  • The town embraced it

Legacy

Churubusco celebrates:

  • Annual “Turtle Days” festival
  • Since 1950
  • A turtle statue in town
  • Oscar became the mascot
  • The mystery continues

Explanation

Skeptics suggest:

  • A large but normal snapping turtle
  • Exaggeration over time
  • Media hype
  • Snappers can reach 200+ pounds
  • But 500 is enormous

Sources

  • Indiana folklore documentation
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