The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-07-16
A WILD MAN.

The latest account of ''a wild man.
comes from Mississippi 1t seems that
what is described as a ''slrange-visaged
creature, similar to the one seen near
Vlcksburg last fall,' has made lis appear
ance near Meadville, Franklin county.
We give the following, with few altera-
tlons, from Ficksburg paper of a recent
date:
Some time in September, as a party of
huntsmen were driving in the swamps a
lew miles from the river, trail was taken
mp by the hounds, and followed I'D at a
brisk pace, leaving the party far behind.
In following they discovered the track of
the game in miry places, which appeared
similar to the track of human foot, and
they observed also that the toes of one
foot turned backward. On coming Up
with the dogs who were now baying, they
beheld irightful looking creature, of
about the average height Of man, but Of
Tar greater muscular development, stand
ing menaclngly in front Of the dogs 1t
had long hair flowing from It's head.
reaching to it knees its entire BODY, also.
seemed TO be covered with hair Of two
inches in length, which was of a dark
brown color From its upper jaw pro-
Jec'ei two very large tusks, several inches
long. It's head and face, IS well as could
be determined from the distance Of the OBJ
servers, bore striking resemblance to
that OF the negro, except that the chin and
checks were covered with long hair. On
the near approach of the hunters it fed
with great rapidity towards the Mississip-
pl river, and WAS not overtaken again un-
I'll within a few yards Of the bank. When
the party came up with the dogs the sec
ond time the monster was standing erect
before them, none of them having vet
dared to clinch with it. But when the
dogs were urged by their masters they
endeavored to seize It, when It reached
forward and grabbed one of them, and
taking 1t in lis hands, pressed it against
It's tusks, pierced 1t through and killed it
instantly. The hunters fired several shots
at the creature, which caused it to leap
into the water. 1t remained under water
several minutes, and then rose almost its
entire length above the surface, uttering
shrieks which almost potrified the pursuers
with terror. No similar sound had ever
come 10 the ears of these men, who were
| all familiar with the howl of the wolf, the
whine Of the panther and the hoarse bel
lowing of the alligator. After sinking
and rising several times, it swan to the
, Louisiana shore and disappeared. This
report of the huntsmen created quite stir
and considerable speculation among the
orists, and much greater amount of fear
among the community, who looked at
the thing IN a practical point of view.
But, however, as time rolled away, and
no new discoveries were made concerning
the monstrosity, the excitement died away,
and the strange Individual had almost
ceased 10 be thought of long before its
second appearance. MeadviIle. where i.
last appeared, is about forty miles east of
the Mississippi river, and, I suppose, near
one hundred miles from Vicksburg
Throughout Franklin county there are re
treats especially adapted to the accommo-
dation of wild beasts, as the high barren
hills, ravines, and the dense vine-m matted
swamp Of The Homochitto river. 1t Is
highly probable that this is the same crea-
ture seen near Vicksburg