The Wild Men of Parkesburg

Before “Bigfoot” became a household name in 1958, mysterious humanoid creatures were commonly referred to as “wild man” or “wild men” in the newspaper.

A deep dive into the LancasterOnline archives reveals numerous reports of such sightings. While many accounts point to reclusive individuals living on the fringes of society or opportunistic thieves, others defy easy explanation. Among these accounts is the story of the Wild Men of Parkesburg, cryptid-like figures whose presence captivated the imagination of local residents as documented in the September 23, 1874 edition of the Intelligencer Journal.

The September 1874 Encounter

The report begins in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, where residents were abuzz with sightings of a “wild man” who was said to be roaming the area. Descriptions varied wildly, with some claiming the figure was over 250 pounds and others speculating it was an enormous, terrifying beast. As the reporter noted, imagination had clearly played a role in these accounts.

Eventually, not one but two “wild men” were reportedly captured. Far from the terrifying monsters of legend, the captives were described as quiet, docile, and even approachable. Here is what we know about them:

• The first wild man was over six feet tall, slim, with very large hands and feet, a medium-sized head, and dark skin.
• The second wild man stood about five feet five inches tall, stocky, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with similarly oversized hands and feet.

Contrary to earlier rumors, neither was covered in hair. Both had only minimal facial hair and were surprisingly well-behaved. They reportedly enjoyed regular food and drink, a stark contrast to tales of their feasting on carrion.

Despite their subdued nature, their strange, unearthly cries—likened to blowing through a goose quill—continued to fuel speculation. Some theorized these cries were territorial warnings, possibly intended to scare off rivals from potential mates.

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While the captured wild men were shown to the public at a Parkesburg local tavern, another, larger creature was believed to roam the nearby Welsh Mountains. Described as enormous and terrifying, this “wild beast” was said to be growing ever larger with each passing year. Witnesses claimed it was headed toward Morgantown as the fall chestnut season approached.

Unlike the docile wild men, this beast seemed to embody pure terror. Its reputation as a massive, menacing figure was enough to keep many locals away from the Welsh Mountains entirely. You can read the original September 1874 Intelligencer Journal article here.

This wasn’t the first time tales of a hairy creature roaming the Welsh Mountains captured public attention. An August 15, 1871, newspaper article highlighted the Pennsylvania Dutch belief in the “hairy man,” a wild figure of local legend. Clad only in a thick coat of hair, this mysterious being was said to scale towering trees, terrorize children and livestock, and evade every attempt at capture. Just a week prior, the Reading newspapers reported a fresh sighting of the elusive creature on Welsh Mountain. The editor aptly suggested that it was high time this fearsome beast was caught and dealt with. Click here to read the original article.

These tales of wild men might remind readers of the Albatwitch, Lancaster County’s own diminutive cryptid. Known as “Columbia’s Little Bigfoot,” the Albatwitch is said to inhabit the forests along the Susquehanna River. Descriptions often depict it as a small, ape-like creature known for stealing apples and remaining elusive. While the wild men of Parkesburg were human in appearance, their mysterious behavior and eerie cries parallel the Albatwitch legend, blurring the lines between folklore and reality.

Could the Parkesburg wild men have been early sightings of a similar cryptid misunderstood by locals? Or were they simply outsiders whose unusual appearance sparked fear and wild stories?

Read More

Read more stories like this in my first full-length book, Uncharted Lancaster’s Ghosts, Monsters, and Tales of Adventure. This 283-page book is packed with 64 unforgettable stories, all set right here in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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Resources

• Intelligencer Journal Sep 23, 1874
• Sterling Gazette September 2, 1871