The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1897-06-18
millionaire Hobo.
Berry is a Regular Coal Oil
Johnny.
People Flock Niles to See THIS Unique
croesus who Lights Cigars with
$40 and Fairly Eats Money.

SASSAS6 -
inclined to give him. He was in
very hard luck, but he succeed
ed in borrowing 50 from Henry
Thompson. a bartender, and then
left town.
About ten days ago man
wearing diamonds arrived here III
a special car over the Jackson
vile & Southeastern railroad at
tended by a valet and a hostler,
the latter having charge of a
$4,000 horse, the property OF
the stranger.
The stranger is James E. Berry
and he proves to be the tramp OF
two years ago.
The story of Berry's luck rise
from vagabondism to wealth
reads like a romance.
Thirty years ago Berry had a
misunderstanding with his father
and in consequence left his home
! at Gloversville, New York, and
wandered aimlessly about the
world, until he finally joined the
great army Of the unemployed
and eventually degenersted into
a common tramp. About two
months ago he met an acquaint-
ance out west whom he had not
seen IN many years, and through
him learned of the death of his
parents, which had occurred sew.
eral years previous. He learned
also that a large estate was
awaiting him in Gloverville and
New York City.
Berry lost no time in returning
home to take possession of his
unexpected fortune. He is said to
be so rich that he could not even
spend his income if he tried, and
heis spending money all over
Southern Illinois and st. Louis
in the most lavish and eccentric
manner.
Immediately upon his arrival
in Mount Vernon he presented a
check at local bank for s15. 900.
He then started to do" the town.
He first bought the highest pric.
ed buggy he could find, and then
hunted up the bartender who
had loaned him the 50 in the
days of his adversely and hand
ed him $1,000. The buggy is a
bright green and very conspicu-
Gus. Berry soon had his $40, 900
horse attached to it. and half an
hour later he was arrested for
fast driving.
Berry's first stop was at a sa-
loon and to the man who held his
horse there he gave 50. His first
bill for drinks was $50. He
visited all the six saloons in the
town in succession, and at the
close of the day he had spent
several hundred dollars at the
resorts and nearly as much in
Tipping" walters at hotels and
others who rendered him any
service. He gave a babe in arms
SIS because it smiled at him. He
never pays less than 81 for the
most trifllng service.
At the hotel where he stayed
while here he became enamored
of one of the dining room girls,
and in his impulsive way he pro-
posed marriage, but it was so
sudden that the girl refused him.
He then offered her a large sum
of money if she would accept
him. but this offer was also de-
clined.
A day or two later. hewever.
he proposed to Miss Sadie Miller
handsome brunette, and she
accepted him. Taking her IN his
green buggy he drove to Salem.
Marion county. There he gave
small boy So for holding mis-
horse while he went iuto the
county clerks Office and got a
marriage license, for which he
paid the clerk $50. He then gave
Squire Marshall $50 for perform
ing the marriage ceremony. He
engaged the entire Second floor
,vy-r MEM cY1DEr