Creature Chronicles - No 03 - 1981 Spring

Magazine Overview

Title: Creature Chronicles
Issue: 3
Volume: 1981
Date: Spring 1981
Publisher: Hominid Research Group
Price: $1.50

This issue of Creature Chronicles, dated Spring 1981, focuses on "1980 BF Activity," detailing numerous alleged Bigfoot sightings and encounters primarily within the Ohio Valley region and surrounding states.

1980 BF Activity: Overview and Methodology

The magazine employs a standard chronological system for disseminating information on Bigfoot cases. It acknowledges that covering every aspect in detail is impossible due to space constraints, opting instead to list major facts and promising more in-depth discussions in future issues. The cover map highlights alleged Bigfoot sightings in the Ohio Valley Region, with a note that other incidents in North-Eastern Ohio are considered hearsay due to a lack of documentation. The Hominid Research Group, a division of the Ohio UFO Investigators, Inc., has investigated many of these cases, gathering information through field investigations and news clippings. The issue warns that some incidents have a high probability of being hoaxes and will be discussed.

Inside This Issue

The "Inside This Issue" section previews the content, including "1980 Sightings," "Hoaxes," "Bearfacts," and other information and investigative tips.

Staff and Publisher Information

The staff includes Ron Schaffner as Publishing Editor, Charles J. Wilhelm as Assistant Editor, and Farl D. Jones for Artist/Investigations. Photographs were provided by Charles Slaughter, George Greene, and Ron Schaffner. The Hominid Research Group is located at P.O. Box 120494, Cincinnati, Ohio 45212, with a phone number of 513-891-7560. They emphasize that their research is based on factual investigative work, not rumors, and invite serious researchers to exchange publications or cases.

Editorial: The "Vigilante Factor"

In the editorial, Ron Schaffner introduces the concept of the "Vigilante Factor" in Sasquatch investigations. He defines it as a sociological enigma and provides two examples: one where he was confronted by a man with a shotgun while investigating a sighting near Milford, Ohio, and another where local citizens in Eaton, Ohio, formed a posse to track a creature. Schaffner stresses the importance of common sense and notifying landowners, warning that reckless actions can be dangerous.

Creature Listings: Detailed Case Reports

The magazine presents a detailed list of "Creature Listings" from 1980:

1. Big Bone, Kentucky (Boone Co.) - 3/31/80, 4/1/80: Jackie Jones and Dave Stulz reported hearing strange sounds and seeing a dark creature leap into the Ohio River. This case is referenced as being covered in Creature Chronicles #2.
2. West Mansfield, Ohio (Union and Logan Counties) - 6/22/80, 6/17/80: Ray Quay reported seeing a large hairy animal near his barn, and Pat Poling saw an unknown animal walk upright from the woods. Both witnesses described the creature as approximately 7 feet tall and hairy. One damaged footprint was found. Investigated by Tom Archer.
3. Conemaugh Township, Pennsylvania (Cambria County) - 8/23/80, 8/21/80: Frank and Jimmy Young reported being awakened by their dogs and a strong odor. The next night, their dog became subdued after going into the woods. Two footprints were found (17.5 inches long, 7.5 inches wide, 3.5 inches heel depth). The alleged creature was not seen. John Ketwig of MARCEN noted unsubstantiated and conflicting stories, and Jimmy Young was deemed not credible. An editor's note suggests a high probability of hoax.
4. McArthur, Ohio (Vinton County): This case is discussed in more detail later in the issue.
5. Southern Wayne National Forest - 8/11/80, 8/24/80, 10/5/80: Larry Cottrill and Rodney Peoples observed a large ape-like creature. Cottrill claims to have shot and wounded it. Hunters reported cornering several creatures. Prints and tree markings were found, with blood discovered near prints. Investigated by Tom Archer and the Hominid Research Group.
6. Mayslick, Kentucky (Mason County) - 10/7/80 9:30 PM: Charles Fulton reported seeing a 7-foot-tall, 400-pound creature with white hair and pink eyes holding his son's pet rooster. Fulton fired two shots at the creature. Investigations found no evidence of the pet being harmed. Tree markings were present. Fulton is considered a credible witness. Investigated by Doug McGill and John Daily.
7. Flemingsburg, Kentucky (Fleming County) - 10/11/80 8:30 PM: J.L. Tumey heard strange noises and saw a large dark man running towards the woods, firing his pistol at it. Later, a freezer on the porch was found broken into, with meat scattered. Unusual white hair and ground impressions were found. Fleming County authorities determined the hair was human. An editor's note suggests this is not the work of an ordinary criminal and implies a non-human motive for the frozen meat.
8. Big Sandy, Tennessee (Benton County) - 10/12/80 10:30 PM: Larry Ross saw a large black figure, described as about 7 feet tall with 3-foot shoulders and 16-18 inch chest, standing in the road. The creature walked into high weeds. Some friends of Ross had also seen the creature with glowing red eyes while coon hunting. The "Vigilante Factor" is noted as high among hunters in the area. Investigated by Brent Raynes.
9. Lisbon, Ohio (Columbiana County) - 7/9/80: Sheriff's Dept. investigated reports of Bigfoot creatures, missing chickens, and growling sounds. A 15-inch footprint was shown to Deputy J. Smith. Strange noises were heard at night. Investigated by Vance Adams and Warren Thompson.

'80 Reports Con't.

• 7. Maysville, Kentucky (Mason County) - 11/5/80 4:30 Am: Noble Clay, an Alabama trucker, saw a 6-7 foot, hairy white figure with an ape-like appearance on the highway. He contacted locals via CB radio. Police took his statement and filed a report, believing him to be serious. Investigated by Doug McGill.
• 8. Big Sandy, Tennessee (Benton County) - 10/12/80 10:30 PM: Larry Ross described the creature as about 7 feet tall with 3-foot shoulders and 16-18 inch chest, with its head low over its shoulders and arms high. Glowing red eyes were reported by friends. Investigated by Brent Raynes.
• 9. Lisbon, Ohio (Columbana County) - 7/9/80: Sheriff's Dept. investigated reports of Bigfoot creatures, missing chickens, and growling sounds. A 15-inch footprint was shown to Deputy J. Smith. Strange noises were heard at night. Investigated by Vance Adams and Warren Thompson.

Bearfacts

This section, written by R. Schaffner, discusses how many Sasquatch encounters are misinterpretations of known animals, particularly bears. It details the characteristics of Black Bears (Ursus americanus), Grizzly Bears (Ursus horriblis), and Big Brown Bears (Ursus middenorffi), including their size, habitat, and diet. The article highlights that while bears are quadrupeds, they can stand upright, potentially leading to confusion with bipedal creatures like Bigfoot. It cites sources like "Mammals of North America" by Victor H. Cahalane and "A Field Guide to Mammals" by William Burt/R. Grossenheider. A "Recommended Book for field Investigators" is also mentioned: "Field Photography" by Alfred A. Blaker.

McArthur, Ohio Case: Hoax or Reality

This article, by R. Schaffner & E. Jones, delves into the "McArthur sightings," considered the most talked-about case of 1980, primarily occurring east of MacArthur on U.S. 50 in Vinton County. The authors aim to present background information, case documentation, and other sources, noting conflicting statements between media and involved parties. They intend to explain cases as misinterpretations, unknowns, or hoaxes.

• Background:
• First Sightings: Reported by Larry Cottrill, who claimed to see three Sasquatch-like animals and possibly shot one. This occurred on August 24.
• Rodney Peoples' Sighting: Peoples reported hearing strange sounds for weeks and seeing creatures three times. He described them as 9 or 10 feet tall, running faster than any bear or human, with sounds described as a bark, growl, or chirping. He also noted a cesspool odor. This sighting was on October 10.
• Robert Gardiner's Account: Gardiner, Dean Cottrill, and Rene Debros were hunting and found a print. They noticed blood dripping from a tree. Gardiner reported hearing screams and other sounds, suggesting communication. He stated that blood samples sent to Wyoming were identified as primate blood.
• Footprint Evidence: Tracks were found off U.S. 50, measuring up to 17.5 inches long and 9 inches wide. Casts were made.

Dr. Gerald Svendson's Analysis:
Dr. Svendson, an Ohio University Zoologist, found numerous issues with the prints and casts. He noted that the footprints appeared to be dug out by hand, with variable toe pointing and sizes too small (about 11.5 inches long) for a 7-12 foot tall animal. He also stated that tree scratches were not made by a primate but by penny nails.

Case Findings

This section details the research group's visit to the Vinton County area on October 18, 1980, following the latest sighting by Rodney Peoples a week prior. To avoid influencing witnesses, they did not initially announce their presence but informed Vinton County deputies. They set up cameras with infrared film around their campsite. Walter Coleman, a property owner, reported seeing a bear and cub a year prior but nothing unusual since. Only Cottrill, Gardiner, and Peoples reported seeing or hearing creatures.

The footprint casts from Peoples' possession were examined: 11.5 inches long, flat, with no heel or toe indentations or arch. The group concluded these prints were too small and flat to support a creature weighing 100 pounds and standing 7-12 feet tall, agreeing with Dr. G. Svendsen's findings. Peoples also claimed tree markings were made with a Phillips-head screwdriver. There was no documentation to prove the blood samples were primate, and the print casts varied in shape and size, some with six toes, some five, and some four. An alleged handprint resembled a child's baseball glove, and toe configurations were disproportionate.

Vinton Co. Con't. / Late News: Did Bigfoot visit Linton?

This section continues the discussion on Vinton County, stating that while locals reported zero wildlife activity, evidence of deer, bobcats, and raccoons was found. The physical evidence for the alleged Bigfoot sightings is deemed "faked." The "Vigilante Factor" is mentioned again, with Ohio University students having parties and stomping in the woods. The article suggests a third party might be responsible for the phony evidence, possibly someone using a monkey suit. It concludes with a thought about enacting laws against hoaxters.

A separate article, "Did Bigfoot visit Linton?" by Mike Waits, discusses strange footprints appearing near Lake Barkley in Linton. The prints were about 18 inches long and 6 inches wide, appearing in the snow. Residents believe Bigfoot has returned, recalling a past incident of a dog being attacked by a tall, hairy creature. The footprints were tracked for about 500 yards. Mrs. Lillian Dawson was the first to notice them. The article notes that at one point, the creature stepped over a bush about three feet tall. While some believe it's Bigfoot, others suspect a practical joker. The author believes it's a prank.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the investigation of Bigfoot and Sasquatch sightings, the analysis of physical evidence, and the critical examination of potential hoaxes and misidentifications. The Hominid Research Group appears to take a skeptical yet open-minded approach, presenting reported cases while also scrutinizing the evidence and considering alternative explanations such as animal misinterpretations or deliberate hoaxes. The "Vigilante Factor" is presented as a significant element in understanding witness behavior and the context of investigations. The magazine encourages factual research and the exchange of information among investigators.