Bigfoot Abstract - No 1 - 1988

Magazine Overview

Title: BIGFOOT ABSTRACT
Issue: #1
Date: April 1988
Publisher: BIGFOOT INFORMATION PROJECT
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of BIGFOOT ABSTRACT is the first in what is intended to be an irregularly published series from the BIGFOOT INFORMATION PROJECT (BIP). BIP is described as a research organization affiliated with STRANGE INVESTIGATIONS, dedicated to investigating and documenting Bigfoot reports across the United States. The project aims to exchange materials with other researchers and preserve files within the STRANGE ARCHIVES, under the care of Mark Chorvinsky, editor of STRANGE MAGAZINE. The BIGFOOT INFORMATION PROJECT is directed by Mark Opsasnick, in cooperation with Mark Chorvinsky.

Maryland Bigfoot Additions

The primary content of this issue is a listing of additions to the "MARYLAND BIGFOOT REFERENCE GUIDE," compiled by the editor. This section details numerous reported sightings and encounters, primarily focusing on creatures referred to as Bigfoot, Dwayyo, and Snallygaster, within Maryland.

**Key Incidents and Sightings:

• 1909, Rockville, Montgomery County: R. Austin Stine recalled stories of a creature called the Snallygaster that ran the roads at night.
• Early 1900s, Frederick County: Frank Higinbotham of the Blue Ridge Oil Company claimed his family raised Dwayyo's when he was young. Notes are on file with George May.
• Early 1900s, South Mountain, Frederick County: Karen Martz reported sighting a strange hairy beast in an undated letter to George May.
• November 1944, Manchester, Carroll County: Gretchen King saw the Snallygaster (possibly Bigfoot) on Westminster Road, as reported in the Baltimore Evening Sun.
• November 1944, Manchester, Carroll County: A farmer named Fleming reported seeing a similar creature, also reported in the Baltimore Evening Sun.
• November 1944, Upperco, Baltimore County: Mrs. William Thurlow heard an unearthly howl and saw the creature jumping across the county line, leaving huge footprints. Reported in the Baltimore Evening Sun.
• Early 1965, Cumberland, Garrett County: A Frederick man wondered if the Dwayyo was responsible for a "large bear" report where the creature charged a couple's car near Braddock Mountain. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• Fall 1965, Middletown, Frederick County: A Frederick man stated his in-laws had sighted a Dwayyo. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, Frederick, Frederick County: A man living on Airport Road phoned City Police, claiming he had a captured Dwayyo in his basement. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, Jefferson, Frederick County: A woman claimed she saw a brownish Dwayyo chasing cows on a farm near her house. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, College Park, P.G. County: Four University of Maryland students claimed to have seen four Dwayyos on campus. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, Middletown, Frederick County: A hunter reported a sighting. Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, Frederick, Frederick County: A four-year-old boy claimed he has seen Dwayyos "everywhere." Reported in the Frederick News Post.
• December 1965, Frederick, Frederick County: Several hunters reported seeing a strange black beast, detailed in "Ghosts and Legends of Frederick County."
• December 1965, College Park, P.G. County: J. Scott Mackley and Albert Main claimed to have captured a Dwayyo and kept it in their dorm room at the University of Maryland. Documented in a letter to George May.
• December 1965, Frederick County: A youth named Curtis Nelson claims his family raises Dwayyos. Notes are on file with George May.
• December 1968, Bowie, P.G. County: A woman saw Bigfoot at the Bowie Stud farm. Report on file with STRANGE Magazine/Mark Chorvinsky.
• January 1969, Beltsville, P.G. County: An anonymous woman saw a 7-foot-tall Bigfoot walk out onto Rt. 197 at 1:30 am in front of her car. Report on file with STRANGE Magazine/Mark Chorvinsky.
• January 15, 1988, Scaggsville, Howard County: A man saw a 9-foot-tall Bigfoot in his backyard near the intersection of Harding Road and Old Scaggsville Road. The creature ran along power lines toward the Rocky Gorge Reservoir. Report on file with CENTER FORCE/Dennis Volkman.

Publications and Services

Copies of the editor's "MARYLAND BIGFOOT REFERENCE GUIDE" are available for purchase. This 32-page booklet covers 219 Maryland sightings and notes on investigators, costing $3.50 plus 85¢ postage and handling, available from Arcturus Book Service.

From the Editor

Mark Opsasnick, the editor, announces his upcoming move to Boise, Idaho, in early May 1988. He requests that correspondence be sent to his Maryland home address before May 1st. After May 1st, all correspondence should be directed to BIGFOOT INFORMATION PROJECT c/o STRANGE Magazine, P.O. Box 2246, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Newsletters and publications he is currently receiving will be forwarded to his new Idaho address.

Opsasnick also expresses gratitude to George May and Mark Chorvinsky for permission to use the Dwayyo material they uncovered. He plans to work on a complete index of BIP's file material and will outline guidelines for participation in the research exchange network in a future BIGFOOT ABSTRACT.

Advertisements and Related Content

The issue includes promotional material for STRANGE MAGAZINE, describing it as an 84-page publication covering various aspects of strange phenomena, including "The Crystal Skulls," "The Abduction Enigma," and "Alien Skies." Subscriptions for four issues are $14.95 ($18.95 for other countries), with sample issues available for $3.95 plus $1.00 shipping.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are Bigfoot sightings, local cryptid folklore (Dwayyo, Snallygaster), and the documentation of these phenomena in Maryland. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious research and archival preservation, aiming to compile and disseminate information on unexplained occurrences, particularly those related to Bigfoot and similar creatures in the region.