Riding the Rails
American Hobos
Background
American life in the 1920's was not easy by any means. Things that we take for granted today were not something to take lightly in 1920's. Food, jobs and housing were all scarce and to escape such harsh conditions people too to the roads.
At this point in American history the population was increasing very rapidly. There was more and more of an ongoing urban development and expansion towards the west. In addition to these growing conditions it is estimated that in 1916 there was about 254,000 miles of rail road tracks in the United States making travel in search of work much easier. With all of these circumstances it is no surprise that it is at this point in time that the American hobo originated. However, due to the greater availability and usage of the automobile, a hobos transportation became increasingly difficult to obtain because of the reduction in the number of passenger and freight trains.
During the 1920's the American hobo had a great impact on American life and is considered a significant part of that decade. Some people during the 1920's viewed the hobos as romantic travelers while others viewed them as bums who would do anything for a place to sleep and a meal to eat. Whatever the view, the hobo was an important part of the 1920's.
When you think of 'hobos' the most common image that comes to mind is a homeless bum that lives on the street. However, this assumption is not always true. During the 1920's American hobos were something different. They were in fact homeless and lived off the generosity of others, however, they took to the roads and rails in search of work. Where ever there was a need for labor the hobos would travel.
First Hand Accounts
Stories about the American hobos are not difficult to find. First hand accounts like this one are never too far away...
The following story is from the Public Broadcasting Stations official web site, additional stories can be found there as well. See the links at the end of this page for the web address.
"Henry Koczur left his East Chicago home in September 1932 at
16, believing that one less mouth to feed would lighten the burden on his family
of eight. His father was out of work and sick with stomach ulcers; his mother
often had to serve potato soup for breakfast, lunch and supper. Henry headed for
California, "a land where I didn't think anyone could starve.
Many times when the freight trains stopped at night,
we'd light a match just to see what was growing in the fields."
We caught a
Southern Pacific passenger train to Niland,
California, riding the blinds with two other hobos. When the train stopped, we
all got off. We were caught by a bull, who ordered us to line up next to the
train. Had any of us tried to jump back on, I'm sure he would've shot us.
When the train left, the bull asked how much money I had.
'Not a cent,' I said.
One of the men who rode the blinds with us was next to me. The man had $2.00.
The bull told him to take it out and hold it in his hand.
The second man had 50 cents. My buddy, Jensen, had 20 cents.
The bull collected the money. 'This will pay for your fare,' he said. He put the
$2.70 in his pocket and told us to start walking.
I tripped over a railroad tie. The bull thought I was trying to get away. He
gave me a kick in the butt that to this day I never forgot. I saw he was going
to hit me over the head with a blackjack. I raised my arm, and he struck my
fingers, cracking the knuckle of my forefinger. He warned us to hit the highway
and never set foot on railroad property again.
We slept the night in the desert. Walking down the road in the morning, we saw a
train being made up for Yuma. There must've been 50 hobos waiting there, who'd
met the same fate the night before. We all climbed into an empty boxcar and shut
the door, not making a sound as we waited for the freight to leave.
All of a sudden, the door slid open. Who is looking at us, but the same bull who
kicked and black-jacked me. 'Get the hell out of here,' he shouted.
I was first to jump out and run. We were 100 feet from the train, when one of
the bums hollered, 'Hold it, guys! There are 50 of us. He has six bullets in his
gun. He knows he can shoot six of us; after that he's a dead man.' We listened
to him. When the engineer gave the highball, we ran to the train.
Almost all climbed back into the boxcar for the ride to Yuma. We left the bull
standing there, with his legs spread out and his hands crossed over under his
arms. "
Hobo Communication
Prior to telephone and e-mail communication hobos had to relay on marks to communicate between each other.
Interested in seeing some of these unique signs... click here!
Hungry Hungry Hobo Recipes
From Done and Been: Steel Rail Chronicles of American Hobos
A Healthy Way To Start The Day
by Oats (a vegetarian in the hobo community)
A.M. Oats
1 Banana
2 tsp. raisins
1 cup rolled oats
1tbs. each of sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and wheat germ (if available)
fruit juice and milk
honey
Slice 1/3 banana into bowl. Add raisins and 1 cup rolled oats. Mix in tablespoon of sunflower and sesame seeds and wheat germ. Pour in equal portions of fruit juice and milk. Top with honey. Do not cook!
Flophouse Favorites
by Midwest John, hobo singer/songwriter
Ham and Beans
1lb navy beans
2 large onions, chopped
6 large potatoes, chopped
4 large ham hocks
1 lb. bacon, fried
1/4 cup mustard
1 lb. carrots, chopped
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. garlic
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. basil
Clean beans. Soak in large pot for 30 minutes in 2 gallons of water. Add other ingredients. Cool until beans are done. Thicken with cornmeal; thin with water. Add more seasoning to taste.
Want to learn more about the American hobo?
Check out these helpful sites...
References
Moon, Gypsy. Done and Been: Steel Rail Chronicles of American Hobos. Indiana University Press
Riding the Rails. <www.pbs.org> Retrieved October 17, 2004