, 1840-02-15
From the Boston Times.
Wild Man of the Woods.

ItOH1 Oh letet S liver, near Inc heau OF
Steamboat navigation, on the Upper Missis,
sippi, bringing with him a living wild Man OF
the Woods, with two small cubs, supposed 10
be three months old. ,
Mr.. Lincoln went out to tie North West
as agent ofthe New York Lumber Company
in July lat, with q view to establish mills
on the pine lands near the Fall. of St. An
ihony; & hc has given us a detail Of theope-
rutions of the company, and the circumstan-
ces which led to the capture of the extraor-
binary 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-
ceedsd up the Mississippi. The whole bu-
siness was under tie direction Of Mr.. Lin.
coin. They had on board all the necessary
for a gris;mill horses, cows, a good stock Of
Of provisions, arrNs, Ammunition, &c. &C.
These passed directly up the river, & reach
Cd St. Peters in safety.
During the winter, Mr.. Lincoln, and
several OF his uorkmcn made frequent ex-
cu,sions, in pursuit Of game, whichiwas 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 triie, and lined his cab
10 throughout, which rendered his rude hut
very warm and comfortable.
About the fourth Of Janu.ry.two Or three &C
the carpenters who had been out in pursuit
OF gang Of wolves, that had proved very
troublesome, came into the camp and repor-
ted that they had seen a huge monster in
tho forest, on a branch of the Mississippi.
having the form of a man but much taller
and ~stouter, covered with loag hair and Of
q frightiuI aspect. They stated that when
seen he was on a log, looking directly a,
them, and the moment they raised their
muskets, he darted into the tliicket and dis.
APPEARED. They saw him again in about
haiesn hour, apparently watching them. and
when they turned towards him he again dis
appeared. Mr.. Lincoln was at first disp)s
ed 10 think lightly of the matter, believing
that the men might be mistaken about the
size and height of the object. or supppsing 4;
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 10 a bluff
where it was thought they might be found
The men were already for the adventure. &
arnning 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 wEoIe party numbered twen-
ty three.
They arrived at the bluff in the afternoon,
on the 2lst day Of January, and encamped
n 4 cave or grotto at the foot of the hill
Early next morning, two Of the Indians
who were sent out TO reconnoitrc, in abou,
an hour returned, and said that thew 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-
i've orders to the men not to fire on him IN
less it should be necessary in self defence
a. 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 MI. Lincoln WIS giving his men
their iastructionsthe Wild Man appeared in i
sight. He ordered them to remain per-
fec,ly quiet, and taking out his pocket glass
surveyed him infinitely. He appeared to be
eight or nine feet high, very athletic and
moro like a beast standing erect than a man.
Tho Indian, had provided themselves with
ropes prepared to catch wild horses, with
which they hoped to ensnare and bind the
creature, without manning him.
Tho instant the company moved towards
him. he sprang forward with horrid and
frightfnl yell which made the forest ring
The Indians followed close upon him. and
EtncoIon and his men brought up the rear.
The pursuit was continued nearly an hour.
now gaining upon the object of their chase,
and now loosins sight Of him. He finally
darted in!e a tkioket, and they were unable
to find him.
They then began TO retrace their steps
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-
drove the creature from the fores:
10 an open prairie. At length he suddenly
stopped and turned upon his pursuers. Mr..
was then in the advance. Fearing