The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-10-08
FEAST FOR BECGARS,
Russian Tramp King EmuIated
Chlcago's Hobo Banquet.
JUBILEE HELD IN A CEMETERY
sumptuous Repast Laid on oraVsstOnss'
In 81. Pstersburg-PIOnty 20 Drink,
but No Drunkenness or UnsosmIy
Noiso-cost Estimated at $500.

st. Petersburg, the capital of all the
Russias, the tale of the great banquet
to American tramps and beGgars,
writes a ST. Petersburg correspondent
of the New York Press. No doubt the
gayety and magnihcence of Dr.. Reit-
mans spread to hoboes were much dis
torted when the story reached the ears
of Russian beggars. Yet it made an
impression, and especially on Ivan
Stepanoff, the king Of Russian beg
CARS. Ivan the other day celebrated
the thirty fifth anniversary of his rule.
This king of the underworld was
most anxious to celebrate the event In
an up to date manner, and 30 the mo-
ment he heard of the Chicago feast he
decided that he would follow suit and
give a gorgeous banquet.
Those familiar with Russia and
Russian life know that one of the fea-
lures of the land is the army OF beg
gars. There is no charity organiza-
ton society to bother, and the police
are friendly-sO friendly, in fact, that
there is a probability that the beggars
either pay a goOdly percentage or buy
outright from the police their numer-
GUS stands in the streets of the cities
Ivan Stepanof Is man of sixty-a
tall, well built man with white hair
and beard, having more the appear
ance of we'll to do artisan or minor
official than beggar Yet he has
piled his trade" for good thirty-flve
! years and always at the same stand,
| the largest and most fashionable Gem
etery of st. Petersburg, situated in the
suburb of Kolomna. Here he is one
Of the most noted figures, dressed In
picturesque rags. He has a soft voice.
an engaging manner, and with visitors
and sightseers as we'll as mourners he
is a success In soliciting aims for him
self. his poor" wife and starving"
children.
As a matter of fact, which the po-
lice, but not the public. is aware of, his
wife wears valuable furs and dia-
monds; one of his daughters Is mar
ried to merchant who, with her, re-
ceived a large dot" and his two sons
are students at the Lycee and may
shortly gain we'll paid positions in the
official service.
The police, but not the public, also
know that the very handsome villa
inclosed by a large and well kept gar
den situated In the Kolomna suburb Is
Stepanoff's home and that he built 1t
himself. The menage is a luxurious
one, and the beggnr has his servants
and his trotters Just as II he were a
noble or wealthy merchant
So much for the king of beGgars.
For his anniversary he decided to fol
low the idea of the Chicago banquet,
yet even on grander scale. He caused
invitations to be sent broadcast to the
beggars, tramps and miscellaneous ho-
boes of ST. Petersburg. The banquet
hall was the cemetery, the home Of his
exploits.
The police, strange to say, raised no
objections to the jubilee in the grave
yard. They allowed the caterers wag-
ons to unload huge piles OF eatablea
and great baskets filed to the brim
with bottles of strong vodka, They
allowed the guests-the Queerest as
semblage in the clty-to gather to the
number OF round thousand, and, fur
thermOre, they raised no objections to
the graves and gravestones being used
as tables. On each gravestone was
laid sumptuous repast, with its prop
CT complement OF liquid refreshment.
A dozen or more of the strange guests
gathered round each grave, depending
ON Its size. and there Toasted. Ivan
himself presided at one of the central
graves, a great mausoleum, the fam
lily vault of prince. During the feast
be also visited and drank his toast at
others Of the tombs.
This strange scene continued from
noon throughout the evening until
came the time for the cemetery to be
closed for the night. There was no I'M
seemly noise, Each party OF junketers
had Its own merrlment; but, although
the vodka was plentiful. there were NO
drunkards and no rowdies in the crowd.
Ivan Stepanon announced early In
the day with much eclat that In view OF
the festivities he would abstain from
importuning strangers for aims for
that day, the first day In thirty five
years In which he had not attended to
bis business
Toward closing time StepanOH mar
shaled his guests in small parties and
conducted them to the gates. From
there they vanished to their holes.
II Is estimated that the celebration
cost the king OF beggars fully $500
But he Is plying his trade more vtgor-
ously than ever and may soon make
up this
Although this is the first beggars' ban
quet In Russia, there are now likely to
Ae others. Chicago has evidently sowed
. seed which promises to be fruitful
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