Sunday, October 12, 2008

An American Werewolf in Defiance...

Some thirty years ago, a mystery perplexed the town of Defiance, Ohio, west of Toledo. Railroad workers reported run-ins with an assailant along the tracks in town. They were attacked by what was described as a werewolf.

In early August 1972, local newspapers were buzzing over the police hunt for a "wolfman" along the Norfolk and Western tracks. Three separate incidents near Fifth Street had taken place within the span of a week. A tall figure with an "animal-like head" crept from the wooded area and went after people with a two-by-four. While two victims escaped, one railroad worker was struck on the shoulder and received minor injuries. All of the attacks occurred between 1:30 AM and 4:30 AM.

Hysteria quickly swept the town. Residents contacted authorities out of fear. Many had not witnessed the creature, but felt sure they were being watched or in imminent danger. One woman notified authorities that every night at 2:00 AM, something rattled her door knob. Another phoned police to say there was something scratching at her door and "if anything cane through it, [she would] shoot it".

According to some witnesses, the werewolf wore blue jeans and a dark shirt. He was said to have hairy feet, fangs, and a caveman-like canter. While police considered it a rather nasty prank, they took al reports seriously after the injury sustained by the railroad worker.

Just as suddenly as the "creature" appeared on July 25th, the reports ceased around mid-August. To this day, the identity of the "werewolf" remains an enigma. Suspects were ruled out but no one was ever apprehended. No one has since stepped forward proclaiming to have been the perpetrator.

Perhaps on nights lit by the full moon, there is still a creature lingering in the shadows throughout northwestern Ohio. Or perhaps, buried in a box within an attic near town sits a dusty wolf mask and a pair of hairy slippers...

10 comments:

Jae Kay said...

It is amazing how many people still claim to have encounters with werewolves. Nick Redfern writes up some of the stories in a few of his books. Either there really is some sort of creature, or humans have a strange inclination to hallucinating men with dogs heads... interesting post.

Cullan Hudson said...

Except for weilding a 2x4, that account is extremely similar to what happened in Lawton, OK around the spring of 1971, down to the pants even. However, in Lawton the creature in question never "attacked". Although, lacking objectivity, witnesses probably felt threatened.

Anonymous said...

Read Linda Godfrey's "Beast of Bray Road", very similar. Some very strange happenings in and around Newton Falls Ohio and in Wisconsin/ Michigan

Destiny Webb said...

This story just amazes me!Wow! And to think i'm only 14 years old and I already want to be a Lycanthropist! This story is just amazing! I have this story down to a pin-point! I mean I could tell it backwards! I'm VERY interested in this! If you would like to contact me about this you can add me on facebook(:

Daniellebekett@yahoo.com

Thank you for you're time!

Anonymous said...

The Lawton Wolfman turned out to be a neighbor kid from my neighborhood.I was 10 -11 at the time (1971?)I can't recall his name ,but he was a big oaf who wore a rubber wolfman mask. It was in the J ave. area. When they caught him there was a picture on the front of the Lawton Constitution newspaper of the police chief holding up the mask. It was fun for about a week.People were saying things like, "I saw it and it leapt 25 feet, it could'nt be a man..." or "it was drinking out of my pond ,JUST like a dog would!"...

VC_Menu said...

Paranormal witness: the cabin has a story about a werewolf in london ohio. Is there a link.

CynLoveDyes said...

Here's a link to Syfy's PW page: http://www.syfy.com/paranormalwitness/episodes/season/2/episode/210/the_cabin_ghost_in_the_darkness
It's creepy!

CynLoveDyes said...

Here's a link to Syfy's PW page: http://www.syfy.com/paranormalwitness/episodes/season/2/episode/210/the_cabin_ghost_in_the_darkness
It's creepy!

CynLoveDyes said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Not buying ANY of it!!!! lmao....