The Creature at Walnut Ridge Multi-Cache
The Creature at Walnut Ridge
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My thanks to Cathy Schull from the Polk City Historical Society for her help researching the information presented here.
Since the 1880’s there have been reports of an unusual creature spotted in the area known as Walnut Ridge near what is now Saylorville Lake. An early diary entry dated Sept 22, 1887 describes an encounter with a creature that was “bear-like” and yet “stood straight like any man.” Several articles in the now defunct Polk Citizen Press have references to the creature as late as 1968. Interestingly, historical documentation seems to indicate appearances at approximately 30 year cycles, with aggressive behavior escalating with each sighting.
In spring 1975, the Des Moines River was damned to create Saylorville Lake. DNR officials were concerned at the time, of the effect the displacement would have on the animals in the area. A small article quoting the DNR in the May 17, 1975 Des Moines Tribune warns that all hunters in the area should avoid approaching wildlife that exhibit “extreme aggression”.
The following events initially came to my attention through an acquaintance whose father was Director of Emergency Services for Iowa Methodist Hospital 1967-1975. According to the doctor, sometime on or about May 20, 1975, a man named Frank Geller was admitted to the Ia. Methodist emergency room near death from extreme blood loss. Mr. Geller’s arm had been severed below the left elbow. In addition, his other injuries, visible through the remains of his blood-soaked white shirt, indicated he had been involved in some type of extreme animal mauling incident. What had made this patient so memorable to the doctor was not the severity of Mr. Geller’s injuries, but his horrifying account of what had happened.
Mr. Geller stated that he had been driving to a friend’s home near Saylorville Lake, some time shortly after midnight, when his car ran out of gas. Attempting to take a shortcut through the woods, he tripped down a small ravine in the darkness. Immediately, he was felled by a crushing weight and a searing pain in his left arm. Mr. Geller said he blacked out momentarily and awoke to see a large animal moving away from him. Even though it was dark, Mr. Geller could see the animal rise to it’s back legs where it stood well over 8 feet tall. The creature was covered with thick hair like a bear, only lighter in color. Its hands were large and paw-like with long nails. And as the creature turned back in the moonlight to see its victim – Mr. Geller saw A HUMAN FACE!
My friend’s father said he remembers a police report being filed, although I have not been able to locate it. I have found a Des Moines Tribune article at the time, discussing the investigation of an “animal attack” site near Saylorville. The article said the investigators found the site covered with blood. What was NOT found was any trace of the creature…..or… Frank Geller’s left arm.
I have placed this cache at the exact location of the attack as determined by historical documentation.
The coordinates listed are for a microcache containing the final instructions.
The final cache is a covered Tupperware cup containing only a logbook and a memento for you to take for your bravery, no trade required.
Night hiking is permitted during the summer, although the park officially closes at 10:00 PM.
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!!!! COMING SOON..The Creature at Walnut Ridge Part 2-Frank Geller's Revenge!!!!
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Additional Hints
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