[D9208AAD], Letter from T R J Elliott to Thomas Alva Edison, February 5th, 1892
https://edisondigital.rutgers.edu/document/D9208AAD
Transcription
Paterson N.J. Feby 5th 1892 Mr. Thos A. Edison Dear Sir I have a remarkable boy about whom I desire to consult you. We call him variously "The Wizard" "The Inventor" etc. He has always been almost from very infancy the habit of shutting himself up in a room, shed, or coal bin or the like and fastening the door and then he would set himself to work upon some piece of mechanism and work upon some piece of mechanism and work assiduously until the perfection of his ideal. He is nearly 15 years old now and not very large for his age, his head is larger than that of most children his age but he is what the other boys call "skinny" he does not seem to care much for "book learning" and beyond reading, writing and arithmetic he has I may practically say no education. He has caused us much trouble and anxiety in many ways such for instance as refusing to rise in the morning at the [illegible] or time for school although fully awake. For several months he has been out of school carrying on these experiments as my wife calls his works many years ago he made engines, boats, dynamos, jewelry, musical instruments (and played the instruments). If allowed to do as he likes he is agreeable enough, but if he cannot have his own way he is most disagreeable. He has much less confidence than in the superior knowledge of his parents than that of strangers and I think that is because of familiarity. It seems no use to hector him with schools when he is so opposed to them or indifferent to them. I do not stay at home being a commercial traveler and make occasional visits home. Last night I was trying to think of the best thing to be done in regard to "Fin"-that is what we call him for short and it came into my mind to consult you, possibly you might have use for such a boy in your multifarious schemes. Fin has no vices if we do not reckon this excessive inventiveness but I feel that I need advice and assistance in doing the best thing. Having several children and being poor I am unable to pay anybody to develop him but if you would take him and could anything of him I would be delighted. I would give you full control of him by law. The boy is at my home in Jersey City and would be sent to you for examination if you desire. He will be 15 next month (20th).the boy is so timid and diffident that he is almost as coy as a girl and has not self confidence enough too go out and seek out an employer so I feel that I must try to find him a place. I beg your pardon for encroaching on your valuable time. Please reply at your earliest opportunity. Yours truly,