The evening times., 1896-07-15
ON FOOT FROM ARKANSAS
Boy Inventors Long Journey
to the Navy Department.
STARTLED THE EOFFICIALS
Roughly clad Fifteen-year-old Noun
tain boy With an Idea That He Has
anIuypntion w orth a Eortune-Chief
Constructor Hichborn Blasted His
Hopes-A Bright Lad

Noprince or potentatc could ha =: na."d
more respect and admiration than an un-
e,lucatedmountain boy from Howard county,
Ark, did at the Navy Department yester-
day.
Raised among the Ozark mountains in
the extrcme western part OF Arkansas, ne
had been used to nothing more imposing
than log-cabin, except upon occasional
trips to Centre Point the county seat, Where
weather boarded cottages seemed like man
sioBs.
And yet lie walked through the marble
corridors OF the state, War, and Navy
building with a manly step that inspired
respect, although his clothes We're old
anu so dirty that few Migrants who appear
in police court are not more respectfully
clad.
1t was this indefinable air Of conscious
independence that caused the usher 10
allOw him To enter Constructor Hichborn's
office. That official was at first sur
prsed, so dirty human being never en-
tered his apartments before, but look Of
bright Intelligence in the boys eyes ar
rested attention and he was hidden to take
Il seat.
Producing letter written upon Navy
Department paper, the boy lost no time in
explaining his errand. My name is lie
Nord,' he said. Il live IN Arkansas, and
am the inventor OF Il substance which, ap-
piled 10 ships, will prevent them from being
pierced by balls. The best constructed
missiles will rebound from the ship that is
covered with the prepa ration OF which 1
alone know the secret.
WALKED FROM ARKANSAS.
II correspUndcd with the Navy bepart-
ment, and they say in this letter that they
ly,,nxr .t,p,tt NJ nm iafora
dealing with me-
With this introduction he showed the
letter which was the regular stereotyped
reply sent out to the hundreds who suggest
Inventions for use OF the navy, also
drawing OF u ship.
Chief of instruction HichEorn was deeply
interested. He saw that the boys idea was
impracticabie, n siX-foot thick coat nj the
secret substance had TO be put over the
ships, but the wonderful energy OF the
lad interested him.
How did you come to Washington" he
as ked.
Il walked. I came by way of New York
where l saw Thomas A. Edison, who Of
fered me SO for my invention
How old are you?"
Fifteen years"
How did you come to make up your
mind to take the trip"
tdlheu IL over VIII anu pa, anu
we agreed that this was my chance to make
my way in the world
Most eloquently the boy explained his
invention. and it was hard for Chief HIGH
born to tell him that the idea could not be
used. but after listening to the boy for half
an hour he did SO. and turned him over to
Constructor yior who became greatly
interested in him. and showed the lad how
ships were built. In the evening young lie
Nord said:
Mr.. Taylor have eaten nothing for
twenty-four hours, and would like very
little money"
This was given him. and they boy said:
Il am going to take my invention to Europe,
as cannot dispose of it here"
ON HIS WAY TO EUROPE.
The officials expected the boy To return
this morning and had he done so, an effort
would have been made to find him employ
ment and induce him to give up his trip
abroad, but Constructor Hichhorn said to
Times reporter this morning:
II fully believe he has started for
Europe. 1 was busy when he left or
would have given him little money.
He has the most wonderful energy 1 ever
saw, and his eyes are bright with intelli-
gence. In spite of his filthy condition
after his long tramp it could be seen.
that he was no ordinary person."
1t has been several months since the
boy sent IL letter to the Navy Department
telling them that he had made his won-
derful discovery. This was accompanied
by rude drawing. The usual answer
was sent, and he then wrote Offering to
come to Washington and explain his in
vention II the government would pay his
expenses. This proposition was declined,
and the following letter received:
"Rosedale, Howard Co., Ark
II have waited on you until am not
inclined to wait any longer. Not having
received any answer from you. Having
waited six weeks, now withdraw my