The Greeley tribune., 1904-09-07
GENUS HOBO
CHARACTERISTICS OF THAT
GAUDY BIRD.
BE Is Here in Force Preparing
for the Annual Migration
to the Sunny South.

The heydey Of the hobo's summer
time in Colorado is rapidly drawing
to a close for this year, the chilly
evenings causing the Weary Willies
to turn their faces toward the balmy
south, where the sun shines on both
sides the fence all through the winter
months.
The genus hobo has long since been
recognized as factor in American
social problems, and year by year
the great body of our itinerant popu-
lation draws the attention OF the
public to greater degree. In many
localities the consideration of their
restraint is a growing question. AT
this time nearly twenty OF the
''boes' languish in the local jail
awaiting trial on various counts, in
Guiding vaRrancy and petty larceny.
Greeley and the adjacent country
has TO a more or less degree suffered
from the annoying depredations
caused bv those of the profession
and from time to time Cases OF more
than usual gravity have been proven
against one or another Of them.
The average hobo is usually harm
less enough, although admittedly a
tremendous nuisance, and OF those
now behind the bars here it is more
than likely that very few Of them in
tended harm or violence TO person or
property. The majority were doubt
less attracted by the good wages TO
be earned during the potato and beet
season.
Along this line it may be said that
the men and boys who are generally
known as tramps must be divided
into several classes
First must be considered the ever
present pest-the tramp-the variety
who refuses to work at any time,
preferIine to exist upon the charity
OF those with whom he comes in
contact and the pilfering of such
orchards and gardens as may lie along
his way. This class is merely lazy
and not over sanitary.
Next we have that branch Of the
profession who brought into common
usuage the word hobo" The
''hobo" will and does work for
shorter or longer periods-and also
keeps himself In better condition
both as to cleanliness and dress. thar
his less energetic brother - the
tramp. He frequents those parts Of
the country which furnish constant
work In their season, such as the
harvest fields, the lumber district:
and often times follows railroadine
and the sea for snort periods. Us
ually month suffices to earn a stake
large enough for a'time'' Of doubt
ful recreation in an inferior saloon
and when he shortly goes "broke'
he is of to fields auew to earn ;
sufficient stake for the next racket. )
The ''hobo' as above described
the writer believes, is the best clas
OF those who recognize no one plac,
as home. AS rule they are mani,
young men-the great majority, a
personal Investigation has proven
owing their fallen position in life {,
over indulgence in alcoholic beverage
And, if not from an uncurbed appe
tite for strong drink, from some ex
cess committed while temporaril,
under its Influence.
1t is not unusual to meet youpI
chap whose manners and method
have not yet become tainted will
the crudlty of his fellows on tn
road. who will explain if his con
tidence he won that while upon
drinking carousal some act Of petit
crime was committed by him, anc
springing from which, fear of tn
law or exposure has led him from on,
city to another; and finally, not find
ing employment, with funds and re
sources gone, nothing is left but tn,
free and careless life of the man O
the road. For those who aim tt
rectify the wrongs OF human frailt,
1T might we'll be said that just a
this time in the young mans life il
the place to put on the brake ant
the tine when friendly helpin,
hand for thirty minutes would Otter
save some man from life of wastet
ambition and wrecked career.
The third and most undesirable o
the road followers are those knowr
to the police as "yeggmen. Thi
class consists Of petty crooEs-porcf
climbers and foot pads. Their desir,
is to make quick, even II small
steal and a quick getaway befor,
detection.
Fortunately those In this category