The Flatwoods Monster Encounter

On September 12, 1952, a group of locals in Flatwoods, West Virginia investigated what they thought was a crashed meteor on a hilltop farm. Instead, they encountered a tall, terrifying creature with a spade-shaped head and glowing eyes. The “Flatwoods Monster” or “Braxton County Monster” became an enduring American cryptid legend.

The Setup

That evening:

• A bright light crossed the sky
• Appeared to land on a hilltop
• Three boys saw it
• They gathered adults to investigate
• Group went to the site

The Witnesses

The group included:

• Kathleen May (adult)
• Her sons Eddie and Freddie
• Gene Lemon (National Guardsman)
• Neil Nunley
• Tommy Hyer
• Ronnie Shaver

The Approach

Walking up the hill:

• They smelled a pungent odor
• Like burning metal
• A pulsing red light visible
• Gene Lemon was in front
• His flashlight caught something

The Creature

They saw:

• A tall figure (10+ feet)
• Spade or ace-of-spades shaped head
• Glowing eyes
• Dark body in robes or cloak
• Clawed hands

The Encounter

The creature:

• Seemed to float toward them
• Made a hissing sound
• Group fled in terror
• Some fell running
• Mass panic ensued

Physical Effects

After the encounter:

• Several became ill
• Nausea and vomiting
• Swollen throats
• Convulsions in one witness
• Doctor treated them

Investigation

Researchers found:

• Strange marks on ground
• Lingering odor
• Skid marks or tracks
• No conventional explanation
• The story held together

Theories

Proposed explanations:

• Barn owl on tree stump
• Meteor and separate animal
• Mass hysteria
• Genuine unknown creature
• Extraterrestrial being

The Owl Theory

Skeptics suggest:

• A barn owl on a branch
• Flashlight reflected eyes
• Frightened witnesses
• However, doesn’t explain all details
• Size estimates argue against

Cultural Impact

The Flatwoods Monster:

• Became a cultural icon
• Featured in media
• Annual festival in Flatwoods
• Museum dedicated to it
• Part of West Virginia lore

Significance

The Flatwoods Monster is significant for:

• Multiple credible witnesses
• Physical effects documented
• Distinct appearance
• Part of 1952 UFO wave
• Enduring mystery

Legacy

The Flatwoods Monster remains one of America’s most distinctive and frightening cryptid encounters. Whether misidentified animal or something else entirely, the witnesses’ terror and physical symptoms suggest they encountered something remarkable.