The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1899-10-12
AN ARIsTocRATIc TRAMP.
He Eats Only at tho Houses of the Rich
Along the Hudson.

The most aristocratic tramp in the
United States holds a first mortgage
on the route from Garrisons to Rhine
cliff, along the Hudson River. For
more than a score of years Henry Madi-
son, known to every school boy and
girl between these places rs "But.
tons" has iourneyed along the river
and levied tribute on the kitchens Of
the millionaires whose homes crown
the hilltops of the Highlands.
Madison is extremely Jealous OF
other tramps, and refuses to associate
with them. This exclusiveness has
nearly cost him his life on more than
ono occasion when "knights of the
road" have taken umbrage at his high.
toned ways. Only the personal inter.
vention of well-known millionaire
prevented a gang of Albany hoboes
from cutting Buttons" career short
one summer.
1t is more than score of years since
Madison made his first appearance at
Garrisons. Nobody knew whence he
came, and he has not since given any
inkling as to his past history. He
hung around the railroad station foI
several days, picking up a meal when
ever and wherever he could. Then he
begged his way across the ferry to
West Point, but Police Sergeant cap.
tured him at the landing, and like an
undesirable emigrant, the boat that
took him over had to give him u free
ride back. 1t was then that he deci-
dod that the rich should support him,
and they have done so ever since.
The Sloans then, as now, occupied
one of the finest country seats along
the Hudson, and Buttons" made his
first call on the ex-President of the
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad. He got good breakfast.
and went for dinner at the house of
Hamilton Fish, ex.Secretary of State
under President Grant. John M.
Toucey lived on the hill opposite, and
to him Buttons" applied for supper.
Three square meals in one day were
too much for his tight-ftting garments,
so he rambled down to the village that
night, and on his way every button on
his clothes had burst off, and Sheriff
OOll i bub ITaIlD
Buttons" Since that time Madison
has used safety pins, 80 that when he
feasts extravagantly, he just lets them
out bit and feels comfortable.
Buttons" soon discovered that
change Of boarding houses was not
only conducive of good digestion, but
it made his greeting more agreeable
not to call so often at the same house.
This is why he started north and
made the acquaintance of Charles do
Rham, Jr., and Captain Henry Met
calf at Cold Spring, where he usually
dined. His next meal would be with
G. H. Van Amburgh, and his supper
was sure to be supplied by e. Brock.
way, the brick manufacturer of Fish
kill Landing. After a good nights
sleep he resumes his travels, and be.
fore entering New Hamburg calls on
Reginald W. Rives and w. r. Sands.
AT New Hamburg Buttons" invari-
ably has meals at Mrs Colga.e's, Mrs.
Banks's, Mrs. Gerard's, and the Don
slows
1t is between Poughkeepsie and
Rhineclilf, however, that "Buttons"
feasts on the fat OF the land. He calls
at the McPhersons', the Winslow
estate, the Roosevelts', the Rymphs',
the Livingstons', and is sure to stay
at least one day around the kitchen OF
Levi 2. Morton's house at Rhineclif.
"Buttons" never forgets to make
social call upon Jacob Rupert, at
Staatsburg, and on more than one oc.
casion he has done justice to the Van
derbilt larder at Hyde Park.
1t is at Rhinebeck, however, that
Buttons" feels most at home. There
the Astor homestead is wide open all
the year round, and Buttons" stays
near the kitchen for a week before he
starts on his return trip.
Winter and summer Buttons"
makes his calls with the regularity of
a pendulum, and he has the proud
distinction OF eating at more million
aires houses than anybody else iu the