Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1906 — THE WILD MAN MYSTERY CLEARING UP [ARTICLE]

THE WILD MAN MYSTERY CLEARING UP

At last some light is. being thrown on the mystery of the so-called wild mas who has attracted so much attention during a week past, and whose actions have reached many of the city papers. Judge G. W, Hanley has been going out to the stock form tracks very early about every morning for some weeks, to exercise his horse, and for several mornings week before last he saw this man out there, when he would come up to the fence, from the woods and watch the Judge as he flashed past behird his foaming steed- And several times the like the other judge in Maud Muller, he “drew his bridle by the bank, of the stock farm track to greet the crank.” On these occasions he talked sensibly enough, (the crank that is, cant say about the Judge’s talk, especially i? he was talking boss.) He wore the now well known cor duroy pants and light automobile cap. On one occasion when the Judge talked with him he was mending a rip in those pants, and explained his reluctance to make his appearance in Rensselaer until the rip was mended. The Judge talked with Bruce Moffitt, of north Union, Monday, and Mr. Moffitt is very sure he is the same man who worked for him for 2} days, about two weeks ago, on his steam dredge, and was then discharged because he was a “dope fiend.” Otherwise addicted to the use of opium, or some similar drug. And this statement would easily account for the man’s recent strange conduct, especially if he has been without his accustomed supply of the drug. Judge Hanley has not got sight of the man since he began to be watched for, and to shooting at his pursuers.