The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-12
HAD MONEY BUT WAS HUNGRY
English Gentleman Becomes a Tramp FALL
on the Streets of New York.

1
New York, Aug. 11.-Wlth drafts for
lightweight dollars in his pocket, John
George Crooks, the son Of retired Eng
| lish army officer, yesterday afternoon
fell fainting in Broadway from hunger.
| The man, whose appearance was that
| Of a tramp. though his language was
| that OF a man of refinement, said ne mad
walked all the way from Kentucky,
where ne had worn the habit Of friar
in a monastery Crooks. who is twenty
seven years old, was picked up by po-
iiceman and last night slept in Park
Row Logging house.
The story told OF the unfortunate man,
which ne substlntiated by showing let
tiers, is one OF romance and hardship
such as is seldom told. even in fiction.
According to Crooks tale. his father is
Major John ]. Crooks. who as British
army officer was honorabiy mentioned
II Parliament for valorous services il
South Africa in 1873 and 1874. When
the major was retired about ten years
ago. Crooks said he left his home in
London and settled in county West
meath, Ireland. and also purchased a
city home, at No. 35 Grovernor road,
Dublin. The following account Of the
strange adventures and misfortunes OF
the young man is as told by himself.
Major Crooks intended his son for the
priesthood, and sent him TO Maynooth
college, in county Kildare. Ireland. and
later TO Mount Mellary college, in Dub
In. After leaving the Dublin college,
the son. having heard OF the Friars OF
the Abbey OF Gethsemane, in Nelson
county. Kentucky, decided to become a
brother there.
With his father. he sailed for America
and journeyed 10 Flora. near Ontario,
Canada, where. in June. 1895. he was
placed in the care OF Rev. Philip Cos
grove, a CatholSc priest To prepare
him for the tasks performed in the mo-
mastery by the Friars, the priest started
the young man at work in the fields.
Unused 10 such work. Crooks tired Of
it anr ran away. going to Dubuque.
Iowa. From there ne walked 10 Rock
ford. H., where he was arrested as u
vagrant and sentenced 70 three months
in Jail. Father Cosgrove, alarmed about
his wards safety. traced the young man
to Rockford, and forwarded a check for !
$50 10 him.
Through the influence q the Judge |
VINO had taken an interest in him, the |
young man had the check cashei. and. |
with sentence suspended. returned % |
Elora. where he remained with Father |
Cosgrove until last January. Then he /
entered ne abbey. where, after a time. /
10
him 10 wear he habit Of the order.
But three months later. on the ground
TIA. ne was not competent 20 DO the
manual labor required Of the Friars, ne
vas dismissed from the abbey by ne
PRIOR. Having no money, the young
nan. who had been a gentleman az his
rzcler's home. became a tramp Starting
rom Kentucky penniiess. he walked
along the railroad tracks all The way 70
2it.sburg. begging food and frequently
sleeping n some outdoor shelter without
having eaten for day
He reached PniIa ie!phia on July z.
IND here vas again arrested as Va
-rant and sent 70 the House 0. Cor
'ec;ioa at Holmez5urg. Crooks a. orcs
vote 70 Father C0se-ove. telling aim q
- plight. and saying be wished % *
.ome. While 3, ne A5oey u rad
written 20 his father telling him TIA, Re
IA seen enough q America
While serving his sentence a. Holmes
a-g. Jas. THURSDAY Crooks received c<o
ette-s. one from tae priest e-c,1sing q | ,
raj. Cor Sc. payable a; ths Merchants
sank OF Canada. No - willtzr. street
Sex York. ard Ire Other rum his fsfAe- :
obtaining : postal Ea5asy o-der fo- "a
IaysSle a. tie New York ros-ofacs-
] saw ;asse letters as: might TIE