The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-10-20
HOTELDE LOG.

St. Louis Republic.
A tramp rendezvous, hidden away
on an island in the Mississippi river
between Venice, H., and the Mer-
chants Bridge and known to the
knights Of the road as "Hote de Log"
was lastweek discovered by the Madi.
son county authorities upon the COM
plaint Of Mrs. haywood, Of Venice,
whose suspicious were aroused by the
suspicious conduct of two unknown
boys in transferring beer to the island.
An officer followed the lads to their
destination and placed them under
arrest.
DeniZens OF the resort took to the
river at the sight Of the officer. The
boys gave their names as Sam and
Wilbur Hood, l6 and 10 years old, re-
spectiyely. They claimed to be on
their way from Wagner, l. T, to vii.
hanson county ILL.,, where they ex-
pected to live with their uncle. An
investigation revealed that they had
been liviuga "Huckleberry Finn" ex-
istencc on the island for nearly a
week. The youths asked for work and
positions were secured for them by
the police in the Venice Canning Fac
tory.
1t is believed that the resort thus
accidentally discovered is known TO
professional tramps throughout the
United States.
Willow Islands, located in the Mis-
sisslppi river backwater, near the Hi
nois shore, have served as a hiding
place for many St. Louis criminals,
but it remained for the inventive hobo
to establis resort there.
The particular island tenanted by
the tramps is almost half mile long,
narrow and overgrown with willow
trees and sprouts. 1t is accessible to
| the railroad tracks on the Illinois side
OF the river and can be reached at one
point by wading a shallow slough Of
backwater. This route is well worn,
as it was frequented by the army of
vagabondS.
Once on the island, a circuitous
trail leads directly to a small clearing
near the Merchants Bridge end of the
neck of land, in the center of which
stands and abandoned old houseboat,
battered and decayed with half a cen.
turys rough usage. A weather-beat-
en- sign, over the only door reads as
follows: Hotel de Log; Welcome Ye
Weary" The name was probably
suggested by an immense log near the
door, doubtless forest monarch
washed on the island in high water
Certain 1t is that the weary tramps
never hewed it down or even moved it
from their path. Around the house.
boat is a bank of ashes, the residue Of
many campers.
The hOvel side suggests a hunters
camp. Balanced on two props aud
with backside nailed to the wall Is a
rude table, on which is grouped a col.
lection Of cans that would do credit
to an alley in the "Patch." In lieu OF
a register the guests of the Hotel dc
Log write their names on the -four
walls with many c0lored chalks-
white, however. predominating. Over
the cans on the table is written the
only motto in the boat, doubtless lin
tied by strolling player: "Moutl
them, as many Of our wearies do"
In this unique resort the two young
} wanderers, reclaimed by the police
spent almost week. Sam, the eldel
of the two, said they passed the time
fishing and bathing, with occasional
trips TO Venice for "hand outs" and
beer.
"You see, de boys wuz good to US, v
he explained, "and we'se been up
/, against 30 many rough uns since we
, left home at we knows good tins
wen we sees It,"
"Did youse see dc dry wash?" asked
!, Wilbur, the 1S-ycar.old, Of the report
er.
"Ah, Wlbby, de gent don't know
what youse MEANS" spoke up the cid.
er brother. "WIbby, he has reference
to de and bill on de islaud.Hs
"When de guys come into camp de,
always lays dair clothes over de au1
hill and jumps into de rives. De ant
cleans out de clothes esbctter than wa
ter, and de wash 10 general, seer"
Since work has been secured 70
them the hOvs WIN c1u{vu a. ~ -,