Hobo History

[Dano65]

Hi guys,
It’s a dark and rainy day in Fall River, Massachusettes. I’ve been listening to one of the most riveting collection of recordings that I own, “Woody Guthery-Library of Congress Recordings” (Rounder CD 1041/2/3). These recordings were made in 1940 and they are composed of three hours of songs and conversation recorded by Alan Lomax who often gave Woody a place to stay when he wasn’t rambling. They are a priceless must have for anyone interested in the history of railroading.
I found this definition:
A Hobo is a person that travels to work
A Tramp is a person that travels and wont work
A Bum is a person that will neither travel or work
I’ve read that the name "Hobo" first started appearing in the 1800's, one book says 1864. A Hobo is an independent and resourceful person who travels around for work. Most people look at the hobos, homeless, and tramps, as being the same. That's like saying a Harley and Kawasaki are the same, they are both motorcycles or a BMW and a Yugo are the same! hopefully you get the picture. A Hobo is a person who travels to work, but due to circumstance and/or desire is not tied to a permanent job or trade. They do what a lot of us wish we could do.
Jefferson Davis, who is believed to have once reigned as King of American Hobos, made his own distinction... "The hobo," he said, "does not believe that society owes him a living, but he does believe that society owes him a chance to care for himself..."
Bruce E. Vincelette, Owner/Moderator
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TCA_members_group/

[Brutus]

Very interesting!

[Anonymous]

I suppose that the reason most folks regard hobos, tramps, and bums as one and the same is that they all look the same, from outward appearances. Without knowing the person, or having some direct interaction with them, the average person would not be able to make a distinction. You couldn't fo example, based on appearances alone, really determine if the guy who hopped off a passing freight was seeking employment or just bumming around the country looking for handouts.

But I've always liked the term "hobo" because it immiediately connects with railroads, at least in my mind, whereas tramp or bum could be anyone I meet on the street.

[Anonymous]

In my relatively brief railroad career I met a few hoboes but never had a problem with them. For the most part, they needed to be pointed in the right direction. One fellow was trying to get from Charlotte, N.C. to Roanoke on a southbound. Needless to say he seemed very grateful for my help. I know some of you folks would go screaming for the railroad police but I felt like these guys didn't need any grief from me ( walk a mile in my shoes and all that ). Oddly, all these fellows appeared to be traveling alone. Otherwise, I would have been less helpful.
I appreciate the history lesson, very interesting.

[marxalot]

I read an interesting book titled Murder on the Rails, a true crime story about a serial killer who rode the rails out west and into the mid-west. What I found a little disturbing was a group called the FTRA - Freight Train Riders of America who seemed to be a bunch of pretty bad people. I am not saying hobos are FTRA members, just commenting on the danger of being a hobo if it entails riding the rails. The existance of the FTRA was not even known until these murders started and the investigation led to interviewing some rail riders.

But I was always a hobo on Halloween and my grandfather used to burn a cork and rub my face so I'd have that 3 day shadow!

8-)


Jim

[Brutus]

I had a great uncle who was a hobo. He would show up at my grandmother's house every once in a while and she would give him some of granddad's old clothes. He always wanted eggs to eat, so she would cook him up a half dozen scrambled eggs. He would spit all over them so nobody would try to eat his eggs! A little family history I hope my kids remember as fondly as I do.

[Anonymous]

good info.... one less thing to wonder about.[:D]