Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-05-01
JOHN THOMAS. THE COLORED
WANDERER.
From Alaska 10 South America,
and from the Atlantic to the
far away Pacific on foot.

From Alaska TO South America,
and from the Atlantic to the
far away Pacific on foot.
A man with a remlrkab g history came
travelling into Woodstock late on Mon
day evening. His appearance at once
attracted tho attention Of HERALD ro-
porter. wh) proceeded to interview him
Aztec the old man had been provided
With a comfortable s1ppsr and taken to
plaza where he could rest for the
night.
Tnis person is JJhn Thomas, c)lored
man between 76 and IS years Of age. He
is six feet two inches tall, large frame,
vide chest, muscular and as vigorous
and hearty as most men at half his age.
His voice is deep, sonorous and pleasant,
polite and easy IN his manner, possesses
considerable hum or, and has the air Of
Que who has trave led far and seen much.
He has fine memory retentlve Of places,
routes, names and de scriptions OF persons
Tais remarkable man has travelled on
foot through every state and territory
OF the Ulon, in Mexico and all the
Central American States. the different
provinces OF Canada, British America,
alaska and some of the islands of the last
named coast
John Thomas was born in Winchester,
but was raised at Stephens City he be-
ing a slave of Gao. stephens, the founder
of Stephens City. From here he was
taken to Baltimore some years b efore
the war, when he was put in the "bull
pen" and sold. lie was then taken to
Louisiana where he was sold to-
French resident OF that State, with
whom he remained uhtil his death which
occurred seven years after the war.
Thomas then tramped back to his old
home in Virginia.
After remaining around his OLD home
for awhile he started south, walking
through the different States along the
route until he reached Florida, where be
remained for sometime, travelling over
the whole State He then started of for
long trip. Crossing Mobile Bay he
reached that city from where he went to
Jackson. Miss, thence through Arkau-
sas. Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah,
Idaho, Oregon and Washington, spending
year in Seattle, which be pronounced
one of the most progressive cities OF the
Pacific coast. From here he went to
Montana and on across the border to ST
Cloud IN Canada. Following the Frazier
and Peace River sections, and around
Atbabasca and the Great Slave Lake he
struck the Mckenzie River which he
followed for a long distance before
crossing into Alaska. Ia this section he
reached the YuSon River along wi CHI he
travelled for 1900 miles before reaching
thu coast He then visited the Prbaloy
and other islands of the Alaska coast,
amending two years altogether In this
cold and inhospitable sec ton before TAX
ing the fishing steame" 81. Paul for
San Francisco. Thomas next moved
Sonth into Mexico, which country be
thoroughly trayersed visiting many of
the principal cities such as the Capital,
Vera Cruz, Poebls, Tampica, and many
other points Of interest. He was twice
robbed by Mexican bandits, once of
thirty dollars and another time of his
clothing and other goods
From Mexico he continued his journey
south through the Central American Re
pnblcs and coming in familiar contact
with the mongrel races Of these countries,
and visiting many of Che old and curious
ruins of cities that had been bailt by
highly enlightened race that passed
AWAY ages before the Aztec history had
beginning. In Yucatan he found the
sill unsubdued Indians who are very UNI
friendly to the whites, especially the
Nexicans. They tolerated him as a negro
but gave him to understand that be was
not more than welcome refusing him
food until he had given one of them a
cbunck Of sugar which seemed to open
his heart and be got all the food he
wanted.
In Balizs, Thomas was taken very sick
with an epidemic that was prevailing, a
kind of jingle fever and dyseniery which
was very fatal. Fortunately he was kind
ly treated and cared for by gentleman
with whom he had become acquainted.
Returning from this country he tramped
his way over the thou sands of weary but
to him interesting miles until he reached
the valley Of Virginia, which the old
man says is the garden spot Of all the
country he has ever seen.
Thomas speaks French very flueDtly,
and can also speak the Spanish language
sufficiently to make himself understood.
He is a man Of much native shrewdness,
and IS we'll calculated to maks his way
through the world.
THE GREAT LEE ARTICLES.
rrko ,,T,l;.bara nj LropL oatiafa pom.