Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-10-30
RUINED BY A CLAIM
The Story of an Old Man Who Haunts
the Corridors of Washington Ho-
Washington Republican.

tells.
Washington Republican.
Although the old gentleman's coat
was thfeadbafe, his shoes sadly in
need of repairs, and his tall hat had
lost its gloss, he elevated his feet lust
as high as anyone else on the table of
the reading-room at. a downtown
hotel last night, and told the reporter
who took seat beside hin that the
rain was a welcome sight. The old
gentleman sampled the reporters
tobacco and acknowledged that he was
ahead of time. but you seeI couldn't
stay away any longer. Between me
and you, my money gave out, and
had to come back.
''Do your people live herea"
mo; but this is the cheapest place
to live for me- No, I don't live any
where. Come originally from North
Carolina nigh on 10 seventeen years
ago, and have been here while con-
gress is IN session ever since. Well.
it's the Same old story over again. [
was sightless fool, that's all, and
the old man gave vent to sigh. and,
after a severe struggle, coughed.
Blame that cough, it's always troub-
ling me, and whisky's the only thing
that does it any good"
The reporter led the way TO the bar,
and after drinking his five fingers
straight his new acquaintance sat
down the glass and said: "Well, to
begin. Seventeen years ago I was a
small truck farmer in North Carolina,
had forty acres, and was doing well,
when an aunt of mine took up and
died, leaving me her estate, which
consisted of $3.50 and claim against
the government for damages. This
claim amounted to about 81, 400, and
[ came to Washington 10 collect it. I
came III a Pullman car. When I 90
away now it's second class. thought
that all I'd have to do was to come
here and get the money. Well, I got
here, hunted up my member, told him
OF my claim, and he promised to at
tend to 1t for me. I hung about, gave
three dinners at Browns to the mem
bers of a committee to whom nv
claim was referred, and awaited
results. It was not long before my
money began to run low, and I was
thinking OF going home. but that
member of mine kept telling me to
hang on and he'd get my claim
through all right. I got in the habit
Of loafing around the capitol waiting
for my claim, but she didn't come.
Congress adjourned without acting on
it, and at the end of the session I
found myself dead broke. I went
back some then, determined never to
n
done SO but for that member of mine.
He got me to work for his renomina-
ton and he was elected Then he told
me that the government wanted men
like me, and that if I would sell out
my place and come here ne would
surely get my claim through, and
would get me in one Of the depart
rnents. [ came back, got in the patent
office, and all went serene until 1874.
when was fred out, my claim was
dlsregarded. and my member defeated.
Then | had to hustle. The associa-
tons | had formed were hard to break
away from, and finally got hanging
ABOUT the committee rooms. doing odd
jobs or members. They would give
me little money now and then, and
L managed to exc out living, but
that was all. During all this trouble
L became careless of myself, I had
no desire to go back to my home,
where knew I'd have got start, but
simply hung about and never nanag-
ed to get clear of the rut I fell into.
Yes, I've tried it, but it's no go, and
I'm back here again. During the
summer months some member gener-
ally gets me a pass and gives me a
little money, and go to some Of the
watering places. This year [ went
home. Everybody had forgotten me.
My money gave out and had to come
back"
Glow do you live9"
Son whisky. Yes, whisky; it's
easier to get whisky than bread. l
hang about, get invited, and work the
lunch. Sleep? Oh, the corridors of
hotels are convenient, and once-but
only once-I went to the station house.
I'll manage to live through until the
mill gets going again, and then I'll
get on to some scheme and make
enough, perhaps, to go away next
summer. Although you would not
think it, I'm only IL years of age, but
feel 70. Thanks, [ Will go you again
and, say, you haven't gotta spare
quarter, have you? [ think I'd like
to try bed tonight"