SPRINGDALE, Ark. - When Arthur Smith was one month old, his mother wrapped him up in a blanket and dropped him off at Gimbles Department Store [New York City].

Found on Jan. 18, 1918, with no indication of a name or birthday, he was baptized as a Protestant, arbitrarily was given the name Arthur Fields and was bounced around from foster home to foster home for several years.

At age five he was placed on a train by the Children's Aid Society of New York and rode with other orphans of various ages in hopes of finding homes in the West.

Meanwhile the Smith family was waiting at the Methodist church in Clarinda, Iowa. They had come just to get a look at the 12 orphans who would get off the train. What had started out as curiosity changed to commitment when little Arthur jumped up on the farmer’s lap and eagerly and innocently asked, "Are you going to be my daddy?"

The New York orphan began his new life on the farm by gathering eggs. "There was so much to do. It was good for me because it was healthy for my mind," he said.

"It’s weird not knowing who you are," said Smith, "But I was very happy, and I was treated well." The only information Smith has gained by writing the Children's Aid Society is that he was a healthy baby and well dressed when found in the department store. His situation has made finding his roots impossible.

"I was 71 years old before I realized my real name was not Arthur Fields," said the orphan train rider, today living with Georgianna, his wife of 54 years, in Trenton, N.J.