The legend of the Wild Man of North Carolina from 1877 is a captivating tale that has intrigued many over the years. Here’s a detailed account based on the available information:

In 1877, a group of gold miners was traveling through the Globe Valley in Caldwell County, North Carolina. During their journey, they encountered what they described as a “Wild Man.” This figure was unlike anything they had ever seen before. According to one miner, the Wild Man appeared to be a giant, standing at six feet, five inches tall, with a funnel-shaped head and two-inch-long dark hair covering his body.

The miners only got within 40 yards of the Wild Man before he noticed them. Upon seeing the miners, the Wild Man pounded on his chest and then bounded off into the woods with the speed of a deer. Determined to uncover more about this mysterious figure, the miners tracked him with their guns drawn. Their pursuit led them to a cave deep in the mountains.

Inside the cave, the miners found bones of many animals scattered about, indicating that the Wild Man had been living there for some time. This discovery added to the eerie and mysterious nature of the encounter. The story of the Wild Man of North Carolina is similar to hundreds of other sightings, encounters, and confrontations that supposedly took place across the United States following the Civil War.

These tales were often reported in newspapers and magazines, capturing the public’s imagination. The Wild Man was typically described as a large, hairy figure with extraordinary strength and speed, living in isolation from human society. While the existence of such feral humans remains unproven, the legend continues to be a fascinating part of American folklore.

On Saturday, June 14th, 1969, The Martin family visited the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee. The Martin family ran into some campers (also called the Martin Family) that also had kids for Dennis and his older brother to play with. Both families allowed the kids to play together and the kids started a game to hide behind the bushes to surprise the adults. Dennis was last seen by his father going behind a bush at a tree line as the other kids also hid.

Dennis never came out from behind the bush.

His father ran 2 miles down the trail looking for his son. He stopped when he knew Dennis could not have gotten that far. Park Rangers were then called.

Harold Key, a visitor to the park reported hearing a loud scream on the afternoon Martin disappeared. Shortly after, he claims to have seen a disheveled man, covered in hair and attempting to remain unseen, fleeing through the woods. Key’s family elaborated than the figure had a red object slung over his shoulder, matching the clothing Martin was wearing.

Despite the report, FBI investigators ultimately dismissed it, given that the sighting had taken place more than five miles from where Martin had vanished, and Key was unclear on the timeline. Key later speculated that the man may have been a moonshiner, explaining his reluctance to be seen. One retired park ranger lamented the failure to properly follow up either the footprints or the sighting of the rough-looking man. He is arguing that as the location of the sighting was downhill from where Martin disappeared it was more than reasonable for a relatively fit individual to cover that distance in the time frame, even carrying a child.

Almost 1500 people searched for Dennis. The Martin family even reached out to psychics for help. On June 23rd, police dogs were brought in, but it was reported that the dogs refused to track that area; only sitting down and whimpering. On the 26th, a man called in to Carson Brewer of the Knoxville News-Sentinel and told him to inform the searchers to “Look in the trees and treetops. Stop looking on the ground.” This cryptic phone call is another of the strange details surrounding the case that just does not sit right with many. The official search would end on June 29th. Unofficial efforts would continue into September. The Martin family, refusing to believe their son was dead – in their defense, no body, blood, or any other spoor that might lead to that conclusion was ever found – put up a $5,000 reward for information leading to the return of their son.

A fixed wing plane, multiple helicopters, a dozen jeeps, multiple National Guard Units, and Special Forces were called in. Several military command posts were established that seemed to be working independently of the National Parks Service and FBI. In the official case report on the incident it states that President Nixon was monitoring the situation and wanted to be kept up to speed. The sheer scope of the government and military involvement regarding this event was unprecedented. The Green Berets even arrived heavily armed and told park rangers and independent searchers to not get involved any longer. Locals state that the Green Berets stayed in those woods for a week. One of the military men involved told a park ranger that “we took care of what snatched Dennis”.

Eyewitness statement:

I have encountered Feral humans in North Idaho. My Daughter and I were lost after taking a wrong turn in the back country of Shoshone County. The area was uninhabited forest land. An adult albino male and female emerged onto the shoulder of the gravel road and were being followed by a young boy and girl who were both naked. They too were both albinos. Both adults were wearing tattered long sleeve shirts but no pants or shoes. They all were grotesquely disfigured with facial deformities. Pronounced brows and cheek bones, non-symmetrical skulls, and offset lower jaws. They all had thin lips, open mouths, with exposed crooked teeth. Their white dirty hair was patchy with bald spots and past their shoulders in length. They looked malnourished with twisted spines and bony limbs. Their heads looked disproportionately large for their bodies. The man and woman lunged at the truck with arms outstretched. Both making loud guttural grunting sounds. My Daughter was screaming, absolutely terrified by their appearance and behavior. Needless to say, I didn’t stop or slow down. We were only going about ten miles an hour due to the condition of the road. There were no driveways or evidence of houses for miles. We were literally twenty miles from the nearest paved road. Every once in a while, my daughter will bring the incident up in conversation. To this day, twenty-five years later, do I have a reasonable explanation for what we witnessed.

Eyewitness statement:

In 1976 I was in the Nat. Guard in Newport Tn. I signed out a jeep. Another soldier and I went on a recruiting trip. We were given a tip to drive up Hall’s peak, English Mountain, Part of the Smokey Mtn chain. that there were people we could talk to. Hall’s peak was barely gravel with a pretty steep grade two third of the way up a young male stood off to the side. As Randy and I got closer, Randy said, “Get the hell out of here!!” As we got close enough, I got truly scared. The male’s head was misshapen, one eye lower than the other. He was the dirtiest person I have ever seen, and we could smell him 30 feet away. He smelled like rotted meat. Neither Randy or I spoke a word all the way off of the peak. When we got back to the motor pool. The Sgt Cody asked what was wrong. We told him, he was pissed off beyond belief, asking what the H ell were we doing up there. We told him about the advised to go up there to look for recruits. He tore into the guys that told us to go, telling them they could have gotten us killed and they knew what could have happened, that they kill and eat people up there. True Story.

Eyewitness statement:

I’m on the NC side of The Great Smoky Mountains. Lived here my entire life.

All of us here know what’s in these woods and mountains.

Since the 30s or 40s, there have been feral wild men living in these mountains. They are fast. They will snatch livestock and snatch children. The FBI knows. It’s why they do not get involved. I’ve heard other stories that there was some attempt to kill these feral wild men, but they still exist. Even today. And I’m not talking about some end of days extremist who took to the woods…I mean feral… completely wild men. Their own language. Living underground.

We do not go into the woods at night. During the day we make sure to stay on the trails. Sometimes you will smell if. That putrid smell. At night you’ll hear them hollering. Supposed inbreds.

The locals around here know what happened to Dennis Martin. He was snatched by one of the feral wild men.

It’s not uncommon for people to go missing here. They are normally found. But you’d also be surprised on the number of children that simply disappear. The FBI has covered it up for years. Where do you think the movie “The Hills Have Eyes” came from. It’s true.

I hear them from time to time. Disturbing sounds. They live all up and down the Mountains here…in national parks and forests.

Local Folklore and Legends:
Numerous local legends and tales persist about mysterious figures lurking in the remote areas of the Smoky Mountains. These stories, passed down through generations, often describe encounters with individuals who appear wild, unkempt, and seemingly disconnected from modern society. While these accounts lack concrete evidence, they highlight the enduring belief in the existence of feral people in the region.

Remote Areas: Feral people, if they exist, are likely to inhabit remote and inaccessible areas of the park. Locations with dense forest cover, steep terrain, and minimal human activity would provide ideal hiding places.

Water Sources: Access to clean water is essential for survival. Areas near rivers, streams, or natural springs could be potential gathering or habitation sites.

Food Sources: Feral people would need to rely on foraging, hunting, or scavenging for food. Areas with abundant wildlife and edible plant life could be attractive to them.

Potential Locations for Further Investigation:

Considering these factors, the following areas within the Smoky Mountains could be promising for further investigation:

1. The Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is often cited as a potential location for sightings of feral people due to several factors:

Remote and Undeveloped: The valley offers vast stretches of wilderness, particularly in the higher elevations, where it’s easier to avoid human contact.

Abundant Natural Resources: The valley provides ample resources for survival, including water, game, and edible plants.
Historical Significance: The area has a rich history, including abandoned homesteads and old roads, which could provide shelter and potential hiding spots.

Local Legends and Folklore: There are numerous local tales and legends associated with the valley, including stories of mysterious individuals and strange occurrences.

Limited Human Activity: While the valley is a popular tourist destination, there are large areas that remain relatively undisturbed, especially in the off-season.

2.The Great Smoky Mountains backcountry offers several characteristics that could make it a potential habitat for feral people:

Remote and Undeveloped: The backcountry is vast and largely uninhabited, providing ample opportunity for isolation and concealment.

Abundant Natural Resources: The park offers abundant natural resources, including water, game, and edible plants, which could sustain a person living off the land.

Diverse Terrain: The varied terrain, including mountains, valleys, and forests, offers numerous hiding places and potential shelters.

Limited Human Activity: While the park attracts millions of visitors each year, the backcountry areas are less frequented, allowing for more privacy and less chance of being discovered.

3. The Oconaluftee River Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park could offer several potential advantages for a feral person to survive and remain undetected:

Abundant Natural Resources: The valley provides a wealth of natural resources, including the Oconaluftee River, which offers fresh water and fish. The surrounding forests provide ample food sources, such as berries, nuts, and game.

Remote and Undeveloped Areas: While the valley is a popular tourist destination, there are still remote and undeveloped areas, particularly in the higher elevations, where a feral person could find solitude and shelter.

Historical Significance: The valley has a rich history, including Cherokee Indian settlements and old homesteads. Some of these historic sites could provide potential shelter or hiding places.

Diverse Terrain: The valley offers a diverse range of terrain, including forests, mountains, and river valleys, which could provide various opportunities for survival and concealment.

It’s important to approach any investigation with caution and respect for the environment and potential encounters with wildlife. By combining careful observation, local knowledge, and a willingness to explore the unknown, it may be possible to uncover more about the elusive feral people of the Smoky Mountains.