The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
November 9, 1907
page 5

Walks Long Way; Brother Is Dead

Aged Man Tramps From Hot Springs, Ark., to Oklahoma City.

After walking the greater part of the distance from Hot Springs, Ark., to Oklahoma City in the quest for an only brother, only to find his grave in Fairlawn cemetery, Henry Smith, aged 69 years, has applied to the United Provident association for aid to enable him to reach a nephew, Thomas Smith, living at Fort Scott, Kans.

The wife died and Smith sold every piece of furniture in order to pay the funeral expenses, and having no children, decided that he would come to his brother, whom, according to his latest information, was living in Oklahoma City.

A ticket to Little Rock was purchased in Hot Springs. This left the old man practically penniless. Then the ticket was rejected and Smith was put off the train. He had been swindled by a ticket broker. He then walked to Little Rock and from there was furnished transportation to Fort Smith, Ark., by the provident association in Little Rock.

No transportation could be secured at Fort Smith and Smith attempted to secure free rides. He was ejected a number of times and once was pushed from a rapidly moving train, wrenching his leg. In spite of his injury, he continued his journey to Oklahoma City, but arriving here, found that his brother was dead, and that his son, Thomas Smith, was living in Fort Scott. Transportation to Bartlesville was given him.