Local author pens new children's book

HAGUE | Local author Seddon Beaty has a new children's book out, and though it's non-fiction, the story, inspired by actual events, has all the makings for an epic and memorable drama. In this case, the truth is indeed stranger than fiction. The hardcover book, with its alliterative title, A TRUE TALE OF TRICKERY, documents the story of the Lake George Monster. Not to be confused with Lake Champlain's plesiosaur serpent, Champ, the Lake George Monster is no serpent. Rather, it is the tangible result of a friendly (or not so friendly) competition between two noteworthy and strong-willed men who spent their summers on Lake George boating, fishing, and playing tricks on one another. "This is a fun story to read or learn about," Beaty shared. "It has been a story I have heard the entire time that I have been up here, and I realized there was nowhere that it was actually written down." At the turn of the century, after having been made a fool of in a mutual fishing contest where Colonel William Mann duped Harry Watrous with a fake 40-pound (supposedly) wooden trout, Watrous retaliated and upped the ante as far as pranks were concerned. The result of Watrous's brief humiliation was a carved giant "monster" courtesy of a skilled woodworker. Glass eyes made from telegraph insulators and jagged teeth, the monster was an intimidating presence, and thanks to a system of ropes, pulleys, and an anchor, began wreaking havoc all over the lake, and the first stop was at Mann's home while he had company. As sightings increased that summer, word of the aquatic menace spread to newspapers in New York City and Washington, D.C. Watrous's creation was a true sensation, and over a century later is still making news. For Beaty, the story has become personal over the years. From her waterfront home in Hague, she is able to view daily where the monster once bobbed his head, and swim right where it trolled, looking for its next victim to frighten. "This is a great story for youngsters because monsters fascinate kids," Beaty noted. "What is nice about this monster is that he is a toy, he is a safer monster in a way." Beaty self-published the book, and enlisted her friend and locally renowned graphic artist, author, and illustrator Chris Quinn to visually bring the story to life, which she did over this past winter. Quinn recalled watching Lake George's surface as a child, waiting for the monster to appear. She was even certain that on several occasions, she had seen it. "Now, as an adult, I feel particularly connected to the story of Watrous and his monster, as the co-owner of a lakeside cottage built by Watrous- an inheritance from my parents and grandparents," Quinn revealed. Local author, historian, and President of the Hague Historical Society Ginger Kuenzel was brought on the team to edit the manuscript. "My grandmother delighted in telling us kids about how her close friend Harry Watrous tricked his friend Colonel Mann with the Lake George Monster," Kuenzel said. "Over the decades, I have passed the tale of the hoax on to my children and grandchildren. We at the Hague Historical Society are thrilled that this tale of trickery is now preserved for future generations in this beautifully illustrated book." Beaty and Quinn are members of the Hague Historical Society, and all profits from sales of the book will be donated to the society, allowing HHS to continue its work of preserving and sharing the many facets of Hague's fascinating history. "I wanted to support the board, they are really doing incredible things," Beaty added. The real Lake George Monster is now located within the Hague Community Center for those interested in viewing the treasured relic. A TRUE TALE OF TRICKERY is available locally wherever books are sold.

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Local author pens new children's book

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