Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1912 — Tramp at Lafayette Finally Decides to Go to Work. [ARTICLE]

Tramp at Lafayette Finally Decides to Go to Work.

Lafayette Courier of Feb. 22. James O’Connell has gone to work. There would be nothing startling in this statement were it not for the fact that James O’Connell is the recalcitrant tramp who for several days has mutined against serving on the chain gang and who has been chained to the sidewalk on the east side of the court house for punishment. The incident, which assumed unexpected importance by reason of the attention the tramp attracted in his unusual position is regraded as closed. O’Connel declined to work on the chain gang because he said be did not want to wear out his shoes. He also pleaded sickness, saying that to work with wet shoes would aggrevate his ailment Yesterday on account of the blizzard he remained in jail. Today he was to have been taken out with the other prisoners on the snow cleaning gang, although it was not expected he would work, it being the intention to make him stay out with the other men while they worked. This morning he called Captain John Kluth to the jail grating and complained of being sick. "You don’t look sick,” replied the officer. “Well if you don’t think I am you can let a doctor examine me and if he says I am alright I will be satisfied,” said O’Connell. Dr. J. D. Hillis was called, reporting him to be in first-class condition from head to foot. O’Connell then capitulated. He donned his hat and overcoat and joined the others in the gang. Ten pairs of warm overshoes were purchased for the chain gang and they were supplied with warm coats and caps. The chains were not used today. The men did good work in the snow drifts and O’Connell worked as well as the others.

Jeanette, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Firman Thompson, has been quite sick and threatened with pneumonia, but is now slightly better. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kiplinger and Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Harmon went to Lafayette today -to attend a banquet given by the T. P. A.