Spooked!

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…