In 1906, it was estimated that 500,000 homeless in the U.S. were hopping trains and living on the streets, which was around 0.6% of the population. By 1911, the numbers had grown to 700,000.
This is before Emmett Kelly's time, although the circus clown shown in this photo made me think of the tramp (Weary Willie) that Kelly made famous during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The dialog is not my own (on any in the collection). You can barely see the faded dialog on the bottom right, but every stereoview in the collection has a label with dialogue or description. I had to use a magnifying glass!
This is before Emmett Kelly's time, although the circus clown shown in this photo made me think of the tramp (Weary Willie) that Kelly made famous during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The dialog is not my own (on any in the collection). You can barely see the faded dialog on the bottom right, but every stereoview in the collection has a label with dialogue or description. I had to use a magnifying glass!
"Why don't dese dudes ride chainless bikes?"
(ca. pre-1910)
Hmm . . . why not take the horse?
Copyright 2013 © Sharon Himsl; Gravseth family archive
[source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Kelly; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo]
Sharon M. Himsl
Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011.
Published with Evernight Teen:
~~The Shells of Mersing
Really like these pictures you've been posting. Feels like a different planet almost.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Hello Moodernino. Nice to meet you:) Thank you for the follow! The stereoviews DO feel like a different planet....good observation.
DeleteCouldn't resist another visit. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally. They are rather addictive. Imagine me looking at 69 of these for the last two months!
DeleteI've enjoyed looking at the images you've been posting this week. Such a different world and one that is so interesting to visit.
ReplyDeleteA new visitor! Neat that you are enjoying these. I'm popping over to your blog next...
DeleteI thought chainless bikes were a new thing. I suppose they come in and out of fashion like electric cars.
ReplyDeleteHi JM....welcome back! I had the same reaction. Chainless bikes aren't a new thing? As you say, fads are like that.
DeleteWhat a great theme! I love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the a to z challenge.
New visitors....welcome! Glad you are enjoying these. I hopping over to your blog next.
DeleteJack London has some great stories about hoboing. Neat topic:)
ReplyDeleteHi Mark! Hmm...Jack London. I should have known. Love this author!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and a history lesson, too! Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn! Hope you're having fun in the a-z. No kidding about the history lesson. I feel I'm still learning about this period.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog (sorry it took so long to visit)! What a great theme for A to Z. I'm a library school student with an interest in archives, so I love reading about old things. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nita! No problem. It's a challenge keeping up with all the terrific blogs out there. Wow, a library student who loves the archives. I remember those days (I was an American Studies-History student).
DeleteThese pictures are so feaking awesome!
ReplyDelete"Why not take the horse?" Totally snorted.
Hi Jai! Personally, I'd be more interested in the horse but bikes were the latest thing then.
ReplyDelete'Why not take the horse?' Love it :)
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy...I think the poor guy looks too tired for either!
ReplyDelete