The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-04-10
THE "BLUE JEAN TRAMP"
A Generous Young Man Sent Adrift On the
World BY n Sister.



During the debate in the house recently on
the bill making it a crime for a man TO become
a tramp, Mr.. Ney OF Lebanon rose in opposition
TO the measure, and, in the illustration of his
position, alluded to a poor unfortunate in his
vicinity known as the fBlue Jean Tramp" IL
was merely a reference, but il awakened in the
mind of the writer desire TO know more OF the
story about the man, and subsequent inquiry
has developed story as thrilling as any that
has been made public about the "Old Leather
Man."
The story, as picked up from various sources,
is as follows: Way back in the thirties there
resided in a town in the northern part of this
state family by the name of Hicks consisting
OF John Hicks wife, daughter, Jennie and
Dwight, son. The children were gwen all the
advantages possible in those times for Hicks
was well-tO-do farmer, and not at all stingy.
He was proud of his children, and nothing that
money could buy was wanted TO make their
lives complete. There was only one sorrow
that disturbed the old man, however and that
was the envious nature OF his daughter. She
embodied the very principle itself of getting
all you can and keeping all you get"
There was no charity, no generosity in her
nature. She would take belongings of her
brother, and, without conjunction, apprO-
pirate them 10 her own use. Her brother,
however, was almost Numerically opposite
free-hearted and generous TO a fault were the
fundamental principles underlying his nature
The wide divergence of the two was the cause
of much trouble between them. She grew TO
hate her brother with an unnatural hatred,
and he grew bitter and Indifferent but was of
too happy nature TO acquire the aspect Of
more than forgetfulness.
in this way they grew to manhood and
womanhoOd, and Jennie married the man OF
her choice. Then the father and mother died,
leaving the two children equal portions In the
estate. This CALLED the spirit of Jennie. Her
avaricious nature could not be cOntented with
half hrnt she rroufpd the whole Then har-ou a
scheme which robbed her brother of three
things-his intended wife, his money and his
reason.
A year after the parents death Dwight be-
came enamored of a pretty miss named Ida
Arnold. She had been a resident Of the town
but short time, and she reciprocated his af-
lection. Now it happened that Dwights sister
had taken violent dislike 10 Ida and, with ap-
parent friendship, she whispered cruel words
into her promised sister-in-law's ears They bore
fruit. Suspicious most women the vile SLAM
ders grew to certainty and she rehounced, almost
at the altar, the man she had promised TO love.
Dwight, COMPOUNDED and craZed, left the house.
Drink was the only solace for his sorrow, and
into dissipation he plunged.
His sister without conjunction or fear, then
began a systematic method to gain his wealth.
His brain gradually softened under the influ-
ence of alcohol. Returning one day 10 the
house of his sister, with whom he lived, he was
spurned from the house without dollar in the
world. What little OF Dwights reason
NAMED was shattered, and he left homeless
man, without money or reason TO sustain life,
and left 10 the tender mercies Of a cruel world.
In his demented condition he began to tramp
from door to door.
For years he tramped, going over and over
the same route, until now he has become 9
regular caller in Lebanon, always wearing q
blue jean" jumper, which has won for him
the sobriquet of the blue Jean Tramp" No
one fears him; every one pities him and well
comes him to the 6reside. RetributiOn has
overtaken his sister A few years ago she was
thrown from a carriage and killed. Such is
the story about the "Blue Jean Tramp" the
clew to which fell from the lips of Mr.. Ney Of
Lebanon.