Momo the Missouri Monster
Momo the Missouri Monster is a creature not unlike Bigfoot, Sasquatch, and the other strange ape/human like creatures we have covered here at astonishing legends. However, Momo, unlike Patty, is what we’d call a ‘cult classic.’ Although not as widely recognized as Patty, the lore of Momo has inspired songs, movies, books, and a decades-long infatuation with this strange, smelly creature.
Early reports of Momo began to surface during the summer of 1972. On June 30th, Time and Vaughn from Troy were enjoying picturesque fishing conditions on a secluded stretch of the Cuivre River. As Vaughn was relaxing, he noticed an awful smell polluting the air. When he looked at the other bank he reported a “naked, hairy hippie walking along the opposite side of the river.” Unsure, and slightly amused, Vaughn called to Tim so he could also see this strange man. But, when Tim laid his eyes on the so-called hippie, he knew it was something else.
Tim reported that the creature he saw was impossibly tall for an average man, and was truly covered in hair from head to toe. He also noticed its head “sat right on its shoulders.” Both men attempted to get closer to the creature, but when they began to slowly approach the creature charged at them, which caused the men to panic.
They ran for their lives.
The reports don’t stop here, though. In July, a report came from a couple traveling from West Virginia passing through Missouri. They stopped to stretch their legs on their journey when they noticed an overwhelming stench. They looked around and saw a huge man, with a pumpkin-like head and glowing eyes. The couple reported he must be at least four hundred pounds. When they made eye contact, the creature charged at the couple. They ran and made it to their car, and drove off.
Not only are the descriptions similar, but, most haunting of all, is this creature’s continued aggression towards humans.
The most well-known Momo encounter occurred on July 11th, 1972. Terry Harrison, 8 at the time, and his younger brother, Wally, 5, were playing in their backyard. To many, two brothers playing in the outskirts of Louisiana, Missouri playing at the foot of Marzolf Hill seems idyllic. But, the Harrison brothers were in for quite the summer scare.
Doris, the older sister, heard her brothers scream from the backyard while she was inside their home. She ran to the bathroom window and froze with horror as she saw a huge, black haired man-like creature standing by a tree. This creature had in its hands the bloodied corpse of a dog.
Estimates put Momo at about 7ft tall and said it lacked a visible neck with its head sitting pumpkin-like right on top of its shoulders. The most terrifying aspect of this creature? Its orange-glowing eyes.
The boys ran inside and their faces had gone “so white you couldn’t see a freckle.” Doris called her mother and father, and an investigation began. While tracks were discovered, the monster never made a reappearance. Although the children were all terrified, the investigation concluded empty-handed after 2 weeks.
Of course, some believe that Momo was simply a rabid or otherwise rogue black bear, and others believe it was a hoax from teenagers in the area.
But there, to me, is something incredibly haunting about this creature and its described viciousness that I haven’t come across in my research of other creatures and proven hoaxes.
Thanks to Michael S for this blogstonishing suggestion!
The blog photo is a UPI photo of the case from the Post-Dispatch Archives.