Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-26
1.-THE KING OF TRAMPS"
Sobriquet Applied to Young
Eddie Simms.
STORY OF HIS TRAVELS
BEATS HIS WAY ON ALL THE
RAILROADS.
Youth From Bloomington, ILL.,, Relates
His Experiences in Tour
ing the World.
STORY OF HIS TRAVELS

'"rravel,ng is the least expensive pleasure
in the world-if you only know how to do It,
Now | have been all around the world,
have made side trips into nearly every coun-
try on the map. have traversed the United
States from every point OF the compass.
and l have never paid a cent for railroad
fare. l have ridden over nearly every
known railroad in the country. always on
express trains, and nearly always on Pull
mans-or under them. Travelling, Why,
it's 'cinch.'
The speaker was Eddie Smms, who
boasts the somewhat ironical title of tine
king of tramps." This sceptreless soVer-
eign of the genus hobo had just climbed
down from an open-air, top berth on the
Pullman Argyle" at the Pennsylvania sta
ton He pulled off his cloth crown and
slapped the train dust out of it across his
knee; then politely poised it above his head
as he bowed right royalty to the rear
end brakeman and with courtesy thanked
the train man for his pleasant free rlde
from Philadelphia TO the capital of the ma
ton. Then, since this prince OF the realm
of rest had no secretary or suite along with
him TO relieve him of the duty, he person.
ally submitted to be interviewed by
reporter.
The latter part of the title borne by
Simms is suggestive of black, stubby
beard dirt-begrimed face and hands, blear
eyes. red bandana cravat, and ragged
clothes worn with picturesque abandon.
None of these characteristic marks, now
ever Is to be found about the king OF
tramps." In the first place, he is beardless
and but twenty-five years of age. More re-
markdble still, he washes and his face ana
hands are as clean are the youngsters
who mas just started for Sunday school,
Soap is not dangerous. unfamiliar sub
stance to him. On the contrary. he carries
a bar with him on all his travels. He
has a portmanteau, in which he carries a
clothes brush tooth brush and comb. and
other articles of toilet use. He also keeps
a diary. which is full of interesting infor-
nation about his journeys He dresses
neatly and when zen route wears a sun
of jeans over his better clothes. In fact.
just To look at the young man, with his
bright. intelligent expression and the sug-
gestion of briskness in his demeanor, 1t is
not likely that he would ever be classed as
a tramp He is one. however, as he states,
because he is pIssiOnately fond of travel
ing and it is doubtful if in all the rest of
hobodom such enthusiasm can be found as
this youthful globe-trotter displays over his
occupation.
Passionately Fond of Travel.
My home Is in Bloomington. ILL.,, said
young Simms to a reporter for The Star.
My parents and several of my brothers
and sisters live there, and comfortably
situated. l am passionately fond of travel
ing and besides, | intend some day to'write
book of my experiences. and l want TO
have plenty OF them stored up. have been
all over the world, and there is hardly q
railroad in the United States that l haven't
ridden over and yet l have never paid rail-
read fare. | first began beating my way in
September, 1897, when | started making
little trips on the blind from Bloomington
to other towns nearby. The desire to travel
and see things in every part of the world
took possession of me. and determined 10
start out and enjoy myself.
al do raj
never on freights. and | travel always on
schedule time. The freights run too slowly,
and besides, meets many buns on
freights and l have made II a rule TO
travel alone. l can beat my way on any
train that ever run. ] have never been
arrested and never spent moment in jail.
In all my wanderings about the world l
have never begged a mouthful OF food ana
notwithstanding that am travelling among
strangers most of my time, L always have
plenty to eat
How do | work II? Wei. | go to the
back door of a hotel or restaurant and
hand one of the employees a dime and Il
newspaper. and in a few minutes ne Will
come back with enough grub TO last me
for two days, and il is seldom that the
restaurant people will keep the money offer
them for the food l then take the edibles
to. say, Pennsylvania Hotel. room Si,36S,
as ! designate the cars on the different
roads, and dine like prince"
His First Long Trip.
Young Simms stated that he made his
fin st long trip in October, 1893. when he
took notion to see the launching Of the
battle ship Illinois. He started out for New
port News from Bloomington several days
before tho launching. and arrived in the
Atlantic coast city on schedule time. After
the launching he Travelled through New
York state, the New England states. and
then came south. He returned to Bloom
iLgton, ILL.,, after an absence of eleven
days. having travelled 2.T5o miles, at total
cost of $21l, which he spent for food
during the time.
After my return from my first long
trip" continued Simms, II beat my way
to South Dakota, where ! worked for