This is just an interesting story I wanted to share of the Texas ranger selling his wooden gargoyle and the alleged "coming to life" episode that comes with it. I will post a picture of the critter on images, and I actually have five extra pictures...including close-up of the bullet holes in the chest. The attachment also carries an image of the statue.

From ebay:


"World's Oldest and Largest Gargoyle Statue
**Description**
Original wood carving. Stands 9 feet, 2 inches tall with a wingspan of 8 feet, 3 inches. Carved out of solid English Oak. 150 pounds.
Date of production estimated around mid-1700's. Carving is in excellent condition and has been stored indoors. Gargoyle has been featured in several newspaper articles throughout Texas.

**The True Story**
In 1992, current owner of Gargoyle statue worked as a ranger officer in Austin, TX. In fall of 1992, officer responded to 911 distress call routed through dispatch indicating "GARGOYLE HAS COME ALIVE!!". Two minutes later, radio dispatch announced that gun shots had been fired from the same location. Officer was provided address where 911 call was initiated to investigate incident.
Officer pulled up to address where 911 call was made to find male & female homeowner standing in yard waiting for police. Officer notified them to immediately place any weapons they had on the ground (male was holding a 357 magnum pistol). Female approached officer in clear state of hysteria screaming that the Gargoyle statue had come alive. Male homeowner was asked to explain what had occured before the officer arrived at the residence.
Male indicated that the 911 call was placed immediately after they saw the Gargoyle statue moving its head and wings. Homeowner then proceeded to fire two rounds point-blank from a 357 magnum pistol into the moving Gargoyle statue. Male indicated that he ran away after seeing both bullets bounce out of the front of the statue. Picture of one of the bullet holes included below.
Homeowners sold Gargoyle statue to ranger officer upon agreement that it would be immediately removed from the property. Now, 12 years later, there is an opportunity for one lucky bidder to be part of this Gargoyles' illustrious past & future.
Return on Gargoyle investment is guaranteed! Statue has been used as a promotional tool for radio stations and new businesses wanting to attract more customers. Simply display Gargoyle statue in front of any business to draw attention. Thousands of Gargoyle hats and t-shirts have already been sold.
SHIPPING and insurance are included in this price worldwide.
Delivery will take between 7-14 days.
Bidding starts at $1,600,000"
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i see no names and vague details in the story, it is clearly fake. a stunt to sell the gargoyle. with some names we could see(not that it is necessary) if its true. an amazing story like this would be one of the most populair experiences and would be recorded on every site like the patterson film



i dont think it is the oldest gargoyle statue but it is a nice statue. i would have bought it if i had a job

EDIT- Removed inflamatory remark
Do not insult other members. One more flamatory remark will result in further action against your account-UA

Most likely another feeble attempt to sell a rather worthless item for more money. Just read all the stories about haunted items on e-bay. I personally think that this is what hinders proper paranormal research.....stupid really.

Still though there are many stories about animating items. Just keep on looking for more.

I personally find haunted paintings and mirrors amongst my favourites (sadly both types appear in ebay too often lately....oh well)

LMAO these guys will try anything to make a sale.

i agree it's a hyped story/fake. i did like the fact that the gargoyle is wooden, when most are made of stone to be set outdoors...thier whole purpose was to frighten evil spirits AWAY from entering a place. I post it for art's sake. how often do we get to see pictures of a 300 year old (and I do question the true age as well)hand carved wooden devil with bullet holes in it? I also like the fact it's quite popular in Texas, with it's likeness and story spread by the media as curio...good ol' media. where would we be without 'em?

The next thing I know, the lawn ordements I painted are gonna start making me coffee

it is a fine piece of art

Creepy piece of art. But the story is weird I wonder if it was possesed?

The story sounds kinda fake, but the gargoyle is still creppy

gargoyles are creepy, but this storysounds like a crock to me

wow, that is an impressive carving, and if I had money to burn, would buy it, although I would probably scare myself with it. The stiry does sound painfully vague though, but probably more believable than some of the ones I have read on ebay...

i agree it looks very interesting and is a good piece very skilled whoever did it!!! but to own it would totally freak me out!!

That story is obviously fake but I still think that gargoyle is rather scary. Reminds me of the thing out of Jeepers Creepers.

mo jeepers creepers was a animal that feasted on organs and only comes out every 100 years to feast on the organs of living organisims.

i would buy it if i had cash

It is not a gargoyle. He has cloven hooves and was not made for an outdoor piece. He is el diablo, the devil.

But then again..who are you to say what a gargoyle should look like?

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that is how they think gargoyles look like and that statue does not look like that

I am, of course, a gargoyle expert because i have watched the old movie from way back in the 1970's like three times...."teach me to read, diana!" it is the SCARIEST MOVIE EVER DUDE!!!!!!!!!!

Haha..Theres no right way to make a gargoyle..but i know nothing compared to this gargoyle expert over here..3 times you say?

Indeed. Three times! I screamed until my throat was sore. I....uh....I do have a life, honest.

Well, as far as the gargoyle thing goes, I have my doubts about the actual movement of the head and wings as described, but I think the story is probably just as it is described.
A cop responds to a call from two people (probably tripped out freaks, it is Austin) who claim the statue came to life. The cop then takes possession of it. The story makes no reference to any firsthand knowledge of the statue moving.

Here's a new article from last October featuring the same story:

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page662.html

It includes a couple of different pictures not used on the auction including one exceptionally creepy view of the head & face.

Also, as an extra note, the person interviewed in the above article (Bill J) has a similar name to the person holding the auction (williamjteising).

Anyhoo, a gargoyle in the true senso of the word was NOT something that was supposed to represent the devil. They were actually made to supposedly keep evil spirits away from holy places, and especially with gothic revival, they became more prominent. There are even churches in England that have gargoyle carvings of the Green Man, who was mistakingly identified as the devil also. Check out the examples of Gargoyles in Oxford - UK, there are some awesome (and humorous) ones! *sigh* I do miss my old churches and castles

tiz a cool statue, is life-like. but still, seems like a ploy to sell it. Kind of like all that junk on Ebay people try and sell because it's "haunted." I saw one where a girl was selling a "haunted laptop computer." The computer "mysteriously shuts down and crashes!..*gasp*

oh thank goodness, some one who actually knows what a gargoyle is and what their purpose is for... they were put on buildings as stated above to ward off evil *dr evil pose* spirits