New-York tribune., 1909-10-03
"STUMPI BILL" HAPPY
FINDS SAILOR FRIENDS.
Troubles 2cith Boatman End When
Jdckries Come ashore.

Nine jackies from the United States ship New
York, on on a four-hour shore leave Yesterday
afternoon, conducted one of the heartiest recep-
tons that VIII be likely TO occur, even in this
week OF distinguished receptions to the Hudson
Fulton celebration delegates. Even though it was
entirely imprOmptu in character it is safe to say
that in none OF the gorgeous and more carefully
prepared functions of the gala week will there be
any more genuine feeling expressed than this
one, which was by the great throng that
crowded around the 224th landing dock yester
day afternoon.
Incidentally. the sailors rescued their guest Of
honor from the hands of an indignant boatman,
who. following the established custom. was en-
deavOring to pry much filthy lucre from the
hero possible.
lpy Bill' the hero of the affair, and
from the cordialty of the greeting given him by
the Jackies the spectators thought he must be a
man who had discovered both poles and the equa-
tor. at least.
What you never heard of "stumpy Bill: Why.
''Stumpy Bl"-no, he hasn't any other name-well
''Stumpy BIZ was in the Iroquois Theatre fire in
Chicago and "Stumpy Bill" in the great San
Francisco earthquake and fire. Why. that time
''Stumpy Bill had of the thrilling
perences ever heard of in escaping from that zone
OF terror But that's another story.
Long before that "Stumpy BIZ was in Cuba
in Havana, when the Maine disaster occurred and
after that he made his way by mighty efforts
Santiago and was a refugee there when the feet
lined up outside. That was the beginning of his
themselves hoarse for "stumpy Bill" yesterday.
because when they met him last he had just made
his way in an open boat out past the sunken Mer-
rimac TO the haven of the New Yorks deck, and
the jackies appreciated what terrible effort that
for him.
You see. .'Stumpy Bill hasn't much of any legs
speak of; that is. his legs don't extend more
than about six inches from his torso. They're cut
off there and Bill" has them mounted a little
platform with wheels This he propels by
of wooden scuppers his hands, which, by
reason of the shortness of his legs touch the
ground. Yesterday when his friends the jackies
rescued him from the irate boatman "Bill' was
the point of removing that platform for the
purpose Of doing business intimately connected
with that oatman's head.
'Stumpy BIZ left lis little room the
East Side very early yesterday morning, but it's
pretty slow work as he says to "scupper along"
well along in the afternoon before he got
10 the 224th street dock.
You see" he explained TO the boatman who
wanted the unheard OF Of 81 10 take him in a
rowboat TO the battleshp. them feIlers there
mighty kind back in 9s, down of Santiago.
an the least 1 do is to drop in, now I've got
the chance an tell EN- how thankful / am"
The boatmar could not seem to appreciate the
fact that to '-Stumpy Bill" dollar was not sum
to be trifed with
Not but what I'd wlin' give a note for
the sake OF seem them fellers again, said
"Stumpy," but its just this way, pardner- I'm
fat: il was all ! could do TO spare the carfare
an the time. an its some trip for me. clear from
the East Side over here, cn don't want TO so
back now 'thoUI seem them
The boatman was still obdurate, "Stumpy
Bill' threw In his last plea
say pardner tn level now, you don't know
how much them iellers did for me-" he said.
why I was just clean up against il. There l
was down in that hole OF Santiago, and way OF
outside ] could the smoke from these same
boats from this very boat II was, an l had 10
v-ait tnl night, an then I works my sy down
har an a
lust abSlt like this of your'n, an after me
rowin' All night an tired TO death I finally gets
out 20 this boat here an them felers jus took
ne in han like I baby"
Even this patriotic gratefulness failed to stir
the boatmans heart, a Id "Stumpy," who had in
stalled himself in the boat. was daring the owner
to remove him, when the New Horks launch
cbugged I'D TO the landing dock loaded with the
nine sailors bound four happy hours shore.
"Ahoy there, 'Stumpy.' yelled the first sailor
of the launch and then, turning to his mates.
salt me If it amt old 'stumpy Bill from San
tiago"
with his scuppers right along with him. too.
yelled the next nan, anc inside Of minute
SUNNY" Was jerked to the dock and with the
nine tackles clustered around him was answering
forty questions the minute.
..Nhere'd you come from matey?"-''N here you
heep .stumpy?' '-''Remember that mornin' off
dozens Of others, and 'stumpy
Bill" with a grin from ear to ear was shaking
hands and being slapped on the back ana almost
with excitement
An see here, you." said 'Stumpy To the Doat- /
ma, when the FIST tumultuous greetings were /
over 81 don't need your boat now. when want /
visit EN- now my fr'en's here'll come for me In
their launch" 49,,
..yo,, hat We will .Stumpy, yelled the jackies.
amy old time .
Then the ten men. nine III biue' he,-' anu -,
"a. "a "Stumpv" ''scupperng" along III their mlus''
,sds their way TO Broadway, settled down IN the I
.rst sailors parlor" they came TO- ana apen'
heir four hours liberty with their pal OF sahu"so'
'Stumpy Bill.