YEAR: 1981

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: October

DATE: 26

STATE: Indiana

COUNTY: Lawrence County

LOCATION DETAILS: It was just off the airport road east of Bedford and just south of Hwy 50 about 3 to 4 miles on a small gravel road near Leatherwood creek.we had just crossed a bridge over the creek and were heading east.

NEAREST TOWN: east of Bedford In.

NEAREST ROAD: south of hwy.50

OBSERVED: This sighting occured in october of 1981.I had just been discharged from the marine corps.I was 21 years old at the time.I have lived in this area of indiana all my life.I am an avid hunter and outdoorsman with much experience .I am a raccoon hunter also and have been hunting at night by myself many times.It was a warm Saturday afternoon in late october.My sister and her boyfriend and his sister and myself went on a picnic at Spring Mill State Park.After the picnic my sisters boyfriend and her went home.The other girl and myself decided
to go out riding around in the country to enjoy the fall leaves. We were heading east of Bedford, Indiana on a small gravel road near the airport .This road went to a small creek bottom by leatherwood creek.There was thick forest on one side of the road and a cornfield on the other,surronded by thick briars.We had crossed the bridge over leatherwood creek and i pulled my 4x4 truck off to the side of the road,we were headed east.I was looking down adjusting the radio when my companion stated that someone was watching us.I looked up and to my disbelief I saw something standing in the middle of the road about 50 to 60 yards to our front.This thing was at least 6 to 7 feet tall standing upright.It was cover in long dark gray and brown hair.I could not see its face.I could feel the hair on the back of my neck standing up.My companion was terrified.I slowly removed an M1 carbine from its case and inserted a magazine the creature continued to watch us closely .I opened the truck door and stepped out on to the road.I began to move slowly towards the creature as I did it turned and ran thru the briars in to the cornfield.I returned to the truck very shaken I have never seen anything like this my companion insisted that I take her home .Which I did we never went out again.I have often wondered why I did not fire my weapon at the creature. I guess it looked somewhat human like and it made no threating behavior.I never reported this incident because I figured no one would believe me anyway.

ALSO NOTICED: none that i can think of

OTHER WITNESSES: just myself and my date we were riding around in my 4x4 enjoying the fall leaves

OTHER STORIES: noted some reports on your web site about encounters near bedford in the hoosier national forest which is very near to the location where these events took place.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Late afternoon It was warm and dry very sunny

ENVIRONMENT: a creek bottom with heavy forest on one side and a cornfield on the other side surrounded by thick briars

Follow-up investigation report:

The first thing that entered Derek's mind when he had his sighting was who is that? Upon getting closer and hearing his friend's question repeated, he told me, "It was more like
what is that?" He approached close enough to see the wind blowing the creature's hair around. I asked about the general appearance of the animal and was told "I couldn't see the eyes because that area was very dark and covered with hair."
He mentioned that the head did suggest being pointed or almost. The animal was thickly built with heavy legs. He mentiioned it had no neck. The color was a brownish gray. When he approached it he mentioned two things to me. The first was he didn't think he could shoot. It was so manlike and it wasn't "doing anything."
Secondly, if he used the weapon he had along it would have had a minimal effect which he wouldn't have felt comfortable about. He was just out of the Marines and full of energy during the time he had his encounter. Upon the approach of it he mentioned it took two quick strides and it was gone. Although manlike, it seemed to have the longest hair on its trunk (body). Also, he thought it might be somebody playing a trick on them since it was so close to Halloween. What changed his mind quickly was the way it moved and where it went. It leaped into a series of wild malty... rosebushes with thorns. It tore right through and it wouldn't be something that a person would do in Derek's opinion especially with the length of stride and speed exhibited. He also mentioned smelling an odor. This area was on the edge of the Hoosier National Forest.

• Explanation of the report classification system
• Submit a report for the sightings database
• Please send any comments or inquiries to ContactUs@BFRO.net