Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-13
EMONDYM 2D
NO. 269.

most fractions and troulesome-ln fact, Just
like Gagged wild beast. Often during the
night, for hours together, he would give vent
to most unSarthly yells and means, destroy
ing the rest and irritating the tempers of his
neishborS, and generally making night hid
eous. On one occasion his people chained
him by the waist TO tree that stood near the
hut, which was situated on the outskirts of
the village. Then a rather curious incident
occurred. II was a bright moonlight night.
and two wolf f-cubs-un1oubtcdly those in
whose companionship he had been cap
tured-attractcd apparently by his cries,
while on the prowl, came to him and were
distinctly seen to gsmbol about and play with
him with as much familiarity and affection as
if they considered him quite one of them
selves. They only left him on the approach
Of the morning, when movement and stir
again arose in the village.
The wolf boy, however, did not survive
long Accustomed TO the wilds for at least
halt dozen years, captivity and the change
in his mode of life appeared not TO agree with
him, for he gradually pinea away and died.
He never spoke aword; nor did a single ray
of human intelligence ever shed its refining
light over his poor, debased features.
The next story is taken from n work pub
lishod some tive-aud twenty years ago by n
then well known Indian political officer.
There is now at Sultanpore boy who
was found in \ VOLTS den near Chandour, on
the Goomtee river, about two and half
years ago. A trooper. sent by the native
Governor to the district of Chandour to de-
mand the payment of some revenue, was
passing along the banks of the Goomtee,
when he saw a large female wolf leave her
den, followed by three whelps and boy.
The boy went on all-tours. and was on the
best possible terms with the dam and her
whelps and the mother seemed to guard all
four with equal care. They went down to
the river and drank without perceiving the
native, who sat upon his horse watching
them. As soon As they were about to turn
back, the trooper pushed on intend
ing to cut off and secure the boy;
but the latter ran quite as fast as the whelps,
and kept up easily with his foster-parent.
Eventually they all re.entered the den. The
trooper then assembled some people with
pickaxes and attempted to dig them out.
When they had dug some seven or eight feet
into the bank the wolf escaped with her cubs
and the boy. They were pursued by the
trooper, followed by the fastest young men Of
the party on foot; the former headed them,
and turned the boy back to the men, who then
captured him. They took him to..the village
and tried to make him speak, but could get
no answer save an angry growl or snarl. He
crowds assembled to each day to see him.
On the approach of a grown-up person, he
became alarmed, ami tried to steal away:
when. however, a child came near, he rushed
at it with fierce snar and attempted to bite
it. He rejected cooked meat with disgust:
but when meat was offered, he seized it
eagerly, put it under his paws like dog and
ate it with an evident relish. lie would not
let any person approach him while he WAS
eating, but had no objection to Il dog coming
and sharing his food with him.
''The lad was handed over to the Rajah of
lIasanpore, and soon after was sent by him to
Sultanpore to Captain Nicholetts, the Euro
pean officer commanding the First Regiment
of Dude local Infantry. The latter made
him over to the charge of his servants, who
takes great care of him, but can never get
him to utter syllable. He is inoffensive,
except when teased and W i'll then growl surli-
~ at the person annoying him. He now eats
almost anything thrown TO him, but prefers
raw flesh, which he devours greedily.
quilt stuffed with cotton was given to him
when the weather became very cold this sea-
son but he tore it to pieces and ate portion
of it, cotton and all with his food every day.
He is very fond of bones, particularly un.
cooked ones these he masticates apparently
with much ease as if they were meat. He
mits them to feed with him, if he happens to
be eating when they approach.
Captain Nicholetts. in letters dated 14th
and 10Th September, 1850, told me that the
boy died in the latter end of August, and that
he had never been seen to laugh or smile.
He understood but little what was said, and
appeared to take no notice Of anything going
on around him nor did he form any attach
ments whatever. He never playe with the
numerous children around him, nor did he
seem wishful to do so. When not hungry he
used to sit petting and stroking pariah or
vagrant dog, which he used to allow to feed
out of the same dish with him. short time
before his death, Captain Nicholetts shot this
dog, as he used to eat by far the greater part
of the meat given to the boy, who in conse-
quence was getting quite thin. The lad didn't
seem in the least to care for the death of his
companion. He used signs when he wanted
anything. and very few of them. When hun
CRY he pointed to his mouth. When his food
was placed some distance from him, he used
to run 70 It on all fours; but at other times,
not frequently, he would walk upright. He
Stunned human beings, male and female, and
would never willingly remain near one. To
cold, heat and rain he appeared alike indiffer-
ent, ane seemed to care for nothing but eat
ing He was very quiet and required no
kind of restraint while he was with Captain
Nicholett's servants-that is for the space of
about two wears. He was never heard IL
utter a single word till within few minutes
of his death, when he put his hand to his head
and said III ached' he then asked for some
water. after drinking which, he died. This
boy when caught was about 10 years of age
BEST Of AL"
II