Just wonder how come you never hear or read anything on this great archer. This man in my opinon was up there with the best of them. my first bowhunting book was,hunting in africa by Bob swinehart. I bought this book about forty years ago,and wish i still had it. Any man who accomplished what he did should have more written about him. By the way he shot a 100 plus pound longbow very well,not bad for a 5'9" 165 man.

I agree, his book "Sagatarious"(forgive my spelling?) is great and gives you a good look at the man and his devotion to archery the Hill way. He like Howard, were no sisseys when it came to going the extra mile on a hunt! Good solid longbow advice throughout. One of the greats for sure.

you can buy his book on ebay for 175.00 dollars. You should have kept it haha

He was a great hunter and fearless that's for sure and he loved Pretzels!

Ole thumper

Bob Swinehart

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm? threadid=152521&category=88#1834273

Sagittarius in on my reading list.

How would you like to have been the cameraman?

Notice he used the Pearson Deadhead broadhead....wish these bad boys were still made....great head, and talk about a good blood trail!

He did some promo work for Pearson, and the Deadhead was part of that. He normally used a Hill style longbow and Howard Hill heads for most of his shooting.

Actually there is a good bit in the older magazines, and Bob produced two books; Sagittarius, and In Africa. You will spend some money to acquire them though.

He left archery completely.....supposedly married an anti-hunting lady. He also took his own life, and that left many fans, friends and colleagues shaking their heads.

George, I wasn't aware of Mr. Swinehart taking his own life...very sad and troubling to hear! Why in the world would he have married a women that hated hunting? They say love is blind, but when I was courting my wife one of the issues was how she would deal with me during hunting and fishing trips...this definitely would have been a deal breaker for me....happily for me she past with flying colors and has been a blessing thru-out our 41 years of marriage!

George Stout.., Always pretty sad when any person offs themselves.. Some are tried and tempted often in their lives..

Some opt out and some stay.. I stay because my live belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ.. His time..not my choosing..

Bob Swinehart was a great hunting archer..and promoter of the sport..May he rest in peace..Jim

There is a good chapter on Swinehart in Stecher's "Legends in Archery". It is an all- around good book, with bio's on many of the great trad archers.

I bought a hard bound issue of his book 30 some years ago. Lent it out to someone and never did get it back....darn. I got a kick out of how much he liked pretzels.

I had heard that there was a push to have his African hunting book republished - but that it was never finalized - money problems, etc. George was right about him taking his own life. I had that book (many years ago), and the one by Midge Dandridge - lent them out - forgot to whom and, well, you know the rest.

The year they inducted Stacy Groscup into the Archery Hall of Fame as #49, Mr. Swinehart was #50. He was not living but I remember meeting some of his family members... I may have a photo somewhere. Anyway, I always thought that we should have heard more about him and also more about Bill Negley from Texas. Both did great feats with a bow and arrow.

Frank Addington

Re: Mr. Swinehart; He was one of the greatest archers of all time. Hunted with Howard Hill, Ben Pearson, etc. and held his own. By all accounts, he was fearless in the field and an extremely gifted hunter. His skill with a longbow was legendary. I did not have the pleasure of knowing the man. Sadly, he did take his own life (from what I understand)after a tumultuous 4-month period in his life: The Death of his Father from cancer, the tragic murder of his brother, financial problems and his wife filing for divorce. We cannot judge a man, nor the demons that pursue his heart and soul. We are all just fragile people standing against the wind, trying not to fall, living day by day... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Mr Swinehart Lived and died in Montgomery County PA ( where I happen to live ) Interestingly enough Sasha Siemel lived there too and they lived only a few minutes from each other . Two of the absolute most fearless legends of archery . I never got to meet either, in person . Came close a few times but never got there. Siemel's son ran a museum of his dads feats in Green Lane Pa for years got to go there and handle one of the spears and see much other stuff . I got some stories of Swinehart, second hand from people that did know him and he was an amazing guy . YES tragicly he did commit suicide. As noted above it was not too long after his brothers murder and his wife asking for a divorce. I NEVER heard a bad word about him from any one who ACTUALLY knew him . I too lent out my copy of "Sagitarius" many years ago and it was never returned BUT my two wonderful sons got a copy for me for Christmas last year, and I just finished reading it again for the third time since then !!!!

He is one of my archery heros. Depression is a strange thing that is hard to explain. One helluva an archer! Sure wish they would reprint his two books!

Sagitarius was reprinted in the Derrydale set of books done by Glen St. Charles. These can be hard to get also as the were 1250 sets done.

Bob Swinehart was a founder and charter member of the Professional Bowhunters' Society [PBS].

Bob Swinehart was from my wifes hometown, where we lived when we were first married. Amazing hunter, but by all accounts his personal life was a train wreck.

Seems a lot of pioneers and brilliant folks ( especially as writers) had personal lives that were train wrecks... Hemingway,Ruark,Capstick .

any films of him out there?

Many of us remember the name Bob Swinhart, there seems to be less information available about his exploits, where he grew up, and how he got started in archery and eventually making his way to the Archery HOF, I wonder if anyone has enough information to write a book about him as he was extremly interesting. TLM

okiebones-

you are obviously well-read, sir!

earlier in the thread, it was pointed out that it is always a disappointment to meet one's heroes.

i have found that to be true.

they are just men too.

joe

WWII Pacific fighter ace Maj. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington said, "Show me a hero and I'll show you a bum."

Don't think it's always that bad, but they're all human.

Jim

Those are some great Pic's

Those are some great Pic's

Danny wanted to read Sagittarius, but not pay for it so he requested it from the public library, they had to request it from another library in the state, but called him when they got it in and he got to check it out and read it!

Simply put... Bob Swinehart was the "real deal"...

As I remember, he was in real estate. Could be wrong, it's been a while.

His brother, that was murdered, was a millionare real estate developer. They caught his murderer in 1985.

I've studied David Swinehart's murder from all the available published material I can find and even though his widow was later charged and acquitted of hiring the thugs who actually killed Swinehart, I'm not convinced she isn't guilty. There was a lot was a lot of motive....infidelity and money. :) She was having an affair with a nephew and it was said David was going to change his will and insurance policies and divorce her. She collected a half million in insurance money. All in all, a pretty interesting case.

Almost as interesting as Will Thompson's son Chester's murdering a Seattle Judge and old Will defending Chester during his murder trial.

For those of you fortunate enough to have one or both of Bob's books, on page 11 in his ,In Africa, book, you will see him at full draw with his elephant bow. In Sagittarius, the same picture is on page 197. To me,these pictures have always been the perfect example of the Hill style longbow. They represent power,beauty and simplicity. The tiller looks perfect with the upper limb in right relationship to the lower. With the quiver of arrows on his back and no other gear hanging off him, I have always admired the simplicity and elegance the picture represents. I do understand that he had a professional hunter and trackers to assist him, so he had no need to carry a lot of extras. I'll bet he had a knife and matches in his pocket.

More please!

Howard and Bob.

Holy historical documents, Batman !!!

If you're diappointed after meeting your heros maybe you've fallin victim to your own delusions of grandeur (sp).

This background information confirms for many that opportunity, success, and accomplishment, does not neccesarily make one immune to emotional distress. RIP to a great archer. TLM

"The Death of his Father from cancer, the tragic murder of his brother, financial problems and his wife filing for divorce. We cannot judge a man, nor the demons that pursue his heart and soul. We are all just fragile people standing against the wind, trying not to fall, living day by day... Shoot Straight, rare breed"

I just wanted to post this again from rare breed. Very well written! I have a copy of Sagitarius and enjoyed reading it. One of the pioneers.

I appreciate you guys sharing your information and photos. I definitely learned a bit more from this discussion than I had on past discussions.

does anyone know his birthdate??

up

Regarding Mr. Swinehart: So many years have past, so many nights spent beneath the black veil of night in big, open country, yet I kept help but continue to be so saddened by this man's tragic passing. Life is a gift. Fragile as a flower, mysterious as a whisp of smoke. Peace to you, brave brother... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Well done, resurrecting this thread.

i remember reading about him shooting dimes out of the air.

out of the air

A wet morning

solid

and bold

and sly

>>--->

Sad thing is when I was a Jr. High and High School student in the late 50s to early 60s I lived about 20 miles from him but never could figure out how to meet him. Too far to ride a bike and when I could drive I was out chasing girls. Opportunity lost, living that close to a legend.

When you read Sagittarius you will be amazed at the dangerous things he did to take game. His Mountainlion and bear hunt are almost unbelievable.

Duh. Swinehart was only 14 years older than I so when I was 16 he would have been 30. He may not have been a legend yet come to think of it.

Robert Swineheart, born April 12th 1928. Passed on May 1st 1982.

TTT - Just read a copy of In Africa...WOW!

Bob and Hill

I have both books.. and both are worth reading.

Good find . Forgot about this one.

Thanks for the re-do.

An old timer brought his "In Africa" book to a 3-D event a few years ago and many of us spent more time viewing the book than shooting. No matter how hard we tried, book was just not for sale.

One of Bob's Elephant Head Broadheads, made by Joe Caldwell

And to think these Legends once walked among us. A special breed of men at a special time-- especially in archery. Not to be seen again, dear brothers. But, oh the tracks they left in our hearts... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Thanks for the great pictures.

I have all kinds of 50's and 60's archery magazine with many articles and photo's of Mr. Swinehart.

Box: I think that's on the grave in front of Mr. Swinehart's

Box, the obit says he died "around 54" and served in 50-53, part of that in Japan. He'd have been far too young for WWII.

Box, he evidently served in Japan during the Korean war. The newspaper might have reported Korean service if he served there.

Just two words: Simply magnificent...

with Pearson

An interesting news article upon his induction: http://articles.mcall.com/2000-02-13/sports/3294724_1_big-game-bow-archery-hall

Bob Swinehart Is 50th Inductee In Archery Hall Of Fame The Late Emmaus Hunter Was The First Archer To Take Africa's Big 5.

February 13, 2000|by TOM FEGELY, The Morning Call `I am convinced that Bob Swinehart is the best big game hunter I have had the pleasure of being with, on the trail and in the bush.` archery legend Howard Hill

The late Bob Swinehart was inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame (AHF) at ceremonies held during the Archery Manufacturers Organization Trade Show in Indianapolis Jan. 29. The posthumous induction of the Pottstown-born archer, who later made his home in Emmaus, brought back memories of the late 1960s when Swinehart, fresh from his conquest of Africa's `Big Five" with a longbow, hosted my seventh grade ecology classes in his home. I recall his pleasant demeanor and modest ways with the youngsters as he showed them the African wildlife dioramas, photographs and collectibles scattered about his Emmaus residence. Only when asked did he speak of his archery pursuits, drawing his bow and arrows from a closet to show the wide-eyed youngsters. Although Swinehart, president of an East Penn construction company, hunted deer and other North American game, his most astounding feat was taking a Cape buffalo, lion, rhinoceros, leopard and elephant, all with a traditional hunting gear. As the first man to take the Big Five with stickbow and arrow (the crude compound bow was still in its infancy at that time), Swinehart became the subject of numerous magazine articles and public appearances. He also appeared in Ripley's Believe it or Not. Swinehart's dream of hunting in Africa began in his childhood years and in 1971 became the theme of `Sagittarius," the Emmaus archer's 240-page, profusely-illustrated autobiography on bowhunting big game -- from Pennsylvania whitetails and Colorado cougars to African kudu and, of course, its dangerous game. Swinehart considered his meeting with legendary archer Howard Hill as `the turning point in my career,` according a story in the March 3, 1971 Morning Call. He brought Hill to the Emmaus Centennial Celebration in 1959, where he performed his bow-and-arrow precision in the high school football stadium, including hitting dimes tossed in the air. But Swinehart, too, was later to become a respected archer who could also hit coins and shoot the bow with his feet. Hill was among the first to recognize his talent. In the introduction to Sagittarius, Hill wrote: `He not only is an extremely good shot with the bow, but in addition has a great deal of patience, is a fine tracker and possesses great courage.` But Hill was critical, perhaps light-heartedly, of Swinehart's over-consumption of Coke and pretzels. He carted 100 pounds of Bachman pretzels on his first Africa expedition and was said to eat at least a pound of them a day. Swinehart's belated election into the archer's `hall` came 28 years after the first nominees -- Hill, Fred Bear and Ben Pearson -- were inducted. Other notables in the hall include Saxton Pope, Art Young, Earl Hoyt, Jr., Chuck Saunders, Jim Dougherty and Tom Jennings, among others. Rev. Stacey Groscup, who has made frequent appearances at sports and archery shows in the Lehigh Valley, was inducted prior to the official ceremonies making Swinehart the 50th member on the prestigious list.

Swinehart's daughter, Lisa Weida of Emmaus, accepted the award at the ceremonies attended by 1,300 guests and 19 Swinehart family members, including five of his six children. `I didn't even know about (the Hall of Fame ) until a few years ago,` said Weida. `After that, poeple kept telling me `Your dad should be in there." `I remember Daddy shooting in the backyard a lot, not because he had to practice but just because he so loved shooting the bow," Weida told induction attendees. `My father left us all with a love of wildlife, adventure and the outdoors." AHF President Dave Staples of Easton said Swinehart's induction `was long overdue.` `I remember best his ability to focus, his intensity and his sheer passion for archery," Staples recalls. One of his contributions lives on in Emmaus at the Unami Fish & Game Association where Swinehart designed the region's first field archery course in the early 1950s. He served as club president in 1954. The hillside range, although redesigned, continues to host 3-D target shoots by the Traditional Bowhunters of Unami. Coming full circle, it was Roy `Whitey` Lerch of Coopersburg, a longtime deputy wildlife conservation officer and a regular at the Unami longbow course, who nominated Swinehart for consideration for the AHF. Swinehart's life was filled with adventure and challenge but it was the taking of Africa's Big Five that earned him a niche in bowhunting history and legend. The quest took him on eight safaris, including travels in Kenya, Angola, South Africa and Mozambique. While holding a healthy respect for the Cape buffalo, he considered the elephant as being the most dangerous of his quarry because of its strength and speed.

`You can't consciously feel fear while hunting big game animals," Swinehart, at age 42, told a reporter in 1971 upon the publication of Sagittarius. `If you do, you will do the wrong thing and you'll be a dead man." Hill, who lived with the Swinehart family in Emmaus for a time, agreed. He said of Swinehart, following his taking of the five animals: `I was confident that he would accomplish the task, providing he did not get himself killed first. My only criticism of him was that he took too many risks. Somehow he survived Africa after a score of near burials."

Sneaking to within yards of leopards and lions, outracing buffalo before they cut him of from his vehicle and sending arrows sufficiently true to down a rhino and elephant all underscore the dangers inherent in Swinehart's quest, which he completed in 1966 in Angola. Although a mere 170 pounds and standing 5-feet, 10-inches, the Emmaus archer was capable of pulling 100 pounds on his 5-foot wood bow. His strength, said Hill, `was prodigious." `Sagittarius took archery out of the cornfield and made it global,` Staples said of Swinehart's influence. `Bob was at the front end of modern bowhunting which is bigger than ever today and we all continue to learn from him.` Swinehart died in Pottstown in May 1982 at age 54. The AHF is located in a modest setting in Angola, Ind. and will be the focus of a fund-raising and building program beginning this year, Staples said.

I have a few other photos tucked away that I don't believe appeared above.

And, of course, my all time favorite!

Bob was also the first Vice President of the Professional Bowhunters Society (PBS) from 1963-1964.

Bob was one of the founding fathers of the "Professional Bowhunters Society"

Bob

That is Sterling Harrell standing with Swinehart in the Texas photo.

Swineherd switched from right hand to left hand shooting because of target panic according to Glenn St. Charles.

Wow, I never knew that! Was that written somewhere you can point me? Awesome stuff. I am thirsty for anything more about this legend.

I also heard that he was working on a movie in Africa called "the Archer".... I would love to see some footage of him shooting.

Anyone have that picture of him with a T-shirt with Howard at a tent sharpening heads, kinda looking over seated Howard. Saw that one years ago and cannot locate it now.

However, in the account of him getting to know Howard Hill, who was his idol, he mentioned being distressed over the fact that Hill shot right handed and he shot left handed.

Page 121 - "Billets to Bow." - Glenn St. Charles.

Awesome, thanks!

Great thread. Thanks to all the posters. An amazing outdoorsman.

Deno

Ben Pearson Jr. told me that he accompanied his father to pick up Swinehart when he flew into Mexico[think it Mexico] to attend one of those hunts Ben Pearson put on. He brought a Sasha Siemel type spear and planned on using it, but he didn't get an opportunity.

I also read somewhere that Swineherd was planning to accompany Sasha Siemel to South American to hunt with the spear. I don't know the particulars why the hunt never came about...thinking maybe Sasha passed away before they could make the trip.

Sterling Harrell told me he and some others spent an evening in Swinehart's room at one of those hunts talking bowhunting. At the time I never thought about recording what Sterling said and cannot remember much of the conversation.

Swinehart's nickname was "Bobcat."

It still amazes me how many of the older bunch weren't physically big but handled heavy equipment with ease. I'm the same size as Swineherd, 5-10 and 170 or so and doing all I can to handle a 52# recurve these days.

I'd have to agree with those who said it earlier, he was the real deal.

I remember as a kid reading his account of taking the Big 5 in Outdoor Life magazine. Seems he took a bundle of longbows along. I couldn't then fathom the heavy draw weights he used. Still can't.

Would like to hear about some of those risks he took and "close calls!"

If you can track down Deano Farkas, he is a wealth of knowledge on Swinehart and other legends from that era.

Re-reading Sagittarius last night. Bob stated he was in his pre-teens when he found out at the movies that Howard Hill shot differently on the other side then he. He said he shot bows and played cards left handed but did everything else righty.

So he must have figured out he had target panic at a pretty early age.

It would make sense though why he never switched back to be more like his idol Howard.

His artwork version of the encounter with black bear!

Yikes!

Here's one

Good one Steve! Signal Corps.

always though more of Sweinheart than Howard Hill growing up- seemed more real to me

I shot a bow that Steve Turay made for another bowyer named the "Swinehart Special" Very well executed bow. smooth and no handshock. A real gem!

Hey Steve . You can see that glass going thru the handle riser on your pic . Swinehart special . Good one

That last pic..... His gear was delayed and he had to borrow a quiver from the natives and clothes from the white hunters. He does not look too happy about it but it all worked out for him...

I also finally looked up the reference from Glenn St. Charles in Billets to Bows. He was referencing Bob and Fred Bear as having cross eye dominance not TP. So if he did suffer from TP it must have been in his pre-teens when he started shooting left... I think the jury is still out on that one, but he was right handed in everything else.

I may have asked this I can't remember did he make his own bows or buy them?

It seemed when reading "Sagittarius" that he bought his bows from Hill which would make sense since they were close friends. I do remember a letter thanking someone for making bows for him.

I believe his leopard was shot with a Pearson recurve.

In his book he states that his bows cost between $75 -$120 each, which leads me to believe, along with the note to Ted Ekin above that he did purchase some bows.

The photos in Sagittarius of him at the tiller tree and a bow in a vise seem to indicate he may have made some also.

I have heard anecdotally that he did indeed build some of his own bows.

a Swineheart dinner there- Two 4

And do you know the name of the bowyer who made Bob a takedown longbow, the only takedown this particular bowyer ever made( because he really, really dislikes them)????? Even though it was left handed, I would give a kidney to own that particular longbow .... ;-)

?

Mr John Schulz

Oh so he did make Bob a bow. I always wondered.

I wonder what draw weight it was? For a gorilla hunt maybe?

What a TRUE and Archer!!!!Such a tragic shame that his end was the the way it was...For a man that lived like a giant......,

So, since I lived near DC I had a wild hair to go down to the Smithsonian and see Bob's Angola Rhino in person. Take a few color photographs maybe for an article sometime. Well, it turns out that the Rhino was moved to some museum support center warehouse in 1986.

I inquired about arranging to go see it and they told me it was not on display and would take arrangement of a forklift driver and another staff member dedicated for a day. I was told without sufficient justification I would be denied.

Makes me wish it was even in the hands of Bass Pro instead of in some dusty warehouse corner where it never sees the light of day.

Sad

Greg, a 'sad ending'? to a great and rare trophy. Yes, Bass Pro for all to see would be a much better fate. Thanks for sharing. Shick

Doubt it was a political correctness issue. The Smith has control of many times more items than it has space to display, so things compete for face time on the basis of importance to history, current events, rarity and other issues.

I'm sure they are big on political correctness and "scientific theory correctness" but doubt that was the main issue here.

Jim

IN the elephant photo note that all 3 arrows are in the same area. Once hit animals run, so how did that happen. Was it shot in the knee with a rifle as rumored?

Negative, Deer will run...large African dangerous game may charge! That elephant charged Bob and he was able to sidestep it and get more arrows into it as evidenced by the angles and the photos support and accounts in Sagittarius and IN Africa. (benefits of the Hill style and a big set of balls!) This was his Mozambique kill that notched that animal in the big five.

He would later kill a larger one in Angola with one arrow to prove that only one arrow could kill the elephant. That one did not charge and ran the other direction once he ran from cover to shoot at it from the distance od 22 yards! 12 foot tall 7 ton animal!

He was very concerned with an ethical kill and proving the effectiveness of the bow. His first rhino had to be put down with a rifle when it charged and it was a severe blow to his dream.

The rifle to the knee rumor was with Howard and likely if it did happen was to get that one of his several elephants on film for a movie.

Rumors that question a man's integrity should not be started without some facts in hand to back them. I have never heard anyone question the circumstances of Bob's elephant kill.

I had heard it somewhere and was just wondering if anyone knew what the story was. His book looks to be an interesting read of his accomplishments.

Happy Birthday Bob!

Great thread!!

Deno

.

Shame the photos all went bye bye.... this one deserves to be back up top.

growing up I thought s much and maybe more of Sweinhart,than I did of Hill thought the real deal with no flash or dash

......

Bob's Rhino is in a warehouse? That is just wrong, man I wish I hit the lottery, I know what I would do. I would build the offical Archery Hall of Fame building, and get it and plenty more and have it on display. Wonder, if Bass Pro would be interested in it, with a joint effort of fundraising by tradional archers, to buy and display it.

Steve Turay and I were planning on visiting the Smithsonian storage facility to see and photograph Bob's Rhino mount. Steve was helping me with some research for an article I wanted to write on Bob.

Unfortunately the Rhino is no longer on public display. I contacted the head curator and he told me that because of security concerns and a rash of Rhino horn thefts from museums around the world, they crated up the rhino in ethafoam and have it stored on a top rack of a very tall shelf in the warehouse. It would take himself, a forklift driver, a forklift, and the restoration expert to bring it down and un-crate just the head. I would need proper research justification. I figured all was lost until I spoke more at length with the head curator. He was a avid bowhunter (compound), but he thought it would be great to do it. He said yes, and we concocted a plan for me to write the justification. I stated I wanted to examine the mount for evidence of the arrow in the leg, measure the horn, blah blah. I have a masters degree in Biology so I was able to write a semi-legit scientific justification. The curator wanted me to publish the article and he would link the story with the mount in the Smithsonian records system. How cool!

Several months later I was contacted again, and told that because of reduced budgetary constraints my request was denied by higher up management.

I think it is a shame that this piece of bow hunting history is not on display somewhere.... even Bass Pro would be better than crated up and locked away.

Here is a photo of the mount from several years back Steve was able to send me of someone else who visited the rhino before it was locked away:

What a great story! Only because I personally took the photo of Bob's rhino on location a number of years ago, and my hand writing under the picture, I'd love to know how it ended up here, and very appreciative that it is for that matter. In my files is the whole story about the days and times when first I saw the rhino, complete with all the photos of it when it was taken by Bob right up until it was being mounted by Clearfield Taxidermy in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately it did not pass the muster of the magazine editor it was sent to and thus never published. Rest assured, there were no bullet holes of any kind in the hide. As an eye witness to the integrity of our National Museum, nothing is ever just locked away. When Bob gifted the rhino to the museum, it was always stored in pristine condition and to this very day is kept in an extreme climate controlled and dust free facility. I'd be curious to know who the curator was that wanted an article about the rhino to be placed in Smithsonian archives. On the other hand, there are many fiberglass reproductions (as in huge bill fish taken by deep seas anglers) through out the country of the Bob Swinehart rhino mount currently on display. The important thing is that Bob is never forgotten and that he is always remembered and respected for that which we owe our legacy and heritage to.

Incredible archer hunter - love his book and pictures -

Once... Gods walked among us... Bob Swinehart was, and shall always be, a Legend!!

Here is a military photo of Bob Swinehart. Of interest, the Sept/Oct 2021 issue of "Popular Mechanics" magazine has a human- interest article written by the guy who bought Swinehart's house after his death. The author discovered all sorts of strange custom features in the home, including hidden rooms, secret crawl spaces, a neighborhood rooftop periscope, etc. The guy had done quite a bit of research on Bob and his home. I'll leave it up to the reader to determine why. About 20 years ago, I met a guy in Africa who said his best friend was an orthopedic surgeon from Texas who was married to Swinehart's widow or ex-wife. He told me she has a storage unit choked full of cases of brand new copies of Sagittarius. He told me he had been there. She opened a case and gave him one.

The Wally Taber films are housed at Texas A&M, but they do not have the staff or funds to go through all the film and catalog it. I asked a few times if the curator would try to find some of the films from Bob's hunts if they were notated by Date or subject matter, but they came back after several months and said they could not locate anything specific. I bet if someone lived close by and could volunteer some time one might find some footage.

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