The Bennington Triangle

Imagine embarking on a hike through the picturesque landscapes of Glastonbury Mountain in Vermont. The very thought evokes dreams of adventure and awe-inspiring vistas. But beneath this scenic facade lies an unsettling mystery that has baffled both locals and outsiders. The Long Trail, winding through this terrain, presents a challenge that comes with a caveat - venturing alone might lead to a real-life Vanishing Act.

The Enigmatic Glastonbury Mountain

Situated in the picturesque Bennington County, Vermont, Glastonbury Mountain forms a part of the expansive Green Mountain National Forest. However, it's at its peak where things take a rather unconventional turn. To elaborate, the nearby area has gained notoriety as the Bennington Triangle, and this classification is well-founded. A plethora of unusual events unfurled both on the mountain and in the neighboring towns. These occurrences encompass extraterrestrial vessel sightings, run-ins with the fabled Bigfoot creature, enigmatic luminous displays pirouetting in the heavens, and notably, the unexplained disappearance of five individuals between the years 1945 and 1950.

As per the local populace, an explanation does exist, yet it's unrelated to climatic conditions, rugged terrain, or untamed fauna. The legend that endures points to a malevolent stone with a penchant for devouring humans. Evidently, this rock possessed a rather voracious appetite and ensnared anyone unlucky enough to set foot on it. Understandably, individuals made concerted efforts to avoid this particular stone, but unsurprisingly, human nature being what it is, certain early settlers couldn't resist its allure.

The Faded Glory of Glastonbury and Somerset

In the past, the vibrant logging communities of Glastonbury and Somerset played a pivotal role in furnishing timber and trees. However, with the passage of time, the industry underwent a substantial decline, causing the once-thriving forests to dwindle. Glastonbury briefly underwent a phase as a sought-after summer retreat, but this optimism was short-lived. A tragic deluge in 1898 resulted in the obliteration of all railway lines and bridges, reducing the town to ruins. Regrettably, recovery never materialized. In the present era, Glastonbury and Somerset bear little resemblance to their former selves, as nature has gracefully reclaimed the terrain, leaving behind mere remnants of underground spaces as a poignant memento of the individuals who once inhabited this locale.

The Mysterious Vanishing Acts

The origins trace back to Midi Rivers, a seasoned mountain guide with 74 years under his belt. The pivotal moment arrived on a fateful November day in 1945 when Rivers was at the helm of a group journeying through Hell Hollow, a rather ominously titled region nestled in the southwestern woods of Glastonbury. As the group retraced their steps back to camp, Rivers inexplicably outpaced everyone and inexplicably vanished into the ether.

Law enforcement and concerned volunteers sprang into action, launching into an extensive search operation across the expansive wilderness of Glastonbury Mountain. For a span of eight days, they combed through the terrain in hopes of untangling the enigma. Regrettably, no trace of Midi Rivers surfaced, nor did even the faintest hint regarding the circumstances of his disappearance.

One year later. Paula Weldon, an 18-year-old sophomore hailing from Bennington College, donned a vibrant red jacket as she set out for a hike along the Long Trail. Little did she grasp that her choice of attire would be etched into the annals of the legend, as Paula evaporated into thin air. This time around, the extensive search endeavor ballooned to encompass a throng of over a thousand individuals. Aircraft canvassed the skies, and a substantial reward was proffered. Despite these earnest endeavors, not a solitary clue emerged from the abyss of uncertainty.

Reportedly, James E. Tedford, a military veteran, went missing on December 1, 1949, precisely three years after Welden's disappearance. Tedford, a resident of the Bennington Soldiers' Home, had been visiting relatives in St. Albans. He was seen at a local bus station, which marked the final sighting of him. As per witnesses, Tedford boarded the bus and remained on it until the penultimate stop before reaching Bennington. However, between that stop and Bennington, he mysteriously vanished. Strangely, his belongings remained in the luggage compartment, and an open bus timetable lay on the seat where he had been seated.

On October 12, 1950, an incident involved an 8-year-old boy named Paul Jepson. While accompanying his mother in a truck, she left him alone for approximately an hour to attend to some pigs. Upon her return, the boy had inexplicably vanished. Despite organized search efforts, no trace of the child was discovered, despite the fact that he was dressed in a conspicuous red jacket meant to enhance his visibility. An account states that bloodhounds tracked the boy's scent to a nearby highway, coincidentally the same location where Welden's disappearance had occurred four years prior, as per local legend.

On October 28, 1950, a mere sixteen days after Jepson's disappearance, Frieda Langer, aged 53, and her cousin, Herbert Elsner departed from their family campsite near Somerset Reservoir for a hike. During the journey, Langer slipped into a stream, prompting her to suggest to Elsner that he wait while she returned to change clothes before rejoining him. Yet, she never returned, causing Elsner to backtrack to the campsite. There, he realized that Langer had not come back and that no one had seen her since their departure. A series of extensive searches spanning two weeks ensued, involving aircraft, helicopters, and up to 300 searchers. Tragically, these efforts yielded no trace of Langer.

On May 12, 1951, Langer's lifeless body was discovered about three and a half miles from the campsite, in the eastern branch of the Deerfield River. This location had undergone only a cursory search seven months prior, which makes her eventual discovery all the more poignant. The condition of her remains prevented establishing a definitive cause of death. While no concrete links between these cases have been established, they share a commonality in terms of geographic vicinity and timeframe.

The Mystery Remains

In the heart of the picturesque Bennington County, a shadowy enigma persists. The inexplicable events that have occurred within the boundaries of the Bennington Triangle remind us that, even in the modern age, there are corners of the world that remain cloaked in secrecy.