BUCKY, THE MAN-BEAR

photo courtesy "Monsters of the Gilded Age"

THE MAN-BEAR

Dr. E.L. Buckley, local manager of museum freaks, stopped off in our town yesterday, having in charge a genuine curio, known to the museum public as the Man-Bear - a human being with flesh and power of speech having the perfect movements and bones of a bear.  The doctor while making a local transfer of the curio from the Chicago museums to those of Cincinnati, and having the day to spare, has concluded to gratify the curious by allowing the Man-Bear to be seen at the large vacant sample room of the New Deming Hotel. To-day only, doors open from 3 to 4 and from 7 to 9 to-night.  The Man-Bear is said to be the greatest of all living curiosities, and the exhibition proves amusing and entertaining as well as instructive.  The man-bear as a curio is something of the Jo-Jo order, only characterizing the animal more fully than the latter.  He possesses six finger-shaped claws on each of his fore limbs which are webbed out beyond the second joints, while the nails split in the middle and turn claw shape at the ends.  The forehead is very low, not over an inch in height, possessing no brain power at all.  Eyes about half the natural size, being very small and deep-set and having a glare peculiar to the lower animals.  Jaws run down into

the neck as do those of an animal; teeth a complete abscence of molars or back teeth, possessing only a few front teeth or snags which protrude from the jaws.  Ears about as large as a silver quarter.  The lower or hind limbs are formed exactly like a bear, besides there being no palettas (sic) or knee caps at all.  The feet are entirely without heels and his only mode of locomotion is upon all fours.  The man-bear is alive, 27 years of age, weighs 153 pounds, and while there is no sense in his conversation, he speaks plainly and distinctly, and in many ways to amuse the audience.  He remains one day only. Admission only 10 cents.  All physicians invited free of charge.  Don't miss this chance of seeing him. Decatur (Illinois) Daily Republican; 13 Feb 1888