Submitted by Rodney Erps () on 12/1/96.

Newspaper article : Pekin Daily Times ; July 19, 1972

Louisiana, Mo. (UPI)- Pike County authorities today began a search for a large mysterious creature that reportedly has been sighted by several persons in the area. Although descriptions varied, residents of the Mississippi River town claimed they spotted the "thing" Tuesday. There was no confirmation, but authortities said they had numerous telephone calls from residents who said they saw the creature. The callers said the monster is big-between 6 and 12 feet tall-is completely covered with long dark hair and it smells. On the last point most witnesses seem to agree. Rumors spread Tuesday and one report said the creature crossed a highway with a dog in it's mouth. Another man said it picked up his small foreign made car. Police said the only way they could stop the rumors was to search a wooded area west of Louisiana, where the "thing" was allegedly seen last. A Sheriff's Department spokesman said that although they did not believe it was a monster "they didn't want to search the dark woods Tuesday night." The most logical guess made was that the creature was an overgrown black bear.

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