Bigfoot Abstract - No 3 - 1988

Magazine Overview

The Bigfoot Abstract, Issue #3, June 1988, is a publication of the Bigfoot Information Project, a division of Strange Research and Investigations. It is published on an irregular basis, and subscription rates are not currently available. Mark Opsasnick serves as the newsletter editor and project director. Correspondence should be addressed to Mark Opsasnick at 114 Rosewood Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770.

Editor's Note

The editor, Mark Opsasnick, is currently undertaking a major research project with Mark Chorvinsky of STRANGE, which has temporarily shelved other Bigfoot-related endeavors. The BIP file index will be published in a future issue. This current issue focuses on sighting references from three states of particular interest: New Hampshire, Maine, and Virginia. Opsasnick expresses hope to explore these areas further and notes that the collected material is a good starting point for updating data. He thanks several individuals and two organizations for their contributions: Mark Chorvinsky, Loren Coleman, Dr. Warren Cook, Ron Dooley, John Green, Ray Manners, Richard Perkins, Brent Raynes, Warren Thompson, Ron Schaffner/OUFOIL, and Ray Nelke/COUD-I. The next issue will feature an update on visits with two active Ohio Bigfooters, Don Keating and Mark Francis.

Bigfoot Sightings from New Hampshire, Maine, and Virginia

This section provides a detailed list of Bigfoot sightings reported in three states:

New Hampshire

1. 1942, Center Sandwich: A 14-year-old boy reported a sighting (Source: John Green, SASQUATCH: THE APES AMONG US, p. 230).
2. July 1974, Freeport: Two people reported a sighting (Source: John Green, SASQUATCH: THE APES AMONG US, p. 229-230).
3. February 1977, Unspecified Location: An anonymous man was interviewed by Brent Raynes; details are in an unpublished manuscript by Dr. Warren Cook. The editor notes that Brent Raynes ignored his plea for more information on this case.
4. May 7, 1977, Hollis: Gerald St. Louis (49) and his sons Alan (14) and James (12) reported a sighting (Source: Boston Herald American, 5-16-77 and 5-17-77).
5. 1982, Rye: Mona Holway (13) and Beth Weiand reported a sighting (Source: Fate, March 1985, p. 127).
6. October 1987, Salisbury: Walter Bowers Sr. reported a sighting (Source: Concord Monitor, 11-13-87).
7. October 1987, Salisbury: A hunter reported a sighting (Source: Concord Monitor, 11-13-87).

Maine

1. 1800's, Mt. Katahdin: A sighting referred to as 'Cluey' (Source: John Green, SASQUATCH: THE APES AMONG US, p.228).
2. 1800's, Mt. Katahdin: 'Cluey' and friends reported a sighting (Source: Same as above, p. 228).
3. 1800's, Penobscot Indians: A reference to 'Kiwakwe' (Source: Frank G. Speck, "Penobscot Tales and Religious Beliefs", Journal of American Folklore 48 (1935): 1, 81-82).
4. January 21, 1855, Waldoboro: J.W. McHenrie reported an incident (Source: Portsmouth Journal of Literature and Politics, Feb. 3, 1855).
5. Early 1900's, Aroostook County: A report of a "Hairy Wild Man" (Source: Correspondence from Dick Perkins).
6. Early 1900's, Topsfield: An Air Force Seargeant reported an incident (Source: John Green, STAAU, p. 228).
7. 1949, Rangeley: Burnham White reported an incident (Source: Letter from John Green, 3-26-87, quoting Dick Perkins).
8. 1940's, Stratton: 'Old Pete' reported an incident (Source: Same as above).
9. October 1970, Palermo: Evelyn Potter reported a sighting (Source: Letter from Brent Raynes, 11-15-87).
10. Summer 1972, Manchester: Charles Harding reported an incident (Source: Report on Investigation of Yeti-like Occurrences by Brent Raynes).
11. Summer 1972, Manchester: Charles Harding and others reported an incident (Source: Same source as above).
12. July 1973, Brunswick: Lois, Scott, George Huntington, and Tammy Sairo reported a sighting (Source: Portland Press Herald, 7-28-73).
13. July 1973, Brunswick: Neota Huntington reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
14. July 1973, Durham: Other reports mentioned (Source: Boston Globe, 7-29-73).
15. July 1973, Durham: Other reports mentioned (Source: Kennebec Journal, 7-27-73).
16. July 1973, Durham: Several reports mentioned (Source: Lewiston Daily Sun, 7-28-73).
17. July 1973, Auburn: Several reports mentioned (Source: Kennebec Journal, 8-1-73).
18. Summer 1974, Palermo: A man reported 2 sightings (Source: Letter from Brent Raynes, 11-15-87).
19. September 22, 1975, Manchester: A girl and her sister reported a sighting (Source: John Green, STAAU, p. 229).
20. November 1975, Manchester: A woman reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
21. Early 1978, Rockwood: Don Wilson and Joe Smith reported sightings (Source: The Yeti Newsletter #6, September 1978).
22. Date Unknown, Rockwood: Other sightings reported (Source: Same source as above).
23. Fall 1982, Norcross Mountain: Hunters reported an incident (Source: Portland Press Herald, 11-26-82).
24. August 1987, Unspecified Location: Mary Perkins reported an incident (Source: Correspondence from Dick Perkins).

Virginia

1. 1700's, Dismal Swamp: Legends of a "Dismal Swamp" creature (Source: Isaac Weld Jr., TRAVELS THROUGH THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, p. 180).
2. July 1965, Alexandria: Marsha Capra reported a sighting (Source: Fate July 1978, p. 69).
3. September 1965, Alexandria: Marsha Capra and James Hudspeth reported a sighting (Source: Fate July 1978, p. 70).
4. Winter 1968-69, Haymarket: 4 witnesses reported an incident (Source: John Keel, THE MOTHMAN PROPHECIES, p. 34).
5. June 29, 1972, Unspecified Location: 3 witnesses reported a sighting (Source: John Green, STAAU, p. 225).
6. Early 1970's, Lynchburg: A brief reference to an incident (Source: Undated clipping from unknown newspaper).
7. April 26, 1973, Ararat: David Stevens reported a sighting (Source: Taped interview between witness and George Fawcett).
8. October 18, 1973, White Mountains: 2 boys reported an incident (Source: Tri County UFO Study Group Newsletter #32319, July 1983, quoting Phenomena Research Reporter Vol. 1 No. 10).
9. Mid 70's, Vienna: A report of the "Chain Bridge Ape" (Source: Washington Post, 10-10-76).
10. Mid 70's, Unspecified Location: Rick Billings reported an incident (Source: Report on file with Bob Chance).
11. Mid 70's, Buena Vista: A young man reported a sighting (Source: Letter from Ron Dooley, 5-16-87).
12. Mid 70's, Buena Vista: Other sightings reported (Source: Same source as above).
13. Late 70's, Occaquan: Several sightings reported (Source: Interview with Sherwood Moulton).
14. Late 70's, Chincoteague: A brief reference to an incident (Source: Believe It Vol. 1 No. 1 November 1978, p. 22).
15. Summer 1977, Quantico: Dewey Thompson and Luther Jackson reported sightings (Source: Potomac News, 6-17-77).
16. Summer 1977, Quantico: A marine reported an incident (Source: Same source as above).
17. Summer 1977, Quantico: Another marine reported an incident (Source: Same source as #15 and 16).
18. May 1977, Danville: A woman reported a sighting (Source: Danville Bee, 5-17-77).
19. May 1977, Danville: Bobby Hazlewood reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
20. Late March 1978, Middlebrook: 7 vepco workers reported a sighting (Source: Richmond Times Dispatch, 4-5-78).
21. Summer 1978, DeWitt: 2 boys reported a sighting (Source: Witnesses interviewed by George Proctor, report on file with John Green).
22. Summer 1978, Chesapeake: A Navy Commander reported a sighting (Source: Chesapeake Post, 7-15-81).
23. Late 70's, Chesapeake: Other sightings reported (Source: Chesapeake Post, 7-7-81).
24. Summer 1978, Colonial Beach: Danny Edge reported an incident (Source: Interviewed by Ray Manners (INFO), 7-27-85).
25. Summer 1978, Colonial Beach: Buck Edge reported an incident (Source: Interview with the Edge family, 4-11-87).
26. September 1978, New Market: An anonymous report was made (Source: Lynchburg News, 9-28-78).
27. Spring 1979, Mount Vernon: Thelma Crisp reported a sighting (Source: Washington Post, 5-12-79).
28. February 1, 1981, DeWitt: George Proctor Jr. reported an incident (Source: Report on file with John Green).
29. June 9, 1981, Chesapeake: Sherry Davis reported a sighting (Source: Chesapeake Post, 7-7-81).
30. July 1981, Chesapeake: Darryn Rasmussen reported a sighting (Source: Chesapeake Post, 7-22-81).
31. July 1981, Chesapeake: Dean Sahr reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
32. July 1981, Chesapeake: Evelyn Rose and 9 others reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
33. February 13, 1982, Chesapeake: Williard McIntyre and Larry Peters reported a sighting (Source: Chesapeake Post, 2-24-82).
34. February 13, 1982, Chesapeake: B.J. Sessions reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
35. June 20, 1985, Colonial Beach: Mickey and Gina Edge reported a sighting (Source: INFO Interview, 7-27-85).
36. July 1985, Colonial Beach: Gina Edge and friends reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
37. August 5, 1985, Colonial Beach: Gina Edge and a friend named Mike reported a sighting (Source: INFO Interview, 8-9-85).
38. Late August 1985, Colonial Beach: Gina Edge, Butch Madison, and a friend named Pete reported a sighting (Source: Interview, 4-11-87).
39. Summer 1985, Colonial Beach: Tammy Fusser reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
40. Summer 1986, Colonial Beach: Mickey and Gina Edge reported seeing eyes (Source: Same source as above).
41. Summer 1986, Colonial Beach: Tom and Wanda Madison reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
42. August 1986, Colonial Beach: Mickey Edge and a neighbor named Tracy reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
43. August 1986, Colonial Beach: A youth named Doug reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).
44. March 28, 1987, Colonial Beach: Gina Edge reported a sighting (Source: Same source as above).

Bigfoot Returns to Illinois

Ray Nelke of COUD-I reported a clipping from the June 9, 1988 St. Louis Post-Dispatch stating that Bigfoot-type creatures have returned to Murphysboro, Illinois. Murphysboro was the site of widely publicized Bigfoot incidents in the summer of 1973. The recent incident occurred on the night of June 3, 1988, when auto-salvage yard owner Robert Reiman and guard Charles Straub encountered a silvery-white, bi-pedal beast, approximately 8 feet tall, standing in the brush near a junkyard. The sighting took place at 1:00 am. The creature reportedly had glowing red eyes and emitted an ear-piercing scream. Reiman's family joined a late-night search, during which members reported smelling the creature's characteristic stench and hearing the movement of a large entity in the brush. Irma Reiman, Robert's mother, described the beast as being 10 feet tall and covered in light brown hair. Police Chief Larry Tincher believes the witnesses saw something, though he suggested it might have been a bear or someone in a costume.

Maryland Bigfoot in Hiding

Bigfoot activity in Maryland has reportedly decreased considerably in the 1980s, with no new reports at present. However, the author remains in touch with police, wildlife officials, and rangers at Patapsco Valley State Park and other recreation areas. The article notes that no recent reports have matched the credibility of those from Harford, Carroll, and Baltimore Counties in the late 1970s. Maryland's ongoing commercial expansion is mentioned as a factor that might force any hidden creatures to reveal themselves.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme of this issue is the documentation of Bigfoot sightings across various regions of the United States, with a particular emphasis on historical and recent reports from New Hampshire, Maine, and Virginia. The publication appears to be a compilation of reported incidents, drawing from newspaper articles, books, and personal correspondence. The editorial stance is one of diligent record-keeping and information dissemination within the field of hominology, as evidenced by the detailed citations and the editor's commitment to ongoing research and data collection. The publication aims to provide a resource for those interested in Bigfoot phenomena.