Burlington Hawk-Eye
Burlington, Iowa

June 30, 1886

A GENUINE WILD MAN.

A Large Reward Offered by Ohio People to be Rid of Him.

Lima, Ohio, June 29. – The people in the neighborhood of Grover Crossing, a small town west of this city, just across the Van Wert county line, are in a state of great excitement over the advent of a wild man in that locality. He is described as being gigantic in size, and wearing no clothing except an
old slouch hat and a pair of boots. His hair is long and matty, his body tanned until it is a mud color, and he is very ferocious, and has a frightful appearance. He is very bold in his adventures and can run like a racehorse. His eyes flash like fire, and his unintelligible utterances are thrilling and blood-curdling.

The first seen of this strange monster was in the latter part of last May [1885]. Since that time he has been seen on many occasions and viewed at short range. The last time he was seen was only yesterday, by a boy by the name of Hartzog, living in that neighborhood, on his way to school. He was obliged to pass through the woods in which the strange being has been seen several times. In passing near a large fallen tree-top the wild man suddenly emerged and ran away, screaming in a most horrible manner. The startling appearance of the wild monster so frightened the boy that he
started in the opposite direction, terrified and crying. When he arrived at home it was some time before he could tell those about him what was the matter. Even now it is impossible to persuade the boy to leave the house, even in day-time. It is said that the people of that neighborhood have offered a reward of $500 for the capture of the wild man and that a party will be organized in a few days to make the attempt.