The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

I USED TO GO TO WORK DOWNTOWN AT RANDOLF AND BATES. EVERY
MORNING I WOULD GO DOWN TO THE DOUGHNUT SHOP. I SAW A HOBO
WALKING AROUND WITH BAGS OF PAPER AND JUNK EACH DAY. HE WAS
DRESSED IN LAYERS OF DIRTY OLD CLOTHING; HE WORE EVERYTHING HE
OWNED ALL AT ONCE. AT NIGHT, IN THE SUMMER, HE WOULD SLEEP
IN THE PARK; IN THE WINTER HE WOULD SLEEP IN THE TRAIN DEPOT.
WHILE I WENT TO THE COFFEE SHOP, I WOULD HAVE SOMETHING,AND THEN
BUY HIM A DANISH OR SOMETHING. THE MOUNTED POLICEMAN EVEN CAME
TO KNOW HIM, AND WATCHED OUT FOR HIM. THE POLICEMAN TOLD ME
ONE DAY THAT THE HOBO HURT HIMSELF AND THEY TOOK HIM TO
RECEIVING HOSPITAL. THE MEDICAL STAFF HAD TO CUT OPEN HIS LAYERS
OF CLOTHES. THE POLICEMAN SAID THEY FOUND $14,000 DOLLARS IN
CASH INSIDE HIS OLD CLOTHES. EVERYONE HAD THOUGHT HE WAS POOR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1970