MAN MOUNTAIN
1800's
OKEKFENOKEE SWAMP
that is on borders of Florida and GEORGIA
1800's
OKEKFENOKEE SWAMP
that is on borders of Florida and GEORGIA
There are many legends that go back to the Spanish
explorers as far back as 1528. There were giant Indians who
the Spanish claimed fought them with giant bows and never
seemed to miss. These giants were seen and fought as far
as Tampa Bay Fl.
Back in the 1920's there was a railroad built across the
Okefenokee Swamp so they could transport timber that they
were taking from the area. When they crossed Floyds Island
which is the largest in the swamp they came across a burial
mound that was shaped like a half moon. When they dug up
the graves they found several skeletons of giant sized men
accompanied by their beads and pottery.
There was a man named Tom Chessler who owned Chesler
Island, it's in Charlton County, This island too, had a Indian
Mound on it. The Atlanta Journal and the Constitution
magazine reported that Chessler was approached by a
professor who paid him to excavate the mound, this was
back in the 1920's. They discovered 13 skeletons that were
crossed one on top of the other, some face down. All were
perfect when they were first dug up, some still had glaze on
their teeth, but after the air got to them they just crumbled.
Mr.Chessler was reported as saying the jaw bones were so
large that they would fit over his face. He said the
skeletons were giants.
explorers as far back as 1528. There were giant Indians who
the Spanish claimed fought them with giant bows and never
seemed to miss. These giants were seen and fought as far
as Tampa Bay Fl.
Back in the 1920's there was a railroad built across the
Okefenokee Swamp so they could transport timber that they
were taking from the area. When they crossed Floyds Island
which is the largest in the swamp they came across a burial
mound that was shaped like a half moon. When they dug up
the graves they found several skeletons of giant sized men
accompanied by their beads and pottery.
There was a man named Tom Chessler who owned Chesler
Island, it's in Charlton County, This island too, had a Indian
Mound on it. The Atlanta Journal and the Constitution
magazine reported that Chessler was approached by a
professor who paid him to excavate the mound, this was
back in the 1920's. They discovered 13 skeletons that were
crossed one on top of the other, some face down. All were
perfect when they were first dug up, some still had glaze on
their teeth, but after the air got to them they just crumbled.
Mr.Chessler was reported as saying the jaw bones were so
large that they would fit over his face. He said the
skeletons were giants.
MAN MOUNTAIN
The OKefenokee Swamp was truly a place of mystery,back in 1829 the Milledgeville
Statesman published an odd and quit scary story. The story was told by Mr. John
Austen. He lived on the borders edge of the swamp in Ware County,Georgia and also
by other folks who lived on the opposite side in Florida. There was suppose to be an
enchanted island that sat in the middle of the swamp. The story goes that this
island was inhabited by giants. These giants were described as being super humans
of incomparable beauty.
Two old hunters and a boy after hearing about the place and its inhabitants decided
they wanted to see for themselves. There had been a dry spell and the swamp was
easier to travel. They had been traveling for two weeks when they came upon
footprints, bare footprints, that were 18 inches long and 9 inches across. There was
a 6 foot stride between them. After seeing the prints and with much debate they
decided to return home. They spread the news far and wide. The settlers had heard
the stories of giants from the Creek Indians but didn't believe until then and that's
when they stared calling these giants "Man Mountain". Some time later 9 hunters
from Florida decided they would go see for themselves. These were hard men use to
the outdoors and not afraid of man, nor beast. Taking a stock pile of weapons and
ammo and plenty of food they headed out. They to were in the swamp for about two
weeks when they came upon the same type of footprints about the same size. They
followed them through the day until the footprints joined up to another set. The men
started thinking that maybe their hunt was unwise and decided to make camp and
head out in the morning for home. As they were busy making camp two of the
hunters started firing their weapons as a giant creature entered their camp. They
were attacked and their heads torn from their bodies. The other hunters gathering
together in a circle fired on the beast but before they killed it they had lost three
more of their party. The men that were left cautiously walked up to the giant, which
even as it was dying tried to fight and kill them. Making sure it was dead they
measured it to be thirteen feet long. Scared that others of its kind might be close
they hurriedly gathered their weapons and fled not stopping until they were clear of
the swamp. After telling their story some said they had run into a giant bear. These
seasoned hunters knew what a bear looked like and as they had been up close to
the giant they swore it wasn't a bear or any other animal that they knew.
The OKefenokee Swamp was truly a place of mystery,back in 1829 the Milledgeville
Statesman published an odd and quit scary story. The story was told by Mr. John
Austen. He lived on the borders edge of the swamp in Ware County,Georgia and also
by other folks who lived on the opposite side in Florida. There was suppose to be an
enchanted island that sat in the middle of the swamp. The story goes that this
island was inhabited by giants. These giants were described as being super humans
of incomparable beauty.
Two old hunters and a boy after hearing about the place and its inhabitants decided
they wanted to see for themselves. There had been a dry spell and the swamp was
easier to travel. They had been traveling for two weeks when they came upon
footprints, bare footprints, that were 18 inches long and 9 inches across. There was
a 6 foot stride between them. After seeing the prints and with much debate they
decided to return home. They spread the news far and wide. The settlers had heard
the stories of giants from the Creek Indians but didn't believe until then and that's
when they stared calling these giants "Man Mountain". Some time later 9 hunters
from Florida decided they would go see for themselves. These were hard men use to
the outdoors and not afraid of man, nor beast. Taking a stock pile of weapons and
ammo and plenty of food they headed out. They to were in the swamp for about two
weeks when they came upon the same type of footprints about the same size. They
followed them through the day until the footprints joined up to another set. The men
started thinking that maybe their hunt was unwise and decided to make camp and
head out in the morning for home. As they were busy making camp two of the
hunters started firing their weapons as a giant creature entered their camp. They
were attacked and their heads torn from their bodies. The other hunters gathering
together in a circle fired on the beast but before they killed it they had lost three
more of their party. The men that were left cautiously walked up to the giant, which
even as it was dying tried to fight and kill them. Making sure it was dead they
measured it to be thirteen feet long. Scared that others of its kind might be close
they hurriedly gathered their weapons and fled not stopping until they were clear of
the swamp. After telling their story some said they had run into a giant bear. These
seasoned hunters knew what a bear looked like and as they had been up close to
the giant they swore it wasn't a bear or any other animal that they knew.
| I tied to upload News Library story on Man Mountain but the format was different so I had to print it out. This should be with Newspaper Storys but this is a story of Man Mountain so I decided to put it here. |
| Augusta Chronicles,The (GA) March 12,2000 Edition: All Section: Your Life Page:F02 Topics: INDEX TERMS:: Column Column: Randall Floyd HUNTERS TOLD OF SWAMP CREATURE'S ATTACK Article Text: The Okefenokee Swamp was wild and dangerous in the early 1800's, a place avoided by all but the bravest and most reckless adventurers. Quicksand was an ever-present danger,as well as panthers,bears,alligators and poisonous snake. Bugs that swarmed in thick clouds were said to be enough to drive men mad. The most terrifying presence in the swamp was the so-called "Man Mountain", a giant creature said to be half man and half ape that inhabited an enchanted island in the middle of the swamp. Indians avoided the island,but legends contain references to bloody encounters with "mortals of superhuman dimensions and incomparable ferocity". Early white settlers discounted the old Indian tales until 1829,when two Ware County Hunters found footprints more than 18 inches long and 9 inches wide. Later that night,their sleep was interrupted by "fearful screams that could only have been made by dreadful monsters." They broke camp and beat a hasty retreat from the swamp. Their strange story quickly made the rounds,and a hunting party of Floridians and Georgians was formed to go after the monster. On June 6,1829,the nine-man party, armed with rifles,swords and pistols,set off. They encountered numerous bears, panthers and alligators,but no sign of the monster. One afternoon two weeks later, they came upon more giant tracks. They set up camp and made plans to go after the creature at first light. That night,according to the Milledgeville(Ga.) Statesman, the hunters were attacked by a "horrible monster covered with hair." The hunters quickly opened fire,but the creature seemed unstoppable. "The huge being, nothing daunted, bounded upon his victims, and in the same instant received the contents of seven rifles"the newspaper said. Still the creature charged,shrieking and roaring,ripping the heads off several hunters. "He did not fall." the account continued,"until he glutted his wrath with the death of five of them,which he affected by wringing off the head from the body." Terrified survivors shot the beast until it finally fell. "Writhing and exhausted,at length he lay upon the ground,with his hapless prey beneath his grasp." the article noted. The snarling creature continued to lash out at the hunters ,"walling and roaring," until it died. The dazed hunters approached the monster carefully. When they saw it was truly dead,they measured the beast and found it to be 13 feet in length "and its breadth and volume of just proportions." Fearful that all the commotion might attract other monsters,the surviving hunters gathered up their headless comrades' rifles and fled from the swamp. The grisly encounter was reported in several newspapers in Georgia and Florida. Some folklorist say the creature that attacked the hunters was a giant bear. Others say it might have been a "Skunk ape", a legendary creature similar to Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman that many believe once inhabited the r remote swamp lands of Florida and Georgia. In recent years, as new roadways and developments have opened up once remote portions of swamp, there have been numerous reports about strange, foul-smelling creatures described as "apelike." Believers say it's only a matter of time until a "Skunk Ape" is captured or killed. Author and syndicated columnist Randall Floyd can be reached at Rfloyd2@aol.com caption: Floyd mug Copyright 2000 The Augusta Chronicle Record Number:0003070559 |