National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-29
A LONG PLEASURE TRIP.
Capt. Andrews, Almost n CentenRrian,
walking from South Carolina 20 Bos-

Capt. Andrews, Almost Centenarian,
walking from South Carolina 20 Bos-
ton,
Capt. Robert w. Andrews, 03 years old,
started from Sumter, s. G., Eve weeks ago, to
walk to Boston to visit son who lives in
that city. Capt. Andrews reached Washing
ton yesterday. and will remain here few
days before again starting on his long tramp.
He was asked yesterday by REPUBLICAN
reporter what induced him to undertake such
journey on foot at his age.
Oh, wanted to sec the country again,
said the old gentleman. ats a pleasure trip"
The captain was dressed in peculiar fashion.
His shoes were OF tho heavy brogan type, his
pantaloons Of light color and fancy pattern,
and his vest of gray material was worn over
what appeared to be n linen coat. There
was no coat over the vest, but tho
entire OUTFIT was covered with a
good, thick, gray shawl. Ho also wore
q light colored slouch hat. The captain
| looks at least quarter of century younger
than he really is. His face is wrinklod and
his hair aud whiskors are white. lie wears
tho latter in tho fashion set by William
Shakespeare but his eyes are bright and his
step is as light as any mans could DO with
such shoes. He explained the absence of an
upper coat by saying that tho shawl was
more convenient, as he could take it off in
the heat of the day and cover himself with
it when the cool evening camc.
81 couldn't let myself got cold at night
after had been sweating through the day"
said he; that would make q horse sick"
To question concerning his ratio of travel
he replied: II walk about twenty-five miles
a day and look out for o lodging little be-
fore night. / carry seventeen pounds of bag.
gage this shawl and valise, and q blanket
to cover me at night when lie out. haven't
had to lie out yet, though | expected to when
started. / would rather lie in the woods
than in house where was suspicious.
have been well treated everywhere. but
don't know rs | would have been If hadn't
shown my papers"
Then the old gentleman pulled from some
recess of his raiment box which formerly
held spool cotton. From it he produced
dozens of certificates us TO his good character
and letters, many of them ailectionate ones
from men of about his own age. One lette
was from brother-in-law of Gen. Wade
Hampton. Tho captain seemed anxious
he, when no wasn't big enough to ride {
boss" The captain was an army teamste
during the war of 1912, and served through
the war of the rebellion in the confederat,
army. He was born in Sumter district, $
G. He has q sister living in Tennessee witt
is 1o2 years old. He has ten children living
Tho captain says he never used tobacco II
any form, but takes dram" when HI
thinks he needs it. And l don't drink
mean liquor, either" he added. ~ despist
mean liquor, and I'll so without drinking
rather than not have my dram sweetened."
The captain is the guest while here o
Messrs Thomas r. Harvey and j, Crogan
both of the pension office, and both natives o
the town where the captain lives They will
go with him to-day to call upon Prcsiden
Arthur, who is the only president, excep
Washington, whom the captain has not seen
II will shake hands with President Arthur,
said he, IF it costs me dollar"
As the reporter left him Capt. Andrew
called out, Don't forget to put In that m.
little dog, Fido, travels with mo and watche
over me while sleep"
The captain travelled over the same groun
he is covering now. from Sumter to Boston
in 1913, seventy-one years ago. He says tina
he notices some changes.