The Morning herald., 1878-09-10
WEARY WANDERERS FROM THE
WEST.

TIE JOURNEY OF A. FAMILY FROM TEXAS
TO THE EAST ON a DOLLAR AND FORTY
FIVE CENTS. fTI. 3,
"'There is family Of Gypsies encauped
lon poor house hill" said a man to the
HERALD reporter yesterday morning. As
such an action in the part Of these aimless
wanderers with in the city limits is rare
the reporter was soon on his way to the
place, designated which is on the hill be-
tween Fourth and Fifth streets beyond
jackson. A large covered wagon was the
bottom of the hill and sitting beside it near
where a fire had smouldered and died out,
was Q group of three persons, q man wo-
man and child. The quill driver approach
ed and learned that instead Of Gypsies they
were American citizens. The mans name
is Thomas M. Jackson. so a'Gconversation
|of few minutes, revealed, he left Han
cock Co. Texas on the 4th Of last February
owing to misfortune, with the idea of hunt
ing up bis relatives which he supposed to
be living In Philadelphia. Exposure on the
plains had so told upon his constitution
that one side of him became so paralyzed
that he was compelled to give up his work
of driving cattle and he got job of toll
bridge keeping which job soon gave out
and as no other means of support presented
itself he got wagon q pair of sturdy Tex
as ponies and with his wife and child and
an amount of finances amounting to just
$145 stnrted east. The tolls of crossing the
great American plains were great and at
| times the hearts of the love journeyers sunk
In dispair. "When we were out on the
plains and about half way to the Missis-
sippi my wife took the dropsy bad and l
felt like giving up' said Mr.. jackson In re-
lating his journey and this was only one. of
their numerous set backs. 'S7 o..
Philadelphia was reached q few weeks
ago and after much trouble the relatives
were found but refused to give them any as
sistonce although they were in good circum-
slances.' They next went to Camden where
pity was reused In the hearts of the, open
handed Jerseymen and q collection was ta-
ken up and tLey were presented with the
wagon they now have instead of the old one.
Resuming their journey that, on Friday
night reached their present resting place
where they have since been arousing much
curiosity amongst the neighbors. Mr..
Jackson thinks of staying in this city over
winter If be can get house cheap. "You
see," said he pointing to his horses that
stood near by the fence along Fourth street,
'the ponies are about played out for while
and by spring they will, I suppose be able
TO take me back to Texas where I'll be
likely to get something to do ,a 4,4, a,,,
| Mr.. jackson, has not good opinion Of
newspaper men. In Philadelphia and
Camden they told iuaguratiye stories about
him and the Camden Daily Post reporter
said that he had been to see Hayes at the
White House and was formerly a famous
Indian fighter II wa never at the White
House, be explained" and didn't like so
lying, A reporter was out here while ago
and took notes and didn't care how many
come or what they write so Tlbng as they
would give peor man q littleI aid but this
reporter did not say "mony ionce.", The
HERALD man felt rebuked for not thiokihg
of this sooner and at once went down
among his loose change e,r ban
We commend this case toI rhe Young
Mems Christian Association or some other
benevolent body and hope that they may do
something to relieve the wa pts of the fami
ly. Mr.. J. Is a member in good standingo
the Baptist church. ~ ~"~ IN" Vig'|