The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-12-05
WONDERFUL ffExomENoN---wooL HORSE
SURPASSED,


Tho steamer Flying Cloud, Capt. r. PHIL
ipps, which arrived at our port dov or two
since fir m New Orleans, landed in our city u
party of Mexicans who had in their charge one
of the most wonderful specimens of nature that
we have over heard Of or 'read by talc or
history" II was nothing else than woman
twcnty-four years Of age, tho upper half of
whose body resembles that of bear. She
had human hands and feet, but her arms
breast, neck, back, faco and head were covered
with thick shaggy hair, the eyebrows hanging
over tho eyes SO that they were almost con-
cealed. Her nose and mouth, protruding be-
yond the other features, gave her some of the
appearance of a monkey or ourang outang.-
She spoke Spanish quite iluently, and was not
without many evidences of the common intcli-
gcnce of man. An exhibition of her was made
on the passage up in the ladies' cabin; other
wise she was kept exceedingly close from the
curious eyes of the passengers and crew OF the
boat. Arriving in our city. she and those with
her took passage Immediately OH ono of the
Illinois river boats for Lasslle, from whence
she goes directly TO New York, and then sails
for Europe, whore she will be exhibited to the
public.
From the officers of the Flying Cloud, who
conversed great Zeal with the Spanish inter
prefer of :bc party, on the passage up, we learn
the following particulars. relating to her par
| enta GO and how she was discovered TO the Mex
| leans.
About thirty years ago, in the province of
Durango, Mexico. party of three women, be-
longing to one of the small towns, lying at the
base of the Durango mountains, were rambling
one day along the sides of deep ravine in the
| neighborhood OF the town when they were at
tackled by huge bear. Two of the terrified
females escaped from the monster, leaving the
al. Al Il al.
furious beast. When they reached the village
the alarm was givon and the inhabitants turn
ed out in largo numbers. to pursue the bear
and Kill him, and, if possible, recover the
cover the remains Of their unfortunate sister.
| The ravine was thoroughly secured, and the
| mountains for miles around serched with great
| care but no traces of the lost could bo found.
The villagers returned to their homes to con-
dole with tho family Of the missing woman,
and to wonder and talk. as they sat at their
door sides and drank their favoritc pnite. about
tho terrible ravages of the monster Brun.
Time passed on. and as days and months
were added to he history of the Mexican vii
lage the terrible incident faded from the mem
ories of the Inhabitants, and the lost woman
was only remembered by her own family.
About six years had flown, when one day a
party of huntsmcn from the town, in passing
up the sides of the mountain several miles dis
| tlnt from Tho ravinc in which the womsn was
| seized by tho benr. came upon the mouth of a
large cavo, into which--frariug to explore it
one of them fired his musketoon. The report
of the gun was instantly answered by low
| moan appearing To come from tho innermost
parts OF the cave. Ii was repeated several
| times. and at length several of tho huntsmen.
imagining sia, tho sounds wero those of the
humon voice, grew emboldened and began ex
ploratons. Arriving at tho farlhercst eytromi-
iy of the den, they camc to littlo recess piled
| around with the bones of various animals, and
in which they discovered the liring form Of a
icOmda.
She was so reduced in flesh, so altered, and
had so much tho appearance of wild animal,
that tho daring hunters trembled TO approach
her. Finally she spoke 10 them, and by mix
ture of signs and words begged them to leave
the cave instantly for the bear that Inhabited
the den with her was most powerful and fero-
cirus, and would return in very short time.
The hunters astonished almost beyond their
wits at the spectacle of human being in such
a situation, and recognizing in her the woman
that years before had been seized near the viii
lage, and as they SUI posed, devourcd, delayed
| their departure, and endeavored by every kind
of entreaty and persuasion, to induce her TO
leave the cave and return to her old home and
family.
FINELY tho party agreed to leave her for the
night in the cave, and in the morning to re-
turn with a strong force to kill the monster
animal and retake the woman.
After they had got some distance from the
don, they came suddenly upon the bear. who
was on bis way to his retreat. Aterrbe fight
ensued. In his paws the animal held what
seemed to be female cub, but IL bore such
resemblance to young babe that the hun crs,
for fear ofinjurng it, did not use their guns,
but continued tho conflict with their spears
and lances alone.
Eventually, victory crowned the efforts of
the party, and the cub was taken from The arms
Of its father the bear, The huntsmen then
Immediately returned to tho cave, and deliver
ing the cub or child to its mother, and. telling
her that Bruin was slain, persuaded her to
leave her mountain home and return once
moro to her family and friends.
This cub or child was considered great
curiosity by the villagers, and as it grew up,
began to develop the ordinary faculties of mind
| retaining only the hair and animal face of its
wild progenitor.
1t has now reached the age of twenty four
years, and under the management Of several
wealthy Mexican gentlemen, is proceeding to
Europe for exhibition, and s the same which
came up to our city on tho Flying Cloud and
passed on for New York. The mother of this
wonderful specimen still remains in the prov
ince of Durango, in the northern part of Mcx-
| ico
This narrative, impaired to the officers OF
the Flying Cloud by the Spanish interpreter, is
most remarkable. 1t sounds much like fable,
and rivals in wonderful romance even the re-
nowned story Of "Beauty and the Beast"
We have no opinion to pass upon the proba-
blities or truth of the story as delivered by
the interpreter: but yet, such phenomenon
as woman, half bear and half human, actual
ly passed through our city on its way north
| ward.
We rcmark. in conclusion, that this story of
the Mexican villagers tallics we'll with the ex-
traordinary account published in the Epeniag
.Necs of a certain race of men lately found,
,oho haze tails Tho subject Of our Mexican
story bears, also a striking similarity 10 Bar
NUNS great wonder-he ,Oooliy horse.
Co Miss Emily Maddern. tho little drum
NOR and musician, about eight years of age,
has boon elected an honorary member oe the
T,oIod, T.;nbf Guards Rafbor EnLf ro,D-