The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-04-30
Money Kings Of Tramps' Boost.


Bob McGee and Jack Murphy are
tranaps ofthe most pronounced and prae-
.fical type. vet they are worth $50 900 and
5000 respectively. They are the erovn-
81 heads, 80 to speak. Of what IS known
as ~Tramps R0ost. the veil established
bivouc Of their nomaaic kind in West
Goshen township. four miles east Of tins
place. This roostr was established un-
der squaiter's sovereignty rights about
two years ago, and, while it is not a
thing Of beauty in the eyes Of the sur
rounding farmers. it is tolerated cut Of
sense Of fear. the inhabitants of that
section having thought that, were they
TO rise up and declare it nuisance and
cali upon the strong arm Of the law to
abaie it, their barn and farm stock
might suffer damages in consequence Of
their interference.
50 It las grown and become a recog-
nized fixture, and at no time has il less
number ef lodgers than score. and in
the motley ereup q couple Of women
are sure to assert their presence. Il is
located in a Nood, close 10 a small stream,
and vieing with the giant oaks which
tower up a. an evidence of the fertility
ofthe virgin soil, are great moss covered
rJcks tlat n themselves bear witness TO
the strides OF progress and the inertia Of
the people who have made "TramPs
Roostr noted throughout Chester county
In the fall season tine fallen leaves are
gathered by the tramps and h0sbanded
IN the spaces between The rocks TO serve
them - soft couches daring the cold
nights of vinier time. From rock to
rock are laid rails and other timber, and
these are covered wiih branch and shrub,
and on them a thick layer Of leaves,
with fat stones to hold them fast, and
this done, the quarters are complete and
IN good shape.
Bob McGee ard Jack Murphy were
among the earliest settlers here, and a
few months ago they were in turn hunt
Ell up by relatives residing in Philadel-
phia and told the pleasing story Of some
relative Of either having died and left
them respectively the sums mentioned
above. They promptly responded 20 the
call to 70 to the city and sign the neees-
sary papers in the hands Of aSministra-
tofs and to taste Of the delicious fruits Of
their.sudden windEI NcGee's portion
is left in trust, and he is only allowed SO
( per week Of the interest accruing thereon.
This Is not large amount in the eyes of
some, but To a tramp it cuts quite a re-
spectacle figure. His fortune did not
serve 10 induce him to quit -Tramps'
Roostr or his fellow loungeTs, and he
regularly visits Phi,adelphia weekly for
Lis $40, and as regularly returns to his
fellows and divides his income with
them .n the purchasing Of edibles.
Murphy was begueathed his fortune Of
( $1,000 outright, and with no trust bust
ness to hamper bis financial operations.
+ As result, his generosity is disbnrsing
It in fine style, and he is regarded as be-
ing the king Of lramps in all OF civiliza-
/ iion's wide domain Still he is having
( what is termed royal good time, and
{ his name Will 90 down to posterity as re-
+ lates to tranps and tramp life as being a
daisy in the fullest measure Of the
term.
Among the number who make up this
bscehanalian resort or den of iniquity
as it is called by good people, there is
always one who ESSAYS TO act the part oi
minister, and on sunday ne gives alleged
religious disc0urses to his companions
and 10 the visitors who almost daily put
IN their appearance ont Of idle curiosity
But BIS stock Of religions knowledge j.
/ 50 very short and his fitness generally SC
lacking Of the promper inspiration fcr
impariiHg it that his lectures partake Of
the single merit, that Of breviiy, and ali
are satisfied when he IS done.
'Tramps' Roost" is one Of four piaces
which constitutes a circuit Of roosts for
L these good-fog-uothing people, the other
three being located at Beatty's burned
( mill, near Media, at Lansdowne, and in
a tumbie-down barn near the city o
I Chester. Al ofthese places have a per.
nianent population, though the person
/ ages change almost weekly They boast
Of their organization and freedom from
weTk, and to al appearances would en-
tertain a better mode Of living as a well
defined insult It is no wonder that tn,
hard working, piodding people Of the
neighborhood no longer marvel at the
pIacard over the doorway 10 "Tramps
Roost, which reads:
Tramp life Is not a failure, by Ions
shot. West Chester Cor. Philadelphia
Times.
The Senate GaveI.