Beast of Busco

In 1898, Oscar Funk, a resident of Churubusco, Indiana, reported spotting a colossal snapping turtle in a seven-acre lake on his property. While he initially shared his encounter, he later chose to let the matter rest. However, in July 1948, two more locals and the then-landowner, Gale Harris, also claimed to have seen a massive snapping turtle, weighing over 500 pounds, while fishing in the same lake. The story gained national attention when a Fort Wayne reporter publicized it, making the turtle an overnight sensation. The creature's fame drew crowds, necessitating local police intervention for traffic management. Despite the extensive search and media frenzy, the turtle, dubbed 'Oscar' after the original landowner, was never located.