The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-20
ON THE TRAMP.
Diary OF two Massachusetts Detectives who
were Sent out to Learn the Habits and
Purposes of the Tramps.

were Scut " AChEh tAO AA1nA$o e>--s-
Purposes of the Tramps.
The annual report of Chief Detective
Stephenson, of Massachusetts, contains
the following diary of two amateur
tramps, sent out last summer by the
State authorities to study by association
the ways of the real tramp:
"July 10--Left Springfield. Very
soon met two tramps, and we immedl-
ately made inquiries as to our prospects
for. getting food and lodgings while we
were pursuing our Investigations. These
men informed us that we could get very
little food for begging, excepting dry
bread, and sometimes little milk that
they generally stole what they got.
These men were Irish, IS and 40 years
of age, one a shoemaker by trade, and
the other tailor: they said they could
get work if they desired, but preferred
to tramp they only worked when they
wanted money to get liquor, and nos
then if they could steal it. One had
tramped five and the other eight years.
We all slept together in the woods dur
ing the night at place near Blandfoerd,
and parted company in the morning,
after furnishing them with some to-
bacco.
"July 11.-Started from Blandford
toward Russell ; soon met tramp, a
Frenchman full fifty years of age; he
had tramped about eight years; went
with him he said he tramped through
the country during the summer and fall,
going to one of the larger cities when
the cold weather came on, where he
generally managed to get arrested for
some petty crime for the purpose oi get
ting sentence that would keep him in
confinement during the winter months !;
we gave him some bread he had with
him large valse, containing four bot
ties of gin among other things this man
was on the road to Buffalo, N. Y. slept
during the night in Russell.
"July 12.-Started from Russell at
daybreak in pouring rain soon went
into barn, while the Frenchman went
out to beg some food :; he returned with
O large piece of corned beef, which he
had stolen.
"July 13.-Left the barn quite early
where we had passed the night soon
met three tramps; went with them into
the woods, where We found fourteen
more. Our party now numbered twen-
ty. Of these three we're German, two
Dutchmen, one Swede, one Frenchman,
three Americans, and the remainder
Irish. They had been calnped in this
place some five days, subsisting princi-
pally upon chickens and potatoes which
had been stolen . in the night. Con-
cluded to remain with this gang for a
time.
"July 1--we divided into four
squads, each of which was to take its
turn in providing food for the gang.
The Germans went out to-day, and re-
turned with small pig, nine chickens,
a quantity Of eggs, and bread, all OF
which, with the exception of the bread,
we're stolen. They carried with them
fish hooks and lines, which they used for
catching chickens, simply by putting on
kernel of corn for bait. In many in
stances, when they have rum, they soak
bread with it and feed the fowls. which
are soon in condition to be easily cap
tured.
"July 15.-Started with three others
to procure food. We were refused at
the first house we called at. Some OF
The party found in wood-shed near the
house q keg containing some five or SIX
gallons of cider, which they appropriated
to their own use, and left for the camp.
We went on alone. and finally purchased
at o farm house some bread and meat,
with which we returned to the woods,
where we found most of the gang intoxl-
Gated from the too free use OF the cider.
"July 16.-Concluded to leave this
locality, as it was getting rather hot on
account of the depredations made upon
the people in the vicinity. We divided
into four parties in order to avoid sus'
picion, taking two different routes to the
town of Washington. The party who
passed over each route was to mark with
chalk Zone party using red and the other
blue) the prominent points In their
routes, for the guidance of those who
were to follow. An arrow is usually
made upon large rocks, trees, etc., par
ticularly al the crossroads, to direct
each gang to the place fixed upon as the
general rendezvous. Nearly all of the
regular tran.ps carry chalk of different
colors. The Frenchman left the gang
to-day. A short time after he left, some
OF the party, fearing that he might "sell
them out to the people in the town,
and cause them trouble on account ol
the thefts committed, followed him fo'
the purpose of compelling him to re.
turn, but they failed to find him. Slept
in the woods at night around large
fire, but suffered very much from the
cold.
"July 17.-Reached Middletield
where we met three men belonging tc
one of the other gangs. We kept to
gether on the tramp, generally separ
ating when we came to villages, and 60
ing through singly. We laid in tn
woods most of the day, getting plent.
of food by begging and stealing. Th'
Young fellows find it difficult to get foo'
OF any description, but the old men seen
to excite more compassion; they. gener
ally have pitiful story ready for use
gotten up without regard to truth. I'm
usual question to the young tramp Is
! why don't you go to work? They al
wavs profess readiness to work, bu
generally give, as trade to which the.
are accustomed to work, some occupa
ton in which they are sure no employ
ment will be offered in that locality
One of the gang stole, to-day, a Jug O
bay-rum out of farmers wagon, all @
which was drunk during the night
Slept in barn.
"July 1S.-It rained very hard whe
morning came but we intended to NOV
on; were prevented by the fact that mos
of the party were sick from the effect
of the bay-rum. We finally starte
about dusk toward Hinsdale; passe
through Pittsfeld during the night
went through singly, because the ol
tramps thonght if we were caught "
should be taken to the lookup and mad
to work in the morning for lodging an
breakfast. This plan of working to pm
for board is not in accordance with th
idea that tramps entertain as to what
lust and suitable. We reached til
Shaker Village about nine o'clock 0
the morning of July 10. Some OF til
gang went out to beg; got all we wante
to eat from the Shakers, who alway
give literally.
"July 21.-Reached the State lint
and, taking the railroad track, passe
through West Stockbridge to Stool
bridge, and about a mile beyond tn