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

WASHINGTON, June lin the Senate
reception room at the Capitol yesterday
/ met an old gentleman whom Senator
Butler informed me was Capt. Robert w
Andrews, Of Sumter, South Carolina. He
claims to be ninety.three years old, and
is engaged in walking from Sumter tc
Boston to visit son residing in the latter
city. The Captain wears heavy brogan
shoes, his pantaloons are of q light check,
and his vest is Of gray material, worn
over what appears 70 be linen coat.
There was no coat over the vest, but the
entire outfit was covered with thick
grey shawl. His face is wrinkled and
bis whiskers arc white. His eyes are
bright and his step is as light as any
mans could be with such shoes. lie ex-
planned the absence Of an upper coat by
saying 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
the cool evening came on.
The Captain says he has wife and ten
children, all of the latter being married.
In 1872 he drove from Statesburg, Mass,
to. Charleston, S. c., and back, making
the trip in six months. lie is making
his present trip on foo. simply for pleas.
ure as he puts it, and to notice the
changes in the country through which
he travelled so many years ago. His
only companion is little black dog
which he calls "Fido" He is armed
with two pistols and paper box Of GER
tificates as to his good character and en-.
dorsements from officials and citizens in
and around Sumter. One letter was from
a brotbe in law of Senator Wade Hamp.
ton. His object for stopping in Washing.
ton was 70 see General Hampton and TO
pay his respects to President Arthur. He
says he has spoken to every President
from Washington down to Arthur, with
the exception Of the late President Gar
field.
The Captain travels about twenty five
miles day. Thus far he has had good
luck, always q comfortable ts:i 10 sIcep
in at night and plenty TO eat. lie is pre-
pared to pay for oil be gets, but very few
persons with whom he has stopped have
allowed him to pay. He has been we'll
treated all along the road. The Captain
says he never uses tobacco in any form,
but sometimes "takes dram" when be
thinks he needs it, He will not drink
poor liquor II he cannot get good
liquor he goes without it. If he needs
two or three 'drams' a day he takes
them, Sbue' 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 20 Washington. The Captain
boarded a train and rode BeTan miles then
got off and made the rest Of the journey
on foot. Senator Butler told him that
Senator Hampton was expected in Wash
ington 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 MessFs. Thomas II. Harney aud J.
CDgau, both Of the pension office. recent.
ly of Sumter.-Dipatch 10 tie Ners and
CDuyier