Ep 14: Point Pleasant and the Mothman’s Reign of Terror
The year is 1966, and the town of Point Pleasant has been given a bit more than it can handle. Beach ball-sized orbs are floating down the river, the Men in Black are knocking at the front door, and a man with a 10-foot wingspan is seen flying overhead. Angel or demon? Prophet or fantasy? This week, Elise dives into the legend of the Mothman and the tragedy that secured his place in history. We'll discuss theories, ponder John Keel's findings and ask the hard questions, like where does Mothman live when he's not haunting small towns? Our first cryptid episode would not be complete without a little sex appeal, so Halee brings her saucy knowledge to the table, along with some delicious Easy Bake Oven scones. Happy haunting!
TNT Bunkers
People believed Mothman lived in the TNT area of Point Pleasant, a former munitions facility during WWII. Seems fitting!
Silver Bridge
The Silver Bridge connected Point Pleasant, WV to Gallipolis, OH, crossing over the Ohio River. The bridge was built in 1928 and hadn’t been updated.
John Keel
Author of The Mothman Prophecies, John Keel was a successful journalist with a penchant for reporting on the paranormal.
Mary Hyre
Mary Hyre worked for the Athens Messenger and fielded calls from folks who reported seeing UFOs, the Mothman and even the infamous Men in Black.
Silver Bridge Collapse
The deadliest bridge disaster in US history, the collapse of the Silver Bridge sent 31 cars into the water and claimed the lives of 46 people.
Silver Bridge Collapse
Some believe the Mothman caused the accident while others thought he warned of impending doom.
In Memory
List of 46 Fatalities :
1. E. Albert Adler, Jr. - Gallipolis, OH
2. Julius Oliver Bennett - Walnut Cove, NC
3. Leo H. Blackman - Richmond, VA
4. Kristy Ann Boggs - Vinton, OH
5. Margaret Boggs - Vinton, OH
6. Hilda Gertrude Byus - Point Pleasant, WV
7. Kimberly Lynn Byus - Point Pleasant, WV
8. Melvin Aaron Cantrell - Gallipolis Ferry, WV
9. Thomas Allen Cantrell - Gallipolis, OH
10. Donna Jean Casey - Gallipolis, OH
11. Cecil Clyde Counts - Gallipolis Ferry, WV
12. Horace Donald Cremeans - Gallipolis, OH
13. Harold David Cundiff - Winston-Salem, NC
14. Alonzo Luther Darst - Cheshire, OH
15. Alma Louise Duff - Point Pleasant, WV
16. James William Hawkins - Westerville, OH
17. Robert Lee Head - Gallipolis, OH
18. Forest Raymond Higley - Bidwell, OH
19. Alva Bernard Lane - Gallipolis, OH
20. Thomas Howard Lee - Gallipolis, OH
21. Gene Harold Mabe - Jamestown, NC
22. Darlene K. Mayes - Kanauga, OH
23. Gerald McManus - South Point, OH
24. James Richard Maxwell - Gallipolis, OH
25. James Franklin Meadows - Point Pleasant, WV
26. James Timothy Meadows - Point Pleasant, WV
27. Frederick Dean Miller - Gallipolis, OH
28. Ronnie Gene Moore - Gallipolis, OH
29. Nora Isabelle Nibert - Gallipolis Ferry, WV
30. Darius E. Northup - Gallipolis Ferry, WV
31. James Otto Pullen - Middleport, OH
32. Leo Otto Sanders - Point Pleasant, WV
33. Ronald R. Sims - Gallipolis, OH
34. Charles Thomas Smith - Bidwell, OH
35. Oma Frey Smith - Bidwell, OH
36. Maxine Ellen Sturgeon - Kanauga, OH
37. Denzil Ray Taylor - Point Pleasant, WV
38. Glenna Mae Taylor - Point Pleasant, WV
39. Robert Eugene Towe - Cana, VA
40. Victor William Turner - Point Pleasant, WV
41. Marvin Lendy Wamsley - Point Pleasant, WV
42. Lillian Eleanor Wedge - Point Pleasant, WV
43. Paul Dencil Wedge - Point Pleasant, WV
44. James Alfred White - Point Pleasant, WV
45. Catherine Lucille Byus - Point Pleasant, WV (Never recovered)
46. Maxine Rose Turner - Point Pleasant, WV (Never recovered)
Source: The Silver Bridge Tragedy by George Dudding (Page 99-100)
Mothman Sightings
Mothman has been seen since his Point Pleasant activity. On the left he’s seen before the towers fell on 9/11. On the right, he’s seen in Point Pleasant, exactly 50 years from his first appearance.
Mothman Statues
You can celebrate the Mothman at Point Pleasant’s annual celebration. See this very buff Mothman statue and get a closeup with a statue commemorating poor Bandit!
Wanda Faye Walker
Wanda Faye Walker was last seen leaving her home in Nashville on Oct. 4, 2016. Read her story here.
Raspberry Scones
Get the recipe here! Yum!