The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-12
SNYDER'S 50, 600 MILE TRAMP
The Singular Affection to Which a
Blackford County Farmer Is Subject.
A Man Who Is lrresistibly Impelled to Spend
His Days ard Nights in Walking, and Who
Has Covered SO 900 Miles in Two Years.

HARTFORD CRY, Ind. Dec 11.-About seven
miles in southeasterly direction from this city,
on road seldom frequented at this season of
the year on account of its unusual roughness,
except by those who have it as their only access
to and from their farms, there is standing, prob
ably fifty feet off the road, an old-fashioned,
three Groom log cabin, its scaly logs and messy
roof marking it plainly as homely relic of
pioneer days. In front and on either side
of the cabin are narrow foot-paths, worn
deep into the earth and made hard
almost as rock by constant travel Approach
ing the door, hoarse Come inl" was the only
reply that greeted the correspondents light rap,
and lifting the latch he stood upon the inside of
neat and clean but uncarpeted room. probably
fifteen feet wide by twenty long. Standing al
most directly in the center of the room was a
high heating stove, in which brisk fire was
burning, and around this stove. with his steady
tramp, tramp, tramp. marched John o. Snyder,
the tireless pedestrian, who has walked
more miles in two years than a COM
mon man would in two average life
times Mr.. Snyder is strongly and firmly
built, somewhat below the medium height. and
walks with quick, unfailing step. His chin is
covered with probably three inches growth of
sandy beard, the continual stroking of which ap-
pears to afford him much pleasure. When asked
show he was feeling this morning9" he cheerful
ly replied, 20 I'm still in the ring, and can walk
down the best man in the United States in ten
days" If questioned concerning his strange dis
ease, he talks freely, and appears to enjoy tell
ing the story of his sad affection. 1t has
now been more than two years since the queer
hallucinatiOn first seized him. He states that in
the summer of 1884, while at work in the har
vest-feld the feeling" first attacked him in his
arms, which panied him so intensely that his
only relief was found in taking the most vigor-
Gus exercise possible. He would chop or saw
wood for hours. without moments ntermis-
sion. During these attacks, which lasted at
first only few hours at time the entire
strength of his body would seem to center in the
muscles of his arms, and he would
readily cut a cord of wood out of the
hardest timber in two hours. When night
came he would go to the house, procure a scrub
broom and continue his exercise with it until as
he expressed it, ''he wore the pain out" For
nearly three montas he suffered in this way, but
at last. with the approach of cold weather, the
few days he was a we'll man again. going re-
joicngly about his daily vocation.
But his sutferings, seemingly, had but COM
menced. for it was but a few days
until he realized the feeling" coming
upon him, this time however, in his legs and
feet. With this shifting of the disease came
the uncomfortable mania for walking, and find
ing previously, that constant exercise
his only hope for relief, he set out upon his long
tramp. and for more than twenty-four months
ho hoe alotin A,,lx
travel. He greatly prefers the open air. and
only during the most incement weather can he
be induced to remain in the house. While
walking in the room he continues almost in a
circle, and his course around the stove is plainly
visible by the deep furrow he has worn
in the solid oaken floor. 1t has been more than
two years since he has taken a meal with his
family. large pan is strapped in front of him,
in which is daily placed his food, aud from this
ne satisfies his appetite, and while not checking
his gait in the least, he manages his knife aud
fork with much dexterity any of his fam
ily Upon this pan is also placed his shaving
cup and razor, ami sharpening the latter, he
shaves himself with as much ease and grace az
could the most accomplished barber were he
sitting quietly in his chair. He falls asleep
while walking, generally about Ii o'clock at
night, and upon being directed into chair will
sleep Iii an upright position often three or four
hours but not infrequently does he rise from
his chair while asleep, and leaning against his
wife or one of his faithful children. continues
his weary tramp
No one is better aware of his sad condition
than himself, and certainly no one could bear
it with more calmness and good nature A
plain, uueducated farmer, he talks and con-
verses upon any and all subjects with an as
touishing degree Of good sense and under
standing. The many absurd and ridiculous
stories that have been put into circulation con-
corning him afford himself and his family much
amusement, as we'll as great deal Of annoy
info nod haf fho- lot acf IF
these falsehoods TO the effect that he had
walked himself into his grave, he laughed
heartily, and replied that if the fellow who
started that story wasn't too lazy to walk, and
would come and see him, he would enter
contract with him to walk him race from
New York to San Francisco, would give him
half the distance as a start and would then
overtake him. reach San Francisco and get back
to Indiana before his competitor had seen the
Pacific.
suit of jeans, and when changing clothing does
not cease his walking for a moment, but having
his apparel placed within his reach, he seizes
one garment after another as he passes around,
and dresses as he walks. He delights in relat-
ing anecdotes pertaining to himself. and es-
pecially enjoys telling of his funny attempt last
summer. at blowing He had gone to field
where his son was engaged in breaking the
ground, and after following behind IN the fur
row for some time induced the boy to allow
him to hold the pillow handles. The son, in ODE
dence to his fathers request, stepped aside, and
perching himself a stump watched the out
come All went we'll for several rods and a feel
ing of exultation was coming over the great
walker at the contemplation of the fact that
he was at least, able to aid little in the
cultivating of his farm and the supporting
of his ramily. But suddenly the pillow gave a
terrific thump, and became fast in the roots of
tough hickory stump; the horses stopped, but
the surpri sed and disappointed walker unable
to do likewise, dropped the lines and reluctantly
continued his journey across the field. His son.
who rad waited in expectation of some such oc-
currence, unfastened the plow and resumed his
work. Many strange and curious facts are con-
nected with Mr.. Snyder's two years of phenom-
email existence. In this time ne has worn out
ten pairs of heavy shoes and twice that number