Wonders - Vol 7 No 2 - 2002

Magazine Overview

WONDERS, Vol. 7 No. 2, published in June 2002 by MARK A. HALL PUBLICATIONS, is dedicated to exploring the mysteries of the universe, with this issue focusing on "The Hidden Animals of the Carolinas." The magazine is published four times a year and is based in Wilmington, North Carolina.

The Hidden Animals of the Carolinas

This feature article, written by Mark A. Hall, delves into the history and ongoing reports of unusual and unexplained animals in the Southeastern United States, particularly the Carolinas. Hall defines "hidden animals" as creatures that appear in news reports as "monsters" or unusual phenomena, often for brief periods before fading from public attention. These are often considered "living fossils" or persistent survivors in areas where they are not expected.

The article highlights the rich history of such reports in North and South Carolina. Specific examples include:

• Mer-beings: Mermaid Point in Chatham County, North Carolina, is named for legendary mer-beings reportedly seen there.
• Mystery Beast of Madison County: In 1873, a mystery beast was sighted in the laurel thickets of Madison County, North Carolina.
• "Wild Man" of the Mountains: Around 1910, a nine-foot-tall "wild man" was reported in the mountains.
• "Beast of Bladenboro": This creature became famous in 1953 in Bladenboro, North Carolina.
• "Lizardman" of the Scape Ore Swamp: A significant event in 1988 in South Carolina.

Mountain Lions (Cougars) in the Carolinas

The article dedicates a substantial portion to the presence of mountain lions (cougars) in the Carolinas. While officially declared absent since the nineteenth century, numerous anecdotal reports persist. Officials from the North Carolina Museum of Natural History noted the last confirmed sightings in the mountains in 1905 and in the coastal region in the 1880s. However, reports continued, including one from 1930s North Carolina where a cougar was killed by CCC workers near Grandfather Mountain. Eyewitness accounts from the Blue Ridge Parkway and other areas describe sightings in the 1960s and beyond. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has also had reports, with park employees documenting sightings and sounds in July 1975. The Piedmont region of North Carolina has also seen reports, with a sighting in the Uwharrie National Forest in May 1998. Charles Humphreys documented numerous sightings in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina in his book "Panthers of the Coastal Plain." Herbert Ravenel Sass collected accounts for the Charleston News and Courier, with sightings reported near Elloree and along the Santee River in South Carolina. A study by David S. Lee and Ben Sanders examined nearly 300 reports in North Carolina, with Lee suggesting the possibility of small, permanent populations based on observed patterns and correlation with deer populations.

Despite the evidence, authorities are hesitant to declare the presence of panthers, citing a lack of conclusive scientific data and potential public safety issues. The article notes that hunting these cats is prohibited by law, and positive proof such as clear photographs or carcasses is lacking. However, evidence like hair samples found by zoologist Fred Barkalow, which were identified as cougar, suggest their presence, possibly as migrants from other regions.

Other Unusual Animals

Beyond mountain lions, the magazine touches upon other reported phenomena:

• "Lizardman" of Scape Ore Swamp: The article details the 1988 "Lizardman" event, which gained significant media attention. It recounts the initial sighting by Christopher Davis, who described a seven-foot-tall creature with red eyes and three fingers. Subsequent reports included a man-like creature chasing people, damage to cars, and the discovery of large, three-toed footprints. A "monster hunt" ensued, involving numerous hunters and law enforcement. The event was further fueled by reports of strange tracks and sightings in surrounding areas and even in Mississippi.
• Mermaids: The origin of Mermaid Point is explained through local tradition of mermaids swimming up the Cape Fear River.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores unexplained phenomena, cryptozoology, and local legends, presenting eyewitness accounts and historical reports without necessarily providing definitive scientific explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into mysteries, encouraging readers to consider the possibility of these "hidden animals" existing despite official skepticism. The publisher, Mark A. Hall, notes in his editorial that he has found a history of "wonderful animals" across America and that the Carolinas have a "wealth of them."

Title: WONDERS
Issue: June 2002
Publisher: Wonders
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of WONDERS magazine, dated June 2002, explores a variety of cryptid and folklore phenomena primarily focused on the Carolinas. It delves into historical and contemporary accounts of mysterious creatures, including the "Lizardman," Mer-beings, "the Devil," Bigfoot, "True Giants," and "Taller-hominids."

The "Lizardman" of Lee County

The issue begins with a reference to the "Lizardman" of Lee County, South Carolina. A photograph (Fig. 1) from July 31, 1988, shows Christopher Davis holding a cast of a track suspected to belong to this entity. The track is described as measuring fourteen inches long and seven inches wide.

Mer-beings and Historical "Devils"

The article discusses an incident involving John Patrick and a man-like creature caught in his fish net in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. It then connects this to historical accounts of Mer-beings described by American Indians and seen in recent years. The author references a previous article, "A Primer on Mermaids" in Wonders Volume 6. A significant portion is dedicated to the historical record from North Carolina, referencing the autobiography of Rev. William Glendinning, published in Philadelphia in 1795. Glendinning reported frequent sightings of "the Devil" in Granville and Halifax Counties starting in 1785. These encounters were later discussed by William S. Powell in The State Magazine in 1956. Glendinning's descriptions of the "Devil" are presented, including an encounter where he described the entity as "black as any coal – his eyes and mouth as red as blood, and long white teeth gnashing together." He also described an appearance in daylight of a creature upward of five feet high, with a ridge on its head, and legs but no arms or thighs, which moved like "an armful of chains rattling together."

Bigfoot and "True Giants"

The magazine then shifts to the topic of "Bigfoot" and "True Giants." It notes the presence of Mermen and Mermaids in the Carolinas and links these to primate evolution. The author mentions having published books on "The Yeti, Bigfoot & True Giants" and "Living Fossils." While acknowledging the fame of "Bigfoot," the article suggests that creatures seen in the Carolinas, if they are "Bigfoot," are different. It introduces "True Giants" as large primates found in the mountains of western North Carolina, known to the Cherokee Indians as "The Slant-Eyed People" (Tsunil' Kalu'). An account from the Boston Gazette in July 1793 describes an animal between twelve and fifteen feet high, resembling a human but with a terrapin-like head, no neck, negroe-like feet, and dark dun-colored hairy bodies. This creature was reportedly bold and had attempted to kill people. Scott McNabb of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization is mentioned in relation to the Cherokee term "ke-cleah kud-leah" for "hairy man/thing." An account of a creature killed in Georgia in 1829 is also noted. Bill Sharpe's story of the "Wildman of Yancey County" is referenced, describing a giant appearing about fifty years prior to the article's publication, about nine feet tall and "hairy all over."

Recent Encounters and Gigantopithecus

Recent reports of "True Giants" in the Southeast are discussed, including an encounter in Georgia in Richmond County near Augusta in late November or early December of 1979. The witness described a "man-ape" ten to ten and a half feet tall and found a footprint measuring 22 inches long and 9 inches wide. The article posits that the identity of the "True Giant" is clear from the fossil record, specifically Gigantopithecus, noting that while only teeth and jawbones have been preserved, its presence in the Carolinas is suggested.

"Taller-hominids"

The "Taller-hominids" are described as stealthy, man-like creatures that were once a tribal group with their own culture. They are now disbanded and seen singly or in small groups. A detailed description is given by Brenda Polk of Concord, North Carolina, who in November 1994 saw a creature beside the road that was over 7 feet tall, muscle-bound, with slim hips, huge thighs, and silver hair 4 to 5 inches long. Her encounter is referenced as being available on the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization website. Another report from the summer of 1964 mentions a "monster hunt" in North Carolina near Smithfield, involving hundreds of farmers searching for a creature described as about 7 feet tall, weighing 250 pounds, with 16-inch footprints.

An unusual track found near Stanley in Gaston County, North Carolina, measuring 14.5 inches long and 4.5 inches wide, is also mentioned. The article notes the excavation of a partial skeleton of a "Taller-hominid" in Greenland in 1926, suggesting it may have been brought by Norse colonists. The article speculates that "Taller-hominids" were major competitors in the New World alongside Neanderthal Men and Kennewick People.

"Knobby" of North Carolina

Finally, the issue introduces "Knobby," a "Lizardman"-like entity from Cleveland County, North Carolina, which was a news sensation in 1979. Minnie Cook was the first to report seeing it on December 21, 1978, describing it as not a bear. The Associated Press is cited as describing "Knobby" as an animal covered with black fur, having a flat face like an ape, and capable of moving on all fours or walking.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the persistent presence of unexplained creatures and phenomena in the Carolinas, drawing parallels between historical folklore and modern sightings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these reports, presenting various accounts and theories without definitive conclusions, but leaning towards the possibility of these entities having a basis in reality, potentially linked to primate evolution and ancient hominids.

This issue of WONDERS magazine, dated June 2002, issue number 53, delves into a collection of cryptid sightings and folklore primarily from North Carolina and surrounding regions. The content spans historical accounts and eyewitness testimonies of various unexplained creatures.

Knobby and Other Ape-Like Creatures

The issue begins with an account of 'Knobby,' an ape-like creature sighted near Carpenter's Knob in Cleveland County, North Carolina. Witnesses described it as standing over six feet tall, with a pinkish face, wide nostrils, a shiny chest, narrow waist, and large thighs, resembling a gorilla. The nickname 'Knobby' originated from the location of its sightings. In mid-January 1979, Kay Price and her sisters had a close encounter, with one describing it as 'too close, to tell the truth.' The article also references earlier folklore, including a 'waumpaus' reported on Roanoke Island in 1930, described as walking upright with a hog, screaming like a soprano, and leaving tracks as large as a horse's footprints.

Further afield, pilots in Beaufort County, South Carolina, have reported seeing 'gorillas' on islands. More frequently, large apes have been reported from the Mississippi River bottomlands, with the Choctaw Indians referring to a creature called 'Kashehotapalo,' meaning 'the scream of a woman.' This creature is described as a 'living fossil,' smarter than any gorilla.

The Woolly Booger and Mountain Monsters

The 'Beast of Rockwell,' also known as the 'Woolly Booger,' is detailed as an ape-like creature sighted in Rowan County, North Carolina, standing 8-10 feet tall with webbed hands and feet, saucer-sized orange eyes, and matted black fur. A witness described its scream as like a giant hoot owl. One account describes firing a 12-gauge shotgun at the creature at close range, which only caused it to flinch, and it was able to keep pace with a pickup truck traveling at 40 mph. The general consensus on the top speed of monsters in North Carolina is stated as forty miles per hour.

A report from the Shelton Laurel District of North Carolina, dating back to 1873, describes a 'huge mountain monster' encountered by George Anderson. This beast was described as a black bear with a lion-like head and elk-like horns, a long bushy tail with dark and light rings, eyes that gleamed like a panther's, and the size of an ordinary ox. Anderson recounted being terrified and retreating as the creature approached him. The article suggests that the 'horns like an elk' might have been the creature wearing antlers, possibly in imitation of local hunters like Jim Fisher, who dressed in antlers and a cape.

Native American Legends: Nalusa Falaya and Cacores

The magazine revisits Native American lore, crediting David Bushnell for recording the Choctaw accounts of 'Giant Monkeys' as native fauna. The Indians called them 'Nalusa Falaya,' or 'The Long Evil Being.' These creatures are described as man-like, walking upright, with shriveled faces, small eyes, and long, pointed ears. They inhabit dense woods near swamps, away from human habitations. Hunters have reported hearing them call in voices resembling a man's, sometimes causing them to fall unconscious.

The 'Cacores' are mentioned as a 'great nation' at war with the Tuscaroras, described as 'very little people in stature,' valiant, and swift. Skeletal remains of small stature were found in their former territory, though it's noted this doesn't definitively link them to the Shoccoree Indians.

Little People and Tunnels

The 'Little People of the Smokies' are discussed in relation to a tunnel discovered near Robbinsville, North Carolina. Initially speculated to be dug by Cherokee Indians, experts now believe it might be a relic from the time before the Cherokees, dug by these legendary 'Little People.' Cherokee legends describe them as small men with light skin, beards, large eyes, and blond, curling hair. Modern accounts from Duke University's folklore collection describe 'fairies' as very white, about three feet high, holding hands, and moving very fast.

Thunderbirds and Sea Serpents

North Carolina is presented as a former home of the Thunderbird, or 'Great Mythic Hawk' (Tlanuwa) according to Cherokee lore. These giant birds, with wingspans up to twenty feet, were reported along the Appalachians and the Allegheny Plateau. The famous 'balds' in the mountains were used as lookouts to track these birds, leading to the discovery and killing of one nest on Whiteside Mountain.

The issue also covers reports of 'Sea Serpents' off Cape Hatteras in the mid-nineteenth century, with one monster estimated at 125 to 150 feet long. A sighting in 1854 by passengers of the steamer William Seabrook in the Savannah River is mentioned. Another incident in 1850 involved a 150-foot sea serpent in Port Royal Sound, South Carolina, which swam up Broad River and was stranded. However, this account is considered a hoax by Bernard Heuvelmans. A more detailed account from 1947 describes a 45-foot snake-like monster encountered by the Grace Liner Santa Clara off North Carolina, noted for its dark brown, slick skin and lack of fins or protuberances.

Black Panthers and Other Large Cats

Reports of black panthers in northeastern North Carolina are discussed, with one account of a hunter losing thirteen dogs to such a creature. Lewis Barts, a county game warden, stated that only black panthers, not mountain lions, were seen at Carpenter's Knob. Charles Humphreys' interviews in the early 1990s for his book 'Panthers of the Coastal Plain' revealed that about half the sightings were of big black cats. While initially thought to be melanistic cougars, biologists point out that melanism is rare in cougars. The article proposes the presence of a second large cat species in the Carolinas, larger than a cougar, with different ancestry and tracks, identified as Panthera atrox, a survivor from the Pleistocene.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores folklore, eyewitness accounts, and historical records of unexplained phenomena, particularly focusing on North Carolina and the surrounding regions. The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these accounts for the reader's consideration, often drawing connections between different legends and sightings, and exploring potential explanations rooted in cryptozoology and local history. There is a clear interest in preserving and disseminating these often-unusual narratives.

This issue of WONDERS, number 63, dated June 2002, focuses on the persistent reports and discussions surrounding 'hidden animals,' particularly the 'black panther' in North America. The magazine revisits the story of the 'Beast of Bladenboro' hunt from 1953, which was previously detailed in Wonders Vol. 7 No. 1, and mentions that a discussion of this animal's survival has been reprinted in 'Best of Wonders Volumes 1-3'.

The Black Panther Phenomenon

The article highlights that intensive studies, such as those conducted by Charles Humphreys in Pennsylvania and other Eastern states, often reveal a large number of black panther reports. It suggests that these animals have been around for a long time and remain unrecognized by professional biologists, similar to the situation with the Eastern cougar. David S. Lee, in 'Wildlife in North Carolina,' is quoted as saying that many sightings of black cats can be attributed to poor light conditions, but acknowledges that several accounts from reputable or multiple witnesses at close range in good light exist.

Stewart Hardison is presented as someone who views the black panther as a legend, arguing that experts generally concede that no such color phasing in mountain lions exists or has been proven. However, he notes that the 'black panther' legend is persistent and may have originated in pre-colonial times when sightings were more common in dimly lit, virgin timber.

The author suggests that anthropologists might explain this phenomenon as a form of folklore maintained within professional groups without their awareness. The denial by professional biologists is seen as a barrier to recognizing these animals, with the author proposing that 'Panthera atrox' could be a natural part of the North American environment.

Skepticism and Fossil Evidence

The issue addresses the 'knee-jerk reaction' from those who adhere to the status quo, who often claim there is no fossil evidence to support the presence of such animals. The author counters this by mentioning 'telling finds' like a skull found in Greenland in 1926 that were 'fumbled away' or lost in museum collections. The point is made that fossils do not exist for all living things, and new discoveries might still be made.

Elusiveness of Hidden Animals

On page 64, the article continues by stating that deniers insist everyday hunters or bird watchers would have detected these hidden animals. However, the author points to monster hunts from the 1800s and 1900s as evidence of how elusive these animals can be. The text suggests that humans may no longer be as 'wily' as their distant ancestors, and that these creatures have survived for thousands of years despite human presence.

The author posits that a lack of listening to each other and learning from others' experiences contributes to the lack of knowledge about these creatures, referencing a 'laughter curtain' that people fear. There is an underestimation of the intelligence of these unrecognized creatures, who know their world better than humans do, and some even know the human world from their own perspective. Sea serpents are mentioned as an example of creatures that might not be particularly bright but have a vast ocean to inhabit.

Appreciation of Nature and Future Research

The article encourages an appreciation of the natural world, noting that swamps and river swamps shelter wildlife like the Eastern cougar and potentially other unknown entities. To understand the geography of these wetlands, the author recommends consulting topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey or state atlases, specifically mentioning the 'North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer (1992)' and 'South Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer (1998)' published by DeLorme Mapping.

The author expresses regret at having to omit much information due to space constraints and plans to discuss these topics further in future articles. The piece concludes by stating a continuous learning process about the environment and the history of these strange animals, expressing certainty that more monsters and monster hunts will occur in the Carolinas in the future.

Online Resources

Readers are directed to learn more about North America's mystery animals on the webpages of Mark A. Hall Publications. Bulletins, updates, and links to informative pages such as Bigfoot Profiles, Thunderbird and Bighoot, and Mystery Profiles can be found at http://home.att.net/~mark.hall.wonders/.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around cryptids, particularly the 'black panther,' and the broader concept of unknown or hidden animals in North America. There is a strong undercurrent of skepticism towards the mainstream scientific community's dismissal of anecdotal evidence and a defense of eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance appears to favor the possibility of undiscovered or unacknowledged species existing in the natural world, suggesting that scientific dogma and a lack of open-mindedness are obstacles to their recognition. The author champions the idea that these creatures are part of the natural environment and encourages further investigation and appreciation of the natural world.