Summary
On November 14, 1966, Merle “Newell” Partridge reported a disturbing incident at his rural home near Salem, West Virginia. While watching television, the screen allegedly developed an unusual herringbone pattern accompanied by a rising electronic whine. Outside, his dog became highly agitated, and Partridge then noticed bright red reflective lights near his hay barn. The event occurred one day before the famous Point Pleasant Mothman encounter and was later incorporated into the wider Mothman legend.
Additional Notes
Partridge said the incident began at about 10:30 p.m. while he was watching television at his rural home near Salem. The picture suddenly failed and was replaced by an unusual herringbone pattern, while the set emitted a high-pitched sound that he compared to a generator winding up. At roughly the same time, his dog became highly agitated outside, prompting Partridge to investigate. Looking toward the area near his hay barn, he reported seeing bright red reflective lights in the darkness. Later accounts often describe these as “eyes,” although Partridge’s own description appears to have been less specific. The incident occurred only one day before the famous November 15, 1966 Mothman encounter near Point Pleasant. Because of the timing, the red-light motif and the unusual electrical disturbance, the Salem episode was later incorporated into the wider Mothman legend. Unlike the Point Pleasant witnesses, Partridge did not clearly report seeing a full winged humanoid figure. The case is therefore best treated as a related but more ambiguous episode within the broader 1966–1967 Mothman sighting wave.
The Location Today
Salem remains a lived-in community associated with a reported Mothman encounter. No confirmed preserved encounter site or formal visitor attraction is established for this particular report.
- Environment
- Village / Rural Area
- Time of Day
- Night, Approx. Time: 10:30 PM
- Evidence Level
- Witness Report
- Visiting the Location
- Unknown
- Ownership of the Location
- Unknown