The Fragrant Fouke Monster

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The Fragrant Fouke Monster

Deep in the Southern United States, Arkansas is known for its parks and recreational area.  The area houses mountains, caves, rivers, and hot springs.  Known for the Ozarks region, hiking trails and limestone caves bring many visitors every year.  The south is also home to the creature known as the Southern Sasquatch, the Boggy Creek Monster, the Jonesville Monster, or more commonly, the Fouke Monster.9269350437_0bdd8bdc90_z

At seven feet tall, the hominid creature is covered in long dark hair.  He weighs between 250 and 300 pounds with a chest three feet wide.  He is easily spotted by his silver and red eyes or the horrible smell that follows him.  The smell has been described as a combination between a skunk and a wet dog.  He runs swiftly with a galloping gait.  While he runs, he swings his arms similar to the way a monkeys arms swing while rushing through forest trees.

Early reports came from 1946 where the monster was first dubbed the Jonesville Monster after being found in Jonesville.  The stories circulated locally but were never formally reported.  His named changed to the Fouke Monster in 1964.  The first actual reported appearance of the Fouke Monster was in 1971.  That date was the first date that he made headlines.

The horrid creature reached through a screen door while a woman, Elizabeth Ford, was napping on the couch.  Elizabeth was attacked and might have met a perilous fate if her husband did not happen to return home from his hunting trip with his brother at that exact moment.  Her husband Bobby rushed to the porch and chased the monster off.

(images:cpbills/flickr)

(images:cpbills/flickr)

Unfortunately, the next night, the monster returned as if fulfilling a vendetta and attacked Bobby.  The Fouke Monster threw Bobby to the ground.  He was able to retreat and get into the house.  He was treated at St. Michael hospital for scratches and mild shock.  During the encounter Bobby Ford shot at the monster and thought he had hit it.  He later found no blood.  There was three toed foot prints near the house but never found the monster.  Upon inspection, Elizabeth and Bobby found scratch marks on the porch.  They also noted damage to the windows and siding.

Initially, locals thought the Fouke Monster was a bear.  The monster was tracked after his fateful attack, but never found.  The monster left giant seventeen inch foot prints into a nearby forest.  The Ford’s were not the only ones attacked by the Fouke Monster.  He was also credited for the attacks and destruction of local livestock and dogs.

A month after the attack on the Ford’s, three people reported seeing the Fouke Monster cross US Highway 71.  Many tourists and residents reported seeing the monster.  Additionally, other sets of large foot prints were found.  Game wardens who studied the foot prints were unable to determine their species or confirm their authenticity.  All of the foot prints had only three toes.

In the 1970s, the creature regained interest.  After the Ford sighting, a $1,090 bounty was placed on the head of the creature.  Attempts were made to track the foot prints and the smelly creature with dogs, with no success.  Hunters eagerly searched and eventually were forced into a “no guns” policy to ensure public safety, due to the large numbers roaming local, populated areas.  Other reports surfaced in 1978 and even as recently as 2000 have people made reports regarding the Beast of Boggy Creek as he has now affectionately been dubbed.

Megan Borchert
Megan Borchert
Lover of all things unusual, Megan is a staff attorney for the state of South Dakota. When she's not stuffed in an office writing case synopses, you can find her at home with her army of Schnauzers, snuggled up with some strong wine and a good book.

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