Creature Chronicles - No 04 - 1981 Autumn

Magazine Overview

Title: Creature Chronicles
Issue: Autumn Number 4
Year: 1981
Publisher: Hominid Research Group
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Story: Bigfoot Returns to Mt. St. Helens?

The cover of this Autumn 1981 issue of Creature Chronicles prominently features the headline "BIGFOOT RETURNS TO MT. ST. HELENS ?" accompanied by a stylized Bigfoot silhouette and a map of the Mt. St. Helens area. The lead article details a three-week field trip undertaken in July by Bill McIntyre, Earl Jones, and another individual into the Cascade Mountains of southwest Washington. Their objectives were to personally observe the devastation caused by the eruption of Mount St. Helens and to investigate Bigfoot reports in Lewis and Skamania Counties. Unfortunately, the investigation was significantly hampered by numerous auto troubles and personal injuries, preventing the completion of substantial work. The authors suggest that a proper investigation would require many months.

Inside This Issue

• The "INSIDE THIS ISSUE" section lists several key articles:
• Group Journey to Washington
• Recent Ohio Activity
• Little Miami River Phenomena
• Plus other information and investigative tips

Staff and Editorial

The staff includes Ron Schaffner as Publishing Editor, Charles J. Wilhelm as Assistant Editor, and Earl D. Jones as Artist/Investigator. Photographers are Charles Slaughter and George Greene. The Hominid Research Group, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a division of the Ohio UFO Investigators League, Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on factual investigative work rather than rumors.

The editorial section addresses "NOTES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ETC." The editors thank subscribers for their support and announce a change in policy: overseas subscriptions will increase to offset airmail costs. Furthermore, they will cease sending copies to individuals who have not sent anything in exchange for issues 1-4, unless exchange copy or funds for subscriptions are received. This measure is intended to avoid raising prices for all subscribers and to encourage information sharing.

The editorial also discusses "Objectivity vs. Sensationalism," stating the magazine's commitment to publishing news in a journalistic fashion, relying on facts from investigations and objective newsclippings. They contrast this with national tabloids and commercial magazines that tend to exaggerate for wider readership and advertising revenue.

Subscription rates are listed as $6.00 for 4 issues in the USA and $8.00 for foreign subscriptions (US drafts). Donations are also accepted, with checks payable to Ron Schaffner.

Mt. St. Helens' Apes

This article, continued from page 1, delves into the history of Bigfoot encounters in the Mt. St. Helens region of Washington. It mentions the vast forest coverage and mountain terrain, drawing a parallel to Ohio's dense forests. A famous case from 1924, known as Ape Canyon, is briefly referenced, with a mention of Fred Beck's book, "I Fought the Apemen of Mt. St. Helens."

Another incident near Ape Canyon in 1950 involved a mountaineer named Jim Carter, who vanished while skiing ahead of a twenty-member climbing party. His ski tracks indicated he was moving rapidly, as if pursued. Members of the party reported feeling an uncomfortable sensation of being watched.

The article discusses the debate surrounding the movement of alleged hairy creatures after the 'mountain' eruption in May 1980. Some speculate a migration to Ohio and surrounding states due to increased activity in the east that summer. However, the authors find this unlikely, noting a high percentage of sightings in the plains states and that Ohio has always had Bigfoot reports, with 1977 being a year of high activity.

Reports from Wallace and Peterson Associates indicate sightings south-east of Mt. St. Helens a week prior to the eruption. Mt. Hood in Oregon is suggested as a possible sanctuary. Logging companies, such as Weyerhaeuser in 1975, have collected sighting reports. The October-December issue of "LOG" speculated that Sasquatch left Mt. St. Helens for the Yukon. The article notes that if creatures have returned, they may not stay long due to the prediction of another eruption, with small earthquakes and ash plumes up to 14,000 feet being reported.

The article includes a description of casts of prints found on the south fork of the Toutle River, questioning their authenticity. It also mentions spherical rocks found in a nearby cave, speculated to be weapons used by creatures for hunting.

Washington Journey: "Brinson's Peak"

This section details a journey through Skamania County, Washington, noting its unusual Ordinance 69-01, which prohibits the slaying of Sasquatch with fines and jail sentences. The authors met with Ray Wallace in Toledo, Washington, who shared information and allowed viewing of his collection of casts and artifacts. Ray introduced them to Don Peterson, who is researching events in a tree vail area known as Brinson, in Lewis County, west of Winlock.

Brinson has a history of strange happenings, including the Snow family's house reportedly burning down multiple times and the disappearance of the Brinson family's youngest daughter. Mike Machleid recounted two encounters he had while living below Brinson's peak between 1971-1974. He described seeing a large, "humped-over" form with light-colored hair and red-tinted eyes, and hearing strange noises at night. He and a friend, "Russ," later saw the creature walk across a logging road.

Other witnesses in the Brinson area include a Deputy Sheriff who was frightened by a creature and refuses to go there anymore, and a citizen who saw a large creature with "hairy legs" during a campout. The authors conducted their own overnight stay in Brinson, reporting feelings of being watched, sounds of movement in the trees, and an unusual, rank stench. They also found a tree with claw marks about 7-8 feet up on its trunk. Despite acknowledging the possibility of bears, the authors emphasize the unique sensation experienced at Brinson's Peak.

River Phenomena: The "Loveland Frog"

This retrospective article details an encounter with an amphibian creature known as the "Loveland Frog." The incident occurred on March 3, 1972, at 1:00 A.M., when Officer Williams was driving on Riverside Road near Loveland, Ohio. He observed an animal resembling a dog, which then stood up, revealing itself to be 3-5 feet tall, weighing 50-75 pounds, with leathery skin, a face resembling a frog or lizard, and illuminating eyes. The creature leaped into the Little Miami River.

Williams reported the incident, and later that night, he and Officer Johnson returned to the area, finding evidence of something scraping the embankment into the river. Two weeks later, Officer Johnson had a similar experience, encountering a creature that moved with a half-walk, half-hobble gait. The creature's face had a "funny smirk." The article notes that the officers' credibility is supported by their backgrounds. Williams stated, "I wish this had never happened."

Discussing the creature's skin, the possibility of wet, matted hair was raised. Johnson thought he saw a tail. The officers faced ridicule, but most of the police force believed their story. The author notes the difficulty of proving it as a hoax, questioning how a hoaxter could know the patrolmen's route and timing, especially in cold weather.

Recent Ohio Activity

This section reports on several sightings in Ohio during July and August 1981.

Rome, Ohio (July, 1981): Area residents reported a large, mysterious animal, described as 7-9 feet tall, roaming a swamp near the Grand River. Livestock had been found physically mutilated, and the Sheriff's department found large footprints. Dennis Pilichis reported that activity began around 9 PM. The footprints were three-toed, measuring 14 inches long and 6 inches wide, with a depth of 1.5 inches. The creature was described as about 9 feet tall with red glowing eyes, no hair on its face, and fang-like teeth. Dennis and Bill McIntyre investigated, and according to their testimony, saw the creatures in the swamp. Shots were fired with no apparent effect. The witnesses wished to remain anonymous. Dennis has photos, casts, and taped interviews, but withheld witness names to protect their privacy. Contact information for the AREC Research Group (Dennis Pilichis) is provided.

Darke County, Ohio (August 1, 1981): Researcher Tom Archer and Sarah Knight were walking by a tree line when Tom played a Bigfoot sound from a tape. Shortly after, they heard a scream and saw a figure with wide, monstrous shoulders in a cornfield. The creature was described as 9-10 feet tall, with a round, slightly flat head, no neck, and a strong odor. Tom and Sarah watched it squat in the cornfield before it moved out of sight. Tom expressed fear in reporting the sighting due to his role as an investigator. The incident is under investigation.

Investigator's Tip

Charles J. Wilhelm provides an investigator's tip on the importance of maps, including quadrangles, aeronautic charts, and geological maps, for investigations and research projects. He advises consulting the U.S. Geological Survey or county Engineer's office for information.

Notes & Comments

This section continues from page 2. The editors reiterate their commitment to publishing factual information and correspondence from reliable sources, emphasizing that "Creature Chronicles" is a research tool for serious researchers.

They address the issue of hoaxes and misinterpretations, stating that for every explanation, there are many unknowns. Longtime Bigfoot hunter Rene Dahinden is quoted: "I just want to find out who is leaving those footprints." The editors ponder the psychological implications if all Bigfoot witnesses are pathological liars.

They also comment on "Apathy" and feuding between researchers, stating their group's total apathy to political feuds and urging individuals to contact them directly for clarification before spreading hearsay.

The Hominid Research Group announces a new consultant, Dr. Anthony J. Perzigian, a professor of Anthropology at the University of Cincinnati, specializing in Forensic Anthropology. His expertise in identifying human bodies through skeletal structure is noted, and his interest in aerial phenomena and Bigfoot is welcomed.

Finally, they thank "Fortean Times" for mentioning "Creature Chronicles" in their latest issues and provide their new address.

Notice

The Hominid Research Group and the Ohio UFO Investigators League hold their meetings on the third Saturday of the month at the Norwood United Methodist Church. Contact Earl Jones at 513-631-6288 for more information.

Hoax?

This article from "The Kentucky Post" (September 17, 1981) reports on a case in Covington, Kentucky, where police are investigating a suspect allegedly dressing in a costume to scare residents of a housing project. Officer Daniel Torres, investigating the case, is convinced it is not Bigfoot, noting that witnesses described a "form" that looked like a zipper reflecting street lights. The article points out that the area is urban, making it unlikely for a large primate to reside there. The case is still under investigation.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are Bigfoot sightings and investigations, particularly in the Pacific Northwest (Mt. St. Helens) and Ohio. The magazine also touches upon other Fortean phenomena, such as the "Loveland Frog." The editorial stance is clearly in favor of objective, journalistic investigation, distinguishing itself from sensationalism and encouraging the sharing of factual information among researchers. The Hominid Research Group positions itself as a serious research tool for those interested in the unexplained.