April 6, 2007

1800s’ Hairy Wild Men – Fools’ Pranks or Reality?

Chad Arment noted on April 1st: “Loren Coleman has posted an account at Cryptomundo of an early April Fool’s Day Sasquatch story by John Green (before Green became interested in the phenomenon). That may have been one of the first news pranks that actually used the term Sasquatch, but there is a much earlier April 1st tale of a hairy wild man.”

Arment goes on to tell about an older story from back East, during the 19th century.

Yes, I had in mind, specifically, the earliest “Sasquatch” and “Bigfoot” (Pacific Northwest) April 1st journalistic joke, so I’m not surprised that in other parts of the country, regarding “hairy wild men” stories, there are old written pranks being pulled off. Indeed, journalistic trickery was often behind some of these old accounts, so much so it is often difficult to tell if these reports are real or not. When it came to articles printed on April First, the challenge was doubly so.

The story Chad reprints in his blog is also in his book The Historical Bigfoot by Chad Arment:

What Is It?

A Question That is Agitating the People of Auglaize Township.
Capture of a Creature Half Man, Half Beast
Sets the Whole Township Wild With Excitement
Nothing Like It Ever Seen Or Heard Of Before
A Correct History of the Whole Affair Lima, Ohio, Daily News, April 1, 1890

Scott McClean also shares an even earlier April 1st “Wild Man” account from 1839.

When will Wonders Cease?

Robert Lincoln, Esq., Agent of the New York Western Lumber Company, has just returned from the Saint Peters river, near the head of steamship navigation, on the upper Mississippi, bringing with him a living American Ourang Outang, or Wild Man of the Woods, with two small cubs, supposed to be about three months old. Mr. Lincoln informs us that he went out to the north-west as Agent of the New York Lumber Company, in July last, with a view to establish extensive saw-mills, on the pine lands near the Falls of Saint Anthony; and he has given us a detail of the operations of the company, and the circumstances which lead to the capture of the extraordinary creatures mentioned above.

Those who are acquainted with the leading features of the Valley of the Mississippi, are aware that there is little or no pine timber throughout the States of Illinois and Missouri, or in the extensive territories of Wisconsin and Iowa. The inhabitants of that region are obliged to use oak and walnut for common building purposes, and the labor of working such materials is very great. The greatest portion of the pine timber that finds its way into the upper part of the Valley, is floated down the Ohio, and from thence carried up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers by steamboats. The most ordinary kind of pine timber is worth $60 per thousand, in any part of Illinois or the territories; in New England the same quality sells for about half that sum. There are some very extensive and immensely valuable pine lands near the Falls of Saint Anthony, on the Upper Mississippi; but until recently they have been in the possession of the Sac and Fox Indians. In the summer of 1838, a treaty was ratified with these Indians, by which they ceded the whole of their pine lands to the United States. The ceremonies of this treaty were performed at Fort Snelling, about the first of July last. Capt. Marryatt, the famous English novelist, was then on the Upper Mississippi, and was present to witness the war dances on this occasion, which, it is said, were conducted with unusual splendor. He also spent several days among the Indians, and by the assistance of the American officers at Fort Snelling, obtained a large collection of ornaments and curiosities.

Some shrewd men at Albany and New York who knew that the treaty referred to, was about to be ratified, and who were aware, also, of the value of the timber, formed a company, with a substantial capital, and engaged a large number of enterprising mechanics and laborers to go out and establish saw-mills for cutting timber on the Saint Peters. They rightly supposed that the land would not “come into market,” as the phrase is, for several years, as it is worth but little
except for timber. Those who wish to obtain land for cultivation, go into the more fertile parts of the territories. Companies may therefore “claim” land, establish mills, and cut off the timber where ever they can find it, without fee or license. The timber may then be floated down the Mississippi in rafts, for a mere trifle, and sold at the highest prices any where on the river.

The New York Company sent out their expedition in July last. The workmen and laborers with the principal part of the machinery went by way of New Orleans, and at that city they chartered a steamboat and proceeded up the Mississippi. The whole business was under the direction of Mr Lincoln. They had on board all the necessary tools and saws, together with the apparatus for a grist mill, oxen, horses, cows, a good stock of provisions, arms, ammunition, &c. &c. They passed directly up the river, only stopping to take in wood and water, until they reached Prairie Du Chien, at the mouth of the Wisconsin. Here they put their animals on shore, and remained two days.

On the third day they reembarked and finally reached the Saint Peters in safety. Their enterprize proved highly successful. They found the timber of the first quality, and the facilities for building mills much greater than they anticipated. The work went on very prosperously, and in a few months Mr Lincoln had the satisfaction of launching his rafts on the headwaters of the Mississippi! They continued to prosecute their labors vigorously, until winter set in, when a part of the workmen started for Saint Louis, and a part of them remained to superintend the cutting of timber.

During the winter, Mr Lincoln and several of the workmen made frequent excursions in pursuit of game, which was very abundant, and their camp was one continued scene of festivity. The Indians brought in large quantities of furs, which Mr Lincoln purchased for a mere trifle, and lined his cabins with them throughout, which rendered his rude huts very warm and comfortable. The whole party were as hearty as bucks, and appeared to enjoy themselves exceedingly.

About the 15th of January, two of the carpenters who had been out in pursuit of a gang of wolves that had proved very troublesome, came into the camp and reported that they had seen a huge monster in the forest, on a branch of the Mississippi, having the form of a man, but much taller and stouter, covered with long hair, and of a frightful aspect. They stated that when first seen, he was standing on a large log, looking directly at them and the moment they raised their muskets, he darted into the thicket and disappeared. They saw him again in about half an hour, apparently watching them, and when they turned towards him he again disappeared. Mr Lincoln was at first disposed to think lightly of this matter, believing that the men might have been mistaken about the size and height of the object, or supposing it might have been a trick of the Indians to frighten them.

He was informed, however, by some of the natives, that such a being had often been seen on the St. Peters, and near the Falls of the Mississippi, and they proposed to guide a party of the workmen to a bluff where it was thought he might be found. The men were all ready for an adventure, and arming themselves with rifles and hunting-knives, they started for the bluff under the direction of Mr Lincoln and the Indian guides. On the way they were joined by several of the natives, and the whole party numbered twenty-three.

The arrived at the bluff late on the afternoon of the 21st of January, and encamped in a cave or grotto, at the foot of the hill. Early the next morning, two of the Indians were sent out to reconnoiter, and in about an hour returned, and said they had seen the wild man, on the other side of the hill. The whole party immediately prepared for the pursuit. Mr Lincoln gave positive orders to the men, not to fire upon him unless it should be necessary in self-defence, as he wished, if possible, to take him alive. The Indians stated that although a very powerful creature, he was believed to be perfectly harmless, as he always fled at the approach of men. While Mr Lincoln was giving his men their instructions, the wild man appeared in sight. He ordered them to remain perfectly quiet, and taking out his pocket-glass surveyed him minutely. He appeared to be about eight or nine feet high, very athletic, and more like a beast standing erect than a man. After satisfying himself with regard to the character of the creature, Mr Lincoln ordered his men to advance. The Indians had provided themselves with ropes, prepared to catch wild horses, with which they hoped to ensnare and bind the creature, without maiming him.

The instant the company moved towards the wild man, he sprung forward with a loud and frightful yell, which made the forest ring; the Indians followed close upon him, and Mr Lincoln and his men brought up the rear. The pursuit was continued for nearly an hour, now gaining upon the object of their chase, and now almost losing sight of him. The trees, however, were quite open, and free from underbrush, which enabled them to make their way very rapidly. Whenever they came very near him, he stared forward again with a yell, and appeared to increase his speed. He finally darted into a thicket, and although they followed close and made much search, they were unable to find him.

They then began to retrace their steps towards the place of encampment, and when within a bout a mile of the cavern, the wild man crossed their path, within twenty rods of the main body of the party. They immediately gave chase again, and accidentally drove the creature from the forest into an open field or prairie.

The monster appeared to be much frightened at his situation, and leaped forward, howling hideously. At length he suddenly stopped and turned upon his pursuers. Mr Lincoln was then in the advance. Fearing that he might attack them, or return to the woods and escape, he fired upon him and lodged a charge of buck-shot in the calf of his leg. He fell immediately, and the Indians sprang forward and threw their ropes over his head, arms and legs, and with much effort succeeded in binding him fast. He struggled, however, most desperately, gnashed his teeth, and howled in a frightful manner. They then formed a sort of litter of branches and limbs of trees, and placing him upon it, carried him to the encampment. A watch was then placed over him, and every effort made that could be devised to keep him quiet, but he continued to howl most piteously all night. Towards morning two cubs, about three-feet high, and very similar to the large monster, came into the camp, and were taken without resistance. As soon as the monster saw them he became very furious„gnashed his teeth, and howled, and thrashed about, until he burst several of the cords, and came very near effecting his escape. But he was bound anew, and after that was kept most carefully watched and guarded. The next day he was placed on the litter and carried down to the mills on the Saint Peters.

For two or three days, Mr Lincoln says, he refused to eat or drink, or take any kind of food, but continued to howl at intervals for an hour at a time. At length, however, he began to eat, but from that time his howls ceased, and he has remained stupid and sullen ever since. The cubs took food very readily, and
became quite active and playful. Mr Lincoln is a native of Boston, and some of the workmen engaged at his mills are from this city. He arrived here Saturday afternoon in the brig St. Charles, Stewart, master, from New Orleans, with the wild man and the cubs, and they were all removed from the vessel that evening. By invitation of Mr Lincoln, who is an old acquaintance, we went down to his rooms to examine this monster. He is a horrid looking creature, and reminds us very strongly of the fabled satyrs, as we have pictured them to our own mind. He is about eight feet three inches high, when standing erect, and his frame is of giant proportions in every part. His legs are not straight, but like those of the dog and other four-footed animals, and his whole body is covered with a hide very much like that of a cow. His arms are very large and long, and ill-proportioned.

It does not appear from his manner that he has ever walked upon “all fours.” The fingers and toes are mere bunches, armed with stout claws. His head is covered with thick, coarse, black hair, like the mane of a horse. The appearance of his countenance, if such it may be called, is very disgusting nay, almost horrible.

It is covered with a thinner and lighter coat of hair than the rest of the body; there is no appearance of eye-brows or nose; the mouth is very larger and wide, and similar to that of a baboon. His eyes are quite dull and heavy, and there is no indication of cunning or activity about them. Mr Lincoln says he is beyond dispute carnivorous, as he universally rejects bread and vegetables, and eats flesh with great avidity. He thinks he is of the ourang outang species: but from what little we have seen, we are inclined to consider him a wild animal, somewhat
resembling a man. He is, to say the least, one of the most extraordinary creatures that has ever been brought before the public, from any part of the earth, or the waters under the earth, and we believe will prove a difficult puzzle to the scientific. He lies down like a brute, and does not appear to possess more instinct than common domestic animals. He is now quite tame and quiet, and is only confined by a stout chain attached to his legs.

This is the first creature of the kind, we believe, ever found on this continent. It was to be expected, however, that in penetrating the remote recessed of the new world, monsters would be found, and great natural curiosities brought to light; and it has been a matter of surprise to many that so little of the
marvelous has ever been discovered. But we cannot tell what the wilds of the far Northwest, the shores of Lake Superior, the regions of the Rocky Mountains, and the vast territory of the Oregon, may yet bring forth.

It is Mr Lincoln’s intention to submit these animals to the inspection of the scientific for a few days, in order to ascertain what they are, and after that to dispose of them to some persons for exhibition. Mr Lincoln himself will return to the Saint Peters in the course of two or three weeks.

P. S. Mr Lincoln informs us that he will exhibit the Wild Man and his cubs, gratuitously, this forenoon, in the rear of No. 9 Elm street. We presume our citizens will not be slow to take advantage of this offer.Boston Daily Times, Monday Morning, April 1 1839.

Scott McClean wonders if this is actually a newspaper hoax or merely is it a coincidence that has appeared on April 1st? He writes me: “I still think this one should be investigated more at the Boston Public Library….None of the content of the surrounding stories seem like April Fools or are far-fetched. This story was also reprinted in several newspapers later with no mention of it being a tall tale. Although, it could have been a well-crafted story based on actual “wild man” encounters!”

What if these accounts contain more facts that foolishness? What do they tell us about the reports of Wild Hairy Men in North America?

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