Preserving the Relationship Between Mythical Creatures and Humanity
The Creature Files – Episode Three: "Leapin' Lizard Man"
SHOW NOTES:
Sightings Desk: Catawba River Monster
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View a photo of Catawba River Monster
Creature Feature: The Lizard Man of Scape Ore Swamp
Special Guest: Dr. John Stamey
Learn more about the Lizard Man at Scarycast.com.
It all started in the Fall of 1987 when a man by the name of George Holliman Jr. was riding his bicycle near Scape Ore Swamp, which is close to Bishopville, South Carolina and about 50 miles east of the state capitol of Columbia. As the story goes, George stopped for a smoke break and spotted a most unusual sight – a 7-8 foot tall reptilian humanoid that had red glowing eyes. The creature stood there for a spell, before heading back into the swamp when a car passed.
There was another sighting several months later, on June 29, 1988 – and this one made national and international news. 17-year-old Christopher Davis was driving home from work about 2 a.m. when he had a tire blow out on a road that runs alongside Scape Ore Swamp. He changes the tire and suddenly hears thumping sounds. He turns to find a humanoid lizard running towards him. Those same red glowing eyes. Christopher tries to escape and the creature attacks the car, latching onto it. He eventually gets thrown off and when Christopher gets home he finds his side-view mirror badly damaged and scratch marks on his roof.
He described the creature as having “three big fingers, long black nails and green rough skin.” After his sighting there were several more that came in: all involving scratches and bite marks found on cars near the swamp. A few weeks after the Davis sighting, Tom and Mary Wayne reported that their car had been attacked as well - with the sides of the doors gashed and dented, a hood damaged, and pieces of the engine torn out. There were parts of the car that also appeared to have been chewed on. There were also footprints found near the vehicle – three-toed footprints. Police investigated and even made several plaster casts of the footprints, measured around 14 inches in length. They were later analyzed and were said to be unclassifiable.
In the years between 1987 and now, there have been multiple sightings, some more credible than others. Including one from a soldier with the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as an incident reported by a deputy and state trooper. In 2015, a woman took a photo of what she believed to be a lizard man, and later that year a man came forward with what he believed to be video of the creature – 20 seconds of a dark figure with a long tail in Scape Ore Swamp. But what is the real story behind this legend…Let’s find out with an expert.