Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-25
TRAMP HOTEL.
Its so Inhabitants Have Library" and
Other Conveniences.

On the west side of East Mountain,
about a half mile from the distributing
reservoir of the city of Waterbury, is an
ideal tramp retreat. one that has existed
for many years and has been visited bv
scores of men on many occasions. The
camp has been in existence at least n
dozen years with very little molestation.
The retreat is in a secluded spot, of
much natural beauty and well adapted
for the needs of the sons of ease"
Only a guide who is thoroughly famil-
lar with the woods in which the camp is
located is able to reach the retreat. The
camp is situated ? half mile from the
Plank road and is reached by the follow
ing of tortuous and rugged paths. Some
times the path leads into apparently I'M
passable places AS one passes along
the way to the main camp, he passes
clear springs of cool water, near which
are fireplaces where beside a big rock,
the tramps cook their meals. But this
is only the annex" to the main camp.
which is located still further up the hill,
amid great beauty.
The main camp. or "hotel' af the
tramps that share the place, is we'll
protected by a thick growth of trees
that do very good service in times If
rain or offers good protection during the
hot summer months when the shade of
of the trees offer resting spot that is
tempting. The main fireplace of this
camp is against a large boulder, some
eight feet high, and as thick and wide as
it is high. About this natural fireplace
are to be seen cooking utensils of various
shapes and eolors. Some are hung on
the nearby branches. There are numer-
Gus tin cans scattered close to the tire
place.
Not all communities would welcome "a
retreat of this kind nearby, especially
when it is noted that at times tins camp
numbers over 80 members Many con-
slider tramp in the light of "A criminal.
or, if they do not class him as such
they put him down as an outcast. Many
cities and towns have passed ordinances
that practically keep him out ol their
shelters. But none of the residents I
East Mountain, or the section nearby,
has many complaints to make They
have never been attacked by any mem
beers of the retreat. nor have they missed
chickens from their coops, and they are
not even asked to furnish supplies for
the unique community. There are times
of the year when the camp is practical
ly deserted, at other times there Will be
close to halI a hundred on hand.
This tramp ,hotel' is we'll situated
and many "conyeniences are to be had
by its visitors on the right of the main
fireplace is big spring of clear water
and short distance to the left is A
brook, suitable for bathing. and some
of the nearby residents think lG quite
possible that the brook is used for sucn
purposes. In additio to the general
living room" are several rooms around
through the woods These nave Deeu
made by bending over a tall sapling
placing sticks across the top and closing
up the sides with twigs and leaves. Then
the dodgers have a sort of library,
for scattered about the ground are num-
erous newspapers running from the
cheap and trashy colored sheets 10
"Courants' and papers of similar type
In summer time the nights frequently
find a large number of dodgers in this
unique rendezvous, and if the night be
chilly the men group about the big fire.
place and roaring fire lends good cheer
Even in winter time dense smoke has
been seen to issue from the camp, be-
speaking the stopping of guests.
This tramp colony represents a very
interesting study. One of the men who
has been spoken of as the king" of the
colony has been described as IAN old
time tramp, who las haunted theSe
woods for years. He Is gray-haire1
man of medium height and always wears