The Deerman of Kewanee

Local legends are as common and as popular in small towns across the Midwest as high school football. Many of these so called legends center on some kind of strange creature/human hybrid. This is evident in Illinois as a plethora of bizarre “monsters” have been reported across the State. There is the Farmer City Monster, the Cohomo, Murphysboro Mud Monster, Enfield Horror, and even Bigfoot has made an appearance in the Land of Lincoln. However, in Kewanee, the jewel of Henry County we have, Deerman.

Deerman is a half-human/half-deer who is said to reside in the area around Johnson Sauk Trail State Park. Deerman is described as a creature with the upper body and partial torso of an antlered buck deer and the legs and lower torso of a man. Deerman walks upright and as legend has it, comes out at night to often scare young couples who go to the park for some, shall we say, alone time. It is also rumored if a person sees Deerman three times that person will die.

The Deerman myth originated sometime in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s in Kewanee. It was first reported on by then editor of the local newspaper the Star Courier, Jerry Moriarity. As the legend grew graffiti began popping up around warning residents “Deerman Was Here” and “Fear Deerman”. Current journalist for the Star Courier, Dave Clarke has managed to keep the legend alive through various articles over the years - a last of which appeared in the paper in March 2011 when with the help of a former Kewanee resident, Mr. Clarke tongue-in-cheek reported a possible connection between Deerman and Cernunnos, a Celtic deity often referred to as the Stag Lord.

As with many of these types of mythic creatures there are, of course, no pictures or video evidence. Information is based solely on eyewitness accounts. To my knowledge there have been no new sightings of Deerman in years. This has not stopped warnings of “Deerman Lives” from cropping up around town from time-to-time on bridges and buildings. So, if you find yourself traveling through Henry County and namely Kewanee, Illinois and decide to visit Johnson Sauk Trail State Park on a moonlit night – Beware the Deerman!