Salem, Ohio Thursday, August 27, 1891
Is it Wild Man or Beast?
MARTINS FERRY, O., Aug. 27 – The farmers near Negee, this county, have organized to hunt down the wild man or animal that has been killing and devouring sheep, hogs, chickens, etc., in that section. Many of the farmers are afraid to work in their fields, go out after their stock or go to sleep at night, fearing they will be killed. The wild man or whatever it is has been seen by Samuel Crow and others. Crow says it is covered with dark reddish hair, has large ears, small eyes, teeth like those of a wild boar, huge mouth and paws, measures about five feet in height and weighs fully 200 pounds. It is said that the animal walks and runs as well on two as four legs, can climb a tree or hill quickly and is only seen in the morning and evening. Farmers and their families in the vicinity are very much frightened.
Salem, Ohio, Tuesday evening, February 2, 1897
WILD MAN
People of Danville Terrorized – Schools Closed – Small Children Seized
Coshocton, February 2 – Word has reached here of the queer doings of a wild man who has been terrorizing the village of Danville and vicinity. He is described as being more than ordinary height, with a long flowing mane springing from between his shoulders. He is clad only from his hips down with the pelts of sheep.
George Walker, a farmer, first saw him and gave pursuit, but was distanced. The man was tracker to a hut and when the posse went to it he was absent. When he returned those who had been keeping watch reported it and the wild man was pursued by men on horseback, but he escaped. The cabin was fitted up with sheep pelts. Once when chased he eluded his pursuers, although carrying a sheep under his arm. The schools in the terrorized territory were closed, as the people were afraid to send their children after the man seized a child going to school and ran with it a half a mile before releasing it.
Marion, Ohio, Thursday, June 10, 1897
Wild Man Seen Again
He Wears Nothing but Hair, Which is Long and Curly
The wild man who created so much terror among the inhabitants near Rome, O., several weeks ago by his strange actions has again been seen. Charles Lukens and Bob Forner, while cutting timber a few miles from Rome, claim they encountered a wild man and after a severe struggle say they were say they were able to drive the gorillalike object into his supposed retreat among the cliffs.
They describe the terror as being about six feet tall and his only covering, apparently, a mat of long, curly hair. From their description of the supposed wild man is he undoubtedly the same seen a number of times several weeks ago.
Women and children are now more thoroughly frightened than ever and are afraid to venture from their homes lest they meet the wild creature. A posse of determined men will scour the country now until the terror is located and captured or killed. – Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Massillon, Ohio, Thursday August 10, 1899
REIGN OF TERROR
Stories of the Wild Man of the Woods
WHAT THE POSSE FOUND
Hacked trees and holes in the ground left behind by one who in his fighting fits attacks the nearest objects.
The reign of terror of the wild man of the rail timber north of Jersey remains unbroken. Every day parties of Massillon, West Brook and Sippo citizens scour the woods, thrusting long poles into all suspicious places too dark to be explored by the eye but without succeeding in so much as catching sign of their quarry. Constable Sibea(?) of West Brookfield, who led one posse through the timberland is in Massillon today. He says they found trees which had been hacked with a hatched and holes in the ground too large to be those of animals, but the wild man himself evaded them entirely. It is the popular supposition that this violent individual carries a long handled hatchet which with he wields with intense fury, attacking trees and the earth when other foes are lacking.
A telephone message that this man of the woods had been located near the rolling mill caused Policeman Ertle(?) to hurry thither the other day. When he arrived, an individual sitting under a tree in a nearby grove was pointed out to him. “He’s crazy, offices, he’s crazy, he’s crazy” the workmen declared. Which remark caused the policeman to lay a hand on his shooting irons and then with firm tread proceed to the grove. The man under the tree looked up over the copy of the “Christian Advocate” he was reading, and greeted the officer pleasantly. He said he was a stranger in the city and was in hard luck. He and the officer came down town together and from here the stranger went to Canton where he was hopeful of securing employment. The policeman was disgusted with the whole affair and he now takes the wild man stories with a grain of salt.
Lima, Ohio, Monday April 14, 1902
THE PUMA OUTDONE
Rockport and Beaver Dam People Have a New Freak to be Afraid of
Not since the time, several years ago, when Charley Price’s famous mythical puma had the natives of the Putnam county swamps dodging their own shadows had a scare been started in northwest Ohio equal to that now in full sway in the vicinity of the village of Rockport and Beaver Dam. The puma will have to take a back seat for the new freak, an account which appeared in the following dispatch from Columbus Grove to the Enquirer:
“A starange being, apparently half man, half beast, is seen in the county round about Hockport and Beaver Dam. The creature puts in an appearance at or near farmhouses.
“For some time the farmers in that vicinity have been troubled by nightly visits, apparently from intruders bent on securing money or other valuables. It was the scheme of the prowler to attempt to open a window or fumble at the door locks, then move on to the rear part of the house, and after giving the gates and such outposts a good shake disappears as quickly as he came. The family of Frank Conkleman left their home because of these visits, and while they were gone the strange being was seen.
“The creature is described as resembling man, although possesses of features coarse and rough, and is said to be covered with hair. The inhabitants of that staid old country vicinity are half crazed with excitement, and the female portion will not venture out after nightfall.
“It is firmly believed that the strange creature is an insane person who has been at large for some time. The being is attired in dress peculiar to one of the male sex, although scantly clad. A searching party will be organized to capture the fellow, if possible, although his fleetness of foot and abilities at fence jumping almost preclude any ideas of so doing.”
Newark, Ohio, Wednesday Evening, October 12, 1904
WILD MAN
SCARING PEOPLE IN VICINITY OF NEW PHILADELPHIA
As big as Goliath, Fleet as the Wind and Lithe as the Deer is at Large.
New Philadelphia, O., Oct. 12 – The people of this community are greatly exercised over the stories related by wayfarers that a wild man, who haunts the woods, is at large.
Mothers have warned their boys and girls to keep within calling distance. While their fathers are on the lookout for the creature that has suddenly become a menace to hickory nut parties.
The wild man is said to be a giant in stature and to roam about without a stitch of clothing on his body. As fleet as the wind and lithe as the deer he has so far outdistanced the swiftest hounds that have been put on his trail by their masters. Some men all but cornered him Monday night, but were afraid to tackle him. He tore up a handful of grass and munched it while the hunters were in view. Then he ran away.
Lima, Ohio, Thursday July 15, 1920
BIG APE ROAMS NEAR MARIETTA
Animal Escaped From Zoo or Circus is Hunted
MARIETTA, Ohio -- If the Cincinnati Zoo or any rambling circus that has passed thru Ohio have lost a first class man-sized ape, disturbed residents of this town and the vicinity of Gravel Bank would like to have representatives come here and inquire into the antecedents of a strange animal that has stirred the quiet folk hereabouts to a high pitch of excitement.
Rumors of what is declared to be a large specimen of the African ape, seen in a heavy woods near Gravel Bank, eight mile below here on the Ohio river, have been confirmed by the weird experience by many people. The animal is declared to have on a number of occasions disputed the right of road with persons walking in the direction of Marietta.
The other night the strange animal is declared by Archie Cassady of Marietta to have squatted in the road and to have refused to permit Cassady and his party to pass. When the party offered to give the animal the road, the ape calmly moved over in front of them and blocked their passage. They returned later with an armed searching party, but the beast had disappeared. Another posse was organized after the people on a train, returning home, had seen the ape. But tho they found no huge tracks in the under brush, the animal had evidently taken to the trees.
Several persons have fired at the animal, including William Fish, a farmer living near Gravel Bank. When frightened, those who have seen the animal report the ape swings into the trees, jumping from branch to branch.
The ape is said to be considerable larger than a man, apparently being seven feet tall. It has not attacked any persons or livestock, and it is believed it hunts human habitation more from a desire for companionship than with the purpose to harm. When last seen the ape appeared to be well fed and at home in the woods he has selected as his habitat.
Saturday Evening, June 7, 1930
Army of Ape-Hunters Search North Ohio for Anthropoid
NORWALK, O., June 7 – An army of ape-hunters, a new kind of searching party in Ohio, is combing northern Ohio today for a large anthropoid ape, which is reported to be roaming this section.
Residents in the vicinity of Norwalk are horror stricken following the many persistent reports of the huge animal’s roaming activities.
First reports came from a party of motorists from Detroit. They said they had seen the ape Monday near the Norwalk Memorial hospital. Local residents scoffed at the news. Impossible was the common opinion.
A tourist from Mansfield gave the next report. He said he saw the beast in the outskirts of the city. Many truck drivers and motorists made similar reports. Norwalk citizens still thot someone was “seeing things.”
John Landoll, who lives near the city limits, went into his garden to quiet his dog last night. The dog had scented something. Landoll saw the shape of what appeared to be a man.
As the shape lumbered away in true anthropoid fashion, Landoll remembered the rumor about the ape. He didn’t wait to see any more.
It was reported several weeks ago that an ape escaped from a circus at Sandusky.
Athens, Ohio, Sunday June 8, 1930
Roaming Ape Still at Large Near Norwalk as Terrified Residents Stay in Homes, Awaiting Capture
Organized Search Planned Over Week-End for Beast That Is Reported Seen by Citizen and Two Parties of Tourists
NORWALK, O., June 7 – Terrified women and anxious children who have remained behind locked doors in their homes for the past few days, today eagerly awaited the results of the organized search planned for this afternoon for an ape reported roaming the woods of the western outskirts of the city.
That section of the town spent a night of terror when a posse of 100 men and deputies failed to find any trace of the supposed beast in a hunt through the woods about midnight.
The young army of hunters carried shotguns, picks, clubs and rifles. Flashlights and lights from autos aided in the search.
The entire west side of the city was in the grip of terror today following the persistent reports that the animal was running wild.
John Landoll is the latest person to have reported seeing the beast in the garden at the rear of his house near the city limits. He said his dog had been barking at the animal for several nights and that on investigation he sighted the ape in a crouching position.
Others who have seen the anthropoid include two motorists from Detroit and another party of tourists from Mansfield.
Although sheriff Harry D. Smith places little credence in the existence of the ape, he has offered the aid of deputies in finding the beast.
Monday Evening June 9, 1930
Northern Ohio Continues Search for Escaped Ape
NORWALK, O., June 9 – After a week-end of intense search residents of Huron co. were as much baffled as ever today regarding the mysterious anthropoid that has been reported seen near the John Ladoll farm west of here.
The animal, if it is not an optical illusion or hallucination of some sort, still remains at large. John Landoll reported seeing the animal in his garden about a week ago. He declared it resembled a huge ape.
Carl Landoll, 17, son of John Landoll, reported today that he has discovered tracks, apparently those of an ape, in the bed of Huron river near his home.
Hundreds of persons joined in a search for the mysterious creature yesterday, but no trace of the animal was found. Authorities pointed out that because of the density of the wooded region about the Landoll farm that an ape could easily elude its hunters.
Thursday Evening, June 12, 1930
Ohio’s Ape Is Again Seen In Fremont Vicinity
FREMONT, June 12 – Interest in the “ape mystery” which has gripped this county for the past week, was heightened today when Frank Binder of Rice tp., near here, reported that he saw the prowling anthropoid.
Posses of farmers and deputies from the county sheriff’s office organized immediately and started an intensive search in the district. It was believed the animal is in thickets several miles north of this city.
Binder described the beast as a large gray animal. He declared that he chased it for some distance thru a corn field but finally lost trace of it. The animal had a “peculiar style of running,” Binder said.
The strange animal was first reported seen on the western outskirts of Norwalk. A group of tourists from Detroit told city authorities they saw an ape. A motorist from Mansfield made the next report which was followed by numerous stories from truck drivers and tourists.
A thoro search by a large posse last week-end failed to reveal any trace of an ape.