The Washington Times (Washington [D.C.]), September 20th 1919
Lair of Wild Man Is Found In Cave
Strange, Hairy Creature Gives Quartet of Fishermen Scare of Lives.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept. 20. – The Leiperville wild man today bids fair to rank with the far-famed, but mythical Jersey devil.
Posses of brave men are drumming the woods for the strange, hairy creature, which is reported to walk on all fours repeating blood-chilling cries of “Oo-ooh!” and “mag-mag-mag!”
But the supposed lair of the savage man – a forbiding rocky nook, spotted with bushes and tangled with briars, on Crim creek, midway between Leiperville and Avondale – is being given a wide berth by the timid.
In Ridley Park it is believed the wild man is a patient who escaped from an institution last spring, after having been struck on the head with a blackjack.
News that a hairy creature of terrifying mien was at large was first told by a quartet of carp fishermen – Hugh Duffy, John Wiley, Mike Dillon and Lawrence Scott.
Fishmen Tell Tale.
The encounter with the wild man occurred on the banks of the creek, near Avondale, says the anglers. Carp were biting. Suddenly appeared a strange creature – wild, hairy and nude, approaching on all fours.
The quartet became stiff with fright. Duffy disappeared. Then there were three fishermen.
“Mag-mag-mag,” groaned the wild man. Dillon vanished. Then there were two fishermen.
Wiley fell into the creek and swam to the other bank. Then there was one fisherman.
“Mag-mag-mag!” snarled the wild man, shaking its shaggy head. Scott, speechless, slipped into the bushes.
How the wild man terrified those who attempted to invade its cavern fastness following this encounter was described today by James F. Dougherty, fight promoter and “Baron of Leiperville.”
Supposed To Live In Cave.
“This wild man is supposed to be in a cave above the Baldwin Locomotove Works,” said the ‘Baron,’ dryly. “When the fishermen came back here yesterday and told the fellows in the poolroom about seeing it there was a posse organized to capture it, see?
“This gang of heroes goes up to where the cave is. They got bricks and commenced whooping and hollering for anybody who was in the cave to come out and be captured. They were kind of brave fellows, see?
“They would have captured it, alright, but something stuck its hairy head out of the cave and all the brave heroes fell in the creek. Of course, they would have gone back into the cave and dragged the wild man out, see? But it wasn’t a flashlight affair and they were doubtful about groping around in the dark.”
Evidence that there may be a family of wild men at large in the district came today when a wild-looking individual, with red hair and whiskers, appeared at the home of P. G. Scott, at Toughkenamon, and demanded a piece of bread. He wore clothes, however, and seemed appeased when Mrs. Scott gave him the bread.
Disclaimer: This 1919 newspaper article was published prior to 1931. Under United States copyright law (specifically the 95-year rule), this work has entered the public domain and is thus free to use or republish. It is presented here as an interesting and folkloric newspaper oddity.
Context: “Wild Men” or “Wild People” were purportedly “feral” people who lived in the wilderness in European folklore, representing nature. They were often depicted as tall and hair-covered. In the 1800’s and early 1900’s, stories of encounters with people in or from the wilderness including hermits, houseless people, or people going through a mental health crisis, were often reported in American newpress and labeled “Wild Men” as a popular newspaper curiosity genre.
Source(s): https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84026749/1919-09-20/ed-1/?sp=17
Categories: Newspapers, Wild People