Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1893-08-03
4 BOYS QUEST.
Fourteen-Year-Old Jo-
mas Wilson
Arrives in Phoenix in
Hopeless Search
Of an Uncle Who Wanted to
See Him Two Years Ago.
Mo Trace Obtained Here Of the
Missing Relative-A Long
Delayed Request.

Tomas Wilson, juvenile NaHuerer,
arrived in the city yesterday. This an
rorncement is not made on account OF
the social or financial Importance OF
Tomas Wilson, but is simply an intro
ductory statement in narration OF the
reculiar circumstances which preceded
and attended his coming. He is IA
Years old and his home is Merry Oaks,
North Carolina. Merry Oaks is an un.
important village not far from Raleigh.
About two years ago he had an uncle,
Jonas Reeves. a carpenter, 80 years OF
age who lived at Phoenix. Reeves was
brother of his mother, who is widow
in bad circumstances. Reeves wrote to
her TO send his nephew to him, but she
was unable to do so at that time. She
did not hear from her brother after
ward, bat preparations for her sons
Journey went on through the next two
wears. At last he was ready TO start,
without taking into consideration that
in the long time that had elapsed since
communication with Reeves he might
have died or moved away from Phoenix.
The boy was provided with ticket
10 FL PasO, the arrangement being for
him to make his way westward from
that point as best he could. He was
also given $3.50, expense money. With
this meager provision he set out on
Journey longer and more hopeless than
the quest for the Golden Fleece.
He reached Ell Paso without other
incident than hunger, but there he be-
gan to experience the disadvantage OF
being short OF money. Between FL
PasO and Deming he was put off the
train, and again at Tucson the southern
Pacific officials expressed disapproval
Of the class OF tourists represented by
young Wilson.
He took the next train for Maricopa
and succeeded in eluding the vigilance
Of the trainmen, who didn't think to
inspect the brake beams.
At Maricopa he spent the last cent OF
the $3.50, and he started on foot across
the desert for Phoenix. Before he
reached the ella river he grew thirstier
than he had previously supposed one
could get. The river was up and he
took a drink, which lasted until he
reached Kyrene.
Tempe was to him a haven of rest and
he stopped long enough to earn enough
Tor six meals. He reached Phoenix
YESTERDAY and began a search for his
relative, Several gentlemen, among
whom we're Thomas Greenhaw and A.
Barry became interested in his case
and assisted in the search, but no one
could be found who had ever known a
man named Reeves in Phoenix. No
such name appeared on the great regis
ter Of either 1890 or 1892, nor could it
be iolnd on the city register or direc-
tory. Several contractors who have
been IN business here for several years
could remember no carpenter OF that
name.
The boy said he believed his uncle
had been living here some time, prob
aOIy three or four years, when he was
last heard from. From the TACT that no
trace can be found OF such a person as
be describes, there is a suspicion that
ne and his mother have made mis-.
tsEe as to the town where Reeves
lived.
The boy is an unusually bright lad,
and apparently we'll bred. His condi-
uon would be considered serious by
most boys OF his age, but he takes it
COOIly.
one good thing may result; and that
ISL the habit OF rigid economy he has
p'actlced since he left home, two weeks
ago ls maintained, he is likely to be-
come capitalist.