Ep 25: Kidnapped by Bigfoot - The Albert Ostman Story

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Background:

Some tales are tall tales, and some tales involve an ape-like creature that stands over 7 feet tall and weighs around 700 pounds. Such was the tale of Albert Ostman, who claimed that in 1924, while on a leisurely prospecting trip in British Columbia, Canada, he was kidnapped in the middle of the night by a Sasquatch, or what is more commonly known as “Bigfoot.” While some folks might be quick to dismiss Mr. Ostman’s story as a stretch of the truth by no small means, it’s hard to deny the folksy charm and curious wonder his tale invokes, whether tall tale or sober testimony.

Tonight’s Quote:

“ I have learned from experience that a modicum of snuff can be most efficacious.”

Fictional Character Hieronymus Carl Friedrich von Münchhausen on escaping from a monster.

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Credits:

Episode 025 – “Kidnapped by Bigfoot: The Albert Ostman Story” Produced by Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess; Ryan McCullough Sound Design; Research Assistance by Tess Pfeifle. Copyright Scott Philbrook & Forrest Burgess 2015, All Rights Reserved.

Photos:

1) Albert Ostman tells his tale to author John Green; 2) A comparison graph showing the relative size between Gigantopithecus blacki on the left, a modern human in the middle, and Gigantopithecus giganteus on the right. G. blacki bone fragments of teeth and mandibles have been found in South China, Vietnam and India, and is thought to have lived from about 9 million years a ago to perhaps as recently as 100,000 years ago, co-existing alongside Homo erectus, the predecessor to Homo sapiens. Based on its fossil record, G. blacki is estimated to have stood as tall as 9.8 ft (3 m) and weighed as much as 1,190 lbs (540 kg); 3) “Mike” the dog, taught by his owner, the proprietor of the Bowser Hotel in British Columbia, Canada, to fetch beer bottles for his guests. Ostman resided for a spell at the Bowser. Photo credit to Judy Coss; 4) Still frame from the legendary “Patterson-Gimlin Film” or as it’s known by cryptozoology enthusiasts, “PGF.” The 16mm color film was taken in 1967 by Roger Patterson, while on a horseback trip with Robert “Bob” Gimlin around Bluff Creek in Northern California. Patterson and Gimlin have both maintained throughout that the film shows what appears to be a female “Sasquatch” or “Bigfoot” now affectionately called “Patty” walking away while briefly turning her head to look at them. Recent analysis now also shows what could possibly be another Bigfoot nearby, captured for a few frames and previously unnoticed. Whether real or faked, the “PGF” remains to this day perhaps the most conclusive documentation or at least well-executed pictorial hoax regarding a Sasquatch sighting; 5) Passenger manifest from the steamship the “S.S. Columbia” that shows Albert Ostman being on board for his maiden voyage to America, from Glasgow, Scotland to New York City; 6) Albert Ostman’s entry from Ancestry.com gathered from the 1920 United States Federal Census; 7) Albert Ostman’s Canadian Immigration Service documentation from 1923; 8) Ostman’s U.S. Department of Labor certificate from 1924; 9) Ostman’s immigration registration card; 10) And of course, a publicity still of “Bowzer” played by actor and singer Jon “Bowzer” Bauman from the American musical TV show Sha Na Na, hosted by the “Doo-wop” singing group of the same name. The show ran from 1977 to 1981 for a total of 97 episodes, and here we see Bowzer striking his signature pose.

Creatures & BeingsStephen Montevoybigfoot7 Comments