Year: 1870

Account OF Him by an Eyewitness.
Correspondence Of White Pine News. July II


The people inhabiting the northwestern
part of Nevada are at present in an in
tense state of excitement over the sup
posed discovery of the traces and habita-
ton of lost or wild man. Rumor had
located it upon high and densely
wooded mountain, and after gathering
all the information that we could we
armed and equipped ourselves for trip
to the location described, about fifty miles
from our camp, at the sink of Deep
creek After tiresome ride of two days
over the mountains, and through one of
the widest and toughest regions Of this
wild and rough country, we came in sight
of and camped near the eastern slope Of
the mountain. All were now upon the
qui vive for some sign of the strange in
habitant. =. 5000. .,.,...


We had just picketed our animals, and
sat by the fire telling strange experiences
of frontier life, when we were aroused by
a crashing sound, caused by the swift
approach of some Strengthening body
coming toward the camp. just at this
moment the moon shone through the
clouds almost as brilliant as the sun at
MONDAY. We had splendid view of
the object 1t is undoubtedly white
man, about forty years old. nearly COW
cred by a coat of fine long hair, and in
appearance otherwise not at all startling.
He carried in his right hand huge club,
and in his left a rabbit or some other
small animal, He caught a sight of us
almost instantaneously, as the moon
shone out, and with a scream like the
roar of lion, brandishing his club,
dashed past the camp and attacked the
horses in a perfect frenzy of madness


We at this time could have shot him
but for the surprise of the moment; and
ere we We're armed our animals stamp
eded and he was after them like the wind,
down the mountain. We endeavored in
vain to send our dogs after him, which,
being savage and well trained, we had
counted upon to assist in the capture;
but with distended eyes they sat mutely
gazing into the darkness, and neither
blows nor kindness could move them to
the chase, and the only recourse we had
was to throw up hasty rampant of logs
and then station guards to prevent sur
prise by the infuriated demon. 0cca-
sionally, through the long watches of the
night, all hands were aroused by his ter
rible cries; and thus, in momentary ex-
pectation of an attack, we passed the
night Morning dawned at last, and not
one would leave the. e.camp until the rosy
sunlight cheered the landscape, when we
took the trail of our horses, after having
securely hidden our accoutrements and
provisions, excepting lunch for a few,
days journey. They had torn down the
mountain at a terrific speed for about
five miles; here they jumped down a
sheer precipice about twenty-five feet,
disabling my saddle horse. He was ly-
ing near the bottom, mangled in shock
ing manner.


The wild man had evidently vented his
rage upon my disabled horse, rs large
strips Of the skin were torn off andthrown
to some distance and his lower jaw was
broken. We shot him to end his suffer
ings. The wild man had here given up
tbe pursuit About two miles further
down the valley we found the rest of our
stock quietly grazing. The only marks
they bore were evidently made by being
caught by the tails by the wild man in
the chase, entirely stripping some of them
Of their hair and skin. We now had
some six miles to 60 to reach our first
camp. Arrived there at O'clock, when
we took lunch. After examining our
arms we started in the direction from |
which the wild man approached and /
were fortunate enough to strike his trail, |
with the well defined footprints of a
man who would wear No. 8 shoes, but
being very broad on the bottom. We
followed his trail for about three min
utes, when the gorges opened in beau
tiful basin, and half mile further the
trail ended abruptly at the entrance of
cave. We explored this cave, finding a
set of soldiers buttons and dime, dated
ls4l, which leads me to the conclusion
that he is man lost from Fremont's
command in 1916, or near that time.