Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-10-31
WILD MAN OF THE WOODS.
Il Fearful Prodigy Captured in the WiIds
of Tennessee and Brought to Louisville
for Eachibiti0n-Has Body Covered acith
Fish Scales.

Il Fearful Prodigy Captured in the Wi1ds
of Tennessee and Brought to Louisville
for Echibition-Hss Body Covered acith
| Fish Scales.
l. Louisville Courier Journal.
The wild man brousht to the city We ster
day by DR.. O. G. Brewer, of Sparta, Ten
essee, is truly mysterious and wonderful
creature. He will he exhibited throughout
the country by Manager Whallen, of the
| Metropolitan, who is third owner in this
remarkable being, who promises to success
| fully battle all scientists who desire to give
satisfactory explanation of his unnatural ap
pearance. Before entering into the details
of his capture, which form quite thrilling
and interesting episode, IL description of the
curiosity, which promises to excite more at
tention than Barnum's "What is it?''
| will be given. At distance the
| general outline of his figure would indicate
that he is only an ordinary man. Close in
spection shows that his whole body is COW
cred with layer of scales, which drop off at
regular periods, in the spring and fall, like
the skin of rattlesnake. He has heavy
| growth of hair on his head and dark, red
disu beard about six inches long. His eyes
present frightful appearance. bsing at
least twice the size of an averaged sized eye.
Some of his toes are formed together, which
give his feet strange appearance, and his
height when standing perfectly erect. is
about six feet five inches. A nervous twitch
| ing of his muscles shows desire to escape,
and he is constantly looking in the direction
of the door through which he entered. His
entire body must be wet at intervals, and,
should this be neglected, he begins immedi-
ately to manifest great uneasiness, his flesh
becomes feverish, and his sufferings cannot
be alleviated until the water is ap-
piled. At times he is danger
Gus, ana yesterday morning, when Mr..
Whallen attempted to '.lace him in a wagon,
in which he intended to bring him to the
theatre, it occupied some time. The strange
creature acted in the most mysterious man
ner, refusing OF stinately for some tire to
get into the wagon. He has quite sharp
appetite, having eaten meal yesterday
morning that would have fully satisfied at
least four men. With the exception of fish,
his meals are all prepared in the ordinary
az, but the fish is eaten entirely raw. DR..
Broyler says that when alone he will some
times mutter an unintelligible jargon, which
it would be impossible for any one to under
stand, but that, in the presence of visitors,
he remains perfectly silent. Yesterday
afternoon, from to 4, private exhibition
was given, and number of physicians
were present, among them Drs. Brady and
Cary Blackburn, who said that he
was "a great curiosity. DR.. Black
burn said that his scaly condition could not
be attributed to any skin disease, but I'M
doubtedly he was born in that condition. He
will be on exhibition in one of the private
rooms of the Metropolitan Theatre this
afternoon and tomorrow between the hours
I~c N.1.-
those specially invited will be allowed adj
mission. His exact age is not known, but
for the last eighteen years he has been run
Tennessee, near the Caney Fork and Big
Bone creek. He has been the constant ter
ror of the community, although he was never
known to attack any one until the day of his
capture. DR.. G. G. Broyler, of Sparta,
Tenn. says that since the surrender of the
confederate army it has been his intention
to capture this creature and exhibit him
throughout the country. The doctor says the
parents of the wild man are respectable citi-
zens of North Carolina named Croslin. That
their son is unquestionably a mysterious
freak of nature they do not deny, but they
could not account for his scaly skin. At the
tender age of five years, having always been
possessed with rowing disposition, he left
his home and plunged Immediately into the
mountainous region of Tennessee. Here he
liv' as best he could, subsisting on the pro-
ducts of the country, such as roots and herbs
and small animals that he could capture.
When in the water he was in bis element.
He would dive down into the depth of the
inland lakes, remaining under water for g
considerable length sof time, and finally
emerge with both hands filled with small fish,
! xyni oh hn RI, of in lo
state. DR.. Breyler says that until about
eighteen months ago he had not attempted
the capture, although he had been watching
the creatures actions for the past twelve
years. About the 18th of September he
started into the mountains fully determined
to succeed in the capture.
| The "Wild Man of the Woods as he was
termed by the people of the vicinity, was
unusually feet of foot and possessed great
deal of a-ility, bounding over the mountain
GUS regions in the most fearless manner.
During the chase they kept the wild man
constantly in sight, and their plan was to
tire him out, in which they finally sue
ceeded. 81 was pursued through the wild,
mountainous country, over lakes and preci-
pices, until his pursuers almost despaired of
success. Stratagem was finally resorted to-.
The lariat was thrown at him without sue
| cess, and then kind of net was formed,
into which he YVES decoyed and captured. He
ran fearlessly into the net, and became en-
tangled in the meshes. Captured, but not
conquered, struggle ensued, in which
DR.. Broyler was seriously wound
81. The wild man fought
with his hands, after the fashion of bear,
and bruised and scratched the doctor in a
frightful manner. At last they quoted
| their unwilling victim and brought him to
Sparta. The doctor Immediately telegraphed
to Mr.. Whallen, who purchased third inter-
est in the wonder, and had him brought to
Louisville yesterday morning. The presence
| of this wild man in Louisville has excited
considerable attention among the doctors,
and also large crowd of curious persons,
who are anxious to see the wonderful crea-
ture. There will be only one public exhibi-
tim in this city, which takes place at the
Metropolitan Theatre Saturday afternoon.
I A clergyman said that he once visited
lady of his parish who had just lost
her husband in order to offer her consol-
alton, and upon her earnest inquiries as
to the reunion Of families in heaven, he