Creature Chronicles - No 02 - 1980 Summer

Magazine Overview

Title: Creature Chronicles
Issue: Summer Number 2
Year: 1980
Publisher: Para-Hominoid Research
Date: Dayton, Ohio, Tuesday Afternoon, June 24, 1980

This issue of Creature Chronicles focuses on investigations into alleged sightings of large, unknown creatures, primarily in Ohio and Kentucky, with a strong emphasis on factual reporting and open-minded investigation.

'Big Foot' Sightings Scare Socks Off Pair (Page 1)

The lead story details an investigation by Logan County officials into a sighting of a 'seven-feet-tall, hairy animal' in a barn near West Mansfield, Ohio, by Russells Point police officer Ray Quay. A similar report from Union County involved Patrick Poling, who claimed to have seen a creature walking upright near his farm. A mammal research team from Lima is assisting in the investigation. Deputies searched the area but found nothing. The report notes that claw marks found on Poling's property were approximately 40 inches apart, with individual marks measuring 16 inches by 4 inches.

Staff and Editorial (Page 2)

The 'staff' section lists the editorial and layout team: Ron Schaffner (Editor), Charles J. Wilhelm (Layout), and Earl D. Jones (Artist). It also notes that Hominoid Research is a division of the Ohio UFO Investigators League, Inc., and affiliated with the UFO Ohio Research Co-operative. The editorial by Ron Schaffner emphasizes the group's commitment to factual investigative work and their open-minded approach, accepting two main theories on Bigfoot: an earth-indigenous primate or a para-physical entity. He clarifies that Creature Chronicles is a journalistic outlet for news and information, not a debate forum. A note corrects a misquote of Earl Jones in the Kentucky Post regarding a connection between the Big Bone creature and a UFO.

Big Bone Kentucky Report (Page 3)

This section details an incident at Big Bone, Kentucky, involving Jackie and Dave Stulz. On March 31, 1980, they reported hearing a sound like a lion and elephant roar and seeing a creature between 2 to 3 feet wide, about 300 pounds, and 5 feet in height, with a flat face. Dave shot at the creature, which then swam into the river. The next night, April 1, 1980, they again heard a disturbance, and Dave saw the creature jump over a ditch and escape into the water. The report mentions a previous encounter in June 1979 where Vicki Jones' trailer was shaken. Local legends suggest the creature was known as 'Satan,' and investigator John Daily found newspaper clippings about sightings from 1950. The conclusion states the case is under investigation and the witnesses saw something unexplained.

Mystery Tracks Solved (Page 4)

This article, also by Ron Schaffner, discusses prints found near a trailer in Big Bone, Kentucky. Preliminary conclusions suggest the creature was either a mutated bear or amphibious. The prints were heavy, about 7 inches long and 5 inches wide, with four claw marks and possibly webbed feet. A dent on the trailer was also noted. The Boone County Recovery Team planned to search underwater caverns. Separately, Ron Schaffner and Earl D. Jones investigated prints of two similar animals, possibly of canine species. The larger prints were 4.5 to 5 inches long and wide, with smaller ones measuring 3.25 to 3.5 inches. These were identified as canine prints, with the larger animal estimated at 3.5 to 4 feet tall and weighing 150-200 pounds.

'Big Dog' Making Tracks (Page 5)

This article by Jim Rohrer from the Cincinnati Enquirer reports on the 'big paw prints' in the Seilcrest Acres subdivision, Ohio. Officials from Wild Animal Safari at Kings Island identified the prints as belonging to a very large dog, based on toenail markings. Safari animals were accounted for, and residents had become worried about the prints appearing throughout the neighborhood. The article concludes that the mystery was solved, attributing the prints to a large dog.

Fisherman Mistaken For Bigfoot? (Page 6)

This piece by John Daily and Ron Schaffner addresses a news clipping from the Dixie News about eight-year-old Timmy Jones finding large footprints at Big Bone Lick State Park. Timmy believed they were from a Bigfoot-type creature that had previously shaken a house trailer. The footprints were about ten inches long, sunk deep into the mud, and tapered narrowly. However, investigator John Daily's evaluation concluded that the prints were likely made by a fisherman or someone launching a boat, as the area is a popular fishing spot with soft mud banks.

West - Central Ohio Denizen (Page 7)

Ron Schaffner reports on alleged Bigfoot sightings in Union and Logan counties, Ohio, referencing the front-page clipping. The Mammal Research Team from Lima is investigating, but had not yet provided additional information at the time of publication. Details of these sightings will be published in the next issue after follow-up investigations.

UFO Ohio Research Co-operative (Page 7)

This section describes the UFO Ohio Research Co-operative as a state-wide network working with other research organizations globally to promote a more efficient network for research needs. Dennis Pilichis is highlighted as the co-ordinator. They express a desire to communicate with Bigfoot groups and work with them.

Investigators Tips (Page 7)

This section provides advice for investigators, stressing the importance of expressing no opinions, determining and recording all facts from witnesses, and preventing personal biases from influencing the report. It emphasizes the investigator's role in providing useful information for analysis of unidentified phenomena.

Bigbird In Flight (Page 8)

This page features an illustration titled 'BIGBIRD IN FLIGHT' by Earl D. Jones. It also includes a photograph of Soviet expedition member Igor Burtsev displaying a plaster cast of a footprint believed to be of the Abominable Snowman, found in the Pamir Mountains, Central Asia. The print is described as 14 inches long and over 6 inches across the toes.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of unexplained creature sightings, particularly Bigfoot and similar phenomena, and the importance of rigorous, fact-based research. The editorial stance is one of open-minded inquiry, accepting multiple theories and prioritizing the collection of evidence over preconceived notions. The magazine aims to be a journalistic source of information on these topics, encouraging collaboration among researchers and dispelling sensationalism.