The Classic Crawfordsville Critter
Posted by: Loren Coleman on September 11th, 2007
Cedar Rapids [Iowa] Evening Gazette
September 11, 1891
THE CRAWFORDSVILLE AIR MONSTER.
EDITOR GAZETTE: — The article which appeared in THE GAZETTE of Tuesday, Sept. 8, in regard to the mysterious monster in the air, seen at Crawfordsville, Ind., brings to my mind an occurrence of a very similar character which took place in Chicago in the spring of 1849. Although I was a small boy at the time I remember the incident very distinctly. The first appearance of this “monster” was between 9 and 10 o’clock at night. People who were on the streets were amazed and terrified by the strange and unearthly sight and noise out over the lake [Lake Michigan]. What met the sight appeared to be a luminous coffin of gigantic proportions, while beneath it was the most diabolical head and face conceivable. From the mouth and eyes fire seemed to be issuing, while from the distorted lips came the most blood-curdling shrieks. The effect was startling, and excitement in many cases merged into frenzy. Several nervous women fainted, and others were thrown into hysterical spasms. It was reported, I known not how correctly, that a devout priest got out his book and bell, and went through the rite for exorcising the devil, of course without success. One thing is certain, there was the “devil to pay” in Chicago that night and the succeeding one. The Millerites were jubilant, accepting it as proof positive that the end was at hand. I listened to selections from Revelations [sic] and comments by excited people till my young life was nearly frightened out of me.
It seems the second manifestation was too much for some members of families whose graceless sons had been interested in getting up the scenic display, and in order to restore their mental equipoise, were obliged to give the snap away. It was simple enough when explained. Some of the young men had built a huge kite of the six-corner pattern, making it very long which gave it the exact shape of a coffin lid. Before sending it up, which they did from boats out on the lake, the kite was smeared with phosphorous. The diabolical face was simply a jack-o’-lantern made of a pumpkin, and the music (?) was supplied by an unfortunate kitten which was tied by the tail to the tail of the kite, and very naturally remonstrated against the whole proceedings in feline fashion.
Now I have no doubt that the Crawfordsville horror, if sifted, would turn out to be, like this, the work of some fun-loving boys. When God or his angels appear to proclaim the end of time it will not be confined to any one
section, and it is only to set aside superstitious fears that I have related this incident which is true in every particular.Shell Rock, Iowa. J. R. MARTIN
Thanks for this historical item from
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Hmm, interesting, if not a bit more unusual than the typical North American ape tale or sea serpent sighting. Despite thinking I knew a lot about cryptids of the sky, I first heard of the Crawfordsville monster through a roleplaying game book, and even then I didn’t realize it was a cryptid until I did some research.
hey loren & everyone good morning very interesting new update article about crawfordsville critter. thanks bill green 🙂
I can’t help but wonder what the “phosphorous” preparation was. If it had been white phosphorous it would have set the kite afire, as well has burning to the bone any hands that touched it.
Wait, a kite that’s able to fly with a pumpkin and a kitten tied to it? I suppose one could do that if the kite was large/sturdy enough and the winds were strong, but something about this doesn’t seem right to me.
Poor kitten.
The explaination sounds a lot like “ball lighting and swamp gas” to me.