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August 8, 2023 • 25 mins
Bigfoot Classified delves into the compelling tale of Bauman and the connection to none other than Teddy Roosevelt himself. Journey back in time as we dissect Roosevelt's recounting of Bauman's harrowing encounter with a creature believed to be Bigfoot.

To read Roosevelts full story visit www.bigfootclassified.com

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:02):
Bigfoot Classified contains content that is graphicin nature, and listener discretion is advised.
Bigfoot Classified relies largely on news documents, eyewitness accounts, press conferences,
and interviews. Every episode is producedwith respect the victims, families, and

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communities involved. Some of the interviews, quotes, and broadcasts have been recreated.
Numerous hours of research have been doneregarding these stories, and if you
have a theory question or feel thatwe've missed something, we encourage you to
visit Bigfoot Classified dot com. Thisis Bigfoot Classified. Born into a prominent

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and influent family in bustling New YorkCity, Theodore Roosevelt's journey from a frail
child to a robust, vigorous manwould come to define his character throughout his
life. Despite grappling with health challengesduring his early years, Roosevelt's unwavering determination
and rigorous physical exercise transformed him intoa resilient individual. Enrolling at Harvard University,

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Roosevelt showcased academic excellence while indulging ina diverse array of interest, including
boxing and a profound love for naturalhistory. After completing his studies, he
briefly pursued a legal education at ColumbiaLaw School. However, the allure of
politics beckoned, prompting him to abandonhis legal career and embark on a path

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of public service. Roosevelt's four aend of politics commenced in the New York
State Assembly, where his unwavering commitmentto progressive reforms garnered widespread recognition. His
ardent focus on combating corruption and championthe rights of a working class earned him
a reputation as a fearless reformer.Subsequently, he was appointed as the head
of the US Civil Service Commission underPresident Benjamin Harrison. However, Roosevelt's indomitable

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spirit propelled him beyond bureaucratic confines.In eighteen ninety eight, during the Spanish
American War, he resigned from hisposition to form the Rough Riders, a
volunteer cavalry union. His charismatic leadershipduring the perilous Battle of San Juan Heel
in Cuba thrust him into the nationalspotlight, transforming him into a bona fide,

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he wrote. Returning to New Yorkafter the war, Roosevelt's popularity sword
leading to his election as governor ineighteen ninety nine. As governor, he
ushered in an era of progressive reforms, implementing initiatives that improved public health and
enhanced labor conditions. His achievements resonatedwith the American people, culminating in his
selection as William McKinley's running mate inthe nineteen hundred presidential election, ultimately resulting

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in their victory. Tragedy struck inSeptember of nineteen o one, when President
McKinley fell victim to an assassin's bullet, catapulting Roosevelt into the presidency at a
mere forty two years old. Throughouthis presidency, Roosevelt championed progressive policies that
aimed to reign in corporate giants,dismantled monopolies, and safeguard consumer rights.

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His unwavering commitment to these causes earnedhim the Moniker Trustbuster. Roosevelt's dedication to
conservation become another hallmark of his presidency. Recognizing the invaluable importance of preserving America's
natural resources, he took decisive actionestablishing numerous national parks, monuments, and
wildlife refuge. Furthermore, he createdthe United States Forest Service, an organization

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task with the responsibility of managing andprotecting the nation's precious forest. Internationally,
Roosevelt embraced an assertive foreign policy approach, which became known as the Big Stick
diplomacy. Firmly believing in protecting Americanpower and influence, he wielded diplomacy backed
by the implicit threat of military forceto advance in nation's interests. Notably,

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he played a pivotal role in facilitatingpeace negotiations to end the Russo Japanese War,
a feat that earned him the prestigiousNobel Peace Prize in nineteen oh six.
In nineteen oh eight, Roosevelt madethe decision not to seek reelection,
instead hand picking William Howard Taft ashis successor. However, disillusionment with taft

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presidency and the direction of the RepublicanParty compelled Roosevelt to challenge Taff for the
Republican nomination in nineteen twelve. Failingto secure the nomination, he embarked on
a new political journey, forming theProgressive Party also known as the Bull Moose
Party and running as his candidate.Although Roosevelt did not secure victory in the

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election, his campaign left an undeniablemark on the political landscape. He fearlessly
advocated for progressive policies champion causes suchas women's suffrage, workers' rights, and
social welfare programs, setting the stagefor future reforms. Post presidency, Roosevelt
embarked on expeditions to Africa and SouthAmerica, engaging in scientific exploration while documenting

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wildlife. His insatiable thirst for knowledgeand adventure found expression in his authorship of
several books covering in an array ofsubjects, including history, politics, and
his own captivating experiences. On Januarysixth, nineteen nineteen, at the age
of sixty, Theodore Roosevelt's vibrant lifecame to a close. Yet his legacy

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as a dynamic and influential president,a fearless reformer and impassioned conservatives, endured,
leaving an imprint on American politics insociety, he remains enshrined in the
annuals of history as one of thenation's most charismatic and impactful leaders. Teddy
Roosevelt, a pragmatic and no nonsenseman, led a remarkable life as an

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active outdoorsman, hunter, nature enthusiast, combat veteran, Harvard graduate, and
politician known for his tendency and resilience. He displayed an unwavering determination in the
face of adversity. One incidents thatexemplifies Roosevelt's indomitable spirit occurred when he was
targeted in an assassination attempt. Ratherthan a succumbing to the injury, he

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refused hospitalization and instead delivered an astonishingninety minute speech. The incident highlights his
ability to persevere and his aversion toyielding to whimsy or fantasy despite his grounded
nature. Is intriguing to note thatTeddy Roosevelt is linked to one of the
most intriguing Bigfoot stories ever told.This unexpected connection raises the question of how

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a man known for his practicality andlevelheadedness became associated with such a phenomenon.
The story unfolds during one of Roosevelt'shunting expeditions in the Pacific Northwest, an
area renowned for its wilderness and rumoredsightings of the elusive creature known as Bigfoot

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or sasquatch. Roosevelt's fascination with natureand his pension for expiration led him to
immerse himself in the uncharted territories ofthe region. While the precise details of
the encounter very indifferent accounts, itis widely believed that during his expedition,
Roosevelt and his hunting party allegedly encounteredsomething inexplicable and extraordinary. Reports suggest that

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they came face to face with thecreature that resembled the legendary Bigfoot, an
immense, hairy humanoid figure lurking inthe forest. In his eighteen eighty nine
book The Wilderness Hunter, Roosevelt recountsa peculiar incident that occurred during a hunting
expedition in a Silkirk Mountain range spanningIdaho and eastern Washington. He tells a

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story about meeting a Native American guidenamed Amal who really didn't want to leave
the area around a certain lake.Over time, all went from being quiet
to being downright and moody, andhe let slip that he was scared of
the little bad Indians hiding out inthe mountains, especially after dark. At
first, Roosevelt and his friends thoughta'm all was talking about some lost members

(08:13):
of the Blackfeet tribe, But thenthey soon realized that a'm all wasn't worried
about people at all, but aboutthe spooky supernatural creatures called goblins, the
eerie sounds of the night in thevast stretches of the mountain woodland heightened the
mysterious atmosphere, Roosevelt gained a deeperunderstanding of why people dwelling in the isolated

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forest regions were inclined to believe inelusive creatures like elves and woodland spirits.
Something elusive lurked in the darkness,leaving the reader to ponder its nature.
While it may be tempting to attributethe peculiar noises to conventional animal calls distorted
by distance and the mountainous terrain,Roosevelt's own experience as an outdoorsman suggested that

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something genuinely unsettled him. This uneasinessis reflected in the brevity of his recollection,
contrasting with his more elaborate storytelling andother accounts. And another passage from
the same book, Roosevelt recounts achilling conversation with a mountain man named Bowman.
The narrative unfolds as Bowman shares ahorrifying tale of encountering a mysterious creature

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within the woods. He begins,frontiersmen are not, as a rule,
have to be superstitious. I leadlives too hard and practical. I have
too little imagination, and things spiritualand supernatural. I've heard but a few
good stories while living on the frontier, and there was a few of a

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perfectly common place and conventional type.But at once listened to a Gomblin story
which rather impressed me. Roosevelt thenrecounts a story told by a weathered mountain
hunter named Bowman, born and raisedin the rugged embrace of the wilderness.
The event in question unfolded during Bowman'syounger years, when he and his partner

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were trapping in the mountains that separatedthe forks of the Salmon River from the
headwaters of the Wisdom River. Facedwith meager luck in their trapping endeavor,
they resolved to venture into particularly wildand desolate pass, rumored to be teeming
with beavers, in hopes of improvingtheir fortunes. This pass had earned a
sinister reputation due to an incident thatoccurred the previous year. A lone hunter

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had ventured into the pass, onlyto meet his end seemingly at the claws
of a savage beast. Prospectors searchingfor mining opportunities stumbled upon the hunter's camp
the following night, discovering his partiallydevoured remains. However, the tail didn't
really phase these two trappers. Justlike their fellow adventurers, they had a
taste for the wild. They ledtheir slim mountain ponies to the start of

(10:52):
the pass, letting them loosen ameadow popular with beavers. Since the rough
wooded landscape beyond was no place forhorse, they kept on going on their
own two feet, venturing deep intothe expansive Shattery forest. After a tough,
roughly four hour trek, they finallyfound a small clear space. Seeing
signs that game was plentiful around there, they decided to set up camp while

(11:16):
there was still some daylight left.They built a rough and ready shelter from
some branches and got their gear sortedbefore hitting upstream to check their traps.
The area was a real beast toget through with all the thick plants and
fallen trees in the way. Everyso often they'd spot a little patch of
mountain grass in an opening of thedark woods. When night fell came,

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they hit it back to their camp. A skinny clearing hugged by towering pine
and fir trees, then made akind of a natural wall. There was
a chattering stream on one side andon the other the mountain slope shot up
steeply, covered by an unending blanketof evergreen trees. They were stunned to
find that while they were gone,someone or some thing, likely a bear,

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had been messing around in their camp. The trespasser had gone through their
stuff, thrown around their gear,and wrecking the shelter they had built.
The creatures tracks were clear as day, but at first they didn't pay much
mind to them. They were toobusy fixing their lean to, getting their
bidding and supplies back in order,and getting a fire started. As Bowman

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busied himself with prepping supper, thedarkness deepened and a wild, animalistic odor
filled the camp. Peering into thedarkness, he saw the outline of a
large figure near the entrance of thelean to. Reacting swiftly, he grabbed
his rifle and fired at the menacingshadow, but it appeared that his shot
missed as he heard the sound ofthe undergrowth being trampled as the entity,

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whatever was, disappeared into the impenetrableblackness of the forest. This encounter left
them men unsettled, and sleep onceagain eluded them. They remained seated by
the fire throughout the night. Onguard against any further disturbances. However,

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the night passed without incident. Withthe arrival of dawn, they made the
decision to abandon the valley. Thescarcity of firth they had called despite promising
signs, combined with the series ofunselling events, convinced them it was best
to leave. But first they neededto retrieve their traps. Setting out on

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their task, they stuck together,collecting trap after trap that yielded no catch.
A pervasive sense of being pursued clungto them as they moved through the
dense spruce thickets. They heard occasionalsnaps of branches after they had passed,
and faint rustling noises from the surroundingpines. By midday, they found themselves

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a couple of miles away from campbathed them bright sunlight. Their fear seemed
baseless. Years of solitary exploration inthe wilderness had hardened them to the dangerous
posed by humans, animals, andelements. Yet and unshakable unease lingered.
Three beaver traps remained to be collectedfrom a small pond nestled in a wide

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ravine nearby. Bowman volunteered to retrievethem while his companion returned to camp to
prepare the packs. Arriving at thepond, Bowman discovered three beavers and snared
in the traps, one of whichhad been wrenched loose and dragged into the
beaver lodge. He spent several hourssecuring and prepping the beavers, and as

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he set off back towards camp,an inexplicable sense of foreboding settled upon him.
The sun sink lower in the sky, casting long shadows through the lowering
trees. Finally, Bowman reached theedge of the small glade where the camp
was situated. He called out ashe approached, expecting a response, but

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silence greeted him. The campfire haddied down, leaving only faint traces of
smoke in the air. The packswere neatly arranged nearby. At first,
Bowman saw no sign of his companionand received no answer to his cause.
Taking a step forward, he shoutedonce more, and then his eyes fell
upon the lifeless body of his friend, sprawled beside the trunk of a fallen

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spruce. Brushing forward the motionless figure, Balman discovered the body was still warm,
but the neck had been grotesquely brokenand four deep fing marks marred the
throat. The distinct footprints of theunknown creature imprinted in the soft soil told

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the grim story Bauman's unfortunate companion,having finished packing and awaiting Bauman's return,
had sat down on the spruce log, with his face toward the fire and
his back to the impenetrable depths ofthe woods. Unbeknownst to him, the
monstrous assailant lurking in the shadows hadseized the opportunity to ambush him, Approaching

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with stealthy strides, seemingly upright ontwo legs, it crept closer, unnoticed
until it seized the man, wrenchinghis head back and snapping his neck while
sinking its teeth into his throat.The creature didn't eat the body. Instead,
it seemed to take some wild joyin playing with it, rolling over

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it before disappearing back into the quietheart of the woods. Filled with grief
and terror, Bowman was left alonein the desolate wilderness, with his companion's
life cut short and a benevolent presencehaunting the dark woods. In a state
of shock, he knew he hadto leave immediately, abandoning all their belongings
except for his rifle and a smallpack containing some basic provisions. He embarked

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on a treacherous journey, plagued bythe constant fear of being pursued, until
he finally reached the safety of civilization. Bowman's haunting tail became an enduring legend
among trackers and in the region.Some dismissed it as a mere fabrication or
exaggeration, attributing to deaths to bearsor wolves. Others believed that a fearsome

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and elusive creature, neither holy humanor fully animal, lurked in those remote
mountains, praying on its unsuspecting soulswho dared to venture into its territory.
Whatever the truth, Bowman's stories servedas a cautionary tale, reminding those who
would listen of the untamed wilderness andthe lurking dangers that would befall even the

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most seasoned explorers. Roosevelt's account ofencountering the mysterious creature in his book doesn't
refer to it as bigfoot, butrather as a goblin. This is because
the term bigfoot wasn't coined until thenineteen fifties, long after Roosevelt's time.
However, as an avid outdoorsman,Roosevelt was likely familiar with Native American stories

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and the legends of a bigfootlike creature. Native American tribes have their own tales
of supernatural beings resembling Bigfoot that areknown to attack humans, such as the
Windigo. It's possible that Roosevelt drewinspiration from these Native American legends when crafting
his story. It could be arguedthe Roosevelt's account, as relaid by the

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character Bowman, is simply an embellishtale. The creature that stalked the men
could have been a bear or acougar, as suggested by the alleged tracks
indicating a two legged creature. Perhapsthis is a case of an old trapper
spinning a tall tale and Teddy Roosevelt, eager for adventure, believing it.

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The third possibility is that the storyis true. Although it presents a different
image of Bigfoot compared to popular conceptions, there are some elements of the story
that align with modern Bigfoot sightings.Bowman claimed the presence of a foul stench
accompanying the creature, a common featurein many sasquat trip sports. He also

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emphasized the tracks of a bipedal creature, ruling out the possibility of another human
or a bear. The account evenincludes the violent disturbance of the campsite,
which could be consistent with an attackof a large ape like creature. Teddy
Roosevelt was a bold and ambitious individual, undeterred by challenges and always striving for

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greatness. Yet he was also avisionary open to contemplating grand ideas. His
progressive ideals and aspirations led to remarkableaccomplishments in his professional life and the advancement
of his country. As a passionateoutdoorsment and naturalist, Roosevelt likely entertained the
notion that undiscovered species might still roamthe American forest during his time, especially

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in his early years, vast stretchesof untamed wilderness remained to be explored.
While Roosevelt approached the Bowman's story witha healthy dose of skepticism, he must
have deemed it significant enough to includein his book. However, he never
explicitly stated his belief in Sasquatch orif he believed the Bowman's tale was true.

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Roosevelt did acknowledge that Bowman was anelderly man when recounting the event,
and the attack itself had occurred decadesearlier, adding another layer of intrigue.
There are whispers of Roosevelt having hisown encounter in the mountains of California.
Legend has it that during a nightspent camping deep in the forest, he

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heard howls and growls that he couldn'tattribute to any known animal. This incident,
at the very least, made himappreciate the significance of these strange noises
and entertained the possibility that they emanatedfrom an unknown creature. We may never
truly know what Teddy Roosevelt believed aboutBigfoot, but his Bowman story has cemented

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its place in history as one ofthe most captivating tales surrounding the elusive creature.
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