In the small town of Van Meter in Dallas County, Iowa, a strange and terrifying series of events unfolded in the fall of 1903. This rural town, nestled along the Raccoon River, became the site of mysterious sightings that continue to puzzle investigators and locals alike. Over several nights in September and October, residents claimed to have encountered a massive, bat-like creature. Standing over 9 feet tall, the creature was said to possess a horn on its forehead, from which it emitted a brilliant light.
The First Sighting
The eerie events began on the night of September 29, 1903. Griffith, a local resident, was the first to see the creature. He was awoken by a strange light and saw the creature moving atop the roof of his house.
The following night, Dr. Alcott, a local physician, was also startled by an intense light shining through his window. He stepped outside and found that many other residents were already awake, armed with guns, and searching for the source of the glow. It didn’t take long for them to spot the creature: a bat-winged, humanoid figure, approximately 8 feet tall, with a horn on its head. The horn emitted a dazzling white light. As the witnesses fired their weapons, the creature seemed completely unaffected. It leapt from rooftop to rooftop before vanishing into the night. 
A Night of Vigilance
By the third night, word had spread, and many townspeople were convinced the creature was real. Griffith and Alcott, both respected figures, encouraged others to keep watch and capture the creature. That night, Dunn, a local resident, stood guard at his home. Around 1 a.m., he heard a sharp sound at his doorstep. When he opened the door, a blinding beam of light shot into his home. He fired several shots, but as with the previous encounters, the creature was undeterred. The next morning, Dunn discovered strange three-toed footprints near his door. He cast them in plaster.
The Fight at the Abandoned Coal Mine
As more residents came forward with sightings, the people of Van Meter decided to take action. Greg, a neighbor of Dunn’s, reported seeing the creature fly toward an abandoned coal mine on the outskirts of town. A group of brave townspeople gathered their firearms and set out to confront the creature at the mine. There, they encountered the strange being once again, but they also saw another similar creature emerge from the mine. Despite their efforts to shoot at the creatures, both beings escaped, disappearing into the night.
The next day, the town’s fear reached a fever pitch. A local newspaper, The Des Moines Daily News, reported: “Soon, the sound was heard again, as though Satan and his minions were preparing for battle.” Although they had increased their firepower, the creatures seemed impervious to the barrage of bullets. Ultimately, the creatures vanished into the mine, and the people of Van Meter, unsure of how to deal with these bizarre beings, decided to seal the entrance to the mine with bricks. After that, the creatures were never seen again.
The Search for Answers
Over a century later, writer Chad Lewis became fascinated by the “Van Meter Visitors” and began his investigation into the strange occurrences. With the help of a local librarian, he uncovered numerous accounts from residents who remembered the event. Opinions on the truth of the sightings varied. Some locals believed it was a hoax, while others remained convinced of the creatures’ existence.
Lewis’s investigation uncovered other strange stories from the area, including ghost sightings and tales of unusual snakes. Initially, he dismissed the incident as a simple fabrication. But the persistent details from witnesses—such as the creatures’ immunity to gunfire—left him questioning the possibility of a hoax. Could these creatures have been real, or were they merely a product of collective hysteria?
Scientific Perspectives
Researchers have offered various theories to explain the Van Meter mystery. Dr. Zimmermann, a professor at Iowa State University, suggests that legends often evolve from real events, which become embellished over time. While the initial sightings may have been genuine, the details gradually grew into a more fantastical tale.
Psychologist Dr. Sharp, from California State University, Fresno, proposed that memories of such encounters might be altered over time. Influenced by factors like mental health or attention disorders, these memories could have created widespread belief in the Van Meter Visitors.
The Legacy of the Van Meter Visitors
Today, the legend of the Van Meter Visitors is regarded by many young people in the town as an interesting myth. It’s perfect for frightening children or telling around a campfire. Although Lewis remains uncertain about what really happened in 1903, he believes the search for answers is more important than finding the truth. As he put it, “The people of Van Meter left this story for the rest of us. Perhaps it was meant to be.”
