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 (Smythesdale Road)|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 (Smythesdale Road)|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."