“SAGO”—THE WILD MAN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 86, 18 April 1913, Page 3

“SAGO”—THE WILD MAN.

- - - - ■■■■■— , ' PLAYED OtT .AT LAST-

i: A case, which caused considerable amUsefnent, was heard at the police court at West Maitland (N.S.W!) last week,, when Percy William Stevenson • was charged with .having obtained tlie sum of sixpence from. Detective O’Reilly, at Maitland showground liy hneftns of false pretences. Henry Joseph Lane was charged with aiding and abetting him.

The detective said both accused were engaged in running a side show on the showground. Stevenson was calling out “Come and see the wild man. Ho was caught in Africa, but is kept deep down in a dungeon. The wild man got loose last night and killed a bullock on the showground,” and, pointing to a bullock’s head, he said “Ho is now feeding on the bones and flesh.”

The detective paid sixpence admission, and saw Lane lying down on some straw. He was fastened in a canvas packet, had a wig on, and a set of'false teeth, which protruded from his mouth to give him a ferocious appearance. The whole thing was a fraud.

Both men were arrested and locked up. Stevenson said he had been allowed to show on Sydney and other showgrounds, and thought he was within his rights.

Tho police magistrate said that at show times people liked to be made fools of, and as accused both promised not to continue with the show, each was fined £1 or 14. days.