Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-04
A QUEER CREATURE.
Capture Of a Wild Man i'm the EOuI
tains Of East Tennessee.


Knoxville Press and Herald, Aug. 2
On last Friday morning, about 2 O'Clock.
young man entered the house of John
Webb, at buckeye Tavern" the usual
stopping place midway between Caryville
and the Cincinnati Southern Railroad near
ChitwoOd, about ten or twelve miles be-
yond Caryville, and threw himself into a
bed along with some gentleman stopping
there for the night. The landlord, Mr..
Webb, being aroused, found the young
man in state of intense excitement, and
at first supposed he was drunk. But, on
trying TO induce him to take lodgings else
where, it was aScertained that he was not
intoxicated, but wild, or crazy. Then Mr..
Webb tried TO induce him to remain and
take quarters with him, but failed. He
became excited and ran away, and strange
to say, fine mastiff dog of Mr.. Webb's fol-
lowed him, and was found with him, and
very much attached 10 him, six or eight
miles distant, later on the same day. The
first heard Of the strange man after leaving
Webbs was early on Friday morning at
MIR. NeaPs, several mills of, in Scott coun-
ty. He was accompanied by Mr.. Webb's
dog, which seemed to have linked fortunes
with him. He, in company with the dog,
slipped into the house of Mr.. Neal, and
seized four year old child, and started for
the woods. Neal pursued him, when he
fed at great speed, leaving the child, the
dog continuing with him. Here he became
wholly destitute of any clothing save a
shirt. The neighbors became aroused, and
after running him through the mountain
gorges for more than ten miles, succeede
in capturing him late in the afternoon of
Friday. 1t was with the greatest difficulty
that Webb induced his dog to leave him
and return home, the canine showing many
signs Of sympathy with the unfortunate
young man. Our informant saw him soon
after he was captured. He was then much
exhausted, and going through all the man
euvers Of tired dOg-panting, shaking his
sides, and lOllhg or dropping out
his tongue 10 its full length
and letting it hang out. At tim he
would 90 through the most remarkable
grimaces and distortions of his face. and
whole body. His captors had succeeded in
getting pair Of pantalOOns on him. He
had talked little in a very uncouth style;
he asked for something to eat, drank few
| sips Of water, and commenced gnawinS a
huge piece of corn bread. He gave his
name, most generally, as George Hyath, of
1OMh CiOoh' OldiOOiiic OouuIss thoush NJ
used other names frequently when asked in
regard TO his name. He is somewhere be
tween 20 and so years old, being of that
peculiar appearance that gives but little in
deX to the true age. He has some hair on
his face, which leaves the observer in doubt
as to whether it is boyish fuzz, or half
grown, or half weeks growth of hair.
He is not an idiot. He is a wild man.
How long he has been such, or what caused
/ it, our informant seemed to regard as mat
| ters of doubt. Those who had him in
charge are good citizens, who designed pro-
ceeding to Huntsville and taking all neces-
sary steps for his comfort and welfare.
He will be found, if friends should be in
search Of him, in the custody of the author.
tiles at Huntsville, until something can bt
ascertained of his origin, etc.