Rocky Ford enterprise., 1910-06-10
ROCKY FORD HAS A
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
Most Noted Hobo in the
World Visits This City
"A NO. {" HIS
MYSTIC SIGN
Has Been Three Times Around the
World and Travelled 473, / 40 Miles
for Less than Eight Dollars
Paid the Railroads

Have you ever seen queer caba.
listic sign painted. on fences and
barns along the railroad right oi
way. carved artistically into shanties
or water tanks, etc, "A No. l" with
| date and an arrow beneath it? II
you have never seen it, watch for il
and you will be surprised to notice
for how many years some of these
marks have been decorating those
above mentioned places. 1t is queer
| sign. yet it means that a No. l., the
worlds most famous tramp, has pass
ed through and has left behind him
this mark showing the date and di-
rection he was journeying. This
man whose only name is this sobri-
quct. "a No. II, visited Rocky Ford
on Monday and to the Enterprise
gave some very interesting cxper-
iences Of his rowing life.
He makes his living by selling a
book. The Life and Adventures OF
A No. 1" written by himself. 1t is an
illustrated book and contains some
wholesome advice to boys who are
not satisfied with their home. He as
so sells beautiful postal cards with
his picture. records and autograph on
same as souvenirs. .
He has hoboed since 1883. and on
reaching this city had travelled 49,
I4o miles. and has spent only $7.6I on
the world three times. He is lin
guist: speaks and writes in four Ian
guages. Has prevented twenty
clothes and a gold watch. Keeps his
name secret Does not chew.
smoke. drink, swear or gamble.
He has a profession, which is carv-
ing potatoes, and in this he has nc
equal. Hundreds of times he has
carved faces for persons in return for
small fayors. He is also wood
carver Of ability.
He has memorandum book full
of cards and letters given him by rail-
road officials. Several of these state
that he has prevented the possible
loss of human life and property by
telling train operators, when beating
his way. Of broken car wheels or 9TH
cr disarrangcmcnt he has prevented
serious wrecks and disasters. He has
been in four wrecks. but luckily has
never been hurt He also has an au-
tograph letter from Jack London. the
author, telling of their companionship
on the road together in 1894.
During his travels "A No. I" has
learned four languagcs-English
German. French and Spanish. Hi:
parents were OF the French and Ger
man nationality. but he was born il
San Francisco. Calf.
His toilet set is complete. though
it takes little room to carry it. l.
consists OF a tooth brush, soap, shay
ing soap. comb and few other nee
essaries. His carving tools are two
knives kept very sharp. Blackine
and shining rags occupy a part of his
pockets. also pocket edition OF Web
stcr dictionary. rather strang,
book for 4 tramp to carry.
He was asked why he had not writ
ten his book sooner. as it is an il
lustratcd and highly interesting story
and he stated, lately, after IS years OF
rowing he has come to the conclusion
that the dangerous. scnscless and pit.
iful life he has led all these year.
have been wasted and that pcrhaps
by telling his own pitiful experience
he might possibly prevent Others
from following his steps. He said
that to force boy after he ono,
starts to wander to stay at home. is
almost impossible, as the maxim
Once tramp, always a tramp" has
been many times proven TO him by
actual experiences. as he has met
many a boy Of fine family and home
who never knew the filth. misery and
dangers tramp comes constantly in
contact with. yet cannot resist the
call to wander. Had these lads read
book like his own or Jack London's
or Josiah Flint's showing the pitiful,
dark side Of tramp life. perhaps they
would never have left their home and
friends in exchange for rowing. rest
less existence. When asked why he
did not stop he replied: do you
know that the call to wander is so
irresistible that often on dark and
rainy nights | find myself walking
about railroad yards looking for a
| chance to move on?
you would not believe me, yet il
is a fact. that | realize that my end
will be the same as that of 90 per
cent of all tramps-an accident. This
is why / have at least provided for
decent burial. In 1894. ! received
! $1,000 cash and this beautiful medal
from the Police Gazette for tramp
ing from New York to San Francisco
in eleven days and six hours. and with
$3.50 of this prize I bought tomb
stone in cemetery at Cambridge
Springs, Pa. Seems strange that al
most every night that silent white
monument seems to bcckon from
yonder green hillside in my dream,
entreating me to stop my rowing
| This | have tried to do many times