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Steam Train Maury Graham
Catches the Westbound
George W. Wireman
 In November, I received word that a very good friend of mine had
passed away. His name, Maurice Graham. The name you may not recognize, but everyone knew him by his nickname, "Steam Train Maury."
Maury was one of those colorful characters known as hobos, who use to ride the rails and lived a life of ease. Every year in August, they would
gather in Britt, Iowa, where the city would host the National Hobo Convention. Each year they would elect a "King" and, in 1970, Maury Graham ran for the office and promised that, if
elected, he would visit Veterans Administration Hospitals all over the United States. He was elected "King" and kept his promise. Between August ’70 and August ’71, Maury made over
34,000 bedside visits in most of the states.
I first met up with "Steam Train" in April of 1971, when Mike Smith of WTHU radio fame and I took a train excursion from Baltimore to Cumberland.
Maury Graham was seated directly across the isle from us and we recognized him immediately. During that excursion, Mike and I extended an invitation to "Steam Train" to come to
Thurmont in October for our Colorfest Celebration. He accepted and, for a number of years, he was a regular Colorfest visitor.
Because of his visits to veteran’s hospitals, he would always enjoy talking with veterans and would make it a point to find an American Legion Post
in the town where he was visiting. Thurmont was no exception. In 1972, he met up with Harold Wantz, Commander of the Edwin C. Creeger Jr. Post 168. During that meeting Wantz learned
that Graham always wanted to belong to the American Legion, but just never got around to signing up. Harold signed Maury up as a member of Post 168 and even paid his dues. When Wantz
died in 1978, the local post paid his dues and made Maury a Life Member. No matter where he went, he always wore his Legion pin and proudly proclaimed being a member of Post 168 in
Thurmont.
It was in 1972 that "Steam Train Maury" was invited to be Grand Marshal of the Colonest Parade in Emmitsburg. The following year, 1973, Maury was
"King of Colonest" and the Thurmont Senior Citizens made a special banner for him, which Mayor James Black presented to him on Friday night at the official opening ceremonies of the
11th Anniversary of Catoctin Colorfest.
When Cozy Restaurant purchased the caboose from the Catoctin Sertoma Club of Thurmont and made it a part of the Cozy Complex, Steam Train Maury was
on hand for the dedication ceremonies and had the honor of cutting the ribbon.
When Cozy celebrated their 55th anniversary, Maury Graham was on hand as a special guest, and spent several days at the restaurant, during which he
made "hobo stew" and served it to the patrons. He also enjoyed telling the patrons about his travels and the life of the hobo.
Several years ago. Maury Graham made a special trip to Walkersville as honored guest of the Walkersville Southern Railroad’s "Hobo Days," where he
rode the trains and talked to the passengers about hobo life and his many travels over the country.
He has been a guest speaker at civic organizations, service clubs, high schools and universities and colleges relaying the interesting story of his
travels and the life of a hobo.
Steam Train Maury Graham was born in 1917 in Atchison, Kansas. When in the 5th grade at age 10 his parents moved to Idaho. At age 14, Maury ran away
from home and spent a lot of time with hobos who taught him their lifestyle. Years later he married and settled down to raise a family.
Then one day he happened to hear the train whistle in the Toledo freight yard, and off he went and was once again enjoying the free life of a hobo.
"Steam Train Maury Graham" died at the age of 89. He was a founding member of the National Hobo Foundation and was very helpful in establishing the
Hobo Museum in Britt, Iowa. Maury wrote many articles on hobo life and his last book, "Tales of the Iron Road" was published in 1990. In 2004, he was named the "Grand Patriarch of
Hobos." He got his nickname, "Steam Train Maury," because he loved riding the rails behind a steam locomotive.
The citizens of Toledo, Ohio, will miss Maury Graham and his wife Wanda this year during the Christmas season for they were a big attraction, playing
the role of Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause. Maury is survived by his wife Wanda and two daughters.
Yes, "Steam Train Maury Graham" has caught the westbound (a hobo parlance for death) and no one will dispute the fact that, as "King of the Hobos,"
he indeed became a legend in his own time.
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