Creature Chronicles - No 01 - 1980

Magazine Overview

Title: CREATURE CHRONICLES
Issue: NUMBER 1
Volume: 1
Date: Spring, 1980
Publisher: PARA-HOMINOID RESEARCH GROUP
Country: USA
Language: English

This is the inaugural issue of "Creature Chronicles," a publication by the Para-Hominoid Research Group, serving as a platform to inform Ufologists and Fortean enthusiasts about the "Mystery Animal Syndrome." The editor, Ron Schaffner, apologizes for the delay in publication and explains that due to funding limitations, the issue is not professionally printed. The publication aims to present personally investigated cases and newsclippings from various researchers and associates, and will also keep law agencies, media, and the scientific community informed. Recommendations and criticisms are welcome, but hearsay, second-hand testimony, assumptions, and personal insults will not be printed.

Key Articles and Reports

'Beast' at Big Bone Haunts Trailer Again

This lead article, by Connie Remlinger of the Kentucky Post, details multiple sightings of a mysterious "beast" by Jackie Jones at her mobile home in Boone County, Kentucky. The creature was described as having a head bigger than a bear, a flat face, and being broad-shouldered, approximately four feet tall when standing upright. It was reported to move on four legs and made roaring sounds. Jackie Jones' fiancé, David Stulz, attempted to confront the creature, which reportedly turned to look at him before fleeing when he raised his gun. Boone County police searched the area but found no tracks. The Ohio UFO Investigators League, represented by Earl D. Jones, director of the Cincinnati UFO chapter, is investigating the incident. Jones speculated the "beast" might be related to a bright unidentified object seen over Walton. He also found dog prints and one humanoid print during his initial search.

Soviet Bigfoot Prints

An Associated Press report from Moscow details the discovery of giant human-like footprints by amateur mountain climbers in the Gissar Mountains of Tadzhikistan. A correspondent for Komsomolskaya Pravda reported finding four bare footprints, with a pace length of 120 centimeters (47 inches). Six days later, a "huge, clear trace" was found, measuring 34 centimeters (13.4 inches) in length and 16 centimeters (6.3 inches) across the toes, which the reporter stated was impossible for a man to have left.

Sasquatch Sightings

This section compiles several reports of potential Sasquatch or Bigfoot encounters:

• Rochester, Minnesota (December 14, 1979): An unidentified woman reported seeing a creature about 7 feet tall, covered with hair, with a huge mouth and a pig-like nose, estimated to weigh 250-300 pounds. She noted its arm did not bend like a normal arm and it tried to cover its eyes from headlights. The woman refused to give her name for fear of criticism.
• Williams, Indiana (July-August, 1979): Two men in Martin County reported sightings, with others reporting similar sightings in the area over the past three years. Andy Keith, a 19-year-old employee of the Martin County Highway Department, described seeing something coming out of a field and across the road, taking three steps to walk over the highway. He reported smelling a strong odor of dead fish at the crossing. The creature was described as man-like, walking on two hind feet, about 6 feet tall, 500 pounds, with black fur and a tinge of gray.

In Retrospective: Unusual Encounter with Large Hairy Creature

This report details an encounter by Tom and Connie Courter on Henschen Road and Indiana S.R. 56 in Ohio County, Indiana, on April 12 and 13, 1977. While retrieving a diaper bag, Tom Courter heard a noise and saw a giant hairy animal about 18 inches away. He described it as about 12 feet tall, black and hairy, with red eyes, a human-like head, and arms hanging to the ground. The creature attempted to swing at Tom, missed, and hit his car. It then chased the car down the road. The following night, the Courters heard the creature again. Tom fired shots at it, and the creature dove to the ground and seemed to vanish. Investigator E. Jones noted crushed vegetation at the site, and the side of Tom's car was smashed. The case is referenced in other fortean publications.

Our Fearless Felines

This section, with thanks to Frank Kenny of the Fish and Wildlife Service, discusses the Eastern Cougar. It states that the Eastern Cougar is no longer considered extinct. The article describes the cougar (Felis concolor cougar) as being up to 8 feet long and 200 pounds, similar to a house-cat except for its size. Its coat is tawny gray to rust with dark spots. Various names for the cougar are mentioned, including PUMA, LEON, CATAMOUNT, PANTHER, and Mountain Lion. The article notes that cougars require large hunting areas and will prey on domestic stock, with colts being favored.

Media Activity

• Columbus Live (January 9): Phil Collins and Ron Schaffner appeared on this cable TV talk show in Columbus, Ohio, to discuss creature cases. A poll indicated that 58% of the audience believed in Bigfoot initially, and 62% believed after the discussion.
• WEBN-FM (March 2, 1980): Earl Jones and Ron Schaffner were on the Cincinnati radio show "Sunday Suppliment" discussing "UFO's: Things That Go Bump In The Sky." A caller identified himself as Captain Megabuzz and claimed to be a relative of Princess Moon Owl.

Good News

Peter Byrne, the "Bigfoot Hunter," has reportedly closed down his operations and quit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the investigation and reporting of unexplained animal sightings, often referred to as "Mystery Animals" or "Hairy Bipeds," with a particular focus on Bigfoot and similar creatures. The publication adopts a stance of serious investigation, presenting eyewitness accounts and findings from researchers. There is also an intersection with UFO phenomena, as suggested by the speculation linking the Boone County "beast" to a UFO sighting. The editorial stance is open to various explanations, including para-physical manifestations and natural biological animals, but emphasizes documented activity and evidence. The publication also aims to bridge the gap between anecdotal reports and official or scientific inquiry.

This issue of the Kentucky Post, dated March 31, 1980, features a lead story questioning whether a reported 'lurking beast' in Boone County is merely a 'shaggy dog story.' The issue also covers the identification of a mysterious light over the Walton armory as the planet Venus and includes reports from para-hominoid researchers.

Is Boone's Lurking Beast Just a Shaggy Dog Story?

The article by Connie Remlinger details an incident involving David and Jackie Stulz of Boone County. Around 2 a.m. on March 31, 1980, their mobile home began to vibrate, and they heard a banging noise outside. David Stulz grabbed a shotgun and a .22 magnum pistol, while Jackie Stulz called Boone County Police. Upon investigating, David Stulz saw something running low to the ground towards the river. He heard a splash and saw a 'black head or something swimming away.' Stulz fired shots from his shotgun and pistol. Lieutenant Ray Wilson of Boone County Police responded but found no tracks along the riverbank or near the Stulz's home. Wilson stated that Jackie Stulz was very frightened and wouldn't stay in the home that night. Wilson initially considered the animal might have been a bear, bobcat, or wildcat. The report also mentions that Mrs. Stulz's sister had a similar frightening experience with the same kind of 'thing' several months prior. However, Wilson concluded that 'nothing was there to pinpoint if it was a huge monster.'

Another resident, Herb Rolsen, who lives about a mile from the Stulz's, dismissed the idea of a monster, stating, 'We have no monsters. We have no ghosts. We just have lots of people.' Rolsen suggested the creature might have been a deer and noted that his dogs, weighing about 120 pounds each, have paws like a monster, but his own monsters were not present. He went to bed around 2 a.m. and his dogs were home.

Investigator Says UFO Was Venus

This section reports on a mysterious amber light spotted hovering over the Walton armory building several weeks prior, which has been identified as the planet Venus. Walton Police Chief John Hines, who witnessed the light along with other Walton residents, reported the phenomenon to Jerry Black, a field investigator for the Ohio UFO Investigation League Inc.

Black stated that Chief Hines reported the bluish-white light dropped steadily until it appeared low on the horizon and changed to an orange color with a glow, attributed to the city lights through the atmosphere. Black confirmed that the light was Venus, explaining that planets appearing low on the horizon can pick up city lights and turn orange. He added that they appear to disappear because they are always rotating.

Black also mentioned that other investigators from the association are expected in Boone County that weekend to examine another reported phenomenon: a 500-pound black animal that apparently emerged from the Ohio River and shook the mobile home of Jackie Jones on Ryle Rd. Ron Schaffner is noted as conducting 'Para-Hominoid Research' under the investigation of E. Jones and R. Schaffner.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue focuses on unexplained phenomena, including a potential cryptid sighting ('Boone's lurking beast') and a UFO sighting identified as a planet. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting these events with a degree of skepticism, as indicated by the cover headline questioning the nature of the 'beast' and the straightforward identification of the 'UFO' as Venus. The inclusion of investigator names and organizations suggests an interest in exploring these phenomena, while also grounding the reports in official statements and scientific explanations where possible. The mention of para-hominoid research indicates a broader interest in unusual creature encounters.