Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-10-29
WILD BILL; OR, THE MIsslssIrPl oRsoS'

I.lO
people every way disposed to note all the pecu-
liarties ola mind permitted almost TO reach ma
turity before it had received the impress OF SIN
ole effort at training it. This training was then
Undertaken by instructors excited by an enthu-
siasm of curiosity to trace the nrst manllesta-
t;ons ofhis mind under its new series ofimpuses.
Ofcourse we have, in his case, most impressive
chapters upon the influence of the magnificent
green earth, the sun and moon in
the blue heavens, and the grandeur OF the starry
hosts when first shown to him. We have no
vel and most striking history Of mind under the
first impressions ofeXternal nature, and the hrSt
lights of instruction.
The annexed brief and unpretending nara
tive lays no claim to virtue OF this sort Wlld
Bill. it is true, was thrown among people hui
name and civilized; but they were pressed by
numberless and imperious necessities incident
to a new settlement in the wilderness. Their con-
dition was too full oflabor and danger, to admit
of the exercise Of curiosity. Thus they were
less disposed to mark the first movement OF MS
mind after he had been caught, and the process
ofthe training of society was commenced upon
him. In forest full ofIndians and wild animals,
Wild Bill was an object OF very little higher nte
rest than tanned bear or panther. Ofcourse no
documents remain to show how he was impressed
bv the new views which society presented to his
mind. have been unable to ascertain whether
anv efforts were made to place him at school, or
under the influence Of any other instruction or
tanning than that of the new circumstances in
which he was placed.
Although his story may not claim parallel IN
terest with the eloquent history of mind in the
case of Caspar Hauser, it may, nevertheless,
fearlessy present one claim to attraction: II Is
literally matter of fact without the slightest adj
mixture of coloring of any sort-and within
the knowledge Of citizens of the highest stand
ing in Mississippi and Louisiana. Judge but
Ter, of the latter State, is capable OF furnishing
many more details than have been enabled TO
obtain Although have heard the oral state
ments of many persons who have seen the SUD-
ect of the narrative, am indebted mainly for
the facts it contains-with which the statements
refere ed to uniformly agree-to one OF the hrst
planters in the parish of Rapdes, in louisiana
He became temporary resident al w oodVllle,
considerable village in the interior of Mlssls-
sippi, in 1911. Here he first saw the boy called
Wild Bill who then resided with Mr.. BenJa'
min Rollins. He had at that time made so
much progress in learning to converse, that he
was quite Ineligible. It's believed that he mad
then been taken about eighteen months or two
years.
He was secured in the Mississippi swamp not
far from the present site OF PinckneyVllle. Inc
circumstances that led to his being taken, were
these:-Some settlers, who had recently settled
swamps the prints of the naked foot of boy.
This led them to closer observation which soon
discovered to them naked boy, walking with
the gait and in the manner OF hunting amman,
GU the shore of one of the lakes that abound In
that region His object was to eaten frogs, a
species of hunting at which he seemed very eX-
pert When he had caught them, he devoured
them raw The discoverer attempted to APP
proach him: but so soon as the wild lad saw
him. he fled, with the usual terror OF an untam-
ed creature at the sight of man, towards a
lake, into which he ged-diving and swim
ing with the case Of DIN amphibious animal.
These occurrences naturally excited much
interest among the settlers; and they collected
in BODY to make an united effort to take him.
After hunting for him for some time, they at
length discovered him under perslmon tree,
eating the fruit As soon as he observed his
pursuers, he fled as before, doubling the bush
like fox, and making again for the water
Excusing themselves by the motive, the hunters
adopted their usual expedient for catching AMI
mails, they put their dogs on the trail OF the
strange game They soon tired him down, ana
brought him to bay. Though no metaphys-
clans to form mental tbeorems, out OF the case
of their new conquest, they discovered that the
two-legged, unfeathered creature, had the natu'
raj animal instinct of fght-for he made battle
upon dogs and men with the full amount OF cour-
age and ferocity that might be expected to re-
suit from his age and physical strength.
But although he fought like any other animal,
he was compelled to yield to numbers, and was
fairly caught and bound. He was then, it is sup
posed, not far from nine years old-naked, and
perfectly speeches.. His form was slender, but
well proportioncd, and capable Of extreme agi-
lily. His eyes were brilliant; his hair sandy, and
his complexion ford; a circumstance which
may be accounted for from his having lived al
most entirely in the deep shades of the forest.
Woodville was the nearest considerable settle
ment, and thither he was carried, for the expe-
riment of domestication.
Eighteen months or three years after his cap
ture-the period, as have said, when my in
formant first saw him-he had still look per-
fectly indicative Of his name. He was yet witd,
although he could now make himself under
stood. It was more difficult TO overcome his ap
petite for raw flesh, than to learn him to speak.
The love Of the excitement of alcohol seems
to be another common appetite of the man of
nature, for he soon manifested an unconqera-
BILE longing for spirits in any form.-especially
when rendered very sweet,-upon which he be-
came intoxicated whenever he had an opportu-
nifty Whether he discovered the usual deve
opement of the other animal propensities, my
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