The Kelly-Hopkinsville Encounter

On the night of August 21, 1955, the Sutton family farmhouse near Kelly, Kentucky became the site of one of the most bizarre close encounters in UFO history. For hours, family members battled small, glowing creatures with large ears and eyes that seemed impervious to gunfire.

The Witnesses

The farmhouse held:

• Elmer “Lucky” Sutton
• John Charley Sutton
• Vera Sutton
• J.C. Sutton
• Alene Sutton
• Billy Ray Taylor
• June Taylor
• Three children
• Total eleven people
• Multiple adult witnesses

The Beginning

Billy Ray Taylor:

• Went outside for water
• Around 7:00 PM
• Saw bright object
• Streak across sky
• Land behind trees

Initial Reaction

Taylor reported:

• Told others inside
• Met with skepticism
• Laughed at
• Dismissed as stars
• Then creatures appeared

First Creature

Around 8:00 PM:

• Dog barked frantically
• Men went outside
• Saw glowing figure
• Approaching house
• Hands raised

The Description

Creatures described:

• 3-4 feet tall
• Large pointed ears
• Huge glowing eyes
• Long arms
• Claw-like hands

Physical Features

Additional details:

• Silvery metallic skin
• Glowed from within
• Spindly legs
• Oversized heads
• No visible clothing

The Fight Begins

Sutton and Taylor:

• Grabbed shotguns
• Fired at creature
• Heard metallic sound
• Creature flipped backward
• Then disappeared

Creature Behavior

When shot:

• Didn’t appear hurt
• Floated or glided
• Not affected by bullets
• Kept returning
• Relentless approach

Hours of Terror

From 8 PM to 11 PM:

• Multiple creatures appeared
• Different locations
• Windows, roof, trees
• Constant harassment
• Family terrified

The Roof Incidents

Creatures on roof:

• Scratching sounds
• Peering in windows
• Grabbed at men
• Claws touched hair
• Screaming inside

Taylor’s Encounter

Billy Ray:

• Went on porch
• Claw grabbed hair
• From roof edge
• Others shot at it
• Creature fell, ran

Ammunition Used

The family fired:

• Shotguns extensively
• .22 caliber rifle
• Box after box
• No effect
• Creatures kept coming

The Escape

Around 11 PM:

• Family fled house
• Piled into cars
• Drove to Hopkinsville
• Went to police
• Clearly terrified

Police Response

At station:

• Family genuinely frightened
• Police took seriously
• Large response
• State police
• Military contacted

The Investigation

Officers found:

• Spent shell casings
• Bullet holes everywhere
• Strange marks
• No creatures
• Something happened

Chief Greenwell

Police Chief:

• Led investigation
• Believed family
• Saw their terror
• Something real
• No explanation

Return at Dawn

After police left:

• Creatures returned
• Around 3:30 AM
• More sightings
• Family terrified again
• Waited until dawn

Physical Evidence

At the scene:

• Numerous bullet holes
• Torn screens
• Marks on roof
• Disturbed ground
• Signs of struggle

Skeptical Explanations

Some suggested:

• Great horned owls
• Alcohol involvement
• Hoax
• Mass hysteria
• None satisfying

Against Hoax Theory

Evidence against hoax:

• Too many witnesses
• Genuine terror
• No profit motive
• Consistent decades later
• Police believed them

Cultural Impact

The case influenced:

• UFO research
• Pop culture
• Movie inspirations
• “Gremlins” connections
• Lasting imagery

J. Allen Hynek

Later reviewed:

• Found case compelling
• Witnesses credible
• Multiple observers
• Physical evidence
• Classic encounter

Project Blue Book

Air Force:

• Investigated briefly
• No explanation offered
• Case unexplained
• Official attention
• Remained mystery

The Witnesses Later

Family members:

• Never recanted
• Maintained story
• Traumatized for life
• Avoided publicity
• Consistent accounts

Significance

Kelly-Hopkinsville is significant for:

• Multiple witnesses
• Extended duration
• Physical interaction
• Police involvement
• Classic case

Legacy

The Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter remains one of the most detailed and bizarre close encounters in UFO history. The multiple witnesses, extended duration, and genuine terror of the Sutton family make this case a cornerstone of UFO research.