The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-09-05
Aurora, &c.-Charles P. Silsby.

HISTORY OF DISTINGUISHED BUMMER.-
The Washington papers announce the death of
Bean Hickman, aud give some facts concerning
this beggar who has attained a national reputa-
ton.
Robert L. Hickman was born in King Will
liam County, Va, according to best data, over
sixty years ago. he was Que of family of six
children, three boys and three girls, two of the
latter having married Gen, Eaton of North
Carolina. 1t il said that on the death of his fa-
ther he was the possessor of about $4,000 in
cash at that time young man of goo appear
ance, tasteful in dress, extravagant in habits,
and fond of life, he made up his mind to see
good time, and he saw it so well that within a
couple of years he was bankrupt. The story
further goes that in his distress he applied to his
brother-in-law, and that gentleman, disguised
with the actions of his relative sternly refused
all aid, but finally concluded to give him
check for $4,000, on condition that he would
leave and never return to his home again. Bean
accepted the proposition, took the money, re-
turned TO his old haunts and casting aside his
valuable but bitter experience, was soon again
reduced to want; condition, which it was said
was fastened by the elopement of a colored mis-
tress who took with her considerable of his
funds. Then Bean concluded that the world
owed him a living. Too prond to work, too
honest to steal, he adopted his vagabond, Bohe-
milan life, and levying a tax on all who came
Among the anecdotes related of him are the
following, as to how he rode free on railroad
He took common card, stuck it into the band
of his high hat and getting an inside seat,
stuck his head out of the window. Along comes
the conductor for his tickets, and noticing the
geptleman seated apparently in deep study he
tapped him on the shoulder. Bea IL started up
suddenly and off went his hat Then he became
indignant wanted the train stopped whether or
no, and insisted so vheemently on his rights
that the poor conductor was scared. and rather
THAI lose time he agreed to pay for the hat and
pass the gentlen an over, both OF Which he d1d
The story soon got out, and Bean was dead
head, with that conductor, as long as he re-
manned on the line;
His advice to strangers about going into gam
bling houses was also good. You want to tack
lie faro?' he would say; swell now let me give
you little advice, and / know all about it. You
go in, and if there are many players, and any
big ones, you get in and play light. srhe dealer
will be mad as - when he sees it, but you
need not mind. He's bound to let you win and
go Cor the big ones. Then, when you get stake
don't be too greedy, but leave" For this good
advice, he would always add: you owe me
about a red chip" In asking for money he
would always call for chips designated as fol-
lows: A white chip 81: red chip So; and
blue chip $20-the several amounts being levied
according to his estimate of the ability of the
giver. When he "struck" man for blue, fif
he didn't respond. Bean would not consider it
beneath his dignity to fall even to the white,
which he then accepted with thanks.