Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-11-30
THE TRAMP NUISANCE
THR POLICE AND POPULACB BOTHERED
WITH VAGS.
TWENTY-FIVE Of the Travellers at Headquarters
Wednesday Night-Elsvsn Arrested in
One Batch, Yesterday.

For the past week or two the city has
been literally overrun with tramps. They
descended from no one knows where, but
they are about the checklist and most
sudac:ous set of buns seen here for many
day.
There seems to be nothing Of the re-
duced workingman, or the laborer in hard
luck about them. They are the pure, IN
adulterated article of tramp.
They infest the low grade saloons, hang
about the market house, congregate at
street corners, and are either redolsnt
of bad whisky, encrusted with dirt or
swarming with vermin.
They appear to divide their time about
equally between begging victuals at pri-
vate residences, begging dimes aud nickles
on the streets, and drinking. So promi-
nent is their nerve that no one B secure
from the opportunities CT the gang, and
ladies are often subjected to insult by
them. At night they swarm to the lock-
up, where as high as twenty-five are &C.
commodated with sleeping quarters at
onc,. Wednesday night there was a
choice coll lection of these wanderers in the
cell room. One man had live turkey,
which he insisted GA occupying cell with
him. aud when the bird came out yester'
day morning it Yves sorry specimen Of
the feattered tribs. A woman and three
little children added pitiable variety to
the crowd of dodgers, and all night the
cries of the little ones disturb9 I'd the other
"boarders." This woman belongs here in
Wheeling, and has been driven TO taking
refuge in the lookup by the worthlessness
of her husband.
With this miscellaneous collection OF
people confined in the Cell-room. the con-
dition of the atmosphere can be better I'M
agined taan described. A person sudden-
~ entering the apartment, after coming in
from the fresh air outside, could scarcely
get his breath, and it seems impossible for
anyone 10 surSive night spent In that
impurity.laden atmosphere. But the
trsmps seem to luxuriste in it. The room
is dry and warm, and after day spant in
wandering around in the mud and rain,
no doubt the quarters provided by the city
are esteemed haven CT rest indeed.
Last evening about five o'clock dozen
of the buns who had gathered at liquor
store in the rear of the Second ward mar
ket house, kicked up first class row, and
the police were cent for. Officers Dunlap
and Lukans responded, anu capturing four
of the tramps, started to the lookup with
them. A few minutes later Officer Nc
Nichols surrounded SVEN more, and the
procession marched down Market street in
great shape. Th9 advent of 50 many prls-
oners created great deal of excitement
along the line of march, and the officer $
and their charges were soon surrounded
by large crowd. Tue officers were re-
inforced by Officers Shorts and West, and
the vags were locked up. They were a
motley crowd, and scarcely one of them
could give an excuse for existence.
Later in the evening, and during the
night officers were on the lookout for
others of the wage, and it is probable there
will he fine assortment Of these folks b.
fore His Honor this morning.