Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a large, humanoid creature that is said to inhabit the forests of North America, particularly the Pacific Northwest. Since the mid-20th century, Bigfoot has become a cultural icon, appearing in both American and Canadian culture and even developing into a distinct subculture. Those who claim to have encountered Bigfoot often describe it as a shy creature that quickly flees when confronted by humans.
However, an 1855 story in eastern Oklahoma tells of a different encounter, involving not a single Bigfoot but a group of violent, cannibalistic Sasquatch. This story, known as the “Bigfoot War,” revolves around the mysterious disappearance of women and children, which terrified both the Choctaw community and Anglo farmers.
It all started with a series of thefts, including food, livestock, and other items. At first, the thieves were very stealthy and did not pose much of a threat. They were never caught and often avoided the night guards at Choctaw camps. However, the situation became serious when the disappearances increased. Women and children were mysteriously kidnapped.
The situation came to a head when a group of 30 Choctaws mounted on horseback set out to hunt down the kidnappers. The group was led by Joshua Laflore, a half-Choctaw and half-French man who was respected in the tribe. They were joined by Choctaw warrior Hammah Tubby and his six sons, all nearly 7 feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds, strong warriors, skilled in horseback fighting, and known as the “Light Horsemen.”
After a long day of travel, they arrived at the area where they believed the kidnappers were hiding. As they entered a small forest, the group smelled a strong stench, and as they passed through, they discovered a horrifying sight: the corpses of many women and children scattered about, in the process of decomposition. At that moment, they encountered three large, hairy creatures, roaring and beating their chests opposite them. These creatures were Sasquatch.
Laflore and Tubby’s group quickly rushed to attack. Laflore, with his pistol and sword, took down one Sasquatch but was unfortunately attacked from behind by another, taking his life by tearing his head from his body. Seeing this scene, Tubby’s group quickly opened fire, killing two of the monsters on the spot, and the third, badly wounded, fled but was later killed by Robert Tubby, the youngest son.
After the battle, the Choctaw warriors buried the murdered women and children, along with Chief Laflore. They burned the bodies of the three Sasquatch on a large bonfire before returning home. However, even fierce warriors like the Tubbys suffered from lingering nightmares after the event.
Many believe that the story of the Bigfoot War may be true, in part because of Joshua Laflore, who is said to be related to the famous Laflore family of the Choctaw tribe. Some say there is no official documentation to confirm the event, but belief in the existence of Sasquatch-like creatures has long existed in many native cultures across North America.
Many Bigfoot researchers, such as Jim King, believe that the story may be based on a real event that occurred in Kiowa territory. In one story told by a Kiowa elder, ape-like creatures attacked and abducted women from tents on the edge of camp during their menstrual periods, as women were considered “unclean” at this time. These creatures were killed by a group of Kiowa warriors after repeated abductions.
The existence of giant ape-like creatures, possibly related to Gigantopithecus – an extinct species of giant primate – continues to be a source of curiosity and fear in Bigfoot stories today. Whether the event is fiction or factual, it remains a part of the cultural and mythological legacy of Sasquatch in North American history.
