Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-06-26
HE SAYS HE'S QUEER.
Description Of a Human Being VINO
Hives In a Cave on Licking Rivera
Man Said to be Covered with a
Growth Of Snakes.


Cincinnati Sun.
Seine miles up the Licking river,
and on the west side, just IN the edge
of small grove of trees, is the mouth
of a cave. almost concealed by a guam
rity Of blu5hwood that is piled over it.
For wears past man has occupied
It as q home Who he is and where
he came from no one knew until quite
recently He shuns all observation,
and avoids mingling with the rest Of
mankind. When people go into his
cavern home he retreats back into the
cave and conceals himself Ii the dark.
But persons who have succeeded in
getting tolerably near him say he has
the appearance of being ompletely
covered with a heavy coat of hair,
which. on close inspection, appeared
to be animated.
Armed with the above facts, a Sun
reporter took a skiff, pulled up the
Licking, got out near the mouth Of
the cave, and concealed himself.
For hours he had been waiting, and
just at sunset he saw a movement
among the brushwaod over the mouth
Of the cave, and then the form Of @
man emerge from IT, After gazing
cautiously around, he started off 10 an
opposite direction from where the re
porter was concealed. By this time
twilight had settled down on the
fields, and afraid of losing hisl in the
gathering darkness, the sunbeam con
cluded to wait at the mouth Of the
cave until he returned. In about fifty
minutes he came back, and Just as he
started down in the cave he was con
frOnted by the scribe. At first he
seemed startled, and made movement
as if about to run, but when assured
thatnO harm was intended he stopped.
When told what was wanted he
laughed, and in p very pleasant voice
said that this was the first time he had
ever been interviewed. 1t was now
quite dark, but it was observed
that he wore no clothing, while his
body seemed covered with something
that was constantly moving. He was
asked what was the cause OF this, but
evadcd the question st first, and at
last related the following story: My
name is Henry Carrigan. [ was born
IN the little town of Mariwether, Co
Welta, Pa Here my father, VIM. @.
Carrigan, owned large family gro
Gerry store l was a sickly child, and
Instead of going to school | was al
lowed to run out in the fields about as
pleased. 1t was while leading this
kind of existence that learned to love
birds and wild animals, and began to
study their natures. In the course of
time | became so absorbed in this pur-
aot /
thing else. About the time | grew up
to manhood my father died and, be
coming q little dissatisfied, and hav-
ing no near relatives, my mother and
only sister being dead also, [ took
what money my father left me and
came south. When / arrived IN Gin
cinnati | became possessed with a
strange desire to wander through the
fields again, and acting upon the inn
pulse, came through CovingtOn, and
before my tramp had ended came here
and by accident discovered this cave.
It in q secluded spot, and the thought
Why not live herep Immediately
suggested itself to me. [ determined
to do so, and it has been nay home
ever since. The cave is Of equal tenn
perature throughout the year, and as
| was not going into society when my
clothes wore out [ did not call on
tailor. AS for food Ihad berries and
fruits III the summer, while traps and
snares furnished me with meat, and
the Licking furnished me with fish.
Two Bints struck together is my mode
of getting fire"
But what has that to do with the
peculiar appearance Of your skiing
asked the Sun ran.
He laughed, and answered: Come
into the cave and [ will tell you"
When they had passed down into a
dark, damp room the reporter lighted
the beat lantern. which he had
brought with him. The moment
light was made he started IN horror
His body was covered with thousands
of snakes. He seemed a mass of hiss
ing, venomous flesh 1t was positive
" blood -curdling to look at him. His
head was literally alive wit1 the crea-
lures. Every hair, which hung below
his waist, was q serpent. His beard
was but a Lest, where a dozen brOods
moved, squirming and kissing and
pOking their heads into his nostrils
and ears IN the most confidential
manner. If he opened his mouth he
had to be careful, or his teeth would
be buried In a snake. His eyebrows
and lashes were filled with wiggling
little reptiles. Every moment or two
he would brush one out of his eyes.
All over his breast, and along his
arms and legs was an lev weight of
snake. Under his armpits they lay
coiled, cold and clammy A close ex-
animation show that they all..were
attached to HIM by their tails. Those
on his body and lisnbs were dun
color, and short ugly little heads,
blood-red tongues, aud vicious eyes.
Those on his mead and face were
longer and darker
After gazing at the E1an for fully
five MINUTES the reporter finally
caught his breath, and exclaimed:
In the name of God, man, what is
the matter with you2 He pushed a