File:Wild Man (of the Woods, Kentucky, Louisville) - 1878-10-26 - St. Tammany Farmer (Covington, LA), p. 3.jpg

Summary

St. Tammany farmer. (Covington, La.), 26 Oct. 1878. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82015387/1878-10-26/ed-1/seq-3/>

Text

Wild Man of the Woods. A FEARFUL PRODIGY CAPTURED IN THE WILDS OF TENNESSEE AND BROUGHT TO LOUISVILLE FOR EXHIBI- TION — HIS BODY COV- ERED WITH FISH SCALES.

[Louisville Courier-Journal, October 24.]

The wild man brought to the city yesterday by Dr. O. G. Broyler, of Sparta, Tenn., is truly a mysterious and wonderful creature. He will be exhibited throughout the country by Manager Whallen, of the Metropol- itan, who is a third-owner of this remarkable being, who promises to successfully baffle all scientists who desire to give a satisfactory explana- ton of his unnatural appearance. Before entering into the details of his capture, which form quite a thrilling and interesting episode, a description of the curiosity, which promises to excite more attention than Barnum's "What Is It?" will be given. At a distance the general outline of his figure would indicate that he is only an ordinary man. Close inspection shows that his whole body is covered with a layer of scales, which drop off at regular periods in the spring and fall, like the skin of a rattlesnake. He has a heavy growth of hair on his head, and a dark, reddish beard about six inches long. His eyes I present a frightful appearance, being at least twice the size of the average sized eye. Some of his toes are formed together, which give his feet a strange appearance, and his height, when standing perfectly erect, is about six feet five inches. A ner- vous twitching of his muscles shows a desire to escape, and he is con- stantly looking in the direction of the door through he entered. His entire body must be wet at intervals, and should this be neglected he be- gins to manifest great uneasiness, his flesh becomes feverish, and his sufferings cannot be alleviated until the water is applied. At times he is dangerous, and yesterday morn- ing, when Mr. Wallen attempted to place him in a wagon, in which he intended to bring him to the theatre, it occupied some time. The strange creature acted in the most myste- rious manner, refusing obstinately for some time to get into the wagon. He has quite a sharp appetite, hav- ing eaten a meal yesterday morning and would have fully satisfied at least four men. With the exception of fish, his meals are all prepared, in the ordinary way, but the fish is eaten entirely raw. Dr. Broyler says that when alone he will some- times mutter an unintelligible jargon, which it would be impossible for any one to understand, but that, in the presence of visitors, he re- mains perfectly silent. Yesterday afternoon, from one to four, a pri- vate exhibition was given, and a number of physicians were present, among them Drs. Brady and Cary Blackburn, who said that he was a great curiosity. Dr. Blackburn said that his scaly condition could not be attributed to any skin disease, but undoubtedly he was born in that condition. He will be on exhibition in the private rooms of the Metrop- olitan Theatre this afternoon and to-morrow between the hours of one and four o'clock. Only physi- cians and those specially invited will be allowed admission. His ex- act age is not known, but for the past eighteen years he has been run- ning wild in the Cumberland moun- tains in Tennessee, near the Caney Fork and Big Bone Creek. He has been the constant terror of the com- munity, although he was never known to attack any one until the day of his capture. Dr. G. G. Broyler, of Sparta, Tenn., says that since the surrender of the Confede- rate army it has been his intention to capture this creature and exhibit him throughout the country. The doctor says the parents of the wild man are respectable citizens of North Carolina, named Creslin. That their son is unquestionably a mysterious freak of nature they did not deny, but they could not account for his scaly skin. At the tender age of five years, having always beep pos- sessed with a roving disposition, he left his home and plunged immedi- ately into the mountainous regions of Tennessee. Here he lived as best he could, subsisting on the products of the country, such as roots and herbs and small animals that he could capture. When in the water he was in his element. He would dive down into the dept of the in- land lakes, remaining under water for a considerable length of time, and finally emerge with both hands tilled with small fish, which he would devour at once in the raw state. Dr. Broyler says that until about eigh- teen months ago he had not at- tempted the capture, although he had been watching the creature's actions for the past twelve years. 'About the 15th of September' he started into the mountains fully de- termined to succeed in the capture.

The "Wild Man of the Woods," as he was termed by the people of the vicinity, was unusually fleet of foot and possessed of a great deal of agility, bounding over the moun- tainous ravines in the most fearless manner. During the chase they kept the wild man constantly in, sight, and their plan was to tire him out, in which they finally suc- ceeded. He was pursued through the wild mountainous country, over lakes and precipices, until his pur- suers almost despaired of success. Stratagem was finally resorted to. The lariat was thrown at him with- out success, and then a kind of net- trap was formed, into which he was decoyed and captured. He ran fear- lessly into the net, and became en- tangled in the meshes. Captured, but not conquered, a struggle en- sued, in which Dr. Broyler was se- riously wounded. The wild man fought with his hands after the fash- ion of a bear, and bruised and scratched the doctor in a frightful manner. At last they quieted their unwilling victim and brought him to Sparta. The doctor immediately telegraphed to Mr. Whallen, who purchased a third interest in the wonder and had him brought to Louisville yesterday morning. The presence of this wild man in Louis- ville has excited considerable atten- tion among the doctors, and also a large crowd of curious persons, who are anxious to see the wonderful creature. There will be only one exhibition in this city, which takes place at the Metropolitan Theatre Saturday evening.

Licensing

This file has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright.