Wild Boy (Part One) – Little House on the Prairie TV Episode

186. WILD BOY (Part One)
November 1, 1982

A traveling side-show comes to Walnut Grove advertising a wild boy. The wild boy escapes and befriends Jenny and the Wilders. We learn that he is Matthew Roger, a mute boy, caged against his will, and acts wild because he is given morphine. Mr. Edwards hides Matthew but Nancy Oleson finds out and causes trouble. The side-show owner tries to regain custody but a judge rules that Matthew belongs in an institution. Mr. Edwards makes a moving statement that convinces the judge to let the case get lost in the system allowing Matthew to remain with Mr. Edwards.

Comment: Matthew will make another appearance in a later episode.