The San Francisco call., 1898-02-06
CAUGHT WHEN
 ALMOST BLIND Washington's Wild Man Taken After a Long
 Quest.
Was for Months a Terror to DefenSeleSs Women and
 Children.
Misfortunes of William Russell, Who Spent Years in a Search for
 Lost Mine.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

SEATTLE, Feb. 5-Deputy Sheriff Lane made an important capture to- day in apprehending William Russell, wild man years of age. For SIX months past Russell has been frighten- ing wives and children in various parts Of King County, almost in mlracu- lous manner eluding the vigilance of officers of the law. He has been driven from one part of the country to another, hunted by Deputy Sheriffs, chased by dogs, and pursued by farm CTS armed with guns. For eight months he has had practically nothing to eat but carrots, cooked in stew, and 1t IS probable that during this time he has not had a single bath. Lane captured him in the woods near the little town of Des Moines in a hole dug in the ground, where he made his home. Rus and he said that when the white growth had covered both eyes he in- tended to kill himself
 Eight months ago Russell reached Seattle after long tramp from Brit lsh Columbia, where he went two years before to dig. for gold. His quest has not been successful, and all that he had been able to save after twenty three years of hard work in the woods of Washington and Oregon was ex- pended in the attempt to find a claim that he had. He was so long getting back and had such hard luck that when he reached Seattle his clothes were barely held together. He had no money and no one would give him work. He was too proud to beg. For twenty years he had been slowly growing blind. He thought of suicide. but could not bring himself to take his own life. Then he decided to go back into the woods in which he had worked so long. He did so, but to die, not work.
 The Sheriff's office first heard of Rus sell from farmers living near Black River Junction, who reported that a wild man was running around through the woods, frightening their wives and children. They said that he carried a gun and was likely to shoot somebody. They described him as having a face covered with hair and said he had only one eye, which shot out evil glances at any one who came near him.
 After long search Russell was final ly located in his burrow. He was with out hat or shoes, while the coat he wore hung in shredS from shoulders that had once been broad and strong. His trousers were ragged and seemed to be his only covering. His long hair and heavy beard almost covered his face, which was black from the accu- mutation of dirt Hihfnger. nails had not been cut for. n. jnraAS and were as sharp as knives.
 Russell was induced to come forth, and, as he talked rationally on all sub- jects. he had no trouble satisfying the Sheriff as to his sanity. Lane finally persuaded him to come to the city. When the County Jail was reached he was taken into the hospital ward and placed in the bath tub. At meal time he asked for carrots. The regular prison meal he did not seem to fancy At first the authorities intended putting a charge of vagrancy against Russell, but finally the County Commissioners decided to send him to the Poor House.