File:Wild Man (of the Woods, Minnesota, Saint Anthony Falls) - 1840-02-15 - Salt River Journal (Bowling Green, MO), p. 2.jpg

Summary

Context

This is a reprint of an article from the Boston Daily Times, originally published 1 April 1839.

Text

From the Boston Times. Wild Man of the Woods.

Robert Lincoln Esq., agent of the New York Lumber Company, has just returned from St. Peter's river, near the head of Steamboat navigation, on the Upper Missis- sippi, bringing with him a living wild Man of the Woods, with two small cubs, supposed to be three months old.

Mr. Lincoln went out to the North West as agent of the New York Lumber Company in July last, with a view to establish mills on the pine lands near the Falls of St. An- thony; & he has given us a detail of theope- rations of the company, and the circumstan- ces which led to the capture of the extraor- dinary creature mentioned above.

The company set out on their expedition in July last. The workmen and laborers with the principal of the machinery went by the way of New Orleans, and at that city they chartered a steamboat and pro- ceeded up the Mississippi. The whole bu- siness was under the direction of Mr. Lin- coln. They had on board all the necessary tools and saws, together with the apparatus for a gristmill horses, cows, a good stock of of provisions, arms, ammunition, &c. &c.— These passed directly up the river, & reach- ed St. Peters in safety.

During the winter, Mr. Lincoln, and several of his workmen made frequent ex- cursions, in pursuit of game, which was very abundant, and their camp one continued scene of festivity. The Indians brought in large quantities of furs, which Mr. Lincoln purchased for a mere trifle, and lined his cab- in throughout, which rendered his rude hut very warm and comfortable.

About the fourth of January two or three of the carpenters who had been out in pursuit of a gang of wolves, that had proved very troublesome, came into the camp and repor- ted that they had seen a huge monster in the forest, on a branch of the Mississippi, having the form of a man but much taller and stouter, covered with long hair and of a frightful aspect. They stated that when seen he was on a log, looking directly at them, and the moment they raised their muskets, he darted into the thicket and dis- appeared. They saw him again in about half an hour, apparently watching them, and then they turned towards him he again dis- appeared. Mr. Lincoln was at first dispos- ed to think lightly of the matter, believing that the men might be mistaken about the size and height of the object, or supposing it might have been a trick of the Indians to frighten them. He was informed however by some of the natives that such beings had often been seen on the St. Peters, and near the falls on the Mississippi; and they propos- ed to guide a party of workmen to a bluff where it was thought they might be found.— | The men were already for the adventure, & arming themselves with rifles & hunting knives they started in pursuit under the direction of Mr. Lincoln and the Indian guides. On the way they were joined by several of the natives, and the whole party numbered twen- ty three.

They arrived at the bluff in the afternoon, on the 21st day of January, and encamped in a cave or grotto at the foot of the hill.— Early next morning, two of the Indians who were sent out to reconnoitre, in about an hour returned, and said that they had seen the Wild Man on the other side of the hill. The whole party immediately prepar- ed for the pursuit. Mr. Lincoln gave posit- ive orders to the men not to fire on him un- less it should be necessary in self defence as he wished to take him alive. The Indi- ans stated that although a powerful creature, he was believed to be perfectly harmless as he always fled at the approach of man.— While Mr. Lincoln was giving his men their instructions the Wild Man appeared in sight. He ordered them to remain pe- fectly quiet, and taking out his pocket glass surveyed him minutely. He appeared to be eight or nine feet high, very athletic and more like a beast standing erect than a man. The Indians had provided themselves with ropes prepared to catch wild horses, with | which they hoped to ensnare and bind the creature, without maiming him.

The instant the company moved toward him, he sprang forward with a horrid and frightful yell which made the forest ring.— The Indians followed close upon him, and Lincoln and his men brought up the rear. The pursuit was continued nearly an hour, now gaining upon the object of their chase, and now loosing sight of him. He finally darted into a thicket, and they were unable to find him.

They then began to retrace their steps towards the place of encampment, and when within about a mile of the cavern the Wild Man crossed their path within twenty rods. They immediately gave chase again and ac- cidently drove the creature from the forest to an open prairie. At length he suddenly stopped and turned upon his pursuers. Mr. Lincoln was then in the advance. Fearing that he might attack them or return a the woods and escape, he fired up- on him and fledged a charge of buck shot in the calf of his leg. He fell immediately, and the Indians sprang forward and threw their ropes over his head, arms and legs, and with much effort succeeded in binding him fast. He struggled however most desperate- ly gnashed his teeth and howled in a fright- ful manner, They then formed a sort of lit- ter of branches and limbs of trees and plac- ing him on it they carried him to the en- campment. A watch was then placed over him and every effort made that could be de- vised to keep him quiet but he continued to howl piteously all night. Towards morn- ing two small cubs about three feet high and very similar to the larger monster came into the camp, & were taken without resistance.

As soon as the monster saw them he be- came furious — gnashing his teeth and howl- ed, and thrashed about until he burst his cord and come very near effecting his escape. But he was bound anew and after that was kept more carefully watched and guarded. Next day he was placed on his litter and carried down to the mills on the St. Peters.

For two or three days Mr. Lincoln says he refused to eat or drink, or take any kind of food, but continued to howl at intervals an hour at a time; at length however he be- gan to eat but from that time his howl ceased and he remained sullen and stupid ever since. The cubs took food very rapidly, and became quiet and playful.

Mr. Lincoln is a native of Boston and some of the workmen engaged in his mills are from this city. He arrived here on Sun- day afternoon in the Brig St. Charles, Ste- wart, master from New Orleans; with the Wild Man and two cubs, and they were all removed from the vessel that evening. By an invitation of Lincoln, who is an old ac- quaintance, we went down to his rooms to examine this monster. He is a horrid looking creature, and reminds us very strong- ly of the fabled satyrs as we have pictured them to our own mind. He is about eight feet three inches high when standing erect, & his frame is of a giant proportion in every part. His legs are not straight but like those of any other four footed animal and his whole body is covered with a hide very much like that of the cow.

His arms are very large and long and ill proportioned. It does not appear from his manner that he ever walked on all-fours.— The fingers and toes are mere branches arm- ed with stout claws. His head is covered with thick coarse black fur, like the main of a horse. The appearance of his counte- nance, if such it may be called, is very dis- gusting — nay, almost horrible. It is cov- ered with a thinner and lighter coat than the rest of the body — there is no appearance of eye-brows or nose, the mouth is very large, wide, & similar to that of the baboon. His eves are quite dull and heavy and there is no indication of cunning or activity about them. Mr. Lincoln says he is beyond doubt carnivorous, as he universally rejects bread and vegetables and eats flesh with great a- vidity. He think he is of the ourang ou- tang species; but from what we have seen, we are inclined to consider him a wild animal somewhat resembling a man. He is, to say the least one of the most extraordinary crea- tures ever brought before the public from any part of the earth, or water under the earth, and we believe will prove a difficult puzzle to the scientific. He lies down like a brute and does not appear to possess more instinct than common domestic animals. He is now quite tame and quiet, and is confined with a stout chain attached to his legs.

It is Mr Lincoln's intention to submit these animals to the inspection of the scien- tific for a few days in order to ascertain what they are; and after that to dispose of them to some person for exhibition. Mr. Lincoln himself, will return to the St. Peters in the course of three weeks.

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