Geographical Index > United States > Ohio > Harrison County > Report # 63140
(Class B)
Submitted by witness No on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
Multiple encounters near an old strip mine just outside of Harrisville
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YEAR: 2007
SEASON: Summer MONTH: September DATE: 07/23/2019 STATE: Ohio COUNTY: Harrison County LOCATION DETAILS: 16 road outside of Harrisville NEAREST TOWN: Harrisville OH NEAREST ROAD: 519 OBSERVED: I had two experience's with what I believe to be the Grassman in 2007. The first encounter happened on a strip pond. We took a boat back to a spot along the high wall to where there was a flat spot to camp. We set up camp, fished, cooked, and then went to bed around 11 PM. At approximately 4 AM, I was awaken to heavy footsteps walking down over the near vertical high wall. It approached the tent and I heard heavy raspy breathing. After a few seconds, I cleared my throat. Then to my amazement, it cleared its throat mimicking me. At that point I started screaming I had a gun. My friend would not wake up for some reason. I finally calmed down some and could hear it walk down to the water. Once there, I could hear it sipping water out of its hands. After that, it walked back to the tent, sat for a minute then walked back up the hill. The next morning we found 18 inch tracks right on the edge of the reeds.
About two weeks later, we were walking to a boat that was on a pond about a quarter mile away. Then, I saw what looked to be a ten foot stump with two eyes watching us. I told my friend and he blew it off as just a tree. So we went out on the pond and after a while we smelled a strong wet dog and feces smell. After that, we started to get scared so we went back to the spot where the boat was kept. We looked for the giant stump that we had seen earlier but could not find it.
ALSO NOTICED: Weird howls were heard after our second encounter. OTHER WITNESSES: One other witness. OTHER STORIES: Yes I've heard of a few. TIME AND CONDITIONS: The first encounter was while camping at night at around 4 AM. The second visual was around noon. ENVIRONMENT: Old farm and orchard with strip pits throughout.
Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator James Thompson:
After contacting the witness by e-mail and phone, I found the witness to be very credible, so I arranged a meeting to visit the location where he had his encounter.
I met with the witness on a property adjoining the original site. We were unable to go to the exact spot due to the property now having new owners and it was also reclaimed in the last five years.
The witness' recollection of events lead me to believe that he and his friend did encounter a Bigfoot on two occasions that weekend. The thick brush, sheer walls of the strip pit, and the remoteness of the site would prevent pranksters from harassing them. Also, the time frame of the event preceded televised accounts and TV shows that would have informed him of other witness' experiences.
At the time of the encounter much of the area was inaccessible due to extensive surface mining in the early to mid 1900's. It also contained many sheer wall strip pit ponds surrounded by multi-flora rose thickets. Access was through the landowners home site and you either hiked or rode an ATV to the various ponds.
The site is in a deep valley southwest of State Route 250, the highway follows a ridge for 12 miles until it reaches the Ohio River. Many of the surrounding properties are still owned by numerous mining companies which limit public access.
We also investigated an abandoned rail bed that was about 1/8th of a mile from the property. This rail bed has been reclaimed by nature and has a 200 yard tunnel that runs under State Route 250 that provides wildlife with a hidden highway running for miles.
About BFRO Investigator James Thompson:
Jim served as a Marine Corps helicopter engine mechanic / air crewman for 24 years. He recently retired as a County Veterans Service Officer. He is a lifetime hunter and outdoorsman. Jim has attended expeditions in Ohio during 2019, 21 & 22.
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