The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1904-08-13
rRAMPS ARE MARCHING
WAYS OF THE HOBO NOM4DS
DURING THE SUMMER.
Inc Army Has Its Advanced Guards
and Details Somewhat on Military
Lines-Enemles of the "Yeggmen"
Water Tank Register.

This is moving time for tramps a
well as for respectable householders
and the usual exodus from New Yorl
has begun. Naturally, the great at
traction this year is st. Louis, wher
the wayfarers look for harvest from
the Exposition crowds. Fully 500
"hobos, "yeggmen," and gypsies vii
go from this city alone, the great ma
jority beating their way on freigh
trains. For the St. Louis trip, New
Brunswick, N. J. is the first stopping
place. From there on the Jumps" will
be long or short, according to the trav-
elers' fancy. Some think nothing Of q
jump of 200 or 300 miles; others
camp every so or Is miles.
The army has its advance guards and
details somewhat on military lines
The "cat" goes first; he looks around
feels his way" as the fraternity puts
it-and selects a site for a camp for
his particular gang. The "cat" is chO-
sen for his innocent appearance. He
Is followed by the gay cat" who looks
over the eats" work and makes such
changes as he deems desirable. The
gay cats" special duty is to see that
the camp is SO located as to be conven-
lent to food supplies, and, If the camp
be Of "yeggmen," that opportunities
for plumber are convenient.
After these preliminaries are settled
the "hobos" or "yeggmen" follow.
These two classes are entirely distinct,
the former embracing the ordinary
wanderers, while the "yeggs" are
thieves by occupation. Not that the
"hobos" will not steal, for they will
take almost anything that LOOKS easy,
will rob a drunken man or 4 sleeper,
and will even rob each other; but
their main effort is to satisfy their
craving for wandering life without
work, while the ''yegg' belongs to
q distinctly criminal class. The hobo"
and the ''yegg" are violently antago-
nistic, and frequently clash; then the
newspapers print a brief account of
the finding of tramps body along
some railroad track. Usually in such
cases he has been thrown from NOV
ing freight car, or done up" with
coupling pin near some camp or reg
istering place. This enmity is due to
the habit the "yeggs" cultivate of
following a hobo" gang, counting on
laying on the latter's shoulders the
blame for thefts committed by them
selves.
With both gangs go the "Proosh-
ans," as they are called-boys. usually.
who have been stolen, and are actu-
ally slaves. If held by a "yeggman"
the "Prooshian" is used to "stall";
he steals small articles for his master,
or II large job, such as robbing a
house, is in hand, he is put in at
window and unlocks door to let the
gang In. This method is usually fol-
lowed only in the case of house that
is temporarily vacant. The ''hobos"
utilize their "Prooshians" for begging
purposes, and they usually prove sue
cessful in persuading women to make
liberal gifts Of food.
Both classes of tramps have thor
ough methods for keeping track of
members. not only that pals" may
find each other readily, but to post
their fellows on the chances in a new
town. Their secret marks on houses
and fences, denoting the liberality Or
s1nginess Of the jewellers, have often
been described. These form only part, |
however, of the sign language. At |
every camp registering is done as
faithfully as though the tramps were
guests at some fine hotel
NO books are used, of course, the |
record being made on wood. The big
water tanks along railroad lines are
usually covered with rudely cut initials
and signs. and board fences are to be
seen similarly decorated. The record
Is brief. Suppose hobo" known as
Peoria Jim" strikes New Brunswick,
bound for New York; he cuts into the
wood with his clask knife the brief
legend Peoria Jim, BE, OCT. 90" The
B. E." stands for bound east" and
any OF his friends readily understand
that Jim Is to be found in New York,
probably on the Bowery, If in the late
fall or winter. This date make 1t
possible to tell il Jim was recent WIS.,
ltor. This registration is Of especial
value in the fall. for then ones pals
can be located with considerable GER
tainty.
Every hobo" or "yegg" has his dis
.inctive title, usually based either on
MS home city, on some physical defor-
nifty or characteristic, or on some feat
performed while on the road. This nom
lie plume is called by them a "nomak-
r."
strangers are added to the ranks of
ne tramps constantly. They USUALLY
re attracted to the life by sheer laz-
ness or family troubles, and begin
heir wandering career under the tute-
age OF an old-timer. Both the "yeggs"
nd the 'hobos" regularly initiate
hese recruits, having different forms
initiation, varying with circum-
tances and the surroundings of tho
ang. Sometimes new brother is
lade to bum the town" for two or
lree days. begging and stealing food
lpplies, while the gang stay in camp,
zily en!oying themselves. Naturally