Central Iowa Mudman

Growing up in and around Newton, IA, I recall a tale I will share with you over what used to be a town called Metz. I can not find any facts to this tale as it is very old and seems to be fading with the generations. As any old story goes, it generally follows tradition of experience to those who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A long time ago, when I was a young kid, my brother and some older kids wanted to go to what was called 'The Baby House'. I ventured along. On the way I was told a tale of how a man killed his family visiously there including a baby. There was a crib when we went and the place was definately spooky to me, but it was very dark and I thought I was in the house where a family was murdered by one of their own.

Later I heard of a tale of the Metz Mudman, where the story grew. According to some after the murders at the baby house the man was fleeing from the police and came to a bridge along the skunk river and crashed. The driver of the car was never found. After that when kids would go parking to do what teenage kids would do, there would be reports of a Mudman 'The Metz Mudman', that would disturb them, pretty much scaring them out of there.

If you have more to add or have another version of this story, let us know.  As far as I can tell, with the story fading and people my age not remembering the tale clearly anymore, I am guessing it was just a tale to keep kids from parking. Some say there was probably just an old hermit living out there, that didn't want intruders.

You be the judge.