The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

LOGGING LEGEND

DURING THE TIMES WHEN NORTHERN MICHIGAN WAS MOSTLY VIRGIN
FORESTS, THE LOGGING COMPANIES WERE BUSY STAKING OUT
CLAIMS AND CUTTING THE TIMBER. THE LOGGING COMPANIES
WOULD HIRE CERTAIN MEN FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF EXPLORING
THE UNCHARTED LANDS AND STAKING OUT CLAIMS. IT
APPEARS THAT OFTEN THESE MEN WOULD GET LOST AND NEVER
RETURN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THESE MEN HAD TO REVERT TO
NATURE TO SURVIVE AND IN TIME THEY BECAME ACTUAL WILD
MEN.
IF YOU'RE EVER WALKING THROUGH THE NORTHERN FORESTS AND
YOU FEEL THAT SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING YOU, YOU WILL KNOW
THAT IT IS ONE OF THESE WILD MEN.
MANY TIMES TRAPPERS AND EXPLORERS WOULD UNACCOUNTABLY
LOSE THINGS FROM THEIR GEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
BUT THEY KNEW WHERE IT WENT--TO THESE WILD MEN. THE
SAME IS TRUE TODAY; IF YOU LOSE SOMETHING UNACCOUNTABLY,
YOU WILL KNOW THAT IT WAS TAKEN BY ONE OF THESE WILD
MEN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Date learned: 11-10-1968