We normally don’t connect the Native Americans with supernatural horror but since Thanksgiving is coming up, I decided to do a few articles on American Indian boogey-men. Recently I was reading a series of articles on the late American fantasist H.P. Lovecraft and some native myths that might have inspired him. Among the Cherokee tribes there seems to be a belief in giant wasp like monsters which was believed to lurk in the Underworld. Known as the Judaculla it was said t be large enough to carry a man down it its’ hellish abode. Other versions of this great monster were that of a giant known as a Tsul-ka-lu which translates to “Great Lord of the Hunt”. It was said to be a race of gigantic hunters. In Jackson County<North Carolina there is an ancient stone which is known as Judaculla’s Rock. It is described as having a variety of pictographs carved into from some unknown language. Some think that they are the small fossils of tiny, microscopic creatures. The Cherokee consider it a sacred place and hold a variety of rituals there. It is said that there are two other similar places in the area but thr exact location of the two places have been lost in time. The Judacula’s Stone is said to have the mark of the giant’s thumb print. This devilish figure was said to take the form of the giant but can also take the form of the giant wasp. As with bogeymen the Judaculla is a threat to children, notable sleeping children. Near the Judacullah’s stones is a passageway to an area known as the devil’s Courthouse. The entrance way is described as hidden among the stones and leads to the Underworld. Even today the place is is avoided by individuals who are still afraid of the local legends. Another Cherokee myth is that of the witch like Spearfinger, a goblin like monster with a sharp spear like first finger on her right hand. In human form she will try to lure children by imitating the voices of beloved family members. When the child gets too close, she will pounce on the innocent and drag them to her Underworld lair. She is considered to be the last of monstrous race thaqt is extremely hostile to human beings. This ghoulish legend has made this area a popular tourist attraction for those brave enough to risk it. Another Cherokee monster is another wasp like monster by the name of Ulagu who’s massive wingspan can whip terrible winds. This is another great wasp like monster who delights in eating human flesh. This creature was said o move so fast upon its human victims that they are captured before they are even aware of the danger. It was believed that it could be lured out of its underground abode with venison lowered down to it. This way they could tempt it out of its hiding place. Most times such endeavors were avoided because the people are afraid of being stung to death. Often place associated with these creatures was often avoided by the Cherokee for fear of being carried aware and never seen again.