YEAR: 1997

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: July

DATE: 19

STATE: Missouri

COUNTY: Lawrence County

LOCATION DETAILS: From Mt. Vernon go west on SR V highway past Baptist Hill Assembly to the first bridge over Spring River.

NEAREST TOWN: Mt. Vernon

NEAREST ROAD: SR V Highway

OBSERVED: When I saw it I was fishing on Spring River on SR V Highway due west of Mt. Vernon past Baptist Hill Assembly. It was in July 1997 I had been fishing near the bridge over Spring River and decided to move downstream a bit. As I came around a large group of oak trees I saw a figure walking from the stream towards the woods. At first I thought it was a hunter but realized it was too large to be a man 7-8 foot tall at least and probably over 600 pound ( I'm 6' 3" and it was taller than me). It had long reddish brown hair kind of matted or curly looking. I was approximately 100 yards from it. I don't know if it saw me or not but it didn't seem to be in any rush to get into the woods. I watched it for at least five minutes before I couldn't see it anymore. I thought about trying to follow it but since I was alone I thought better of it, but I did go back the next day in the afternoon to see if I could find any footprints but didn't find anything that I could say definately belonged to the thing I saw.

OTHER WITNESSES: I was alone.

OTHER STORIES: I've heard about these things in the area as long as I've lived here and know several people who have seen them both here and in North East Oklahoma.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Evening just before sunset. Weather was hot and humid

ENVIRONMENT: Farmland with creekbottom and a open valley. Had hills on the side with lots of trees and brush.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone and can add the following details to the report:

• The witness watched the animal as it slowly walked 500 feet across an open field from the creek area and into the woods.
• He was unable to see any facial details.

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