IOWA'S THUNDERBIRDS
Almost every Native American culture has a legend of a gigantic flying monster, one large enough to black out the sun and capable of causing rain by simply flying through a cloud.
The Clayton County Epitaph's Illustration of the Creature (1890).
In conducting research on an independent project in the University of Emmetsburg Special Collections Library, I came across a yellowed copy of the Clayton County Epitaph dated April 29th, 1890. The story recounts what might be the slaying of Iowa's last remaining Thunderbird. Though edited for length it is accurate in content. It is either one of the most important (and most ignored) events in the annals of science or a complete hoax. You decide....
Clayton County Epitaph,April 24, 1890
"Well, lookit that!" exclaimed Brett Nevue as he reigned up his horse and pointed to the sky. His companion, Kansas Pete looked up in disbelief. He saw it too, would have had to have been blind to miss it. Several hundred yards above them flew an enormous creature gliding through the air with feet extended and about to land. Lower and lower it descended, then suddenly flapped its wings causing a respectable sandstorm beneath the huge appendages, and let out a horrible barking sound. When it plopped to the ground, rather than folding the gargantuan wings, it held them extended. The men's horses were wild with fear and the riders were hard pressed to keep them from bolting.
The animal was nightmarish in the extreme, having in addition to the unnaturally large wingspan, a serpent's body and two legs with formidable bony claws attached. The head was somewhat like that of an alligator, though longer and narrower, and had unblinking eyes as large as plates.
As they watched, the creature, apparently rested, prepared to again take flight. It flapped its wings, causing more dust to stir, and ran awkwardly along dragging its body and tail. As it sped it lifted the tail to reduce drag and then was suddenly airborne again!
The two men whipped their horses and gave chase. Kansas Pete firing his rifle at the thing as he rode. The monster stayed low, and flew perhaps a mile before it came down again, exhausted. The terrirfied horses shied and reared. The men dismounted, carrying their weapons ready. They were intent now on bagging the most unusual trophy they had ever heard tell of! Before they could get within accurate range, however, the creature spun and took off again. Brett and Kansas Pete remounted and gave pursuit. The monster flew only a short distance and this time came down awkwardly, landing on one of its wings. It was powerless to resume flight, now but it retained full use of its dangerous tail and razor-like teeth.
Staying clear, the two men pumped every shell they had into the creature. When it was dead, they approached cautiously and examined the kill. They paced off the wingspan and found it to be a staggering 160 feet!
The smooth skinned eel-like body measured 92 feet and 50 inches in diameter. The head was eight feet long and the wings were of a translucent membrane like those of a bat and had no feathers or hair. Preparations are being made to skin the animal and ship the hide to a research facility near the State Capital for examination by scientists.
This is the only mention I have been able to find of the creature. If any reader has any further information on the Iowa Thunderbird Legends, Brett or Kansas Pete, or can name the "research facility" mentioned in the article I would welcome your letters care of this magazine!
Editor's Note: see also Civil war soldiers shoot down a pteradactyl?
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