The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-01-07
"GLAD HAND TOMS" TRAMP HOTEL.

"GLAD HAND TOMS" TRAMP HOTEL.
ing what little money he had saved from
his wages began the building of home
for tramps. He did not follow the plans
usually adopted by reformers, but went to
work In practical way. Choosing loca.
tion In the rear of the locomotive round
house at Trenton he put up modest
frame building and established wood
yard. The tramps helped him, and many
of them worked with will. Some of them
he engaged as permanent assistants When
any of the fraternity wanted square
meal, bath and a good nights rest in q
clean bed he knew he could always earn
it by going to "Glad Hand Toms" place.
Although the enterprise prospered slow
ly at first, it was enlarged from time to
time, and with some outside help Mr..
Terradell found that he was accommodating
quite respectable sum. He had his own
ideas as to how it should be spent, and so
no watched his bank account grow with
genial satisfaction. About year ago he
purchased a whole block of the land on
which his home was located. The land
was cheap, for 1T was located in part Of
the city called "Goosetown" and known
as q disreputable section. Early last win
ter Mr.. Terradell broke ground for his
new hotel. He worked early and late,
handling pick and shovel himself and
pressing into service az many of his tramp
friends as called on him. When summer
came, he had many loads Of brick hauled
to the spot and before fall there arose
four story structure capped by tower 100
feet TALL in the top of which swings a big
electric light.
About two months ago the home was
dedicated with religious services. In the
building there are reading rooms for men
and women, chapel, where religious serv-
ices are held every night; a sewing room
for women, an office, through which en-
ployment Is secured for deserving persons;
neat, clean chambers, and two large bath
rooms. Besides the woodward in the rear
there Is an upholsterer's shop, in which
furniture is repaired; shoemaking and
cobbler's shop, and a broom mandatory
That an establishment in which indus
try plays such prominent part should
he SO largely patronized by tramps seems
to prove tkut Mr.. Terradell's theory Is
right. During the first month in which
his hotel was open he had as guests over
800 homeless men and women who had
drifted in along the line of the railroad.
They were tramps, but they seemed glad
w MOIh III lbhBlhS iilN lOpus II uppliOtthls
have money, they are charged small sum
for their entertainment. If they arc pen
nilsss, they can take their choice of the
shop work or can pat in their time at the
woodward.
In the same block with the hotel there
are several small brick cottages, which
Mr.. Terradell rents at very moderate
price per month to mon who are out of
employment. He finds work for the men,
and when they have become self sustain
ing they are required to find other quar-
ters and give place to other deserving I'M
fortunates. The whole establishment serves
as sort of connecting link between the
friendless outcasts of trampdom and the
world of respectable society Mr.. Terradell
has all his little fortune invested In this
enterprise, and Is constantly spending his
income, but he Is entirely satisfied with
the work he is doing and expects to see his
example followed by the authorities OF
many OF the Large cities of'the Union.
| S, X. MACDONALD.