1840 Encounter with a Wild Man of the Woods: A Terrifying Tale from the Past

I have come across a fascinating video on YouTube, in which the presenter shares a historical account of a wild man from 1840 that was captured in Missouri and subsequently exhibited to the public. According to the video, the wild man was first spotted by two carpenters who were out in pursuit of a gang of wolves. They reported seeing a huge monster in the forest on the branch of the Mississippi River, having the form of a man but much taller and stouter, covered with long hair, and of a frightful aspect. They stated that when seen, he was on a log looking directly at them, and the moment they raised their muskets, he darted into the thicket and disappeared. They saw him again in about a half an hour, apparently watching them, and when they turned towards him, he again disappeared. The wild man was eventually captured by a party of 23, which included Mr. Robert Lincoln, an agent of the New York Lumber Company, who was in the area to establish mills on the Pinelands near the fall of Saint Anthony. The party had set out on their expedition in July of the previous year, and during the winter, Mr. Lincoln and several of his workmen made frequent excursions in pursuit of game. The Indians in the area had told them that such beings had often been seen in Saint Peter's and near the falls on the Mississippi, and they proposed to guide the party of workmen to a bluff where it was thought that they might be found. The party arrived at the bluff in the afternoon on the 21st day of January and encamped in a cave or grotto at the foot of the hill. Early next morning, two of the Indians who were sent out to reconnoiter returned and said that they had seen the wild man on the other side of the hill. The whole party immediately prepared for pursuit, and Mr. Lincoln gave positive orders to the men not to fire on him unless it should be necessary in self-defense, as he wished to take him alive. The Indians stated that although a powerful creature, he was believed to be perfectly harmless, as he always fled at the approach of man. When the party saw the wild man, he sprang forward with a horrid and frightful yell, which made the forest ring. The Indians followed close upon him, and Lincoln and his men brought up the rear. The pursuit was continued nearly an hour, now gaining upon the object of their chase, and now losing sight of him. He finally darted into a thicket, and they were unable to find him. They then began to retrace their steps towards the place of encampment and were within about a mile of the cavern when the wild man crossed their path within 20 rods. They immediately gave chase again and accidentally drove the creature from the forest to an open prairie. At length, he suddenly stopped and turned upon his pursuers. Mr. Lincoln was then in the advance, fearing that he might attack them or return to the woods and escape. He fired upon him and lodged a charge of buckshot in the calf of his leg. He fell immediately, and the Indians sprang forward and threw their ropes over his head, arms, and legs, and with much effort succeeded in binding him fast. The wild man was described as about eight feet three inches high when standing erect and his frame was of a giant proportion in every part. His legs were not straight, but like those of any other four-footed animal, and his whole body was covered with a hide very much like that of a cow.