Harry the Indian

[Lauriep]

Mindy King, a friend of Harry & Jeanne Thomas, sent ATC the following note:

“Harry Fitzgerald Thomas, 79, of Nelsonville, died Sunday morning, December 20, 2009 Born June 5, 1930 in Winnebago, Nebraska, he lectured on the Appalachian Trail and Native American Culture & Life. He was considered a legend on the Appalachian Trail and lived on the trail for over 23 years. He had also operated a youth hostel in Maryland near the Appalachian Trail.”

A.T. hikers knew Harry better as “Harry the Indian,” an appellation he accepted. His Winnebago name was Majawasheika, which means “down-to-earth person.”

Harry is survived by his wife, Jeanne. He and “Fireball” met on the A.T. in Georgia when she was attempting a thru-hike in 1987. It was in early April, during a major snowstorm. They hiked portions of the A.T. together and were married the following year. For a while (in the early nineties, I think) they were the managers of the Harpers Ferry AYH Hostel in Knoxville, Maryland. Afterwards, they moved to Ohio, where they periodically gave presentations and taught classes about A.T. in their community and at Hocking College.

From Mindy, here are some links:

An obituary: http://www.athensnews.com/news/obitu...zgerald-thomas

and a fascinating article written in 1998:

http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/archive...98/native.html


Laurie Potteiger
ATC

[Lone Wolf]

good 'ol harry

[sasquatch2014]

Wow I just saw this and not even an hour before I was reading his profile in the book Walking the Appalachian Trail. I wish I would have had the chance to meet him a true legend of the trail and part of what makes the trail and it's history what it is.

[Lone Wolf]

first time i met him was in 86 at a shelter in PA. he was extremely drunk. he wouldn't let us stay. his favorite drink was Listerine

[Lauriep]

"Fireball" (so named by Jean Cashin for her red hair and level of energy) encouraged Harry to give up drinking. He got sober not long after they met, and as far as I know, stayed that way ever since.

Laurie

[Lugnut]

Anyone know if the story is true about him tying a rattlesnake to his pack, when he wasn't wearing it, to keep people from stealing it?

[sasquatch2014]

Anyone know if the story is true about him tying a rattlesnake to his pack, when he wasn't wearing it, to keep people from stealing it?

The way that I read that was that it was a one time occurance. Good theft prevention method though.

[Sir-Packs-Alot]

Mindy King, a friend of Harry & Jeanne Thomas, sent ATC the following note:

“Harry Fitzgerald Thomas, 79, of Nelsonville, died Sunday morning, December 20, 2009 Born June 5, 1930 in Winnebago, Nebraska, he lectured on the Appalachian Trail and Native American Culture & Life. He was considered a legend on the Appalachian Trail and lived on the trail for over 23 years. He had also operated a youth hostel in Maryland near the Appalachian Trail.”

A.T. hikers knew Harry better as “Harry the Indian,” an appellation he accepted. His Winnebago name was Majawasheika, which means “down-to-earth person.”

Harry is survived by his wife, Jeanne. He and “Fireball” met on the A.T. in Georgia when she was attempting a thru-hike in 1987. It was in early April, during a major snowstorm. They hiked portions of the A.T. together and were married the following year. For a while (in the early nineties, I think) they were the managers of the Harpers Ferry AYH Hostel in Knoxville, Maryland. Afterwards, they moved to Ohio, where they periodically gave presentations and taught classes about A.T. in their community and at Hocking College.

From Mindy, here are some links:

An obituary: http://www.athensnews.com/news/obitu...zgerald-thomas

and a fascinating article written in 1998:

http://www.thepost.ohiou.edu/archive...98/native.html


Laurie Potteiger
ATC

Thanks for that info Laurie - I've hear "trail stories" about Harry the Indian - but never had the pleasure of meeting him. Rest in Peace.