Cyclist across the globe get to see interesting sights while out riding. It’s the nature of being exposed to the environment that makes exploration and discovery of things while riding all the more intriguing. Many times I spot deer and wild turkey crossing the roads on my way through Jamesville quarry roads. These sights always give me a bit of wonder and a bit of a story to tell my young kids. Recently I spotted an unnatural sight while riding out by Pompey, NY that made an impression on me and made me not want to mention to my kids.
First sighting was a few weeks ago on a weeknight on Rt91 near Jamesville reservoir. This man was pushing a wheelchair with an unusually large person/dummy/mannequin. The sight was somewhat unnatural since the mannequin is jet-black and has large red lips among other features. As I rode past this couple I felt tingles along the back of my spine. I had the feeling that this sighting is somewhat unnatural and wanted to know more. Was this a dead body? An art display or a troubled person? But I just kept riding along in denial hoping to forget the freakish site I just saw and not wanting to get involved. What would I do anyway?
Then a week later on a Saturday morning I was descending Pratts Falls Rd. between 91 and Sweet Rd. when I saw the sight again. This time the couple was on the other side of the road stopped in the middle of a country hillside surrounded by farmland and grazing cattle. The juxtaposition of the freakish mannequin wearing a red parka with the surrounding countryside made quite a scene. A pickup truck driver that passed me on the road stopped at the next stop sign and signaled to me to talk about the sight we both saw. We both had the same reaction which was a general WTF. Just as we were talking another pickup truck driver stopped by and uttered the same thing we were thinking. “What the F*&^% was that?”.
Cyclist and pickup truck drivers are not natural allies on far off country roads. We co-exist with a mutual respect, but never did we share a common bond until this day. This sight made me in my bright kit, shaved legs and carbon bike and the Diesel powered 4×4 pickup have a mutual feeling of “something is wrong”. There was not anything we could do, and the person pushing the mannequin is well within his rights to push that mannequin up and down any road he wants.
If this person was in the middle of Bourbon St. during Mardi Gras, no one would blink, in fact he may even start a parade. But this is Upstate New York on a summer Saturday and that is an unnatural sight. After discussing the sighting we decided to call 911 to let the Sheriff checkout the man to make sure he is OK.
I was regretting the fact that each time I encountered the person I did not take a picture or video despite the fact that I carry my iPhone everywhere with me. I also had the urge to try to talk to the person, especially during the second encounter since they were also stopped. But I was too freaked out by the sight to have the presence of mind to do either of these things. I decided to ask around on the Internet to find out more. It seems like the guy travels around the rural and city roads of Syracuse quite a bit. A few days later a photo pops up on a WTF site and a video is posted on Facebook.
The mannequin’s name is Delores and he loves to have pictures taken of them both. The only issue is that no one should touch Delores as the man gets upset and walks away. From other postings I found out that the man is harmless but troubled. He is causing no one harm and is free to give Delores summertime walks all over the place. It just gives me the creeps every-time I see them.
Brian G. Fay
I’m so glad that you posted this. On the Saturday you mentioned when you saw the couple stopped on 91, my wife, kids and I were on our way to Pratts Falls and saw the same thing (right outside the gun club entrance, right). Later, the couple showed up at Pratts Falls where a ranger talked with the man and he made his way back down to 91. My kids were absolutely fascinated and keep talking about the man with the puppet-woman. We talked all the way home about what this could mean and how people deal with life, loneliness, and the world around them. They decided that he wasn’t doing anything wrong by having this odd-looking dummy and that if it made him happy, they were happy about that too. But, interjected my six-year-old, it really is creepy, Dad. Agreed, my dear.
Adam
Thank god you posted this. I have seen it twice, once in Camillus on Elm Street near 9-Mile and just a couple of minutes ago on S. Salina Street. It really is disturbing, but to each his own…..I guess.
Desiree Halbert
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I have been searching for info on this guy for months now! My sister-in-law and I compare notes as we have each seen him numerous times, but now I have the scoop!!! The first time I saw it, I literally thought it was a mummy or a decomposing body or something and I too got chills! I have shared this via my facebook because I am FACINATED! On a side note – I hope he is getting help for whatever psychosis he has!
mguyder
This man has been seen walking to Rochester also.
katherine mahoney
I am so relieved! Some friends and I drove by him on rt 92 going into cazenovia and after turning around and driving by a couple times we called 911. Later in the day everyone had seen him in Caz. It was extremely scary and all day we tried to figure out what it possible could have been!
OneShellShort
So amussing… Cashier at the Red Apple told me about this guy being in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD going toward NewWoodstock. Funny enough, I was lead to this by my friend posting about it just moments ago on facebook. This is too good.
Ridebbyride09
this was also seen in New Woodstock and also Sheds. It is said that there is a grave site in either Sheds or Georgetown that he walks to to vist and he thinks that the dummy is his wife a state trooper told me.
scott allen
my wife and i were on our way to oneida. we were almost in to georgetown when we seen this.we were like did we just see what we thought we seen?????holy f**k.when we came back he was gone.but when we saw him pushing this whatever it didnt look like it does in the video it was totally different. so how many wifes does this man have. haha
scott allen
does anybody know who the heck this person is??!!!???!!!!???
Lssjones
He’s still going strong. I saw him three times yesterday as I was driving around. Going from Rt. 13 about half way between Mew Woodstock and Caz to just entering the Village of Manlius about 8:30 at night. I’d been hearing about it but had never seen it yet. They were wearing the same style raincoats too, but his was red and hers was blue.
Mickeyblueyes
Do you think he would let me take Delores to the prom?
Brian
Okay, I have seen this many many times over the past few months! My family & I have spotted him 3 or 4 times in Camillus while going that way to see family, once or twice in Jamesville, once in Manlius & he’s even made his way to Rte 92 in Cazenovia. We’ve actually started to expect to see him everytime we go to Camillus.
Stacey
OMG!!! I saw them several months ago while driving with my bf on 92! I freaked out! When I saw them I was certain the guy had on a black leather mask, you know like an s&m mask. I can’t believe so many people have seen them!
A
He lives somewhere around Brighton Ave in Syracuse. I work on Brighton and I see him walking past all the time pushing her..cracks me up EVERY time!
John
This man lives in Georgetown, NY. He lost his wife a few years ago and went crazy and this is the only way he can handle his loss. He dresses this manikin up as his wife. He is very crazy but doesn’t want any trouble or to be in anyone’s way. He’s just taking his ‘wife’ for a walk. He usually walks at night and will walk in all weather conditions.
jjcul63
Twas’ a fortnight ago that I travelled to the land of Jamesville, NY. And there, southeast of Syracuse, I was stricken with a visage too disturbing to ignore. T’was nearing twilight. And I, a weary traveller, sought only a warm cot and a cup of warm milk to finish my sojourn. But that sweet comfort would not be visited upon your humble correspondent that night. For it was then and there that a vision did assail me as I passed by the church of St. Mary’s. A vision that I shall never forget. T’was it a man? No! T’was it a monster? Perhaps. But whatever it was, it is burned upon the eyes of my memory as deeply and permanently as the face of my own loving mother. But it is not the kind warmth of nostalgia of the latter that I am filled with as I recollect that fateful eve. Rather, it is the agony of the death throes of a demon possessed spectre, with which I am filled as my mind unwillingly touches upon that memory. There, along the road I saw “them.” A skeleton of a man, driven by lust and grief, plodding along the side of the road. And just in front of this unfortunate waif, seated in a chariot of crippled-conveyance, was a ghastly creature, too misshapen to be real, yet too life-like to be merely an illusive night-mare. There was, quite certainly, something compelling about this fiendish creature, something so deeply disturbing, yet strangely enticing, that “she” haunts my nights with tortured dreams, and fills my days with unwelcome desires. There, in the Village of Jamesville, exposed by the waning light of day, trundled a monster. She rode in a two-handled, two-wheeled throne. Her only locomotion provided by that tortured soul who propelled her forward with his dutiful plodding. Initially this macabre sight filled me with terror and disbelief. Perhaps the waning light, and my aging eyes played tricks upon me. But no! If only such a mundane excuse as that could explain away this sight! Then, and only then, the rotation of this planet would be restored, and that which is good and wholesome would again prevail. But it was not to be, for this gargoyle of the nether world possessed features without mortal compare: ruby red lips upon a coal-black complexion; a long flowing shock of blazing blonde hair circumscribed by a leather head-band and radio earphones. And yet, despite my shock and fear, I could not look away. My eyes were drawn to her like a paper-mache’ Medusa. And slowly, I lost myself. I was drawn into her freakish and fetid world. My thoughts became clouded. And strangely, long-dormant sensations of passion were stirred. At the end of her long, graceful, tubular arms were the hands of a goddess. Interwoven fingers, rested gently in her lap. Her long blue nails were carefully manicured and adorned with diamond rings, and bracelets of the finest gold. Her long, pitch black tubular legs flopped about like the legs of a spider, the bulbous knees knocking together with each bump in the uneven gravely road. Her most compelling features, though, were those earth shaking mammaries. Like zeppelins, each massive, undulating teet swung like a huge pendulum, pulsating with a life of its own. Surely this goddess must be mine. As surely as I live and breath, as surely as the sun will rise upon the morrow, I shall have her. I shall steal her from her skeletal slave, and I shall ravish her with the passion of the burning volcanoes of Pompeii. Then, and only then will my soul find peace.
vlar
My friend and I just saw this sight on W. Genessee st. heading back towards downtown. I have never seen or heard of them before, so I almost rear-ended the car in front of me! She had a new style than what is seen in the pics above. I wonder how he made her and if she is waterproof…
ryan
I saw this person in camillus, ny and was the weirdest and funniest thing i ever saw.
Jack
Just saw this guy on County Route 8 in Bowens Corners heading north. Not sure if he’s going to Fulton, Oswego or some place else.
D.S. Hilton
A buddy and I were travelling on SR#3 from Hannibal toward Fulton on the morning of 09MAY11 and encountered this character pushing his contraption west bound. Our immediate reaction was “WTF?!”. As neither of us had any pressing business, and, our curiosity being what it was, we pulled a U-turn and investigated further. All I can say is “WOW”…
Johnny
I work at a Medical Equipment company in Syracuse, NY. This guy came into our office asking if we had caster tires for the wheelchair. We were all thrown off by the guy and the “person” in the chair. We have seen pretty extreme cases of people with disabilities, so we didn’t know if it was a burn victim or something…Then we realized it was an over sized mannequin. The guy said to our employee “We are headed to Fulton.” “WE” being the key word. Anyways…it was quite a moment on a Friday.
Jenny
I just passed him this evening on Rt 104A in the village of Fair Haven. This was the first time I have seen him or heard of him, so I was both intrigued and a bit “creeped out”. He certainly is causing a great deal of conversation in this small town!
Kassandra
Thanks for posting! I can’t imagine his pain, I only saw him but I wish I had talked to him. I wonder if he will be back around. He’s been walking for days, there’s threat of very cold nights and I hope he has warmth and shelter! There are a couple Facebook pages tracking him, “guy pushing the mannequin” and “Syracuse mannequin man” if anyone is interested in following him.
tammy
On Saturday May 7th 2011 my son saw him on the corner of rt 8 and cole rd. Him and a friend decided to go check out what was up. Well doing so they asked him if everything was o.k. He said everything was fine. That he and his wife were coming from Syracuse and heading to some hippi feast. At that time he introduced them to his wife. So at that time my son and his friend left and returned to the area he had his tent sent up. They brought him 2 plates of food and something to drink and told him good luck. They said he seemed to be a confused but very nice guy. So lets treat him with kindness. Just like we would want to be treated. tThe world is a cravy sad place sometimes.
doug
“They” spent last night in a tent just outside of Fair Haven. Just before noon I saw them heading towards Red Creek. God’s Speed
Karen
After my husband said he saw this guy last weekend I didn’t believe it but had the pleasure of seeing them last night and this morning on Rt 370 outside of Cato. Freaky but I do feel sorry for the guy!
hunter perce
this guy was just in wolcott ny yesterday… i heard all about what hes doin and its kinda sad ……. people shoot him with bb guns and stuff. just let him be . he likes to talk to people and stuff so just be nice to the man and of course Delores too thanks
Grace
Ive seen this guy 3 times. Once in fulton. Hanibal then bville. Al within 2 days. Its creepy. Something needs to be done about it. Im freaked out about it and Im 20. what if your children run into the man. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT!!!!
Velochimp
The guy is different and from all reports he is harmless. So I hope no one bothers him. There are all sorts of people out there doing different things. As long as they don’t harm others let them be.
darcie
I say leave him alone, yes it does creep me out but he isnt hurting anyone. We all have ways of cooping with issues and his is Delores. He seems pretty harmless. We all enjoy our lives in different ways! And this is what he likes to do!
Erich
You can track him on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-guy-pushing-the-manequin/154214071263475
Ana
I just found out from someone through a friend that he claims her to be his wife (maybe in reference to his possible late wife) and is taking her to all the places they “used to go to.” So im assuming, that he is troubled and is obviously missing someone.
mary
He has made his way through Pulaski and is presently on his way to Watertown
gwen
If this guy really thinks thats his wife, than these comments about him being creepy are incredibly sad… I read through the facebook page and I’m so glad people are trying to help this man on his travels
Laura Potter
I spent time with Ned and Teagan Friday night and he is very intelligent and a very sweet man who just wants to live his life. He loves talking to people and is very harmless. My life is so much richer for knowing him and talking to him and spending time with him. So many people from Watertown through Adams Center, Adams, Mannsville, Sandy Creek, Pulaski, Mexico, Hastings, Central Square, and on to his home in Dewitt, care about him and are now friends with him! Everyone is entitled to live their lives their own way and he is not hurting anyone. Take the time to speak to him and you will understand why so many of us care for Ned and Teagan!!
Red
So THAT’s what I saw in Pulaski a couple of days ago near the cemetery on Route 11 towards Sandy Creek.
I thought it was an art project. That’s pretty neat, actually.
Makenzie
I was just leaving the walmart in Camillus when I spotted this man and his wheel chair with his so called wife. He looked so hot and he was trying so hard to push that chair. My heart cracks for this poor guy!!! He prolly is a very nice man I would have gave him a drink or something if id have known he was harmless
tony
july 10 2011 wow this guy is making it all over ny state I saw him today in dansville ny to just think all it take for ppl to talk about you or stop you and try to help but what ever makes you happy
willie newfane
I saw this guy today pushing the chair up a long hill on Rt78 in Gainsville NY. It was shocking to see. I stopped and asked if he would mind if I took his picture. He was quite happy to pose with his “wife”. Our budding friendship ended abruptly when I asked him if he scared children he ran across. Hey lesson learned. Next time I run across a long haired disheveled guy pushing a nine foot black manikin in a wheel chair draped in the American Flag up a steep hill in 90 degree weather in the middle of nowhere I wont ask about his effect on small children. By the way it appears the wife has had breast reduction surgery since the photos taken last summer.