The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-05-01
Wild Man.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT HIS
CAPTURE.

For period of more than yea,
past avery strange object in human
form, known as "Chaparral Joe," has
been so journing in the dense thicket
near the line dividing Colusa and Yolc
counties. His range has extended TO,
several miles through the underground
IN the latter county, but of late he has
taken up his headquarters in Colusa
county, a short distance from the
ONO House, in the chempese brush
where there are no passages except
narrow trails formed by himself, the
dense underground serving as a pro-
lection from intruders. .Chaparra]
Joe" is represented as a 4good-sized
man, sandy complexion and beard
and appears to be of Irish or Scotch
descent, as he exhibits the brogue
when aroused. He is armed with a
double-barreled shotgun, breech load
ing carbine, two six-shooters knives,
ETC., comprising quite a travelling
arsenal. Occasionally, when hungry,
he makes a raid on some of the farm
houses in the vicinity and orders food
prepared, always holding his gun in
readiness for immediate service, and
never turning his back on q human
being. When awaiting the cooking of
meals he is quite reticent, never allow
ing any person to draw out any infor-
nation by means of questions. On
these occasions he has his gun cooked,
and holds the same in position for any
emergency. Of course, his requests
and demands are always complied
with in the most expeditions manner.
and his company dispensed with in
the shortest possible time.
lie has on some occasions, appeared
on the open field and applied to sheep
herders for tobacco, but always de-
clines any conversation. If person
meets him more than once within the
bounds of his range, he notifies the
that if he puts in an ap-
pearance again his doom will be in
stant death. In his rambles lie came
across a woodchopper telling tree,
when he slid up and gave the man of
the axe punch in the side. The
woodman looked around and was
much alarmed to find this monster
with his gun drawn upon him. Joe
odd the man to leave Immediately, at
he same time informing him that
should he appear on that ground again
lie would kill him. The woodchopper
made some of the best time OH record.
lie occasionally speaks to persons
travelling through the country, always
holding his gun as above indicated,
ind being very brief in his converse
ion. He is an accomplished thief,
md lays violent hands on such articles
IS he wishes to appropriate to his own
Use. He swears 10 person shall cap
ure him. His camp fires have been
cen burning night after night. He
las no house nor tent, nor blankets,
nut sleeps on the ground, his principal
subsistence being wild game, such as
abbits, hare, squirrels, etc.
1t having been pretty we'll settled
where his favorite camp ground was
on Sunday last party of
gentlemen made an attempt to capture
he wild man of the woods They
in surprising him, as he was
ying down but surrounded by i'm
enetrable brush. Six or eight guns,
oaded with buckshot, were directed
oward his person and discharged, but
he varmint arose to his feet in an in
tant and bounded off like deer,
urning around in his course and dis
harging two shots, one of which came
within two inches of the head of one
f the party.
The sheriff has been accommodating
n the vicinity, endeavoring to gain an
interview with this strange being,
ut was unable to make much progress
n account of the thicket. Upon
Joe's camp, it was found that
hot had struck all around where he
ad been lying, his form having left
is impression on the ground. A camp
ettle, some bullets, flask of powder,
nd some rabbit skins and feathers,
7ere all that was to be found in the
amp. 1t is not known where this
TRANCE being halls from nor who he is.
lie declines giving any information in
cgard to himself, and appears to be a
ian of more tlan ordinary intelli-
ence. His presence is a source of :,
and fear to the people of
he neighborhood, who would be much
leased to have him change his resi-
ence to some other locality Colusa
uns
SPEAK K1NDLY.-Speak kindly in the
Forming. 1t lightens the cares of the
ay, and makes household and all
Their affairs move along smoothly.
Speak kindly.a night, for it may be
hat before the dawn some loved one