The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-12
Andersutt gnteltigeutet.
The Sumter Pilgrim.

WASHINGTON, June LIN the Senate
reception room at the Capitol yesterday
1 met an old gentleman whom Senator
Butler informed me was Capt. Robert w
Andrews, of Sumter, South Carolina. BE
claims to be ninety-three years old, and
is engaged in walking from Sumter to
Boston to visit son residing in the latter
city. The Captain wears heavy brogan
shoes, his pantaloons are Of light check,
and his vest is of gray material, worn
over what appears to be linen coat
There was no coat over the vest, but the
entire outfit was covered with a thick
grew shawl. His face is wrinkled and
his whiskers are white. His eyes are
bright and his step is as light as any
mans. could be with such shoes. He ex-
planned theabsence Of an upper coat by
saving that the shawl was more conven.
lent, as he could take-it off in the heat of
the day and cover himself with it when
tie, cool evening came on.
The Captain says he has wife snd ten
children. all of the latter being married.
In 1872 he drove from Statesburg, Mass,
to. Charleston, IS. O., and back, making
the trip in six months. he is making
his present trip on foot simply for pleas
lure as, he puts it, and to notice the
changes in the country through which
ahe travelled so many years ago. His
only companion is little black DOG
which he calls 'Fido. He is armed
with two pistols and 9 paper box of cerr
tifcates as to, his good character and en-
dorsements from officials and citizens in
and around Sumter. One letter was from
q brother in-law of Senator Wade Hamp'
ton. His object for stopping in Washing
ton was to see General Hampton and to
: pay his prospects to President Arthur. He
says he has spoken to every President
) from w Washingt ton down to- Arthur, with
the exception of the late President Car
field.
The Captain travels about twenty five
miles q day. Thus far he has had good
luck, always comfortable bed to sleep
init night and, plenty to eat. aHe is pre-.
pared to pay for all begets, but very few
: persons with whom he has stopped have
allowed him to pay. he has been well
treated all alorgsthe road. The; Captain
says he never usest0bacco IN any form,
but sometimes .stakes dram" when he
thinks he needs it. He will not drink
poor liquor. IF be cannot get good
LIQUOR hes goes swithputit. IF he needs
two or three ssdfamsn = day he takes
them, sbuts He sometimes goes for weeks
without touching drop.
He appeared to be very anxious to see
Senator Hampton. When he reached
Richmond, Va, some one informed him
that Congress, would adjourn before he
could get to- Washington The Captain,
boarded; "a train and rode eseven miles then
got off and made the rest of the journey
son foot. Senator Butler told him that
Senator Hampton was expected in, Wash
sington Friday or Saturday of this week
and that seemed to satisfy the Captain.
He was the object Of much attention from
employees and visitors To the Capitol.
He talks freely about his tramp and incl
dents connected, with it. While in
Washington Capt. Andrews is the guest
of Messrs. Thomas r. THarney and j..
Cpgan, both of the pension Office, recent.
sly of Sumter Dispatch. to the Ne'rs and
Courier