Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-09-17
WLLIERS DEAD.
King of Tramps Passes Away
at Augusta Aims House.
Born in England in l835---True
Name was John RisdaIe.
His Story: WAS in Love With a Girl and
Another Fellow Got Her,"

"lAJ 'iiiierS, AnOWn all over the COun-
try as the king of Tramps," died, Mon.
day afternoon, at b o'clock, at the aims
house in this city. The immediate cause
of his death was heart disease. He had
been gradually sinking since Saturday,
when the malady took firm hold upon
him. His age was go years.
The name of Harry Villiers is almost a
household word in Maine. Column after
column Of newspaper articles have been
written of this man, whose career was
checkered one and whose life, from the
time he was young man, was tinged with
romance.
There are few in this world who would
wish to have their name handed down to
posterity as his-'The King of Tramps Z"
Very few, indeed, would wish to die a
pauper and alone, with neither the tender
care of devoted wife or loving children.
But such was the case with Villiers.
Thus he has lived for many, many years,
tramping from place to place, begging food
and money on his way, eking out an exist
ence by the best means he could, spending
his winters In jail and his summers on
the tramp. But he would never work.
Among Harry's few effects was book,
in which was written the story of his
whole lifo He was born in Devonshire,
England, in 1886 His right name was
John Risdsle, and he was at one time a
member of the Dragon Guards for the
Queen.
Several years ago he came to this coun-
try and Maine, and finally confined his
trampings to this State.
The back cover of the book contains his
last will and testament, which bequeaths
his body after death, to DR.. NJ. X. Dwinal
of Waterville, in reoiprocation Of many
favors which the doctor conferred, while
he was an inmate at the Waterville aims
house.
The book is one of Shakespeare's works.
And one of the most remarkable traits in
the career of Villiers was his love for good
books Shakespeare was his favorite, he
perusing the works of this writer with
delight and with keen relish.
How Villiers became tramp has al
story has never been told, he himself be-
ing very reticent when the subject was
broached But the handwriting on the
pages of the book say:
"Was In Love with A Girl and Another
Fellow Got Her.
Thus 1t will be seen that 1t was love
affair that made Harry wanderer.
Risdale, or as he is commonly known,
Villiers, had particular aversion for
work. He said he never had worked and
as long as he lived would do no work He
always dreaded the hereafter saying:
"If the Bible be true, 1t would be bet
ter for me If l never was born. l will
probably die in ditch like dog
In his pocket was found lock of black
hair and two pictures Of lady, probably
his sweetheart.
His body was tattooed with various de-
vices.
Harry arrived In this city couple OF
weeks ago. coming from Waterville, the
overseers OF that city, he claimed, turning
him out to shift for himself" " He, how
ever found food and shelter in the house
Dot Enrnnr
| It was here, last Wednesday, that he re-
ceived warning of death.
He was removed to the aims house, Fri
day, having spent the interval of two days
dreading death, and hoping that he might
finally die in the city of Augusta, spot
very dear to him.
| Although Harry was In critical con-
dition when he was taken to the aims
house, yet it was thought that with gooo
medical care, the patient might survive
But, Saturday night, change for the
worse set In, he became unconscious, was
not able to speak or recognize any person.
and death came, Monday night, without
q struggle.
villiers' last will and testament
beoueaths his body to DIR. Dwinai
vet. as by law, in this State, the unclaimed
remains Of paupers shall go to the Maine
Medical school for anatomical purposes
or If not desired by said school, may g
TO any reputable physician or surgeon 10
the same purpose, the final disposition o
his body has not yet been made
Oyerseer OF the Poor j. j. Maher' los
! night. notified DR.. Dwinal that If he OIL
not appear at 10 O'Clock, this forenoon
! and present cause why the body shouio
\ uiyen to him, 1t would be sent to the schoo
! at Brunswick.
.Harry always claimed that he was
= soldier in the Crimeau war. de AWAY
liked to tell of the part he played IN Una
memorable struggle. He also elaine
that he ia a connection by birth OF Quee
Victoria.
oe,,I tho iails in the State, kennebe