The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-07-07
WILD MAN or THE FOREST.
Hairy Creature Seen by Lone Traveller
In British coIumhia.

IN British Columbia.
Vancouver, y. c., dispatch: A weird
story Of q wild man. encountered far
inland from the headwaters Of Camp
bel river, Is told by Mike King, who
had penetrated into q territory rellg-
iously Stunned by Indians, none Of
whom would either accompany him
as usual, nor make any explanation Of
their conduct. King had been making
his solitary way through the forest.
not having seen a human face for
days, when a cry Of mingled surprise
and fear. very human In Its quality
and foreign to the forest land, brought
him TO sudden halt, rifle in hand
and eyes straining for an explanation.
This was quickly afforded. but in such
q manner as to try the nerves Of even
such woodsman as Mike King.
About 100 yards from where he
stood. or even less, an uncouth human
faced him, seemingly all uncertain
whether TO stand or fly. The form was
that OF large and angular man. COM
pletely covered with hair. with long
arms hanging loosely and hands reach
ling below the knees. The eyes were
quick and penetrating. shining strange
liy through a tangle Of unkempt hair.
The object was Enthusiastically and un-
comprlmisingly human. Mr.. King at
tests. and yet no human being such az
any nation, tribe or country knows
| After long moments scrutiny OF
the dIsturber OF his solitude, the wild
being decided upon flight and simply
ran up the hillside. assisting his move
fnents with his long arms, and utter
ling at intervals cries OF very human
alarm. mystiflcation and fear. Once
IT paused on the hillside and stood
again gazing at the astounded white
imam, then plunged into the wider
ness and was lost to sight, although
the cracking Of branches for some
time afterward betrayed Its hurried
progress through the woods.
Coming to the place where 1t had
stood when first seen. Mr.. King found
THAT the Wild creature had been en-
gagged at little water hole In wash
ling edible grass roots. a pile OF ths
cleaned roots. neatly made. resting al
one side OF the hole. No further meet.
ling with the wild man fell to th'
lcruiser's lot, although he heard at In
Itervals his curious cries. as he sat al
night by q roaring fire and waited fol
lany sequel to the adventure-his riff
across his knees.
Il There is no conclusive and satisfac
tory explanation Of the phenomenon
tMr. King has brought the matter Vi
thine and again in his talks with In
dians, whose confidence he enjoys. Bl
by bit he has patched together thei
Theory and tribal tradition. by which
it appears that they credit the com
ing Of the original wild man to thu
days OF the Spanish occupation Of Ger
tain Of the west coast ports. At on,
OF these Nootka, It is alleged, an i'm
mense hairy creature, either babool
or ape, escaped from one of the ships
and after terrorizing the aboriginal in
habitants. proceeded to make itself a
home in the forest. Thence 1t is al
lleged to have issued upon one occa
] sion and seized an Indian girl, wit
whom 1t set up housekeeping. TIL
wild man seen by Mr.. King is believes
by the Indians to have been the off
spring.
AS to whether this could be possible
the scientific authorities appear to dif
fer. Mr.. King does not often tell tn
story of his adventure. since the ma
jority are apt to ventilate sarcasti
observations that grow tiresome. H
Ii in earnest, however. and any tim
herman on the north Pacific coast wi
attest his reliability. Nor is ma
who has spent quarters Of hi
. life in the primeval solitudes, neve
tastes liquor, and has few superior
as woodsman, apt to see things |
the woods not actually existent.