The Pope Lick Monster (also known as the Goat Man) is a legendary creature that is said to be part-man, part-goat and part-sheep. It is reported to live beneath a railroad trestle bridge over Pope Lick Creek, in the Fisherville neighborhood of Louisville. The bridge is about 100 feet high and 772 feet long, and it carries a major rail artery into the city. The monster is described as having a human body with goat-like features, such as horns, hooves and fur. Some say it also has a blood-stained axe that it uses to attack its victims.
How does the Pope Lick Monster kill people?
There are many variations of how the monster claims its victims, but they all involve luring or tricking people onto the trestle bridge. Some say that the monster uses hypnosis or voice mimicry to make people climb up the bridge and then get hit by an oncoming train. Others say that the monster jumps down from the bridge onto the roofs of cars passing beneath it. Some even say that the mere sight of the monster is so horrifying that people are driven to jump off the bridge themselves.
What are the origins of the Pope Lick Monster legend?
The legend of the Pope Lick Monster has been around for decades, but its exact origins are unclear. Some possible sources are:
- A circus freak: Some say that the monster was once a circus performer who was mistreated by his owners and escaped after a train derailed on the trestle. He then took refuge under the bridge and vowed revenge on anyone who crossed his path.
- A goat farmer: Some say that the monster was once a goat farmer who made a deal with Satan and sacrificed his goats in exchange for supernatural powers. He then became a twisted hybrid of man and goat and haunted the bridge ever since.
- A Native American curse: Some say that the monster is a manifestation of a curse placed by a Native American tribe on the land where the bridge was built. The curse was meant to punish anyone who disturbed their sacred grounds.
How many people have died because of the Pope Lick Monster?
It is hard to determine how many people have actually died because of the Pope Lick Monster, as some deaths may have been accidents or suicides unrelated to the legend. However, there have been several documented cases of deaths and injuries at the trestle bridge over the years, despite the presence of an 8-foot fence and warning signs to keep trespassers out. Some notable examples are:
- In 1987, a 17-year-old boy named Jack Charles Bahm II was killed by a train while crossing the bridge with his friends. He was reportedly looking for the monster after hearing about it on TV.
- In 1988, a 19-year-old girl named Jacqueline Katherine Hays was killed by a train while crossing the bridge with her boyfriend. They were reportedly filming a video about the legend for a school project.
- In 2016, a 26-year-old woman named Roquel Bain was killed by a train while crossing the bridge with her boyfriend. They were reportedly visiting Louisville for a paranormal tour that included a stop at the trestle.
Is there any evidence for the existence of the Pope Lick Monster?
There is no conclusive evidence for the existence of the Pope Lick Monster, as no one has ever captured it on camera or found any physical traces of it. However, there are many eyewitness accounts and testimonials from people who claim to have seen or heard it. Some examples are:
- In 1976, a group of teenagers claimed to have seen a hairy creature with horns running along the tracks near the bridge.
- In 1981, a couple claimed to have heard a strange noise coming from under the bridge while driving past it at night.
- In 1994, a man claimed to have seen a large figure with glowing eyes standing on top of the bridge while he was fishing nearby.
Conclusion
The Pope Lick Monster is one of the most terrifying legends in Kentucky, and it has fascinated and frightened many people over time. Whether it is real or not, it is undeniable that it has had an impact on the local culture and history. If you ever visit Louisville, you might want to check out this legend for yourself, but be careful not to get too close to the trestle bridge. You never know what might be lurking beneath it…
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