WHAT IS A “YEGG?”

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Nov 30, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 47.

WHAT IS A “YEGG?”

[Jack Hazle, in The Pilgrim for September.]

THERE are a great number of tramps, not of the class you will meet begging, but who, nevertheless, travel the railroads, enter your cities under cover of night, and conduct their nefarious trades at your very doors. They crack safes, burglarize, steal, and sometimes even commit murder, to obtain forcibly a share of the living they are convinced the world owes them. These are known to the “profest” as “yeggs.” A “yegg” is usually a development from a somewhat milder type, one who is naturally criminally perverse, who would in any class of society have been an enemy to it; but under the abnormal conditions of tramp life these vicious natures fully develop and have greater opportunities to work their wicked will without any seriously deterrent influences. To a “yegg,” tramp life is a means, not an end; and to be a “yegg” is the ultima thule of every criminally-inclined hobo. It is only after a long and arduous apprenticeship, however, that he is admitted to the charmed circle of the select, over the working of whose guild as much secrecy is compelled as any masonic order maintains. A hobo that is admitted is sworn to silence concerning their proceedings; and if he “splits,” violent death will overtake him as surely as if pronounced by a court of justice. Unlike the rest of the gentry, these “yeggs” do not work singly or in pairs. They are organized gangs of desperadoes, who have headquarters in some of our largest cities; and, to the shame of our constabulary, be it said, that they frequently subsidize the police to “stand pat” with them.