The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-03
A WOLF BOY.
Raised by the Animals, and ~ Dumb as
His Foster Parents.

Raised by the Animals, and ~ Dumb as
His Foster Parents.
In November. 1872, I saw at Secundra,
near Agra, in northern India, a boy that
had been brought up among wolves, writes
Rev. J. H. Seelye in the Congregationalist.
l published an account of his appearance
at the time. and some further facts which
l have lately learned concerning him will
also b. OF interest.
He was found in 1867. Some men, pass
ing through an unfrequsnted jungle, sud-
denly came upon a child, apparently i've or
six years old. without clothes and running
upon his hands and feet. They tried to
catch him. but he disappeared in a hole
which was evidently the lair of some wild
beast. Unable to unealth hin by digging,
and not daring to 60 into the hole them
selves. they reported tho fact to the magis-
start a fire at the mouth Of the den and
smoke out its inmates, of whatever sort
they might. The fire was started, when
presently a large she wolf dashed out of
the hole, scattering the fire and
shedding away for safety, She was soon
had seen before, and whom they now caught
with difficulty. He was evidently a child
of human p~arentage, but with the appe-
titles and ways of a wolf. He could not
walk erect. he was without clothes, he had
no language but a whine, he would eat
nothing but raw flesh. and would lap his
drink like a wolf. Put into an enclosure he
would lie in q corner during the day and at
night would prowl about picking up bones
and ~ravenousiy gnawin0 hem.
After keeping him = while the magistrate
brought him to nm o%rphanage at Seoundra,
undo the care Of the church missionary So
ciety. where he was kindly received and
CAraS for and vvharo ha hau ciroo hoAr M
object of unosasing wonder to tho many
who have seen him there. He has been
taught to walk erect-thougb he does this
awkwardly-to wear clothes, to drink like
a human being and to use q fork and spoon.
He has lost his appetite for raw flesh, and
he has no longer any disposition to escape.
He has also been taught to do a little work,
but he does not like to work. He has be-
come wholly lnotfsnsive, and minglss free
ly with the children. among whom he has
his favorites.
He evidently hears we'll and understand
never uttered a word or shown any wish to
speak, though many efforts have been made
to teach him articulation.
tie IL now. as far as can be judged, about
30 Yeas Of age, His forehead is low, but
his features are regular and his eyes, though
wild and restless, have not an idiosic look.
His jaws do not protrude, and his teeth are
regular and human. His arms, legs and
body differ from those of an ordinary hu-
man being only so far as incident TO bis
habits OF locomotion when he was first
found.
How far he ever become conscious OF
moral or religious truth it 10 impossible to
say. The nearest approach he has shown
to something like al apprehension OF an
unseen world WAS in connection with the
death of one who had cared for him, and OF
whom he was very fond. At the funeral, as
the body was lowered into the grave, the
poor boy looked wistfully at the coffin and
then at tho b~vstanders. evidently wonder
ing what it all meant. BY gestures nnd
other signs by feigning to be sick and dy-
ing. and then pointing downward and up
ward, the bvstanders seemed to awaken il
him some strange thought OF something
! which could not be seen, and afterwart
when sick himself. he laid down ant
closed his eyes and pointed to the earth anC
sky.
From a friend in India, who has recentl,
seen him, l learn that he Ia still living Al
the orphanage, where he wal first taken
and in a report of the o%rphanaps which ha
lately come into my hands ] End also tn,
statement that three other c~hildren-tw.
boys and a girl-found under similar cir
cumstsnces and with similar characters
tics, have been brought to the institution
though none of these have lived longe
than = few months after their capture
There are other we'll authenticated In
stances Of = similar nature. accounts 0