That reminded us: Readers who are new to this blog may not be familiar with the Bigfoot sightings in the Dorchester area.
Today, we are going to fill you in.
Pleasant Hill Bigfoot
Several years ago, the Times published a controversial story about what are thought to be local sightings of a Bigfoot -- the elusive forest-dwelling man-ape, also known as a Sasquatch.
In the early days of this blog, a longtime Dorchester-area resident -- now deceased -- told a Times staff member he had clearly seen a creature resembling Bigfoot. While his family dismissed the accounts, the elderly resident insisted the creature existed.
According to the resident, the Bigfoot-like creature was spotted in the woods of Turkey Creek near Pleasant Hill in the mid-1980s. It was seen for less than a minute as the gentleman drove his pickup along what is now Saline County Road II south of Pleasant Hill.
Described as nearly 10-feet tall, the creature disappeared into the thick vegetation surrounding the creek and down the creek bank, according to the witness' account.
Johnson Creek Monster
Years later, the Times was informed of another Dorchester-area resident, a World War II veteran, who had seen what has been called "the Johnson Creek monster."
Years later, the Times was informed of another Dorchester-area resident, a World War II veteran, who had seen what has been called "the Johnson Creek monster."
In the early 1970s, this individual and his son claimed they saw the creature several times at their residence, which was near Johnson Creek, north of town. Johnson Creek, north of Dorchester, is a tributary of the Big Blue River.
This individual's son reported that the entire family once saw it in their yard. The details made it sound as though the specimen resembled a traditional Bigfoot as depicted in popular culture, but smaller. It was described as a miniature upright ape-like creature.
To be clear, the Dorchester Times staff is skeptical of the existence of Bigfoot or any similar creatures, regardless of the size of their feet. For decades, people have done their best to prove the creature's existence, but no solid evidence exists -- even in this era of mobile recording devices, drones, and other advanced technology.
Nonetheless, we will not simply dismiss the sincere accounts we have heard claiming the existence of Dorchester-area Bigfoot-like creatures. We will let our readers make up their own minds. The truth is out there.
This individual's son reported that the entire family once saw it in their yard. The details made it sound as though the specimen resembled a traditional Bigfoot as depicted in popular culture, but smaller. It was described as a miniature upright ape-like creature.
To be clear, the Dorchester Times staff is skeptical of the existence of Bigfoot or any similar creatures, regardless of the size of their feet. For decades, people have done their best to prove the creature's existence, but no solid evidence exists -- even in this era of mobile recording devices, drones, and other advanced technology.
Nonetheless, we will not simply dismiss the sincere accounts we have heard claiming the existence of Dorchester-area Bigfoot-like creatures. We will let our readers make up their own minds. The truth is out there.
