Magazine Summary
BIGFOOT BULLETIN
Summary
This issue of the Bigfoot Bulletin, dated July 31, 1969, reports on multiple sightings and evidence of Bigfoot/Sasquatch. Key incidents include two creatures sighted in Oregon by the Newton and Chapman families, described as large and black with a four-foot stride. In California, sightings near Oroville described an ape-like female creature, and near Wildwood, a Sasquatch fought with dogs. Researchers Ben E. Foster Jr. and George F. Haas documented numerous footprints and collected hair samples in Trinity County, California, estimating the creature's weight at 600-800 pounds. Dick Frey also reported finding footprints in snow near Notice Creek.
Magazine Overview
Title: BIGFOOT BULLETIN
Issue Date: July 31, 1969
Editor: George F. Haas
Publisher: George F. Haas
Country of Publication: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue
This issue of the Bigfoot Bulletin, number 7, dated July 31, 1969, focuses on recent sightings and evidence related to Bigfoot and Sasquatch phenomena. It includes reports from various locations in Oregon and California, compiled by the editor and correspondents, featuring witness accounts, descriptions of physical evidence, and references to related articles and books.
Two Creatures Sighted in Oregon
John Fuhrmann of Portland, Oregon, reports on a sighting by Doris Newton and her father, Ben Chapman, near Dallas, Oregon, on June 26, 1969. Newton saw two creatures, described as 'awfully big and black' and about the same size, walking across a field 150 yards away. She noted their apparent carelessness, as they did not react to her or her dog. The next morning, Newton and Chapman followed trails that showed large impressions of flattened grass. The stride averaged about four feet, with the two individuals walking side-by-side. They crossed two fences by angling toward a downed section and then went through single file. The trail disappeared into thick timber leading to the coast. Chapman also recalled a sighting two years prior where his friend found giant human-like tracks near an abandoned house, which also went around a fence rather than over it, suggesting Bigfoot's aversion to fences.
Two Recent Sightings Near Oroville, California
On July 12, 1969, Charles R. Jackson and his son Kevin reported a female creature with 'very large breasts' emerging from a shed in their backyard on Cherokee Road near Oroville. Jackson described the creature as ape-like, covered with grey hair about three inches long, with no hair on its face and palms, and standing between 7 to 8 feet tall. The creature looked around before running up a hill into the woods. Sheriff's deputies investigated the report. Information was credited to Ben E. Foster Jr. of the CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD and THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE, with a clipping from the CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD by Robert L. Behme.
Another sighting occurred about 10 days earlier near Twain, California. Lester Orlinger, 16, reported seeing an ape-like creature in the road as he rounded a curve. He swerved to avoid it, stopped, and got out with a rifle but could not find it again. Orlinger stated the creature seemed crouched or bent over and he thought he might have hit it, but found no evidence. The two girls with him were crying. This information was reprinted from the OROVILLE MERCURY-REGISTER.
Recent Sightings Near Wildwood, Trinity County, California
Ben E. Foster Jr. of Anderson, California, reports on sightings in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Around two weeks prior to his writing (early July 1969), a Sasquatch visited the area around the Wildwood Inn, fighting with neighborhood dogs and throwing them several feet into the air. Bob Kelley and his family witnessed this event. The Sasquatch was described as about 5' 11" tall, with dark brown hair, a pale brown face with no hair, a flat nose with large nostrils, and tracks about 14" long. Although no clear prints were found, heel and toe impressions were noted. Foster states with certainty that it was not a bear.
A second account from the Wildwood Inn area occurred in January 1967. Bob Kelley and his wife heard moaning and then saw the 'thing' (Sasquatch) looking into their house. It was described as dark brown with silver-tipped hair, a flat nose, and no hair on the face and hands. Footprints were faint due to frozen ground.
On July 3, 1969, two boys from the Harrison Gulch Ranger Station found tracks near Fern Glade. Foster planned to get casts and stated it was not a hoax, as several rangers saw the tracks. He intended to interview the boys and send a recording.
Hairs and 400 Footprints Found
On July 12, 1969, John H. Dana and George F. Haas found approximately 1400 footprints on a trail in the Yolla Bolla District of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The trail, about 1 to 2 miles long, showed no recent human passage. The best prints were in a mulch of pine needles and oak leaves, indicating a weight of 600 to 800 pounds. Dana, weighing 220 pounds, could make little impression in the same mulch. The stride was about 36 inches, and prints were about 16 inches long. The distance between the lines of left and right footprints was about 1 foot. The creature had stooped to go under dead trees, and hairs were found snagged on branches. Seven hairs were collected, described as reddish-brown, fine, silky, 1 to 1½ inches long, and slightly curly. Similar tracks had been found days earlier by Ben E. Foster Jr. and associates near Fern Glade, suggesting the possibility of the same creature.
Dick Frey Report
Dick Frey, a student and active Bigfoot hunter from Humboldt State College, describes an excursion on June 12, 1969, into Bigfoot country in Northern California. He encountered a 'musty' smell, like 'skunk musk', near branches stripped from sapling Douglas fir. No tracks or physical evidence were found at that location. On a trail to Notice Creek, about 2 miles west, he found three footprints in the snow, approximately 15 inches long and 9 inches across the ball of the foot. The prints had distinct toes and no arch or claw marks. The snow had a thick icy crust, and the tracks penetrated it to a depth of 2 inches, while Frey's own boots only left a ½ inch depression. The area was steep with dense undergrowth. Upon returning about 2 hours later, the tracks had almost completely melted, and Frey had no camera to document them.
Klam-ity Kourier's 'Good Guy of the Week'
The KLAM-ITY KOURIER recognized Jim McClarin as a 'Good Guy of the Week' for completing the 'Bigfoot' statue at the Willow Creek roadside rest. McClarin did most of the work in the summer of 1967 and recently finished the statue, including a protective coating. The article notes that the newly sculpted areas might look peculiar until they age to match the rest of the statue.
Recent Books
Two books are recommended: "MORE 'THINGS'" by Ivan T. Sanderson, containing three chapters on 'Man Things', and "STRANGE MONSTERS AND MADMEN" by Warren Smith, which includes several short chapters on the Yeti, Sasquatch, and Bigfoot.
Recent Newspaper and Magazine Articles Received
This section lists various articles from different publications concerning Bigfoot and Sasquatch:
- THE SEATTLE TIMES (May 28, 1969): "This May Go Down As Year Of Sasquatch Or Bigfoot" by Don Duncan, concerning Warren Scott's account of being kidnapped by Sasquatches in British Columbia in 1961.
- FISHING AND HUNTING NEWS (May 31, June 7, June 14, 1969): A three-part article, "Abominable Snowman Encountered By Hunters In Washington's Forest" by Art Reda.
- The Agassiz-Harrison-Rosedale THE ADVANCE (June 5, 1969): "The Sasquatch Has Come To Merritt" by Ida Makaro.
- OLD WEST MAGAZINE (Fall 1969): "Our Country's Mysterious Monsters" by J.K. Parrish.
- CALIFORNIA TRAVELER (October 1968): "There Is A Bigfoot" (No author given).
- THE PROVINCE (June 27, 1969): "7 In Search Of Sasquatch", detailing an expedition to southeast Alaska.
- ANDERSON VALLEY PRESS (July 17, 1969): "Bigfoot Still A'Stomping Says Ben Foster", concerning the activities of Ben E. Foster Jr. and his associates.
- THE OREGON JOURNAL (July 4, 1969): "Hairy Ape Search Renewed" by Marge Davenport.
Editorial Stance
The Bigfoot Bulletin presents itself as a private newsletter for serious researchers, emphasizing the importance of firsthand reports and cooperation. The editor expresses gratitude for contributions and regrets the inability to publish all submitted information, assuring that it is filed for future use. Confidential information is strictly respected. The publication actively seeks firsthand reports, newspaper clippings, and information on books and magazine articles related to Bigfoot research. The overall tone suggests a dedicated effort to document and disseminate information within the Bigfoot research community.
It appears Bigfoot isn't too fond of fences !
Key Incidents
Two ape-like creatures, described as 'awfully big and black', were seen walking across a field by Doris Newton and her father Ben Chapman. Their trails showed large impressions of flattened grass and a stride of about four feet.
Charles R. Jackson and his son Kevin reported a female creature with grey hair, about 7 to 8 feet tall, with large breasts, emerged from a shed and fled into the woods.
Lester Orlinger and two girls saw an ape-like creature in the road while driving. The creature appeared crouched or bent over.
A Sasquatch, about 5' 11" tall with dark brown hair, was seen fighting with neighborhood dogs, throwing them several feet into the air.
Bob Kelley and his wife heard moaning and saw a dark brown creature with silver-tipped hair looking into their house.
Two boys from the Harrison Gulch Ranger Station found a number of tracks, described as large and fresh.
John H. Dana and George F. Haas found about 1400 footprints and collected seven reddish-brown hairs. The stride was about 36 inches, and the weight was estimated at 600 to 800 pounds.
Dick Frey found three footprints in the snow, about 15 inches long and 9 inches across the ball of the foot, with distinct toes and no arch or claw marks.
Warren Scott reported being kidnapped by a group of Sasquatches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bigfoot Bulletin?
The Bigfoot Bulletin is a private newsletter sent free to those actively engaged in Bigfoot research who cooperate with news and information, edited by George F. Haas.
Where were the most recent Bigfoot sightings reported?
Recent sightings were reported in Oregon (near Dallas) and California (near Oroville, Wildwood, and Trinity County).
What kind of physical evidence was found?
Evidence included large impressions of flattened grass, footprints of various sizes and depths, and tufts of reddish-brown, fine, silky hair.
What was the estimated weight of the creature based on tracks?
Based on the crushed mulch and stride, the weight was estimated to be probably 600 to 800 pounds.
In This Issue
People Mentioned
- George F. HaasEditor
- John FuhrmannCorrespondent
- Doris NewtonWitness
- Ben ChapmanWitness
- Charles R. JacksonWitness
- Kevin JacksonWitness
- Lester OrlingerWitness
- Ben E. Foster Jr.Correspondent
- Bob KelleyWitness
- Mike CooneyInformant
- John H. DanaCorrespondent
- Dick FreyBigfoot Hunter
- +8 more
Organisations
- ANDERSON VALLEY BIGFOOT RESEARCH CENTER
- CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD
- THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE
- KLAM-ITY KOURIER
- OROVILLE MERCURY-REGISTER
- FOREST SERVICE
Locations
- Oregon, USA
- Washington, USA
- Don Cox-Beacon Rock, USA
- Dallas, USA
- Salem, USA
- California, USA
- Oroville, USA
- Twain, USA
- Wildwood, USA
- Shasta-Trinity National Forest, USA
- Yolla Bolla District, USA
- Trinity County, USA
- Fern Glade, USA
- Anderson, USA
- +6 more