The Legend Behind This Mythical Creature In Missouri Will Leave You Puzzled
By Beth Price-Williams|Published December 07, 2019
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Let’s talk about state legends today, Missouri! We’ve all heard the legend of Bigfoot; some of us may even swear to having seen him during our travels across the state. But, more popular than Bigfoot, at least in Missouri, is Momo. The Missouri Monster — first spotted more than four decades ago — has since become a legend. Do you know the story of Momo, and, perhaps more importantly, do you believe the creature in Missouri really exists?
Missourians first got word of Momo, short for Missouri Monster, in July of 1972 when calls started pouring into the police department in the small town of Louisiana.
Some sources state Momo appeared in July 1971 while others claim it was 1972.
Residents reported seeing a tall creature with tons of black fur or hair, so much that it covered his face and his entire body. Two children, in fact, told their parents of seeing the creature in their backyard, bloodied from a dead dog he held in his hands.
After the incident, the children’s family dog became violently ill for much of the day, and the family discovered footprints where Momo was said to have been.
Many of the residents of Louisiana claim to have seen Momo, and all described him as having a disgusting smell and letting out a low growl, like some kind of animal. All agreed that his fur was so long and shaggy that the face just couldn’t be seen.
Some residents told terrifying tales of coming face-to-face with Momo, their cars overturned by the beast. Two women, in fact, told of hiding in their car, watching as the monster ate their peanut butter sandwich before running into the woods.
Whatever Missourians were seeing that July so long ago, the news media across the country picked up the story. Momo attracted curiosity seekers and monster hunters from around the country, all determined to find him and to capture him.
As the news of Momo’s existence spread, so did the stories from other Midwestern towns, mostly along the Mississippi River, with residents claiming they, too, had had run-ins with the mysterious monster.
One of the final times he was spotted in Louisiana that summer, Momo left behind a lone footprint. Officials showed the footprint to an expert, who claimed the existence of Momo was little more than a hoax.
The phenomenon of Momo ended as abruptly as it began. Winter arrived, and Momo disappeared. Some still talk of the Missouri Monster and sightings have been reported sporadically over the years.
Do you believe there really was a Bigfoot-like creature in Missouri more than four decades ago? Or, do you think, as some do, that it was all a big hoax? Join the conversation in the comments! Love Missouri’s urban legends? Click here to read about more of ‘em.
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