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Over the years I've seen dozens of newspaper editorials on "street loafers" and similar ne'er-do-wells, & always thought it would be interesting to see someone do an impression of one. They must have been a fairly common sight in towns -- there are lots of comments, both in papers and in private letters, about the lazy fellows who lounge around town, passing smart remarks at ladies and getting up to no good. Today I came across this great description. I like this editorial, even though it's a few years pre-war, because it goes into some detail about the different types of loafers & their dress and deportment.
The name "Gull Lake" is probably a play on words. "Gull" is a 19th century name for a "mark" or "sucker." Bohon Upas is a legendary poison tree, supposedly found in the West Indies.
The Valley Herald (Shahopee, Minnesota)
March 4, 1857
Loafers.
This significant appellation has now obtained general use, and belongs to a class of bipeds not unfrequently met with, nor easily mistaken. Dr. Webster derives it from the German word, ‘laufer,’ a runner and defines it, “an idle man who seeks his living by sponging or expedients.” The term has a pretty wide application, and we desire to distinguish those to whom it applies, on this occasion into two classes. We mean to apply this article to the loafers who hang round the Drinking, and Gambling saloons of this, as well as other towns in Minnesota.
First there are the bar-room or street loafer. These squander their time and money, characters, reputation and health, in Grogg and Gambling shops, in drinking and gambling. Sponging like leeches on those who may unfortunately for themselves enter those dens of hell, whether by accident, or beguiled by the already fallen or debased frequenters of these dens. They are half fed, half clad, and too indecent and filthy to be heard, seen, touched or smelt, go forth the most miserable specimens of poor, fallen man.
Secondly, there are the ‘gentlemen loafers.’ This class includes speculators in “town lots” duly laid off, according to the Plot--nowhere recorded, and existing only on paper, supposed to be however at the head of navigation during low water, some where in the vicinity of Gull Lake; on the head waters of the noble Mississippi river.
This class also includes office seekers, and office holders, generally found in the vicinity of the Capitol, Lobbyers, and tricking legislators and all who are too proud to work, and to mean to seek a livelihood by honest means, They desire to be rich and honorable; at any rate, they are determined to appear so and parade the streets and frequent brothels, or are found lounging at some tippling house, sporting heavy Gold Watches, and flaring rings and chains, dressed in rich attire and faring sumptuously, all at the expense of the upright, industrious, and frugal. They are to be shunned as an infectious malaria, or the deadly Bohon Upas. This class of loafers, are generally found in our larger cities, our town and others of its size and less, afford these gentry too small a scope of their operations.
The name "Gull Lake" is probably a play on words. "Gull" is a 19th century name for a "mark" or "sucker." Bohon Upas is a legendary poison tree, supposedly found in the West Indies.
The Valley Herald (Shahopee, Minnesota)
March 4, 1857
Loafers.
This significant appellation has now obtained general use, and belongs to a class of bipeds not unfrequently met with, nor easily mistaken. Dr. Webster derives it from the German word, ‘laufer,’ a runner and defines it, “an idle man who seeks his living by sponging or expedients.” The term has a pretty wide application, and we desire to distinguish those to whom it applies, on this occasion into two classes. We mean to apply this article to the loafers who hang round the Drinking, and Gambling saloons of this, as well as other towns in Minnesota.
First there are the bar-room or street loafer. These squander their time and money, characters, reputation and health, in Grogg and Gambling shops, in drinking and gambling. Sponging like leeches on those who may unfortunately for themselves enter those dens of hell, whether by accident, or beguiled by the already fallen or debased frequenters of these dens. They are half fed, half clad, and too indecent and filthy to be heard, seen, touched or smelt, go forth the most miserable specimens of poor, fallen man.
Secondly, there are the ‘gentlemen loafers.’ This class includes speculators in “town lots” duly laid off, according to the Plot--nowhere recorded, and existing only on paper, supposed to be however at the head of navigation during low water, some where in the vicinity of Gull Lake; on the head waters of the noble Mississippi river.
This class also includes office seekers, and office holders, generally found in the vicinity of the Capitol, Lobbyers, and tricking legislators and all who are too proud to work, and to mean to seek a livelihood by honest means, They desire to be rich and honorable; at any rate, they are determined to appear so and parade the streets and frequent brothels, or are found lounging at some tippling house, sporting heavy Gold Watches, and flaring rings and chains, dressed in rich attire and faring sumptuously, all at the expense of the upright, industrious, and frugal. They are to be shunned as an infectious malaria, or the deadly Bohon Upas. This class of loafers, are generally found in our larger cities, our town and others of its size and less, afford these gentry too small a scope of their operations.
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