The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-08-21
Yramps.

1OWu anu country are literally OVerruQ |
with "tramps," and some measures will
have to be adopted to protect society
against their lawless and criminal raids |
A lot of lousy, idle, ragged roughs seem
suddenly to have dropped down upon
every street and farm. They rudely in
yade the premises and dwellings of people,
in town and country, demanding food,
lodging, clothes, and even money.
At the house of MIR. Sands, back of
Davenport, on the 18th, while Mr.. Sands
was at church, two tramps came into the
yard and demanded, of the young man in
charge, something to eat. The young man
replied that he could give them something
if they were hungry, when they said they
wanted something more-must have some
money. To this the reply was: You can
not have any, for we have none" With
out word of reply one of the tramps
drew slung shot from his pocket. and
quick as lightning gave the young man
blow that knocked him senseless, and then
fled for fear of an alarm.
On Monday eve the 10th, mail carrier in
Davenport, while passing through grove
back of town was shot at and hit in the
hat, but escaped. Tramps who wanted to
rob the mail bag, did it,
A few days ago Miss Clara Wolfe,
daughter of respectable farmer near
Hepburn, Iowa, was returning from town,
accompanied by her brother thirteen years
Of age. The twain were on horseback,
the boy somewhat in advance of his sister,
and while crossing ravine, about mile
west of Hepburn, man darted forward
under cover Of the prevailing darkness
and attempted to catch the bride rein of
her horse. The animal reared backward,
and shifted the air with fright, while the
rider attempted to urge him forward.
The william still advanced, and made sever
al unsuccessful attempts to catch the
horse. The animal finally plunged madly
forward and threw the young lady to the
ground scattering the parcels which con-
tanned her morning purchases in all direct
ions. Her arm was sprained and her
shoulder somewhat bruised by the fall,
She gained her feet in an instant when the
villain caught her !by the throat but did
not utter a word The young lady battled
maniully in defense of her person and hon
or, and her brother attracted by her
screams came back and the would-b
rapist fed Miss Wolfe, exhausted by her
injuries and terrible fright, swooned away
but assistance was obtained and she wa:
conveyed home in safety. The villain i:
still at large.
These are Cn'y samples Of what can b.
found in any of our exchanges from any
part of the country.
. Riding along Rock river valley the othe
, day we found lazy vagabonds and tramp
at or near almost every house, We ever
saw and heard the organ grinder nuisance
up Rock river valley. those pests having
q taking to robbing the farmers or drivin,
them crazy by their Internal screeching
q Returning by moonlight We saw roug
y tramps at various points sitting by til
roadside They infest every part of tn
t country and live by begging from an
+ robbing honest people who earn thei
property by hard work An extra coo
is sometimes necessary in order to fee
: them.
They don't want work, for there isn't
r town in the west, or farm, where son
Al Of these creatures could not, at least ear
NJ their food. They won't work; they pr,
10 fer the life of a tramp" begging or roll
T. bling for living.
This life of vagabondage will have to !
stopped in some way. First, every fam
ID ly should supply themselves with fire arm
es and learn how to use them. Next,-wht
''tramrs" enter your premises witho,
at leave, order them off, IF they don't e
there's way to make them and a way
keep'them off.