The Vampire With Iron Teeth

Southern Necropolis Cemetery, Glasgow, Scotland

The children were well armed with sharpened sticks, knives and other weapons. They meant business as they approached the Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glagow, Scotland.

Their mission was simple. They had no choice as two children had already been consumed. They were searching for a 7ft vampire monster with iron teeth.

The vampire had been seen in the graveyard and the kids were determined to capture this monster before it could devour any more children.

On the 23rd of September 1954 the police were alerted. They tried to explain to the children, and their parents, that no such creature was at large.

This didn't satisfy the armed mob of child vampire hunters who returned to the historic cemetery immediately after sunset the following night, and the night after that.

Ronnie Sanderson was eight years old at the time and explained what happened:

"It all started in the playground - the word was there was a vampire and everyone was going to head out there after school.

At three o'clock the school emptied and everyone made a beeline for it. We sat there for ages on the wall waiting and waiting. I wouldn't go in because it was a bit scary for me.

I think somebody saw someone wandering about and the cry went up: 'There's the vampire!'

That was it - that was the word to get off that wall quick and get away from it.

I just remember scampering home to my mother who asked, 'What's the matter with you?'

'I've seen a vampire!' I got a clout round the ear for my trouble."

The vampire was eventually forgotten but not by the politicians. Nowadays the Internet would no doubt be blamed for corrupting the children, but back then the scapegoat was American Horror Comics.

The 'Vampire with the Iron Teeth' in Dark Mysteries No.15 (Dec 1953)

The Vampire With The Iron Teeth was taken so seriously that the UK government introduced the Children and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act 1955 which, for the first time, specifically banned the sale of magazines and comics portraying 'incidents of a repulsive or horrible nature' to minors.

But before we laughingly say that a vampire or creature couldn't have iron teeth lets look at the Bible: Daniel Chapter 7 Verse 7:

'After this I saw in the night visions and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly: and it had great iron teeth: it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left/'

Perhaps the local Glasgow vicar was a little over zealous with his sermons but, whatever, it's a true story.

Further Reading:
How To Bring The Dead Back To Life
The Horror Of Spontaneous Human Combustion
The Night Demon Sitting On Your Chest