In the deep, dense forests of Cobb's Arm, located on the edge of the Newfoundland coast, there lived a creature so feared that the mere mention of its name sent shivers down the spines of any child. This twisted, cursed being was known only as The Webber. Legends tell of a time long ago when this entity was once a man, though none could say for certain what he truly looked like. He was a fisherman, a reclusive individual who preferred the solitude of the forest to the hustle and bustle of village life.
Something dark had befallen him—a curse that transformed him. It was whispered that his hands began to change; long, bony fingers sprouted webs between them, growing thick and sticky as if made for weaving the very fabric of the night. His eyes turned black as coal, and his once-human features became twisted and gaunt. The villagers often heard his calls echoing through the trees, but no one ever dared venture too close to find him.
As the story goes, after the sun dips below the horizon, The Webber stalks the outskirts of the village. His webbed hands glisten in the moonlight, resembling spider silk swaying in the breeze. Children are warned never to wander into the woods after dark because The Webber waits in the shadows, silent as death, ready to strike. It is said that if you hear a rustle in the woods at night, it is his footsteps drawing closer, his long fingers reaching from the darkness to snare those who have strayed too far from home.
Once he captured his prey, The Webber would drag them deep into the forest, where no one could hear their screams. Some said he ate them, others claimed he used their spirits to fuel his dark powers. Either way, the fate of the children was grim. Their frightened faces would forever haunt the dreams of those who dared to listen.
Over time, as the decades passed, the Webber’s story became a cautionary tale, meant to keep children safe. But even the adults never fully shook off the fear. Occasionally, some claimed to see shadows flickering just outside their windows, or hear strange, wet footsteps in the dark woods.
Many believe that the Webber still wanders the forests of Cobb’s Arm, waiting for nightfall to reach out from the shadows with his webbed hands, searching for the next child to ensnare.
In researching online for folklore and urban legends local to Twillingate, I found repeated references to the story of "The Lady in White". These stories were not all local to Twillingate, and many were not based on Newfoundland folklore. I discovered one story local to Salmon Cove which I've paraphrased below. I've also written an adapted version of "Lady in White", based on stories in Twillingate. I found at least one reference to an incident involving a "Lady in White" at Long Point Lighthouse in Twillingate, which I've referenced below.
