New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-26

81 ran across him often last winter" said the
Waterman. He the quietest person ever met
| tried my best TO engage him in conversation many
times during his walks TO and from the hydrani.
but ne would speak TO me. on several occa-
sioas his impoverished condition made feel sorry
for him and ! offered him a fow pennies TO help
him obtain food. To my surprise. he refused my
charitable offerings ! watched him closely. going
and coming from the tunnel. and not once DID see
him talk 10 any person. beg or enter harroom in
the neighborhood The last time saw him about
here was three weeks ago. He has probably gone
for good"
The Waterman took the reporter TO the tunnel
They entered the passageway watch forms the top
OF the r and after few steps stood in front ~ the
mouth OF the tunnel During the winter. the watch
man said there was a door at this mouth. but II
had been torn from It's hinges few weeks ago An
unpleasant odor came from the tunnel The moor
was covered with rubbish graysh-colored stone
and red brick used in building the tunnel and
passage.
When the reporter visited the tunnel none ~ the
shis,less men making their home In II were q be
seen /; was a perfec, spring day. and dry under
foot and the weather had wooei them from their
>hsupts MN pightfsll The Waterman told about
one resilient who had been arrested for taking
sun bath without any clothing on. The man was
ragpcker who had lv~l IN the beer tunnel for
months and had become greaiiy atiachrn 10 IL y,
When he arrested no nal NS 'hllIf
with him which consisted o. Two pains OF socks. -FOUR
shirts four pairs OF trousers and hve coats
Of the tum el but there is a crowd OF men and b)ys
who lounge about the woods ana no" anu ,n'"
ISOLATED with evil companions for years and are
bad lot They are not to he ,onsnsr s as han IN
prison They WILL however. rifle persons pocket
If they think he will not SHOW light. -. -
found PLAYING bnIl at the end OF the grounds nearest
the avenue on Sundays. when the weather II iavor-
tt.ltrl tl.r ing =
bats with them. asd almost every baseball crank III
that part OF The ely turns 9nt to afc % snd the
battle Is exciting occasionally, wnen tnr unplIc
settle dsPaibe ram cay We un
body cries stop or policeman Is seen approhtvn,
ing Then the pmpe VINO and nrs thu pfs goes on oman
Il pity any one who takee nap on the grounds
While any OF me pnng the day there are only
few ioungers here as YOU can see Dut al hsh' the
place swarms with them
LIFE IN THE TUNNEL.
A young fellow who spends most Of the day and
night on the grounds gave the reporter some inter-
eeting information about how the uainPs spent III"
winter IN the tunnel.
ooh they were the LATEST lot OF men ever saw,
said he "and I've seen many despisers OF work
They walked az II they bad The rheumatism, MOS,
OF them became SICK because 'rs n, vng in he
tunnel during the winter, but many others IRE
Suented a he ps esrad ' auras the day Then they
would return to their dismal abode 10 sleep some,
nennles On such occasions they would make tour
Of the barrooms until they had spent all inr their
The dirt floor makes II damp and unhealthy. ,
About April nearly all the ramps "a ,hg ns ~
them making for northern counties OF TINS state.
where they are better o ahv" ons learned
set foot In New-Jersey, because the New-Jetsey
usny gives them se b %SE to Se ey in the
fall the beer tunnel will probably be torn down.