Sightings: A Devil In The Pine Barrens: New Jersey, 1909
Hosted by REVERB | QCODE
Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction

In the March 10, 2025 episode of Sightings, hosts McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley delve into one of New Jersey's most enduring supernatural legends—the tale of the Jersey Devil in the Pine Barrens. This episode meticulously unpacks the mysterious events of 1909, weaving together firsthand accounts, local lore, and historical context to explore the origins and implications of this chilling phenomenon.

The Pine Barrens and the Onset of Mystery

The episode opens with a vivid description of the Pine Barrens, a vast and dense forest spanning over a million acres in New Jersey. McLeod Andrews sets the stage by highlighting the forest's eerie silence and impenetrable darkness, suggesting that something ancient and malevolent may reside within its depths.

McLeod Andrews [00:00-02:26]:
"Some forests welcome you with open arms. Others warn you to stay away. And in one part of New Jersey, there's a forest whose terrifying legends stretch back for centuries. But what if these legends aren't just warnings passed down through generations? What if in these primordial woods, something else is waiting?"

The 1909 Sightings: A Detailed Account

The narrative centers around Nelson Barringer, a lifelong resident of Burlington City, who recounts the harrowing events of January 1909. Barringer describes the arrival of Paul Hauser, an ordinarily pragmatic accountant, who reported witnessing a large, dark shape with glowing red eyes—a sight that unsettled the entire community.

Narrator [02:26-06:50]:
"It was Saturday morning, January 16th, when everything started. I was having my usual morning coffee at Decker's when Paul Hauser came bursting in, white as a sheet... He saw this large, dark shape... and its eyes, well, Paul said they glowed impossibly red, like fiery rubies."

The story escalates as multiple witnesses from different towns, including an officer named John Sackville, report seeing the creature. Sackville even fired his revolver at the entity, only to hear a devilish scream despite missing his target.

Nelson Barringer [02:26-06:50]:
"But Paul wouldn't have it and just kept saying, this was no bird. It was something else altogether... And good God, what fools we were."

Escalation and Personal Encounter

As sightings proliferate, the community's fear intensifies. McLeod Andrews narrates significant events, including the disappearance of Barringer's dog, Bo, and the organization's futile search efforts. The tension culminates in Barringer's personal encounter in the depths of the Pine Barrens, where he confronts the creature face-to-face.

Narrator [17:11-24:57]:
"Then I saw Bo's tail drop between his legs. And then I heard it. A sound like leather stretching like massive wings unfurling because 20ft above us, perched on a thick pine branch, was the devil itself... I pulled the trigger. I've never told another soul what happened after that."

The aftermath sees the sightings cease, and life in Burlington gradually returns to normal. However, the Pine Barrens retain an ominous presence, hinting that the darkness within remains ever-watchful.

Discussion: Unraveling the Legend

Following the narrative, McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley engage in a thought-provoking discussion about the Jersey Devil's origins and the plausibility of the sightings.

Brian Sigley addresses the historical context, mentioning possible origins tied to local folklore and personal vendettas.

Brian Sigley [26:56-31:15]:
"So as we heard in the story, there were the Lenape people who were the Native Americans who first lived in that area... They had legends about something in these woods, something unnatural, that protected the forest from those who do it harm."

McLeod Andrews explores theories ranging from misidentified wildlife, such as sandhill cranes, to mass hysteria explaining the widespread nature of the sightings.

McLeod Andrews [34:02-36:25]:
"I think the thing that really differentiates this story... is just the sheer number of people who saw this thing. You know, hundreds of people over upwards of a dozen towns."

The hosts debate the likelihood of supernatural vs. natural explanations, ultimately acknowledging the Jersey Devil's place as a cultural and mysterious entity within New Jersey's heritage.

Conclusion and Future Episodes

The episode wraps up with McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley teasing future explorations into other supernatural occurrences, promising listeners more intriguing stories and analyses.

McLeod Andrews [38:08-38:37]:
"We are actually staying in the same part of the country. We're heading, I guess just down the Delaware River a little bit to Philadelphia for a supernatural slash conspiracy slash really crazy story that I think is going."

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and engage with the podcast on social media to share their own theories and experiences.

Notable Quotes

• Nelson Barringer [05:15]:
  "I swear on my mother's grave, every word I'm about to tell you is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but."

• Brian Sigley [26:56]:
  "No, it is a very real legend in New Jersey. And I should say that I did make up the main character that you read."

• McLeod Andrews [35:12]:
  "So the sandhill crane is this giant bird, multiple feet long wingspan... it has reddish plumage around its eyes, which people reported seeing the red eyes of the Jersey Devil."

Final Thoughts

"A Devil In The Pine Barrens: New Jersey, 1909" offers a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the Jersey Devil legend, blending historical accounts with engaging storytelling and analytical discussion. For fans of supernatural lore and mysterious phenomena, this episode provides an enthralling glimpse into one of America's most enigmatic legends.

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