Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-12-01
story of . Wild Man.

In the yeaJ IS there moved 10 thi;
country from Germany a couple, man and
wife, by the name of Harrier, who took
up their abode in the eastern part of Penn
sylvania-
They had several children born to them
while in the East, and in the year 1920
they removed, with their children, to this
country and settled on farm In tho north
ern part, where one of their children, James.
who is now eighty years old, resides. About
| three months ago the mother died at the
extreme age of los years. Tine family being
OF German descent, speak very little Eng
lish, and consequently live very secluded.
Al the time of the death of the old lady
| many of the neighbors, taking advantage
OF the opportunity offered, visited the place,
more through curiosity than from an hon.
est, sympathetic motive, and many stories
were current Of the popularity of the fam
lily at large. The husband of Mrs. Harrier
died some years ago at the age of 105 years,
while his father, who lived in Germany,
reached the age of ll5 years. The eldest
son is eighty years of age, and wields the
axe and handles the plow with as much
vigor as any man in the neighborhood with
but half the number of years. Ills hours
OF labor are from the rising of the sun to
the gong down Of the same. William.
the younger brother, is q wonderful strange
being. The story of this person, which
shall reproduce, was related by one who
made special inquiry concerning him Of
one of the members of the family to the
writer. While living in the East, William,
whose age is not exactly known, was
mere child Just learning to walk, when an
old woman, who WAS non cOnpOs mentis,
angered by the insults os other persons,
raised q heavy club and struck him on the |
head, from which time he was never heard |
TO utter an intelligent word. When the |
Harriers moved to this country William |
WAS yet small boy, although he could be |
managed, and was compelled to wear cloth |
ing, and he ran about engaged in the sim
plest sports He gradually became very
distant, even with members of the family,
As he grew beyond their power 10 restrain,
he refused TO wear the clothing that was
put upon him, and If they ever did sue
coed IN getting him dressed, he would tear
away from them and return in an hour or
% naked. His clothing would be found in
the woods or on the hill torn to shreds.
The family finally abandoned even the
thought of trying to keep his body cover
ed, and for the last forty-five or fifty years
be has been running exposed to the scorcl-
ing summer, ard winter blasts until his
body is a dark brown color, and covered
with thick coating Of long, taggy black
nair. The house in which the Harriers live
IS small one storied frame house, and
I.ands among thick cluster Of blackberry
bushes in stony section, about one hun
ired yards from the road. To the main
part of the house there has been attached ;
. mall.shanty, the door of which opens in
70 the kitchen Of the main building; this is
he winter quarters of the wild man. He :
always goes to his winter home reluctant
y, and when occasion presents Itself
breaks out and joins the companions of his
summer house, although this is very sell
iom, as a heavy bolt secures the door upon :
he outside. Ii cannot be said of this man,
although he knows nothing, that he does
rot enjoy life. In his dungeon he has q
pleasant countenance, which shines out
through his long stracgly beard of half
century. When at his liberty in the sum- {
ner he capers about from place to place,
iiggiug roots, and he aud the animals of ]
he farm form one common society. AS
We said before, the family live very Sc
,luded, and old men in the immediate {
say that, although they have
,een watching for this strange being for
many years, they have failed TO see him.
lie is very mischievous, and always has
,ye open for passing strangers. Sportsmen
who have been in the Harrier neighbor-
lood and by a sudden turn In their path
way would come upon the man, would be-
,ome frightened to such degree tia, some
II them have been known to faint away
No sooner had he become aware of the
presence of strangers than he would start
md run away with the greatest velocity.
lie always takes advantage of a chance to {
,et away from a stranger, but when brought
sce 10 face with them he is very offensive. s