Gum Creek Bottom, IL - A preacher was out hunting for squirrels at Gum Creek Bottom near Mt. Vernon, Illinois, back in the summer of 1941.  He became startled when a "baboon-like" creature jumped out of a tree at him.

As the creature walked towards him, it remained on two feet, walking upright. When it came near, he swung his gun at it, smacking it. That did little to stop it from continuing, so the preacher aimed his gun up in the air, firing it a couple of times to scare the creature off. This appeared to work and the man was able to get away.