The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-13
NO CHEER FOR TRAMPS
HOMELESS MEN DRIVEN FROM THE
POLICE STATION SHELTER.
Friendly Inn Too Crowded to Take
Them Ina Trio Wanted to- Join
the Cuban Army.

The "hobos" who come TO town and are
so unfortunate as to have no dime with
which to pay for lodging at ten-cent
lodging house are in hard luck this cold
weather. For the past three or four days
the stationhouse has been topsy-turvy. ow-
ing to the extensive work OF improvement
that has been going on. The interior of
the building is being painted throughout
and considerable carpentering is being done.
Roll-call has been held in the basement OF
the courthouse, as the roll-call room could
not be used. The bum ROOM has been
unfit for service, and turnkey Long has
been under the necessity of refusing to al
low tramps to stretch themselves upon the
floor, as formerly. Saturday night many
men asked for shelter. but were Informed
there was no place for them. Three of the
men said they were from Wisconsin and
told the superintendent they came here
from st. Louis, expecting to find recruit
ing station where they could enlist for SER
vice In the Cuban war. He suggested Ii was
little better than taking their lives in their
hands to enlist in that cause. Whats the
difference between being shot down and dy-
ing slow death?" one of them responded.
I'VE are willing to work, but can find moth
ing to do. Being shot is no worse than
starving"
The Wisconsin men seemed somewhat sur
prised when they were informed the United
States government would not allow a re-
cruiting station for the Cuban insurgents
to be maintained in this country. They said
there were stations in -. Louis and Chi
cago and advertisements were published.
II was suggested there might be such
piace IN Louisville, but the superintendent
told them there was nothing Of the kind
here. The fellows seemed really in earnest
about wanting to join the Cuban army.
one man said he would enlist in the United
states regular army, but was ineligible
Each OF the trio was apparently about
twenty or twenty-one years old. One OF
them said he was cabinet-maker One
was farmer and the third said he worked
at anything he could find to do. When
asked IL they were willing to saw wood
for their lodging they replied they would do
anything. to get shelter for the night. He
suggested that they go to the Friendly Inn.
on west Market street One of the men
replied he had been there and was refused
admittance because it was Saturday night
and he would not be allowed to saw wood
On Sunday to pay for his lodging and break
fast. The superintendent thought it strange
charitable organization would refuse shell
ter to worthy unfortunates on such a plea
and detailed Sergeant Meford to ACCOMPANY
the men to the Friendly Inn. Sergeant
Meford was Informed the men had been
refused lodging because the place was al
ready run. Room was made for two Of
them, however. The others returned TO the
stationhouse and insisted on staying They
asked to be. locked up with prisoners. bur
as the cell room is always crowded by the
arrests or Saturday and Sunday. no place
could be made for them. and this request
was refused. They finally took shelter i'm
the stairways and halls, and the officers
mao mao 10 arye them out. Several stragglers
was no place for them. and they spent the
night sleeping In stairways and stables.