Flatwoods Monster
On September 12, 1952, a group of boys and adults in Flatwoods, West Virginia encountered a terrifying creature after seeing a bright object land on a nearby hill. They described a 10-foot-tall being with a spade-shaped head, glowing eyes, and a dark cloak-like body. The 'Flatwoods Monster' became an iconic American cryptid.
The Flatwoods Monster encounter of 1952 combined elements of UFO sighting and creature encounter into one terrifying event. A group of witnesses climbed a West Virginia hill to investigate a landed object and encountered something that has haunted American folklore for over 70 years - a towering, horrifying being that sent them fleeing in terror.
September 12, 1952
The incident occurred in the small town of Flatwoods, Braxton County, West Virginia:
Initial Sighting: Local boys saw a bright object streak across the sky and appear to land on a nearby hill.
Investigation: The boys, along with local woman Kathleen May and National Guard member Eugene Lemon, climbed the hill to investigate.
Time: Around 7:15 PM, shortly after dark.
Location: The Fisher farm on a hill overlooking the town.
The Witnesses
Seven people climbed the hill:
Kathleen May: A local beautician and mother.
Eugene Lemon: A 17-year-old National Guardsman.
Neil Nunley and Ronnie Shaver: Local boys.
Eddie May and Fred May: Kathleen’s sons.
Tommy Hyer: Another local boy.
The Dog: Lemon’s dog accompanied them.
What They Found
At the top of the hill:
The Glow: They noticed a pulsating ball of fire or glowing object.
Strange Smell: A pungent, metallic odor filled the air.
The Dog: Lemon’s dog ran ahead and began barking frantically.
The Eyes: Lemon shone his flashlight toward hissing sounds and saw two glowing lights - then realized they were eyes.
The Creature
What the flashlight revealed terrified them:
Height: Approximately 10-12 feet tall.
Head: A dark, spade-shaped or ace-of-spades-shaped hood around the face.
Eyes: Large, glowing orange-red eyes.
Body: A dark, flowing garment or cloak from below the face.
Arms: Small, claw-like hands at the ends of short arms.
Movement: It glided toward them, not walking but floating or hovering.
Sound: It made a hissing or shrieking sound.
The Reaction
The witnesses fled in terror:
Immediate Flight: The group ran down the hill in panic.
Physical Effects: Several witnesses reported nausea, vomiting, and convulsions afterward.
The Dog: The dog reportedly refused to return to the site.
Emotional Impact: The terror was genuine and lasting.
The Investigation
The incident was investigated:
Sheriff’s Investigation: Braxton County Sheriff Robert Carr investigated.
Press Coverage: The story made national news.
Ivan Sanderson: Famed anomaly researcher investigated.
Physical Evidence: Strange marks and an unusual smell were reported at the site.
The Physical Effects
Several witnesses experienced symptoms:
Nausea: Illness lasting hours to days.
Throat Irritation: Burning or irritation of the throat.
Nasal Irritation: Similar effects in the nose and sinuses.
Convulsions: Some witnesses reportedly experienced convulsions.
These symptoms might suggest exposure to some unknown substance or energy.
Explanations Proposed
Various theories have been offered:
Owl: A large barn owl, perched on a branch, with eyes reflecting the flashlight. The “body” could have been foliage below the branch.
Meteor: The original light was a meteor, and the creature was something conventional misidentified in panic.
Mass Hysteria: The frightened group saw something ordinary and their fear transformed it.
Genuine Encounter: Something truly unknown was present on that hill.
The Owl Theory
Skeptics favor the owl explanation:
Supporting Points: Barn owls can appear large, have prominent eyes, and sit on branches that might create a “body” appearance in darkness.
Problems: The owl theory doesn’t explain the physical symptoms, the smell, the gliding motion, or the extreme terror of multiple witnesses.
Cultural Impact
The Flatwoods Monster became iconic:
Media Coverage: The story spread nationally in 1952.
Pop Culture: The creature appears in games, movies, and TV shows.
Local Pride: Flatwoods embraces its monster with festivals and monuments.
Cryptid Status: It became one of America’s most famous cryptid encounters.
Connection to UFOs
The case connects to the UFO phenomenon:
The Original Light: Witnesses saw something land on the hill.
1952 UFO Wave: The incident occurred during a major wave of UFO sightings.
Creature Connection: The being appeared near where the object landed.
Pattern: Other cases combine UFO sightings with creature encounters.
The Witnesses
The witnesses maintained their account:
Kathleen May: Spoke about her experience for years.
Eugene Lemon: Maintained the account was genuine.
Consistency: The core description remained consistent across witnesses.
Trauma: The fear they experienced was clearly genuine.
The Smell
The pungent odor reported is notable:
Description: Metallic, sulfurous, or chemical.
Persistence: It reportedly lingered at the site.
Effect: May have contributed to the physical symptoms.
Evidence: Some investigators reported detecting unusual odors.
Legacy
The Flatwoods Monster matters because:
- Multiple witnesses experienced genuine terror
- Physical symptoms suggested real exposure to something
- The case combines UFO and creature elements
- It occurred during a major UFO wave
- It became an iconic piece of American folklore
Whatever emerged from the darkness on that West Virginia hill in 1952 was terrifying enough to send seven people fleeing and leave some of them physically ill. The Flatwoods Monster remains one of America’s most compelling and frightening creature encounters.
Sources
- Witness testimonies
- Sheriff Robert Carr investigation
- Ivan Sanderson investigation
- Flatwoods monster - Wikipedia