Unknown Creature Sighted in Arkansas
Wild Man Of the Woods
The Memphis Enquirer , May 9th 1851
Cryptozoology author, Loren Coleman foundthe 1851 article during his investigations in the early 1960's. It has come down throughthe years as one of the earliest accounts from the Midwest USA.
During March last , Mr. Hamilton of GreeneCounty, Arkansas, while out hunting with an acquaintance observed a drove of cattlein a state of apparent alarm, evident pursued by some dreaded enemy. Halting for thepurpose, they soon discovered as the animal bearing the unmistakable likeness of humanity.He was gigantic stature, the body being covered with hair and the head with long locksthat fairly enveloped his neck and shoulders. The "wildman" for we must so callhim, after looking at them deliberately for a short time, turned and ran away with greatspeed, leaping from twelve to fourteen feet at a time. His foot prints measured thirteeninches each.
The singular creature has long been knowntraditionally in St. Francis, Greene and Poinsett counties. Arkansas sportsmen and huntershaving described him so long as seventeen years since. A planter, indeed, saw him veryrecently, but withheld his information lest he should not be credited, until the accountof Mr. Hamilton and his friend placed the existence of the animal beyond cavil.