The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-07-31
THE DEAD PEDDLER.
AN AFFLICTED MAN WHO
FOUGHT THROUGH LIFE.

AN AFFLICTED MAN WHO
FOUGHT THROUGH LIFE.
Born Crippled and Partially
Paralyzed-TOO BravetO Ask
Fayors.
New York Star.
Wall street men and others who
crossed the Brooklyn ferries have been
familiar for years with the sight of
middle aged cripple who peddied
soap and q bug exterminatsr along
the business thoroughfares. and who
will be seen no more. The peculiar
appearance of the man always ats
tracted attention, and he did a thriv.
ing business. he never had the use
Of his legs below the knees, and on
shoes especially made for the latter
be walked about.
He was only about three feet high.
He invariably wore neat black clothes
and . derby hat, and always dis
played 3 boutanniere Of roses. His
features bore striking resemblance
To those Of Jay Gould. He carried
little bag across his chest, in which
his wares were kept His name was
Silas Wilson.
A few days ago notification of his
death was brought to the Corouer's
uffi;e by Miss Lynda Gilbert. of No.
IS West Sixty.tifth street. who has
Long been known for her kindly acts
10 the poor and distressed. aud who 10
'pCkcu Of rs the prisoners friend ="
Ills said, IN speaking Of the Ia ;er,
hat more than 900 ex convIc,s anu
,ILeIs nave been started in earniu"
IN honest living by being furnished
Sith n SUI. II stun HtrlI uted b. Tue
adj bsTseif aud Uene VIOLENT peoplc
upon whom sue has called. Miss
,il.beIt Was much Impr.s I'd with tie
Ssy in which the dead cripple earned
a gOOd living tor twenty years, when
many able-bodied men have been
begging their way along.
The story of the mans life is q re-
msrksble one. He was born forty.
three years ago in Philadelphia. His
father was then, - he is now, an able
mechanic, who at present 10 working
IN BROOKLYN. The boy was brought
INTO this world afflicted with the mis-
fortune referred 20 above. and with y
partial paralysis Of the body, arms
and throat. Owing 10 the latter
there was always q defect in hrs
speech.
When about q yesrs cd, be made
up hls mind 10 tTs and do 8. Ineihng
% himself. His ear ) life lie had
'pent al sci OIL and ia Z aJIng g,vd
Literature. He started o email cigar
store, Tut was not successful, aud
then peddled books for q while. DIS.
covering one day an old family re-.
leipt Cor cleaning clothes, he made
use of il, and manufactured o soap
shich since brought him many . dol
lar. Later ON be added 10 his 81 Ok
q bug poison. Through the Lind VI.
ices vi Miss Gilbert, the Board oil
Charities and Correction, began srv.
srsl years ago 70 give him orders for
,everal hundred dollars worth Of the
gxterminator. The Western Union
Telegraph Company did Likewise,
aud . good share Of bis revenue has
ever sILce been deIiyed in that wav.
In 1873, when in Buffalo one day
ne entered the railroad station. and
;hAuced 10 zee there @ flower girI
,eIling wax flowers. As be walked
up toward her with his bag, the girl
said: II see you are . canvasser;
sm earning my living, to-"
YES" replied Wilson, Il am oil
.l0ne."
80 am T." said the vender Of roses.
Upon being ssked how much she
esrbed day. the girl replied: Only
81 80"
why" quickly spoke up wil.on,
Il make 80, aud # you will marry
me we can both live comfortably, and
will have some one 70 take care Of
me-"
Ihs girl refused on The groupd that
she didn't know enous b about her
overlooking suitor Going on 10
Eie she was followed by The deter
'pinsd proPoser bis persistence On
Ally won the girl, and they we're mar.
i'd They have lived marty ever
'iLce in the three neatly fuini.bed
GUNS at No. SIC Ninth avenue,
shers the poor cripple breathed bic
act.
II 10 related By Miss Gilbert that
ne vas opce advis.d 10 apply 70 Jay
Gould for help. Already bearing q
,trObg resemblance to the Enancier,
he vent 70 the lstter's barber and got
] Bim 70 Trim bis hair 30 as 70 heighten