Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-01-27
JAMES EDMOND.
An Unfortunate Journalist ON His
Way Home.

O1 MONDAY morning week Sgo tnere
in the HERALD an article on the
tramp, and at the head of the same the
statement was made to the effect that it
was written by one whose misfortunes
made him a tramp and who was then in
San Francisco ON his way to Australia.
In the San Francisco CaN published on
Tuesday last there appeared an article
which was somewhat as follows: James
Edmond, an Australian journalist, ap-
piled to Mayor Pond yesterday for as
sistsnce and recounted pitisble story of
want and disaster that appealed to the
softer side of his honor's disposition.
For four years he had worked
as assistant editor of the Sydney
Bulletia, the leading comic paper
of Australia, but on account of i'll health,
produced by overwork, came to America.
He went to New York, and there con-
tributed to the Standard, Graphic and
Times. His health continued bad, and
he went to Denver, where, while out
riding, he was thrown out of buggy
and suffered concussion of the brain.
His injuries left him deaf and dumb.
Finding it hopeless to make livelihood
in strange land he started for this
Coast, hoping somehow to work pas
sage back. to his own country. He
worked his way to Los Angeles, where
he was kindly received. \
Edmond arrived here four days ago, and
pawned all his spare clothes to keep
him alive. All of Sunday night he
spent on the streets. The Mayor gave
him So and letter to ]. d. Spreckels &
Bros, which will probably procure him
passage back to the antipodes."
Attention was first attracted to Mr..
Edmond here through the following let
ter, which Was received at the HERALD
Office about three weeks ago:
32iLeS ANGELES STREET.
DEAR SrR-A ruined fellow, journalist,
or rather the remains of one, addresses
you from the aforementioned Is. cent
clearinghouse in the hope of raising a
pair OF boots and a few second hand
clothes at your expense. ! am an
Australian by birth, and acted for four
years as sub-editor of the Sydney
.Bllletse, a stormy journal with an
average of three chronic libel actions on
hand and six citizens looking for
the editor with clubs and horsewhips,
In period of what now regard as dec
rangement, however, l came to New
York in search of new field of enter
prise, and acted for some time in that
city as contributor to the columns Of
the Grafhec, the Standard and Time Gan
alleged comic weekly of obscure parent
age.) L afterwards removed to Denver,
where, through an accident while riding
Cor, rather. attempting to ride) horse
that evidently possessed more sense than
I owned myself, 1 received injuries which
left me deaf and partially dumb, and
confusedrmy mental faculties to such an
extent as to unfit me- for any long con-
tinued mental exertion. When recov-
cred my physical powers lived for some
time on the hospitality of Cinnamon
and other inferior animals, and finally
despairipg of making an honest liveli-
hood in this country, L started overland
for San Francisco, from which port
hope somehow to work my way back to
Australia. 4 have arrived in this beau
tifui city after two months steady walk
ing with pair of boots of which the
soles are gone and the cppers almost en-.
tirely missing; with q solitary shirt, two.
thirds of which has been trayed away by
attrltion against the walls of the corri-
dors OF time (whatever that poetic ex-
preston may rightly mean; with a suit
OF shreds and patches [ehiehy shreds).
no socks, and G hat which has seen GER
vice in the desert as q wash basin and
drinking cup until it has almost forgot
ten its original mission; and filed
With, bitter spirit of misanthropy
which makes me execute melancholy
jesis over my own misfortuaes. In fact
almost my only visible asset is q small
packet OF brilliantly fattering testimo-
nials from various New Yoric Journals.
On one occasion, when I came down TO
almost utter starvation in the wate, less
country between Y una and Tndio. I in
duced an intelligent telegraph operator
to read them through. He spent two
hours over them and when he had FIN
lshed he kindly bestowed on me hard
BUN wrapped up in sheet of note pap,r
and told me in writing that it was four
teen miles to the next station. j took
the hint and went on.
do not wish to intFude on you in nv
present scarecrow condition, as IL
would do no great credit to your
Office. If you feel disposed TO
lend me o little kindly assistance
TO repair my outward aspect would you
please leave letter to that effect in the
business department of your premises.
will call and inquire for it about noon
to- o'morrow, or if you prefer it you might
send note to my 15-cent lodging house
at 81 Los Angeles street. 1 will be there
I'LL tomorrow evening, when, as NV
money will last no longer, intend to
take the track for San Francisco. Should
not hear from you at either place / will
AXE the hint and trouble you no mere.
am, dear sir, sincerely yours,
JAMES EDMOND.
Immediately upon the receipt of the
lbove, representatives of the HERALD
,isited Mr.. Edmond and found that his |
of himself was true, He |
vas supplied with clothes, and through |
he kindness of General E. E. Hewitt. Of |
he Southern Pacific Company, a pass
vas procured for his passage to San
francisco.
Mr.. Edmond has in his possession
everal letters Of recommendation from
he papers in New York to which he
and lis work, as exhibited in
he article published in the HERALD last
Monday, speaks for his ability. He has.
10 says, a wife in Australia, who has NOT
et been informed Of the accident which
'reyents him from actively engaging in |
lis profession, and it is probable that bv
bis time he il on his way across the L
coan n, io;r hop etf