Notes from the presentation given during the Writer’s Cantina 2025. This is just in the form of notes, so it is not a usual kind of blog entry for me. It’s more of a grab-bag of lesser-known monsters and urban legends from North American (particularly eastern U.S.) that are ripe for using in stories. I’ve used several of these the Blood Creek saga. But there were far more creatures than I had room to include in four novels.
So, why not share? I would love to see what other writers could do with some of these. I think there’s LOTS of room for more snallygaster stories! I was only able to give a bare-bones summary of each of these, as I had about 100 seconds each. Authors, do your own research, and modify to your heart’s content, but these are FUN (and often really, really creepy).
What’s cool about these is that even if people in the western world aren’t familiar with the monster itself, variations have permeated our cultural history, and give form to common human fears, making them resonate with us. (And scare us, too).
Snallygaster
1730s – attacked German immigrants in Frederick, Maryland (more Blue Ridge Mountain area), which called it “Schneller Geist” or “Quick Ghost.” The name got Appalachianized to “Snallygaster.” Flying monster, sometimes described as having tentacles (!!!), reptilian head, possibly a single eye. Theodore Roosevelt planned (but canceled) a hunting trip to catch one.
Dwayyo / Dewayo / Hexenwolf
Sometimes considered the mortal enemy of the Snallygaster. Wolf-like, stood on hind legs, bushy tail. Sometimes described as having telepathy, filling its victims with a feeling of despair.
Mysterious race of white-skinned people thought responsible for certain mounds in North Carolina and West Virginia. Wiped out by the Cherokee and other tribes. One legend says they are called “Moon-Eyed People” because they were nocturnal.
The Jersey Devil / Leeds Devil
Southern New Jersey. Supposedly the cursed 13th child of “Mother Leeds.” Bipedal, with hooves, horns, wings, goat-head, etc.
Raw-Head and Bloody Bones
Was two different legends of “Bloddybones” and the specter “Rawhead.” Decaying head and skeleton of a large hog. One legend says it was the familiar of a witch that farmers foolishly slaughtered and ate.
Plat-Eye
Originated in Africa (?), came to southern states. A phantom which can take animal (or sometimes human) form, but looks “wrong.” Especially the eyes, which are sometimes missing or dangling from nerve bundles. Known to materialize between the legs of a victim and run them into the bog, never to be seen again.
Snarly Yow / Black Dog / Dog-Fiend
A dog-like (white or black, usually) entity that portends catastrophe for those it appears to. Similar to the more famous “Moth-Man.” Also, here in Utah, there’s the “Man in the Yellow Slicker” in Park City with the same role.
Based on Cherokee myth. Sort of a witch or spirit—or vampire. Naturally appearing in a fiery form with wings, flying and making a song like a raven’s caw. Otherwise, often appear as elderly people or just invisible. They devour the hearts of the weak, sickly, or close to death, sometimes tormenting them first. They consume the remaining life in their victims.
Pukwudgie
Northeastern monster, based on Wampanoag people. Trickster creature (Fairy, goblin?) found in swamps and forests. Can shoot poisoned arrows and use magic / curses.
Yahoo / Skunk Ape / White Thang
Cousins of Bigfoot / Sasquatch of different regions and dispositions
Native American spirit folk / faerie folk. There are many others…
Lizard Man
AKA the “Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp.” A touristy monster, but a fun urban legend nonetheless.
Panther / Cougar in Appalachia
Warning to children in the Appalachian woods. Was treated as fact, but we have no evidence of anything larger than a mountain lion.
Wampus Cat
Another legend borrowed from Native American folklore. A Native American woman snuck into a secret, sacred ritual of her tribe that only men could attend. Was cursed to become a giant hunting cat. Maybe with six legs. Yellow or green eyes. In some stories she could curse people with magic, or turn back into a human woman for a short time.
Giants and Ogres
The North American versions tend to be pretty dumb, defeated by cleverness in the folk tales. Often with distorted features, like giant ears (Sally-Bally).
Cannibal Hillbillies?
I thought this was an invention of Hollywood, but it was probably based on the apocryphal account of a clan in Scottland, Sawney Bean and his inbred family, of Ayrshire, reportedly in the 1500s. They would capture travelers, steal their stuff, and eat them.
Killer Unicorns
Well, there’s one, in a “Jack” folktale. But hey, we got one!
Spearfinger / Stonedress
Based on a Native American legend. Old woman made of stone, with a long forefinger made of obsidian that is razor-sharp. She masquerades as an old lady, seems to befriend children, and then will cut out their liver, gobble it up, and heal up the wound. The child will then get sick and die. Her only weakness was that her (non-stone, strangely) heart was in the palm of her hand.
The Flatwoods Monster / Frametown Monster
Another touristy monster, encountered on September 12th, 1952. After a light crashed into the ground from the sky. 10-foot tall creature with twisted hands and glowing green face. Hissed at the group that came to investigate, and they fled. Possibly alien (or robot)?
The Goatman
Head of a goat. Humanoid body. Sometimes wielding an axe.
Smoke-Wolf
Appalachian Folklore. Bigger, smarter, stronger, more evasive than a normal wolf. The entire area it hunts becomes shrouded by mist or smoke. In some tales, it can change shape.
Scorched Man
A common type of ghost, the victim of a fire. Was frequent in the isolated hollers and trails of Appalachia, when a house might burn down and no one else knows.
Stoneclad
Either a single giant or race of giants, with skin or armor of hardened stone. Defeated either by destroying his talismans, or exposing him to seven menstruating women, which weakened him and made him vulnerable. Based on Cherokee myth.
Mystery Shafts / Holes
Common in folk tales, where such holes in the ground (or under the bed) led to the land of giants (or dwarves). Or, in more modern urban legends, they might lead to hell or madness.
Secret Government Bunkers
Like the one in Greenbriar, West Virginia. That one, at least, is no longer a secret. It was where members of Congress and their families could wait out a nuclear war. But were there more? Good fodder for stories.
Ghost Choir of Roan Mountain
Along the ridge, either heavenly or demonic singing could be heard around sunrise / sunset. Or it could just be the wind going through rock formations. Cool idea, though.