The Wild Man of Redan

The Wild Man of Redan was a character who frightened the residents of Redan in 1872. He was finally captured after a long chase along the creek and through the diggings by Constable Moran. He was captured near the Iona Hotel, which was near the corner of Sutton Street and the Glenelg Highway. Moran was the officer in charge of the Redan Police Station.

The details
The Portland Guardian carried the story in its issue of 6 May 1872: "THE WILDMAN. 'They have caught the wild man' was rumoured about town at an early hour yesterday morning, and, naturally enough public excitement ran high. It was perfectly true--a wild man had been caught on the Sebastopol road, near the Iona Hotel, and that he so far resembled the veritable 'wild 'un' in so far as he adapted almost the costume bit a 'noble savage.' The man captured turned out to be a wild, drunken fellow, named Michael Adams, whose goings on of late have somewhat startled the good folks of Redan. It seems that Constable Moran and another officer of the Redan force had a long chase after Adams at 2 o'clock this morning, and after dodging their game in and out of the creek and other places where the running became difficult, at length nailed him. The unfortunate fellow was nearly nude, and was evidently suffering from delirium produced by drinking. He said he had been out with the hounds all night, and made other incoherent statements while on his way to the lock-up. This morning he was brought before the City Bench and was remanded. In the meantime some inquiries will be made into his case." From the Argus: "Another man has been apprehended who was supposed to be the identical 'wild fellow' who has so long disturbed the peace of the White Horse and other ranges. His name is Michael Adams ; but beyond the fact that he was nearly naked and nearly mad when arrested, he bears no resemblance to the alleged Simon Pure. He was placed before the city bench to-day, and remanded for medical examination. His story is that he went out some time ago to follow the hounds on foot, and in doing so got bogged in the Yarrowee, which he has been exploring ever since, as he says he is fond of knowing the particulars of everything that comes in his way. He appears to be a man suffering from the effects of hard drinking."

He was released from custody a couple of days later: "Discharge. —Mr Gaunt said, in the case of Michael Adams, the supposed wild man, who had been arrested at Sebastopol the other day, and remanded for medical enquiry, he had received a medical certificate to the effect that the man was fit to be discharged. As Mr Sub-inspector Ryall had no objection, an order was made for the prisoner’s discharge." "It will be remembered that a day or two ago a man named Michael Adams, who had been behaving himself in a most eccentric manner, was arrested at Sebastopol, under the supposition that he was the wild man who had been giving so much trouble to the police lately. He was brought up at the police-court and remanded for, medical-enquiry. In the Eastern Police-court on Friday, Mr Gaunt, P.M., ordered his discharge, as the medical-officer had pronounced him fit to, be set at liberty, and some of his relations had promised to take care pf him, and to send him back to England if possible."