Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1875 — Remarkable Travels of a Boy. [ARTICLE]

Remarkable Travels of a Boy.

There recently arrived in Rochester, N Y.y a boy, whose story, as given in the Democrat, is one df the most interesting sort. Ris dirty face, tattered* garments and general appearance at once attracted attention. As he loitered about the depot he was asked what he wanted by an employe of the company. “Something to eat,” was the quick reply. This led to several other questions. The l>oy told his story. He was taken to a neighboring restaurant, where he procured a good supper. The proprietor of the pla'fce also gave him a dollar to start in the world, and advised him to seek lodgings at the police office, which advice he followed. The lad, says the Democrat, gives the name of Edward Kelley. He was born in New Orleans in 1860, and was fifteen years old the 17tli of March last. When a child his parents removed to St. Louis and he accompanied them. His mother died and soon afterward he enjoyed the sweet words and gentle usage of a step-mother. His father also died, And he was left without sister or brother, with his step-mother. About eight weeks ago he started for the Black Hills with only a few' pennies in his pocket. Going by rail to Laramie on the Union Pacific Railroad he took the w'agon road to the hills. When nearly there he was stopped by soldiers, who were driving every one back from the gold regions. He rumed his steps again and reached the Union Pacific. He came over that road to Omaha, and from there east to Chicago, where lie made a short stay. From Chicago he went to Detroit, thence to Suspension Bridge, thence to Buffalo, and from Buffalo to Rochester. To-day he will start for New York. His long ride upon the railroad has not cost him a cent. He has usually ridden between the baggagecar and the tender. Occasionally he would shine a conductor's boots and then the conductor would not put him off. On one occasion, on the Union Pacific Road, he gave an Indian a chew- of tobacco, and the Indian covered him with a buffalorobe and a blanket, so that the conductor could not see him. In this way he rode for nearly half a day. He was put oft’on the plains once where he could not see a house on either side of him. He walked after the train till night and finally came to a mud hut, where a woman let him sleep. He got on a train next day, but was put off in the afternoon. The conductor kicked him, and as the boy fell from the platform he caught the conductor’s leg and they both wenU off together. This was the only kick he received during his long journey. He was put off a train near Chicago. He was only put off from trains three times. Coming out of St. Louis he could not steal a ride on a passenger train, so he crawled upon the trucks of. a freight train and rode there for about twenty-five miles, when he became afraid he would fall off. He also says one of the wheels w-as on fire, which impression was no doubt caused by a blazing journal. He says he can go to New York for nothing, as he can “ beat his way on the cars.” He intends to locate himself at the Newsboys’ Home and follow the profession of a bootblack.