In a Chicago chapel one night last week gathered 75 frazzled vagrants for the funeral of Harry Batter, 46, professional hobo, who had died trying to stoke a fire with gasoline. To Dr. Ben Reitman, president of Chicago’s Hobo College, Batter had left his money, and directions to master the ceremonies. Announced Dr. Reitman: “Everybody eat, drink, and be merry—that’s what Harry ordered. Harry was a sponger . . . and no good, but he had a fine heart.” Services opened with the singing of “Hallelujah, I’m a Bum.” Vagrants got drunk, made speeches, piously intoned the Hobo’s Prayer. At wake’s end, quarters were distributed to every guest. Next day Host Harry Batter was cremated, and his ashes scattered over the graves of the Haymarket rioters.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Trump and Musk Have All of Washington on Edge
- Why AI Safety Researchers Are Worried About DeepSeek
- Behind the Scenes of The White Lotus Season Three
- Why, Exactly, Is Alcohol So Bad for You?
- The Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise Harder
- 11 New Books to Read in February
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Column: Trump’s Trans Military Ban Betrays Our Troops
Contact us at letters@time.com