The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-05
TRAMPS ON RAILROADS.
THEY GET OVER GREAT DISTANCES
ON SCHEDULE TIME.
when They Can't Get Inside They Have
the Best That the Exterior Affords, and
Sometimes That Is Very Good, Though
O Trife Dangerous.

the Best That the Exterior Affords, and
Sometimes That Is Very Good, Though
Trifie Dangerous.
While trainmen are of one mind in re-
gard to the annoyance which tramps
cause the railroad companies they dis
agree about the methods Of these indi-
viduals in doing" the country. In
spite of the strict rule of all railroads
prohibiting tramps, these professional
travellers get over the road somehow or
other with astonishing rapidity. They
have been known to come from San Fran
cisco to New York IN but trihe longer
time than it took Mr.. Maekey on his
record breaking trip. 1t is by no means
certain that one of these nomads didn't
accompany Mr.. Mackey part of the way
across the continent on the fast mail
train. Tramps are partial to mail
trains. The trucks are roomier than
those of the ordinary coach or freight
car. Whatever doubt there was about
Mr.. Mackey's beating the record there
certainly wasn't any doubt that Mr..
Tramp beat the railroad company.
There are tramps and tramps. Many
a poor fellow who has spent his last cent
and is out at the elbows wants to try his
luck in another part Of the country, but
he has no means of getting there except
his heels. These will not carry him far
without hunger staring him in the face.
He sinks about some freightyard, and
when train is pulling out begs train
man TO carry him along a bit. He ad-
mits that he is a tramp, bat he isn't; he's
a beggar and a tenderfoot. There are
others. who have Just got their hand IN,
travelling from town to town, and when
a trainman catches them slowed away
in box car they whine piteoUsly and
recount their suferings or those Of a
sick family miles away which they are
anxious to get TO.
HOW REAL TRA1IPS ACT.
These are no tramps,' said brake
man. There is nothing interesting
about them and they are a nuisance.
The professional tramp Is a character.
and sometimes you meet with one 60
slick that he deserves TO beat his way.
The real tramp makes no excuse when
he Is discovered. Nine times out Of ten
he makes threat. and as a good mahy
Of them 90 armed u Is dangerous 20
NEEDLE with them. For Il there IS
human being who might be expected -
value his life cheaplyIt i a tramp rather
than burglar. How many times have
had a tramp suarl At me with string
Of oarhs and wind up by threatening 10
put hole through me-.
Probably tramps VIII hang on 70
most anything. from the brakesho7 u
the wheel box. suggested the reporter.
No said a traInman OF the Central
Railroad OF New Jes ser. Many people
have erroneous ideas about the habits OF
tramps- Personally never saw tramp
On q truck. but othe-s say they have.
Tramps generally pull for an empty box
car, II there Is one open. l. i cauoEs
70 see 1hen search Ehe yard over, inquire
about tae departure of trains and
their destination aud the stops they make
along the way. WAY, Saturday night.
Just before Leaving for PhllIipsourg,
went 70 search my train Tor traIups. and ]
found al empty Fail Brook car full y
them. rigat next - the train s2=~3. Iney
knew somehow tisE the car was gaGg
home, as.3 that Il went 70 The end O tGe
journey They always sessul 70 wazt 70
70 - far a. Ty1~saols.-
These fellows ses up = whining ard
begged re 70 les them 70 along They
ali mad Sis.E families. or something 5usf
a. bad. - 70 FOR. aEi one e taseFa sid
lie wzrsexi 70 70 20 Eh4Llipsbzzs &C s,sea4