YEAR: 1974

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: September

STATE: Missouri

COUNTY: Greene County

NEAREST TOWN: Ash Grove

NEAREST ROAD: Hwy 160

OBSERVED: I grew up on a dairy farm, and would bring in the cows for the evening milking. This was often done on horse back for both pleasure and convenience. Since I was only ten years old at the time I didn't have to actually milk the cows after they were at the barn, and could ride the horse while my brother and father milked. On the evening of the incident I was riding our appaloosa Gelding south from the barn lot toward the back of our farm. Most of our farm had been cleared by dozing eight years before, but the farm behind ours was completely overgrown,with trees,and brush, and it had not been used for anything for several years. The east boundry of our farm was a river, and there are many caves and sink holes in the area due to the karst topography. As I mantioned above most of our farm was open so visability is good. I had ridden about 100 yards west of the barn and was within about 100 yards of the back fence when Ace, our horse stopped walking. I kicked him in the ribs a little to get him going again, but he would only go a step or two and would stop again. This went on fow several minutes with me trying to force Ace who was a very well behaved horse to go forward. I only managed to get him to go perhaps 20 or 30 yards, before he would go no further. All the while he was stamping his front feet, and snorting air out his nose in great puffs,as well as having his ears laid back against his head. I was getting very frustrated with Ace, and was slapping the reigns against his flanks, and kicking my heels into him,but he would not go. At this time from behind a small cedar tree a large black humanoid creature stood up, as though it had been crouched there hiding. It turned toward the back fence of our farm, being just on our side of the fence. I took four or five long strides walking upright then jumped the fence like a man would jump over something, rather like a great hop. I didn't get a chance to watch what ever it was because Ace turned and bolted back for the barn, and there was nothing I could do to stop him. I was barely able to stay in the saddle he was running so recklessly. I got my father and brother, and we went back to where I saw what ever it was but it was long gone. I remember that it was not covered with long stringy hair as these things are often reported, but was very dark from head to toe.I saw it from about 60 to 70 yards away,clearly with nothing between us until it jumped the fence. It was probably 6:00 to 6:30 pm, but it was only late September so it was still light out at the time.There were other occurrences in this area with screams, or cries at night, the sound of crashing movement in the brush near our house, and a putrid,rotten smell that when smelled while coon hunting would cause the hound to come back to us, and they would slink around at our heels with their tails between their legs. These things took happened over several years, but mine was the only actual sighting of anything, by my family.

ALSO NOTICED: The behavior of the horse is the most telling detail of the incident.

OTHER WITNESSES: none

OTHER STORIES: Yes

TIME AND CONDITIONS: It was approximately 6:00 to 6:30 pm. My father got off work at 5:00 and would come home and start the milking. it was clear and dry out, with good light.

ENVIRONMENT: It is open fields with the whole farm being part of a large hill, there were oaks, and walnut trees left after the dozing. There are many caves and sink holes in the area,with a large woode area immediately south of the farm.The big sac river is the east border of our farm and the overgrown wooded farm behind it.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone. He stated that the animal had a long stride with a peculiar walk, was at least six feet tall, solid black with hair shorter than one and one-half inches.

It was also noted that during this period on the farm vocalizations including long drawn out screams were heard. His father would mimic the sound and the animal would respond and move closer but always staying outside the range of the outdoors light.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net