Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-14
THE TIRELEss TRAMP.
An Indiana Monomaniac Who Has
Walked More Than go, 600 Miles.


Walked More Than go, 600 Miles.
Hartford Letter in Cincinnati EnQa'rer.
Several months go we chronIcled for
the Enquirer u account Of one John
Owen SnIder, VINO At that time had been
walking at least eighteen hours day for
eighteen months, and travelling at the
rate of Eve miles an hour, OF eighty
miles IN twenty-iOur. Now It'll over two
years since he commenced his tireless
tramp, and, instead Of resting from his
unparalleled walk, on he goes, and ID
place Of Stacking mis- speed he has In
creased it, until be is AZ fleet OF foot as
deer. Over two years ago he was seized
with the hallucinatIon that three layers
had suddenly and as mysterlOusly formed
on the s0les Of his feet, and he reasoned IN
his diseased mind or Imagination that no
remedy other than walking would ever
remove them. He at once took up the line
of march in the rear OF his dwelling on
his farm, seven miles southeast OF TINS
city }, walking in circle from rlZht 10 !eIt.
Al first he walked with measured tread,
and would converse with nelgh0orS ana
friends nationally upon any topic except
the mania that had taken possession OF
him, and no advice, device or restraint
could he brought into requlsltion to induce
him to fOregO his tramp. AS Time went
on his speed was accelerated, ana the
hours of tramping increased. u1ul eight
cen hours of every tWenty-iOur on ud BIN
walking about his beaten track. his
meals were banded to him, and he ate as
he walked. He never removed his clothing,
but about , O'Clock a. m. he occupies
chair near his circle provided for him,
and at once falls asleep.
At O'Clock promptly he is again upon
his tireless round. A room has been pro-
vided for use in colder weather, and he
walks about his apartments,
or rather runs. 1t is as
serted by his friends that he walks
about while sleeping so soundly that his
snoring is audible in another apartment
OF the dwelling. In summer and fall, in
all kinds Of weather, however Indictment,
he may be found out OF doors going about
The circle long since esta blIshed, at a rate
Of speed that is marvellous. His mind is
clear upon all subjects but the strange
ballucnatiou that has warped and
dTaried his better judgment.
After having tramped about for a year
or more he conceived the idea that 1000
miles of travel were necessary in order to
relieve hin of the peculiar malady that
afflicted him, but now he has Travelled
nearly go, 200, and his speed is quIckened,
mis- pace accelerated and hours of walk
ing increased. His disposition is mel
oncholy ill character, yet at times he en-
Joys the jokes and jests OF friends who
call upon him. He was sent TO the asylum
a year ago, walked all the time while on
the cars, continued his tramp during his
stay at the asylum, and when returned
home as harmless made the same journey
as going. During his stay in this city
waiting for the train he walked about the
court house yard. Hundreds of citizeas
were attracted to the scene to witness the
strange procedure. When restrained
from walking his feet alternately were
lifted from the ground. He AYERS that if he
would stop walking bis limbs and body
would fly into a thousand fragments. He
never seemingly grows hungry, never
asks for food or drink, and eats ard drinks
whatever is given him uncOmplSiningly,
all the time continuing his endless round.
HIS limbs are as firm as iron and the
| tendons like whiPcOrd. He is man OF
more than ordinary intelligence. His do
nestle relations are such as TO preclude
the idea of his malady originating from
domestic difficulties, and no assignable
cause is known for the strange and unac-
countable freak that has come over him.
| He seems to be gifted with powers OF di-
| vination, and can accurately foreteil COM
| ing events with a precision and correct
ness that brings to him many who wish
to be more fully Informed as to their fu-
ture ''weal or Woe" and just now the
score or more of candidates are seeking
his knowledge of'tbeir future success or
defeat. The rapidty OF his movements is
such as to warrant the assertion that be
can make more miles in twenty-four
hours than the best trained equine of the
world. His powers of endurance and
rate OF speed are past comprehension, al
most beyond conception, and lead those
who are not conVersAnt with the facts to
suspect the statements about him To be
greatly exaggerated.
Just when his journeys end will be
reached none can divine. His physique is
! gOod-digestio perfect. Every physical
condition points TO long life. The case is
without parallel and no record of any
| one similar may be found.
Hundreds OF curious and incredulOus
people visited Mr.. Snider, and for hours
watched his peregrinatIons, coming away
mystitied, vet satisfied of the truthfulness
of the wonderful stories concerning him.
| 1t Ia said by those VINO have Witnessed his
! best efforts and made calculations, that
! he travels at the rate of ten miles an
| hour and withOutthe least sign of fatigue.
Some of the best pedestrians of this coun-
| try have tried to keep pace with him, but