The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-09
A LONG TRIP TO WASHINGTON.
How Representative Holman's Blind
Constituent Came After His Pension.
FfOm The IVashinQton Post

From the Washington Post.
Representative Holman, of Indiana, de-
voted himself Thursday to looking after the
interests of a courageous constituent whose
name is Thomas Akra, and who lives in
Osgood, Ripley county, in the Hoosier State
About six weeks ago Akra, who is an old
blind man over 80 years of age, fell in with a
family of emigrants, who. having moved
out from Indiana to Missouri some years
ago, had turned their faces eastward in
search of better luck. There were seven
persons in the family-a father 60 years of
age, a mother and five children,
the Oldest young man. Their
outfit consisted of a horse and
wagon some provisions and little money.
They had reached Osgood, and were camped
near the little town, when in some manner
they met Akra. He became interested in
their plans, and when they mentioned that
they thought they would eventually pass
| through Washington he suggested that he
| be allowed to join the party you see, - he
said, II have been waiting thirteen years
for the government to giant me Il pen
sion, and think it is almost time to look
after the matter myself" A family
council was held by the roadside and
the company of the blind man was &C
cepted. Once more the party began its tedi
Gus jonraey, and yesterday they reached
Washington after spendingsix weeks on the
road. They We're three weeks crossing the
Allegheny Mountains, and suffered intensely
during the blizzard Once the wird blew
their wagon over and a wheel was b oxen.
The accident happened i'll a lonely, G ID
forsaken country, but the two old men, the
woma and the grown-up children har-
messed themselves TO the broken down
vehicle and dragged it over a mountain
road fifteen miles to the nearest smithy.
At night the entire party slept under the
wagon. and duricg the day they bought
provisions and cooked them where they
camped Upon arriving here tie Missouri
man led his blind companion to the
capitol, found Representative Holman and
told him their story. The sympathy of the
Congressman was at oLce ealisted, and yes
terday he drove his constituents TO the Pen
sion Office. A glance at the records reveal
cd a curious fact. -Four years ago a letter
was sent to Akra, directing him to go to
Lawrenceburg, Ind, and appear before an
examining hoard in order that his claim
might be passed upon, the question at issue
being whether or not his blindness was the
result of service in the war This letter
Akra says that he never received, although,
rs lie remarked to-day, II have been won
dering what was the trouble" The pension
officials at once began to act upon the case,
and the necessary certificate was promised
in a day or two.
Now said Mr.. Holman TO the Missouri
man, when all this had been arranged sat
isfactorly, you hal better let me take
care Of Akra. | viii send him home by
rail aud pay his expenses
mo said the other, shaking his head
thoughtfully, 81 can't a-ree 70 that
amt seen no better country than Indiany,
and | am a-going back. The blind man
is a-goiug with Us. He is the grittiest M ~.
sir, the very grittiest man ever saw, and
we amt going to part till he gets back
home again. Then tho blind man nodde
his head and said that those were his senti-
melts, and: ~ am going back tho same
way came, he added. 81 don't believe
anybody would take care of mo on tho
train
The party is now camped out on the road
near h adensbnrE, about five miles from
this city. rnev have been supplied With
funds by Mr.. Holnnn. Last year the blind
man and litls boy drove a blind horse
from Ossood, lad, TO Rome, Ca, distance
of 400 miles and back, IN order e. secure an
affidavit which the old man thought would
help his case