11-17-1966

City Getting 'The Bird,' Want It Or Not

Point Pleasant Register
Point Pleasant, WV
Thursday, November 17, 1966
By John Samsell
Editor of The Register

Like it or not, Point Pleasant is getting "the bird."

Ever since two young couples sighted a man-sized creature in the McClintic Wildlife Area Tuesday night, ridicule after pun after cute remark has been quoted about "Mason County's Monster" or "bird."

Nevertheless, it was seen again last night by several of the hundreds of curious citizens scouting the massive area.

And the same description was given - grey in color, 10-foot wing span, six feet tall, and huge red eyes.

The latest to see the "thing" were Raymond Wamsley, 19, Cathy Wamsley, 18, Marcella Bennett, 21, and Ricky Thomas, 15, according to the Mason County Sheriff's Office.

They told Sheriff George Johnson the "huge bird" was in the yard of Ralph Thomas whose home is located northeast of the White Church Road in the TNT area.

The sighting this time was about 10 p.m. Wednesday. They said the bird-like creature came around the car and stared at them and then soared away.

Civil Defense and National Guardsmen were patrolling in the area last night along with the sheriff and deputies.

Meanwhile, a United Press International dispatch from Doddridge County reported that "something with red-reflecting eyes" was spotted in a meadow on a farm Tuesday night shortly before the owner's expensive German Shepherd dog was lost.

Newell Patridge, a building contractor, was quoted as saying the three-year-old Shepherd "Bandit" went into the darkness after the "thing" and he never returned.

This story ties in with ____ ("reports" ?) given yesterday morning ____ (?) was gone and the bird was standing near the C. C. Lewis farm gate.

The "thing," which has been described by clever writers and newscasters throughout the country as a "monster moth," "red-eyed demon" and "birdman," was spotted near here about 90 minutes after the Doddridge County dog disappeared.

Patridge said he flashlight picked up "two red reflection" in his meadow and at this the dog's hair stood up, he bared his teeth and rushed into the woods.

Doddridge County is approximately 60 miles from here - as the "bird" flies. And the local couples said the creature they saw traveled about 100 miles an hour.

Officials at McClintic today wouldn't hazard a guess at what the bird might be. But many others would.

Sheriff Johnson said the youths had "seen something" unusual to scare them." He theorized it may have been an "oversized Shitepoke, possibly a freak of nature." (This bird is also known as a "Shagpoke" and actually is a large bird with spindly legs, long wing spread, web-feet and lives around water, and makes a "raucous noise," they say.)

The bird mentioned above is sometimes referred to as a green heron and it roosts in day and feeds at night.

Another theory is that a South American vulture which has been seen as far north as Canada. And, reportedly, its flight path (pre-arranged, of course) is through this area.

Other observers feel it might be a Canadian goose, since many have gathered at McClintic ponds on their way south.

Nevertheless, there is something out there, and the curiosity won't cease until it's found - if ever.

UPI Reporter Robert M. Gornall was here last evening to get the story and his dispatch is being carried to distant points. In it he told of seeing "oval-shaped footprints measuring about 4 1/2 inches across and fresh animal droppings none of the natives in the party could identify."

He asked the question: Is there a "Mason County Monster?"

While the "bird" is the talk of the town at the moment, the incident also is bringing prominence to the city.

One citizen exclaimed: "After all, it's a bird sanctuary!" An (sic) Mayor D. B. Morgan was cited as the "instigator" for having signed a proclamation recently for the sanctuary.

While cars jammed the TNT area last night, it was noticeable that the Audobon Society was missing the boat. No one was handing out membership applications.