The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-01
Seventeen Months Old Son of a
Former Topeka Teacher
Masters the Alphabet and Ex-
hibits Marvellous Interest.
The Chld's Mother Was Kiss Alice
Gallagher, Some Time Ago a
Teacher in Lincoln School,
Now Mrs. Wright Of
Pittsburg-

and vet il has mastered the alphabet.
What makes this more interesting is that
its mother was former Topeka girl,
Miss Alice Gallagher, teacher in Lin
coin school few years ago, and we'll
known to hundreds of Topeka people.
The father. Trafford Wright, was in
the nursery business in North Topeka.
While here Miss Gallagher resided with
the family of George Tauber, at that
time city clerk.
The Pi;tsburg Dispatches account Of
the child is as follows:
Gordon Edward Payton Wright dates
his entrance into this terrestrial field of
get you can aud keep all you-get
from July 8, 1894. His age is. therefore,
20 months. and for this reuson his at
tainments mark him as prodigy Of
marvellous precocity. De Is the son Of
BIT and Mrs. y. Traford Wright, Of 5SIO
Harvard street. and their only child.
Tt is told of Horace Greeley that he
knew the alphabet about the time two
natal days we're marked up by his
parents; and John Stuart Mill had an
affidavit editor TO attest that he was
master Of his letters at the same age.
Then came Chicago few days since
with claim that the Windy City had
produced prodigy who beat these out
by four months.
But Pittsburg's wonder goes them all
several months better, and what is more,
his field of knowledge is broader; it eK-
tends into the animal kingdom.
At the age of II months Baby Wright
was able TO designate the letters OF the
alphabet at random as his guestioner
chose to designate them, and that. too.
without error of hesitation. Moreover,
he recognizes and names at sight the
animals Of the nursery picture books. 10
!.
one. and his pronunciation of such names
as rhin0cer0s and kangaroo is slightly de-
fective, but he has enough Of the ele-
ments of the correct sound to be distin-
guisAed.
Aside from the clild's ability TO name
letters and animals correctly the most
! noteworthy fact ia connection with his
gift is that effort has been made by
anyone to teach MIN. 1t is related by his
parents that when he became old enough
to be amused by toys, these were provld-
ed, and among the collection were books
such as are seen in every nursery-
Tt was observed that from the first
these were his choice 10 the exclusion of
any other article. One book was of linen
sheets covered with pictures Of animals
--26 of them, each animal being desig-
mated by large initial letter of lis name.
This book he would take to his parents.
and pointing 30 a letter would Indicate
desire to have It named. In this manner
he asked the name of the animal pre-
scented by the letter Under this process
it was only comparatively brief period
until the child knew the letters and ami
mails at sight
Fearing the results of this early use Of
his mental faculties, the books were
taken from him, but he was not so easily
TO be turned from the educational cham
mel in which his thoughts seem TO travel.
2 l-t f<,- hr d
delight to 60 to the kitchen and name
the letters on the range. This to him
was play-was q recreation. 1t was then
decided 10 give the books back TO him,
and he chuckled like q hen with her frsl
brood of chickens when he took them IN
lis chubby little hands. AS in she case
of the range, each time his mother taxes
him out, he calls letters IN names on
I 81 gns as they are passed.
He has a face unlike the usual infant
of his age. You know it has been re-
marked mat all babies look alike-that
/ piece Of putty might be formed to do
duty as mask for regiment Of infants.
/ Baby Wrights face has expression; it is
+ ia III sense old, bat it has individuality.
/ w hen he looks at one the impression is
( formed hat he thinks. He is a chubby
/ little fellow, is always good natUred and
i has laughing blue-gray Dyes. HIS think
tank, as the late Bill Nye designated If,
is large. and the dome of thought is
prominent; but for all that the head is
massive, 1t 10 not abnormalIy so, and is
/ altogether an excellent shape.
The student OF hereditY would natural
I ly inquire Of the child's parents. His
/ father was born in LONDON 50 years ago
and his school days were spent IN
4 Ksnsington college, where he was
awarded several prizes in divin-
I ity and history. He came TO the United
( States at the age Of 20, but returned
To England. Five years ago he again
E crossed to this side, and has been since
/ then a resident of PIlt5burg, and his
/ business is real estate.
After coming here, he married Miss
! Alice Gallag her, who is near her nus
bands age, and was born in " arsaw,
Ind Her parents left there, however,
when she was of tender age, and became
tered the public schools, and graduated
from the high school OF that city. Soon
afterward she was appointed a teacher
10 the schools, and continued in this ca
paclty for nearly ten years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright are fond OF
books, and they read much Of current
literature, history and classical lore
4 Their readings were pursued for personal
( profit and pleasure. W ale socIa BILE TO a
I degree, and delightful conversationali5ts,
4 they DO nos 60 much into society, pre-
ferring domestic life.
They have felt no little anxiety at the
precocity of their child, but since he con
iinues to grow strong and shows no sign
that his books are affecting him, they
have concluded TO allow him to have
them, but abstain from drilling him.
Postofdces Raised.