The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-21
A YOUTHFUL WANDERER.
An Eight -Year-0ld Boy Who Has Travelled ALI
Over the Country by Himself.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Ind, Jan. 20.-This city
can boast of the youngest traveller in the
country, and one who has seen more of
these United States than the average man
may ever hope to see. This youth, who, one
would suppose, did not exceed eight years
in age, and who is quite small for that age
was born in this city. His name is frankie
Hyatt, and he comes of the best family in
the city. Two years ago the boy developed a
penchant for travelling. At first his trips were
short ones. He first ran away to Toms Hill,
five miles away, was captured and brought
home, and promised to remain. In few
days he again disappeared, and was found
at Plainville, twelve miles away, and re-
turned. A dozen other runaway trips fol-
lowed, and he included LoOgootee, Vincen-
mes, WorthiIgton and Terro Haute in his
travels. Ali these trips, it seems, were made
preparatory to his more extended travels.
Bet once again this little gypsy departed,
no one knew whittier, and weeks went by
before he was heard from. He had made
more extended excursion this time, and
sights several days, subsisting as he
might. Tiring. in a few days of
the scenes in big city, he
returned home, but the restless spirit CT the
D0y would not let him remain. He seemed to
be seized with mania for travel In spite
OF his comfortable home and the petitions
OF the father, he would not stay, and it was
at length decided to let the infatuated lad
travel until he wearied of his chimera. In
news was heard of the little wanderer for
several weeks. A letter from Kansas City
bore the information that he was there,
and once more the strange rambler was
brought home by friend; But he would
not stay. Within two weeks he was gone,
and when next heard of was at Salina,
Kan, with a relative. The relative was in
structed to ship the boy back to Washing
ton, and the urchin was made acquainted
ticket. He gave his Salina relatives the
slip, and mysteriously disappeared. He
boarded Union Pacific train and headed
for Denver. From Denver he made his way
to Los Angeles, Cal, and not finding the
Se started sought 0n the fouT that GfaSS
mile Journey for San Francisco.
Here he found another relative, who was
about to return to Indiana, and when the
proper time time came me the 4 boy wa was again home
ing off place" and could go nofurtherunless
he took to the water. For a short time the
boy seemed contented with his travels, and
it appeared as though permanent cure had
mistaken. Again he left and went to Gin
cinnati. Then he set out for New Orleans,
but he only got as far as an interior Ken
tucky town when he was taken in charge
by kind-hearted lady. who dissuaded him
from his projected journey, and after keep
ing him q month or more succeeded in get
ting him to return home. The boy is now
in the city, with fair prospect of remain
ing. The most singular part of this child's
story is that he made all these trips with
out one cent of money; rode in a passenger
coach each trip, and says that the passen-
gers and train men always fed him while
travelling.