The Monster on the Hill

On September 12, 1952, witnesses in Flatwoods, West Virginia encountered something they’d never forget—a 10-foot creature with an ace-of-spades head that hovered above the ground. The noxious smell made them sick. The experience changed their lives.

The Light

What started it:

• Bright object
• Fell from sky
• Landed on hill
• Fisher Farm
• Boys saw it

The Group

Who investigated:

• Kathleen May
• Eddie May (13)
• Fred May (12)
• Tommy Hyer
• Neil Nunley
• Gene Lemon
• A dog

The Climb

Going up:

• Flashlights only
• Night dark
• Dog led way
• Strange smell began
• Eyes started burning

The Mist

Atmospheric effect:

• Pungent fog
• Metallic odor
• Made breathing hard
• Eyes watered
• Oppressive

The Creature

What appeared:

• 10 feet tall
• Ace-of-spades head
• Glowing orange face
• Red eyes
• Green body

The Body

Physical form:

• Not standing
• Hovering
• Pleated lower section
• Like a dress
• No visible feet

The Movement

What it did:

• Glided toward them
• Hissing sound
• Approaching slowly
• Terrifying
• They fled

The Retreat

Running away:

• Pure panic
• Down the hill
• Some fell
• Gene Lemon collapsed
• Later at hospital

Physical Effects

Aftermath symptoms:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Throat irritation
• Lasting hours
• Doctor visited

Mrs. May’s Account

Mother’s testimony:

• Consistent always
• Detailed description
• Multiple interviews
• Never changed
• Lifetime witness

The Investigation

Who came:

• A. Lee Stewart Jr.
• Newspaper editor
• Same night
• Found traces
• Documented

Physical Evidence

At the scene:

• Skid marks
• Oily residue
• Burned grass
• Odd tracks
• Quickly faded

The Air Force

Official response:

• Project Blue Book
• Barn owl + meteor
• Ridiculous
• Witnesses rejected
• Case closed

Why Not Owl

Problems with explanation:

• 10 feet tall
• The smell
• Physical effects
• Multiple witnesses
• No owl does this

The Drawing

Iconic image:

• May’s description
• Artist rendering
• Spade head
• Green body
• Famous now

Flatwoods Today

The town:

• Embraced legend
• Monster museum
• Chairs shaped like it
• Tourism
• Community pride

Similar Sightings

Pattern:

• Other 1952 sightings
• Same general area
• Same type creature?
• Connected
• Wave

The Anniversary

Current events:

• Annual celebration
• September 12
• Witnesses honored
• History preserved
• Community event

Significance

Seven witnesses to a 10-foot hovering creature with documented physical effects and physical evidence at the landing site.

Legacy

The Flatwoods Monster launched West Virginia into UFO history—an encounter so bizarre and well-documented that it earned a permanent place in American folklore.