Camas's Wild Man

[Comfortably Numb]

From the Wood River Times, Hailey, Idaho, 10 October, 1882.

Thoughts on this report?

 

[EnolaGaia]

There are two different places in Idaho known as "Camas Prairie."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camas_prairie

Given the newspaper's location in Hailey and the story's allusion to bringing the wild man to Hailey to turn him over to county authorities, it would be the southern of the two locations (in what is now Camas County) that's the scene for this story.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camas_County,_Idaho

 

[EnolaGaia]

It would appear the wild man of Camas Prairie was killed circa 5 months later.

The story of his death mentions the first sighting occurred circa 1873, and it suggests he may have been an "insane" stage driver who disappeared from Boise.

Here's the earliest version of the story I found ...

The Times
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
03 Mar 1883, Sat • Page 3

​

SOURCE: https://img7.newspapers.com/clip/11900807/1883-wildman-pennsylvania/

 

[EnolaGaia]

The story of the wild man's death (word for word) was published in various American newspapers during the months following the article above.

If you'd like to save a copy, a text transcription from the Fort Wayne Daily Gazette (April 2, 1883) can be accessed on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/BigfootChickAdventures/photos/a.196646710423924/1785443011544278

 

[Comfortably Numb]

The story of the wild man's death (word for word) was published in various American newspapers during the months following the article above.

Exceptional research, thought you might be intrigued.

If we solve a mystery where evidence confirms, 'the body was also covered with a thick growth of hair about two inches on length' and 'the finger and toe nails... resembled claws more than nails', this is definitely one cowboy story for a boy's bedtime...

 

[Kondoru]

Its a grand story isnt it?

and nothing more