Saturday, September 4, 2021

Mississippi - Harper's History Vol. 1 #25

 





by Scott Harper

  Mississippi is said to have a history of Sasquatch sightings, and encounters going back at least until the 1800s. Native American tales speak of a great, horrible war fought between the Lenape and Iroquois tribes on one side, and monstrous creatures known as the Talegas on the other. The war, fought in the Mississippi river valley, lasted the lifetimes of four Lenape chiefs. It is said to be one of the largest wars fought on the ancient continent. The Talegas eventually lost the conflict, and fled down the river, to more southern locations. The Talegas were described as being hairy giants.






 There are other pre-Patterson/Gimlin film footage sightings, and encounters with Sasquatch in Mississippi, too.

  In the early 1900s, there was a series of sightings/encounters with a Sasquatch in the area known as the Burns Rebrake area of Attala County. Men trying to clear the area were chased out. Hunting dogs were attacked several times. Something was heard screaming from the woods in the area on a number of times. As far as I could find, no truly organized force that went searching for the creature (or creatures) found anything of substance.




  February, 1925—Forrest County. One of the most amazing sightings I have ever heard of. A family was living in a small 2-room cabin that was isolated from any neighbors. The father had gone into town, via horseback, for an overnight business trip. At home were the mother, and children. They were all piled into one bed for the night for warmth. There was no latch on the door; a chair was simply wedged in place to keep the door from opening. Outside, the dog began barking. The people inside the cabin could hear the dog running away from something, as its barking faded. Not long after, the door began to rattle. The door was pushed open—despite the chair—and a Sasquatch entered the cabin. It stood, just inside the doorway, looking around. It then made its way to the bed, and lay down, crosswise; it lay across the legs on the bed’s human occupants. It lay there long enough that the peoples’ legs were going to sleep beneath the creature’s weight before standing up, and leaving the cabin. It left the door open. Though it was freezing cold, no one wanted to get up, to close the door for fear of encountering the Sasquatch again.





  In 1962, a group of witnesses near Lost Gap spotted a green-eyed Sasquatch. Searches with dogs, and even by helicopter commenced. The Sasquatch was never found.

  In 1966, near the town of Winona, a Sasquatch was seen beside the road by a passing trucker. The creature seemed to be waving at the driver.

  While researching this article, I discovered that the Smithsonian Institution is said to have publicly admitted, thanks to the efforts of the American Institution of Alternative Archeology, to having destroyed “thousands of giant human remains” in the early 1900s. This was done, it is said, to cover up the fact that a race of giants existed in North America before the Asian immigrants crossed the Bering Straight 15,000 years ago.





  Given this occurrence, if it is true, it’s impossible to say what evidence from Mississippi was destroyed—or from anywhere else for that matter. The Smithsonian Institution may have done irreparable damage to the field of archeology in general, and to the search for solid, concrete evidence to prove the existence of Sasquatch to the mainstream community in particular. They’ve had that evidence, and destroyed it. What else has been destroyed over the years? What other evidence has been in hand, only to be lost to similar purges of knowledge? Not only at the Smithsonian, but other places of learning, and information?



About the Author
   

 Scott Harper is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 published short stories, and several novels. Harper grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1993, and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels. He has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions, and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film, and comic books. He was also a contributing writer for "Nuclear Winter Entertainment" for several months before that site shut down. Scott is very happily married to bestselling paranormal author Desirée Lee. Together, they have a wonderful little girl, and are working jointly on several projects. Those projects include multiple books, as well as the hit webcomic "MoonWraith." 


  More information about his work can be found on his website: www.scottharper.net



Blog Post by Dan Lindholm









Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Minnesota - Harper's History Vol.1 #24

 




by Scott Harper


 

  No article on Sasquatch concerning the state of Minnesota would be complete without mention of the Minnesota Iceman, given its important part in Sasquatch lore. The Iceman has a long and storied history. Its heyday was the late 1960s and the 1970s—a bit more recent than the target scope for these articles, which is Sasquatch history prior to the Patterson/Gimlin footage of 1967—as it travelled around, being shown at various events, and sideshows. In 1968, famed cryptozoologists Bernard Heuvelmans, and Ivan Sanderson examined the Iceman at the Minnesota home of its-then-current owner, Frank Hansen.






The Iceman appeared to be a 6-foot-tall, brown-haired Sasquatch encased in a block of ice. Details showed that the creature had been shot in the back of the head. The corpse had, apparently, been placed in a container of some sort. The container had then been filled with water, and frozen. This seemed to have taken place shortly after the creature's death, as blood from a blown-out eye had floated up into the water, and frozen there. Further proof that the creature was real came in the form of the smell of decay coming from it. During the examination, the ice melted a bit. Those present could actually smell the rotting corpse of the creature frozen inside the ice.




Sanderson and Heuvelmans proclaimed it to be genuine. Later, other experts examined the body, again, while it was still frozen, and proclaimed it to be a fake. Upon comparing information, and the measurements gathered by both groups, it's obvious that each group examined a different subject. At some point, the original had been switched out for an artificial double.

  To this day, it's a mystery as to what happened to the original, real, Minnesota Iceman. But, there's more to Sasquatch history in Minnesota than the Iceman.




In 1945, a man went missing in Kabetogama State Forest while hunting for Sasquatch. Dogs had gone missing in the area. Trash cans had been overturned and ransacked. John Simon concluded that a Sasquatch had moved into the area. He showed off plaster casts of huge footprints, and tufts of yellow hair as proof. Given the man's propensity for reporting UFOs, the townspeople wouldn't believe his claims. Left on his own, Simon packed up camping equipment, and, announcing that he was heading out to hunt the Sasquatch, left. He was gone for six months before anyone began to worry. Searches turned up no sign of him. He had vanished. However, people noted that the odd happenings ended.

 


Sometime in the mid-1950s a young girl was picking blueberries in the dark. Feeling she was being watched, she looked up to discover something watching her from a short distance away. Given the poor lighting, she couldn't make out what she was seeing. When she stepped toward the shape, it stood up, and ran into heavy brush, moving away from the girl. It made a lot of noise, and moved a lot of vegetation. The girl thought she had seen a bear, turned, and headed toward home—which was not far away. Not long after, she turned back to look, and discovered that a tall, hairy creature was following her. It had gotten close enough that she could make out that much detail even in the dim illumination. The girl began screaming, and ran for home. When she screamed, the Sasquatch leapt from the trail, and, again, bolted into heavy brush, moving away from her. The girl's older brothers rushed out to meet her. She told them what she had seen.






  Her brothers grabbed up their guns, and went looking for the creature. Upon returning, they said that all they had found was a place in the brush that was matted down, as if something very large had been lying there. That spot also, they said, had a very bad smell lingering in the air. After that, her brothers refused to talk about the incident. Their silence made the girl wonder if her brothers hadn't seen more in the woods than they were willing to admit to her. This account took place somewhere is Itasca County.




  In 1962, at Devil Tack Lake, a woman was camping with her family. On her way to the outhouse, at around 3:00 AM, she spotted red, glowing eyes watching her from the trees. She didn't see the creature itself; only the eyes. Later, after sunrise, upon investigation, large Sasquatch tracks were found all around the tree where the eyeshine had been seen.

  It's obvious that there are Sasquatch in Minnesota. Given the state’s vast woodland areas, there are probably a good number of Sasquatch there. It seems that one was shot and killed sometime in the late 1960s. Rather than serving as a sideshow attraction, it could have laid to rest the entire debate regarding this elusive species. Where is that body now? Will the mystery of the Minnesota Iceman ever be solved satisfactorily?



About the Author
   

 Scott Harper is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 published short stories, and several novels. Harper grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1993, and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels. He has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions, and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film, and comic books. He was also a contributing writer for "Nuclear Winter Entertainment" for several months before that site shut down. Scott is very happily married to bestselling paranormal author Desirée Lee. Together, they have a wonderful little girl, and are working jointly on several projects. Those projects include multiple books, as well as the hit webcomic "MoonWraith." 


  More information about his work can be found on his website: www.scottharper.net



Blog Post by Dan Lindholm









Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Michigan - Harper's History Vol.1 #23



by Scott Harper

Michigan. The Great Lakes State. The Wolverine State. Michigan is the only US state to be made up of two peninsulas. Fifty percent of Michigan is covered by forest. Many lakes, ponds, and streams dot the peninsulas that make up Michigan, as well. Deer, and other wildlife are populous. In short, the state of Michigan is perfect country for Sasquatch—despite the heavy lake effect snow the region receives during the winter. And Sasquatch have been there for quite some time. 



In 1878, a woman was hanging laundry in her backyard. A noise captured her attention. Upon looking up, she saw a 12-foot-tall, white Sasquatch in the cow pasture. The creature ran on all fours, leapt over a cow, stood up to its full height, then charged the woman, now running on two feet. She screamed, and ran into the house. The creature, chasing her, got tangled up in the clothesline. The woman ran from the house, to the lumber mill where her husband worked, refusing to return home for hours. When she did return home, with her husband, her husband found footprints, but no other sign of the creature. 



A report filed in 1891 told of a Wildman of "gigantic proportions" with arms to below its knees, and "hands twice the usual size". The "Wildman" was said to have killed a bulldog with "one swipe". This took place in Gladwin County. 

During the winter of 1917, in Ironwood, Michigan, two hunters saw a "man in a fur suit" steal a deer they had killed. The "man" made off with the deer carcass tucked under his arm. 

News of a 12' 7" skeleton being unearthed in Jackson, Michigan made front page news on September 6, 1919. 

Somewhere along the Saginaw River, in 1937, a Sasquatch was seen to climb from the river, rest leaning against a tree for a time, and then return to the river. 

An area in Charlotte County Michigan bears the name Gorilla Swamp due to a string of sightings of a bipedal, hairy creature seen there multiple times in 1951. 



The most humorous Sasquatch sighting I've ever heard of occurred in Petosky State Park in 1962. A Michigan native was hiking in the park when he heard a noise. Upon investigating, he spotted a Sasquatch. The creature appeared not to see him, and simply kept walking. After only a few steps, the Sasquatch stubbed a toe on a raised tree root, tripped, and fell flat on its face. Afraid of drawing attention to himself by laughing, and angering the Sasquatch, the witness withdrew, and went on his way. 



From 1962 until 1964 sightings of a creature dubbed the Monster of Sister Lakes was sighted off and on a number of times in Cass County. In 1964, a woman was chased into her house by a creature with long black hair, and glowing eyes. The woman estimated that the being weighed 500 pounds. It left footprints that were 6-inches-wide. It was thought that the creature that chased the woman had been the Monster of Sister Lakes. 


August 13, 1965 brought a frightening account of an encounter with a 7-foot-tall, black- haired, growling Sasquatch. 17-year-old Christina Van Acker, and her mother, Ruth, were in a car, heading home. Christina was driving. Though they saw nothing in the road ahead of time, the car ran over something. After the bump, Christina stopped the car. Instantly, the Sasquatch reached through Christina's window, grabbed her by the hair, and slammed her head into the car door. Christina passed out. Ruth, later claiming that there was nothing she could do, fled to get help. Apparently, and luckily, Christina survived the ordeal with nothing but some bruises. 



Sasquatch have been in the area we call "Michigan" for a very long time—long before the Patterson/Gimlin film, which was recorded in 1967. They're still there, too. Reports still come steadily from the Wolverine State. Years ago, I may have even had my own experience with a Sasquatch on Mackinac Island. 


It was the late 1980s, or very early 1990s. I was on a vacation trip with my parents and best friend at that time. We were walking a trail in woodlands on Mackinac Island. Something off in the woods screamed. At the time, we chalked it up to a bobcat. Still, all four of us were unnerved, and turned around, and left the area quickly. To this day, I don't know what screamed in those woods. If it was a bobcat, though, it was a very large one! 



About the Author
   

 Scott Harper is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 published short stories, and several novels. Harper grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1993, and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels. He has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions, and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film, and comic books. He was also a contributing writer for "Nuclear Winter Entertainment" for several months before that site shut down. Scott is very happily married to bestselling paranormal author Desirée Lee. Together, they have a wonderful little girl, and are working jointly on several projects. Those projects include multiple books, as well as the hit webcomic "MoonWraith." 


  More information about his work can be found on his website: www.scottharper.net



Blog Post by Dan Lindholm








Monday, July 8, 2019

Massachusetts - Harper's History Vol.1 #22



by Scott Harper

In the 1970s, renowned cryptozoologist Loren Coleman gave the name "Bridgewater Triangle" to an area in southeastern Massachusetts that is roughly 200 square miles. The Bridgewater Triangle, located about 30 miles south of Boston, has been home to a huge variety of strange phenomena over the years. Reports of everything from UFOs, to unexplained orbs of light, to ghosts, to Thunderbirds, to ancient Native American curses, to Sasquatch come out of the area on a regular basis. The Hockomock Swamp area is where most of the Sasquatch reports filter in from. However, not all sightings of these beings within the state are recent. 




One of the earliest encounters with a Sasquatch in the state of Massachusetts took place in July of 1765. Settlers were exploring part of the area which is now Great Barrington. They spotted a large, hair-covered creature in the swamps. Keeping back, they followed the creature, and watched it bed down to sleep. The settlers captured the Sasquatch, and took it to Cambridge to be studied. There is no record of just what took place, but the creature was released from captivity, and escaped back into the wild. 



In 1826, a Haverhill man named Andrew Fink became very ill. Part of his illness was a fever. As days passed, Mr. Fink grew worse, and worse. He slid into delirium. One day, when his family wasn't paying close attention, Andrew Fink got out of bed, and slipped out of the house, disappearing. A few days later, reports began circulating of a "wild man" in the nearby woods. Mr. Fink's family investigated, hoping that what was being reported would turn out to be Mr. Fink. Instead, while looking for Mr. Fink in the woods, they encountered a Sasquatch. No report was made of what the family did with the creature upon discovering it. Sadly, Andrew Fink's body turned up several weeks later, in a stream. He had died while wandering the forest in his delirium. 



An article appeared in a newspaper—the North Adams Transcript—on August 23, 1895 reporting an account in which a Massachusetts selectman spotted a Sasquatch. The selectman was on a stage coach, travelling to Connecticut, when he had his sighting. The creature was simply walking along the tree line when seen. The article also mentioned plans to attempt to capture the Sasquatch, but no details were forthcoming as to what those plans entailed, or if such a capture was ever attempted. 


During July of 1909, police combed the woodlands near Haverhill after a series of reports of a large, hairy creature had been filed in the area. There doesn't seem to be record as to whether or not they found anything. 



Oddly, after the 1909 report, I couldn't find a thing until the early 1970's. Why? Did people stop reporting Sasquatch sightings for a few decades? Did the Sasquatch in the area migrate out to other locations for a while? Did the Sasquatch simply stop allowing themselves to be seen for several years? If so, why do so before, and after? Did something happen during those intervening years to drive them away? 


On June 9th, 1959 the infamous Worcester tornado hit. It's classified as the 21st most deadly tornado in US history. It killed 94 people, and left 10,000 others homeless during the 90 minutes that it stayed on the ground. During that time, it traveled 48 miles. How did this storm affect the Sasquatch in the state of Massachusetts? Could it, and other bad weather, have forced the local Sasquatch out of the area for a time? 


We may never know what caused the lack of sightings in Massachusetts between 1909 until the 1970's. Whether the Sasquatch were being seen, and not reported, or had left the area, the reason may always remain a mystery. 


About the Author
   

 Scott Harper is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 published short stories, and several novels. Harper grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1993, and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels. He has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions, and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film, and comic books. He was also a contributing writer for "Nuclear Winter Entertainment" for several months before that site shut down. Scott is very happily married to bestselling paranormal author Desirée Lee. Together, they have a wonderful little girl, and are working jointly on several projects. Those projects include multiple books, as well as the hit webcomic "MoonWraith." 


  More information about his work can be found on his website: www.scottharper.net



Blog Post by Dan Lindholm






Sunday, May 12, 2019

Maryland - Harper's History Vol.1 #21





by Scott Harper

  Maryland is a small state. Yet, it might surprise a lot of people to know that, according to famous Sasquatch researcher John Green, Maryland ranks 5th in the nation in Sasquatch sightings. It lags only behind Pennsylvania, Oregon, Washington, and California in the sheer number of sightings recorded. Western Maryland contains mountains from both the Appalachian, and Allegheny ranges. Meanwhile, the southern part of the state boasts a lot of marshy swamplands. Both types of terrain are prime locations for Sasquatch. About a 40-mile-long section of the Appalachian Trail also runs through Maryland. There are a great number of sightings that take place along this route. Many Sasquatch researchers think that the creatures use the Trail as a convenient pathway.





  Also, there are three major river systems in the state—the Potomac, the Patuxent, and the Patapsco. Many sightings have taken place along these waterways. Such watercourses provide not only water for the Sasquatch, but a steady supply of food, as well. There are a number of reports on file, from a variety of locations, involving Sasquatch swimming, or wading, and apparently catching fish. There have also been reports of the creatures stealing fish from the nets of people who are fishing. It's very common for rivers to boast large numbers of sightings along their routes.

  While the most famous Sasquatch sightings in the state of Maryland are from the Sykesville Monster flap in the 1970's, the history of Sasquatch sightings in Maryland reach back much, much earlier. Native American accounts of the creatures in the area go back at least to the 1700's. There are even 16th century accounts of some Native tribes buying, and selling Sasquatch skins. It seems that some tribes in the area used to actually hunt Sasquatch. Sightings of these creatures go much further back than the Patterson/Gimlin film from 1967, despite the mistaken beliefs of some.






  In 1892 a "Wild Man" was reported several times, having been seen in the woods near Brownsville, Maryland.
1914 saw a report from Churchville, in which an 8 year-old boy spotted a Sasquatch sitting on a log behind the house where the boy lived.

  Sometime during the early 1900s, in Chestertown, Maryland, a number of small calves had been killed on a farm. Two boys—brothers—set out one night to try and discover the killer. While they were outside, they heard "an awful moaning" coming from the woods. Upon following the noise, they discovered a trail of huge, human-like footprints. The discovery of the tracks ended the boys' investigation, and sent them running back into their house.

  In 1909, a farmer in Dorchester County was surveying his farmland from a horse-and-buggy. He saw a 7-foot-tall, hair-covered creature standing over several dead cows. Several sightings of Sasquatch—be it the same creature, or different specimens, we don't know—took place in the Gambrill State Park area during the 1920s.

  In August of 1957, in Prince Georges County, Mr. and Mrs. Reverty Garner pulled into the driveway at their home. They were alarmed to see a "gorilla-like creature" with "beady red eyes" standing in their driveway. Although he slowed the car, the man struck the creature. He put the car into reverse, backing away. The Sasquatch pursued. There doesn't seem to be an record of what took place next.






  A police officer had an unsettling encounter with a Sasquatch in Carroll County in 1959. The officer in question saw the creature cross a road, and step over a fence. When the man shouted, "Halt!" at the Sasquatch, the creature turned, and started walking toward the officer. The officer then drew his gun, and fired a warning shot. The Sasquatch continued approaching the man as if nothing had happened. The officer jumped back into his car, and fled the scene, leaving the Sasquatch behind.

  Another too-close encounter took place in June of 1961 in Leakin Park. A Mr. and Mrs. Fergeson were in their car when they saw "huge eyes" staring in the window at them. Mr. Fergeson got out of the car. The Sasquatch turned, and walked away. Mr. Fergeson followed after it. When the creature began growling at him, Mr. Fergeson fled back to the car.

  In 1964, workers in the Pretty Boy Dam area were building a house. They spotted a Sasquatch walk out of the forest near the reservoir. It's apparent that Sasquatch have been in the area we now call Maryland for a very long time. Given how perfect some of the territory there is for them, it's no wonder why. They have abundant food, water, and shelter there. Given the number of sightings that come from Maryland, it would be my guess that there's a good-sized breeding population of the creatures there—and there probably has been for centuries.


About the Author
   

 Scott Harper is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 published short stories, and several novels. Harper grew up in Ohio, and graduated from Marysville High School in 1993, and began screenwriting in 2007, after the publication of several short stories and novels. He has worked on projects for James Tucker Productions, and 11th Dimension Films. He is currently involved with several projects, covering literature, film, and comic books. He was also a contributing writer for "Nuclear Winter Entertainment" for several months before that site shut down. Scott is very happily married to bestselling paranormal author Desirée Lee. Together, they have a wonderful little girl, and are working jointly on several projects. Those projects include multiple books, as well as the hit webcomic "MoonWraith." 


  More information about his work can be found on his website: www.scottharper.net



Blog Post by Dan Lindholm






Sunday, November 18, 2018

Horseback sighting in Connecticut pre-dates Patterson/Gimlin Film


By Dan Lindholm

I was contacted by Ruth recently and she shared this great story and correspondence with the late great Dr. Bindernagel. It’s not only very interesting as it occurred several years prior to the Patterson/Gimlin film and contains very good descriptions, but it’s also great for us to now have a small window into the process and even personality of Dr. Bindernagel himself.

[Original Message]
> > From: <xxxxx@mail.xxxxxx.net (John Bindernagel)>
> > To: <xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.net>
> > Date: 9/23/04 9:58:24 PM
> > Subject: Re: FW: Connecticut sighting

Hello Ruth,
  Sorry to be so slow replying to your very interesting and exciting message. I really enjoyed reading your excellent description of the sighting and the conditions and commend you for the many details.

(Ruth)  “He stood like a human, with his huge arms at his sides, fists clenched. Simultaneously, my horse leaped forward, and to the side.  ....... I was able to see that his head was conical, his body and extremities were massive, and he had a flat profile, like a human, not a bear.  His face was also black.  He stood straight, not hunched over like a gorilla.”
 
  Great description, is there any chance of you attempting an eyewitness drawing from memory? That would be very helpful and a real contribution. If you are able to do so I will tell just why your report is somewhat exceptional and at the same time very helpful. (You have included something not often reported but very significant and something which is very convincing regarding its existence as a real animal.)

 “I hope this report is helpful. “

 Yes, it is.

  “I feel that it should be documented, even at this late date, since I have noticed that there are very few reports from the state of Connecticut.”

   True.

“(please do not publish my address)”

  No problem.

 “I know what I saw there thirty years ago, and would be willing to take a polygraph as to the veracity of this report.”

  A helpful and convincing offer, even if unnecessary. Thanks again.  Looking forward to hearing from you again. And again, sorry about taking so long to reply. I have been up the BC coast all summer collecting reports and following up on them. I am just now back and catching up on email messages. Yours is the best of the lot!

  best regards,
                          John B.


----- Original Message -----
From: Ruth Xxxxxxxxx
To:
Sent: 8/24/04 1:30:41 AM
Subject: FW: Connecticut sighting

  I think that you have an ethical site, which is why I am sending in this belated report.  At the time of my sighting, in 1964, I had never heard of Bigfoot...and I doubt many on the East coast had.  Whatever Sasquatch are, I don't believe they should be shot. I am 58 years old, now, but I remember the incident vividly.
  It was early August in 1964, and I was taking a break before I went on to the University of Connecticut.  I was riding my horse, Somerset, a huge, 17 hand Clydesdale/thoroughbred cross open jumper that I kept stabled at a stable on Xxxxx road, in Stamford, Connecticut.
  We had crossed through several fields and woods, part of which were on an 300 acre estate which at that time was owned by a Morgan Guarantee Bank CEO. Upon his death the land, which adjoins the Reservoir which at that time supplied the Stamford area, was left in his will to the State of Connecticut. 
  Anyway, we had crossed a creek onto a trail which was not far from the base of the reservoir, and wound up a hill heading toward the reservoir. There was a swampy area to my right, and up the hill, on my left, were several Native American burial mounds surrounded by bushes, some blueberry, I think.
  One of the mounds had recently been subject to a small dig by the Smithsonian, and then closed.    My horse became agitated, was snorting, and sidestepping- I was afraid of his losing his footing, and slipping down the hill.  I did notice that the smell of the swampy area was quite unpleasant. I continued further up the hill, trying to control and reassure my horse, when suddenly, in one fluid motion, a huge being covered in medium length black hair stood up from behind the bushes.to my left, where he had been crouching.
  He stood like a human, with his huge arms at his sides, fists clenched.  Simultaneously, my horse leaped forward, and to the side.  I don't know how I managed to stay on him, and still stare at this creature, but in that few seconds, I was able to see that his head was conical, his body and extremities were massive, and he had a flat profile, like a human, not a bear.  His face was also black.  He stood straight, not hunched over like a gorilla. He was at least eight feet tall-my horse was, as I indicated previously, 17 hands tall, a hand being four inches in measurement.  I am five feet, six inches, my torso is probably three feet, and this creature was taller than me astride the horse, even counting for the grade of the hill.
  He was only a few yards away!  My horse was uncontrollable, panicked, and we raced up the trail. When I was able to look back over my shoulder, we were not being pursued.  We galloped the few miles home, terrified. 
  When we reached the stable, the manager reprimanded me for my horse's condition, being lathered in sweat, and jumpy.  I told him, and a few others who boarded horses there, what happened, but they all joked, and didn't believe me.  The manager said that perhaps I had seen a black bear...but bears weren't found in that part of Connecticut, at that time. And this creature was much taller than any black bear. I'd seen plenty of them in New Hampshire. 
  The general consensus was that my horse and I had probably been frightened by a bum wandering in the woods, or a large black dog. Well, I know what I saw, and will never forget it. 
  Years later, I read about Bigfoot.  I wrote one California organization in 1974, but never received a reply. I know, now, that if he had wanted to harm me, he could have easily, in one stride, reached me, and knocked my horse off balance, and down the side of the hill. Or he could have stepped in front of me, and caused my horse to rear backwards. 
  Also, his hands were at his sides. balled into fists, but not raised threateningly. He didn't utter a sound.  In retrospect, I think he was more curious than anything. He was definitely not afraid of me. I had the sense later that he may have wanted me to see him, or perhaps he wanted to get a closer look at us. Otherwise, if he had remained crouched behind the bushes, I would never have seen him. having my hands full trying to control my horse. This is why I am against killing these intelligent, apparently hominid beings.
  Some of the doctored photos I've seen of Bigfoot are laughable, such as the one with the overly exaggerated shoulders, and tiny head, seen from above... The being in the Patterson film, aside from having breasts, seems most like what I saw.  Also, the way it turned it's head was similar to what I was able to glimpse. 
   I've never been back to that spot, and to this day, even living in Virginia, I am afraid to be in the deep woods alone. I am also convinced that the way to track these beings is on horseback, not on foot...they seem to be curious about a human on a horse.  I’ve noticed that a rider will often be able to approach a herd of deer quite closely, without causing them to panic.
  I hope this report is helpful.  I feel that it should be documented, even at this late date, since I have noticed that there are very few reports from the state of Connecticut.  I know what I saw there thirty years ago, and would be willing to take a polygraph as to the veracity of this report.
   
Mrs.Ruth Xxxxxx

The witness’ full name and address have been excluded per her request.

Blog post by Dan Lindholm