Down, But Not Out

[John Hartwell]

What exactly is the origin of the word "hobo"? Is it an acrynom or short for something?

According to Wikipedia:

"The origin of the term is unknown. According to etymologist Anatoly Liberman, the only certain detail about its origin is the word was first noticed in American English circa 1890.[1] Liberman points out that many folk etymologies fail to answer the question: "Why did the word become widely known in California (just there) by the early Nineties (just then)?"[1] Author Todd DePastino has suggested it may be derived from the term hoe-boy meaning "farmhand", or a greeting such as Ho, boy![2] Bill Bryson suggests in Made in America (1998) that it could either come from the railroad greeting, "Ho, beau!" or a syllabic abbreviation of "homeward bound".[3] It could also come from the words "homeless boy".

Per Wikipedia...
The term originated in the Western—probably Northwestern—United States around 1890. Unlike a "tramp", who works only when forced to, and a "bum", who does not work at all, a "hobo" is a travelling worker.

Or, as my uncle always said, "A Hobo is a migrant worker. A Tramp is a migrant non-worker. A Bum is a non-migrant, non-worker."

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Men sharing a meal at a hobo jungle in 1895. (Via the Hobo Museum)

A few of the marks hoboes would use. (Via the Hobo Museum)​

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Great article if you want to read more...

Don’t Call Them Bums: The Unsung History of America’s Hard-Working Hoboes

Despite the ever-widening wealth gap, most of us continue to grasp at the American Dream, which promises financial security in exchange for hard work. In ...

www.collectorsweekly.com

 

[Fairfield]

There was a rather horrible device known as a hobo (or tramp) chair. It was invented in the town next door (whose residents today--I can assure you--are charming and kind people). It was intended to humiliate the unfortunate-it was also a form of torture because the unwilling occupant was confined there all day, exposed to the elements:

 

[donna]

I posted Mulligan Stew known as Hobo Stew. Thought go along with this thread.

 

[Lubliner]

Great article if you want to read more...

Don’t Call Them Bums: The Unsung History of America’s Hard-Working Hoboes

Despite the ever-widening wealth gap, most of us continue to grasp at the American Dream, which promises financial security in exchange for hard work. In ...

www.collectorsweekly.com

That was quite an article. It would almost be a joke to ask, "Do you have anything to add?" But....
As a ten year old my favorite 'subject in elementary school was 'Recess Period' and my first great inspiration wasn't the Beatles.

.
That was the year I started having daydreams on 'bindles' and a continuous repetition of this running through my head as I took on the task of learning to 'snap' my thumb and ring-finger. Mom didn't take to it at all, and would cringe if someone asked me, 'What would you like to be when you grow up'. I suffered from Anniversary Euphoria every September all through High School, as my nose would be lifted toward the wind. Thanks for the flashback @Eleanor Rose.
Lubliner.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

The "Hobo Code of Ethics" was composed in 1900 at the Hobo National Convention (yes, you read that right). A National Hobo Convention has been held on the second weekend in August, every year since 1900. It's hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce in Britt, Iowa. At their first meeting, the hoboes in attendance agreed on a code that would govern their existence.

1. Decide your own life, don't let another person run or rule you.

2. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times.

3. Don't take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos.

4. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again.

5. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts.

6. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals' treatment of other hobos.

7. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you.

8. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.

9. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help.

10. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible.

11. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member.

12. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard.

13. Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose all molesters to authorities, they are the worst garbage to infest any society.

14. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home.

15. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday.


@Lubliner , you may enjoy this post as well. I certainly appreciated your thoughtful response to the article I shared. I find this to be a fascinating topic.

 

[jackt62]

The story of Hobos is a poignant part of American history. I recall the stories about the tens of thousands of young boys and men who were displaced by the Great Depression of the 1930's and rode the rails in search of better life and times.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Great article about the Hobo National Convention. It's funny and sad all at the same time.

61 Things I Learned At The National Hobo Convention

Everything that happened to me while spending three nights with hoboes.

www.buzzfeed.com

 

[Eleanor Rose]

For fun, hop over here and figure out your hobo name. My hobo name is Nevada Railcar Mike. I'd much prefer Carolina Boxcar Rose.

 

[Peace Society]

View attachment 337406
Photograph of a hobo taken by Charles C. Pierce, 1861-1946. (Public Domain)​

Homelessness emerged as a national issue in the 1870s, when in the years following the Civil War a veritable army of homeless men swept across America. These men came to be known as hobos and slowly took command of downtown districts. Numerous sources including diaries, letters and police reports chronicle the life and experiences of hobos.

Hobos in the late 1800s have in many ways morphed into the modern men and women of various backgrounds who have become homeless. Kenneth L. Kusmer in his book entitled, Down and Out, On the Road: The Homeless in American History (Oxford University Press, 2003) references how hobos were known as "wandering poor, sturdy beggars, or just as vagrants." He notes they have been a part of the American landscape since those displaced by war began to congregate. Our nation's growing industrial cities of the 19th century were segregated by class, race, and ethnicity, with skid rows hiding the impoverished from society and allowing them to be considered the "other," undeserving of respect, regard, and social supports.

The hobo army, infamous for hanging around railroad yards, and illegally riding freight trains, haunted America throughout the mid to late 19th​ century and influenced the creation of welfare state measures. These men called into question the definition of "home" and charted the road to how we view "homelessness" today.

At Christmastime, many folks focus more on our homeless population than any other time of year. It's worth taking a look at the history of homelessness. You may be surprised by what you learn. Being without a home in the 19th​ century wasn't any easier than it is today. And a significant number of today's homeless population remains veterans who have fought valiantly in our wars.

The result of PTSD?

 

[Eleanor Rose]

The result of PTSD?

I'm sure this was a major contributing factor. Welcome aboard @Peace Society ! Thank you for visiting the Mid-19th Century Life forum! All are welcome here. Merry Christmas!!!

 

[Peace Society]

In the cemetery where I volunteer there's a small section with CW vets that was set aside by the sexton - himself a Mexican war vet - for vets who died without any assets or local relatives. In the early 1900s the G.A.R. got stones for all the graves (which, we guess, might have had simple wooden markers originally).

Some people in our local Historical Society are still working on grave markers for CW participants.

 

[Karen Lips]

The homeless will always be with us. By circumstances or choice

Who really chooses to be homeless?

 

[Lubliner]

Who really chooses to be homeless?

Many do. There is a huge movement on 'minimalist living' and 'alternate lifestyles' in America. Either by the spirit of rebellion or adventure, many take a 'back to nature' approach to the future. Of course the problems in society still exist, and there is no escape from any problem by doing so. Many try and fail. It is the failures that often make headlines. The successes are still on their own hook.
Lubliner.

 

[JOHN42768]

Who really chooses to be homeless?

Surprisingly, more then you might think. I know many "code Blue' shelters that need to have police or volunteers try to urge people to come in from the bitter cold coditions. There are also individuals who would rather live as a hermit. Hobos have existed for a very long time. Most any Salvation Army or City Mission will have repeat visitors, but then they move on. The circumstances one run the gauntlet of mental disturbed, drug addiction and depressed.

 

[Karen Lips]

Surprisingly, more then you might think. I know many "code Blue' shelters that need to have police or volunteers try to urge people to come in from the bitter cold coditions. There are also individuals who would rather live as a hermit. Hobos have existed for a very long time. Most any Salvation Army or City Mission will have repeat visitors, but then they move on. The circumstances one run the gauntlet of mental disturbed, drug addiction and depressed.

I think we would be shocked at how many of these people have clinical depression and don't know even realize it.

 

[Lubliner]

I think we would be shocked at how many of these people have clinical depression and don't know even realize it.

Homeless society is one of predator/prey associations where they are in constant danger of victimization. Their needs are to get away from the threats. They are not stupid people, but misjudged, maligned, and mistreated. They drink and drug to relieve their ever-knowing fear of a past catching up or a future coming to pass. And they are in the middle of it. They essentially cannot keep what they are given, nor keep what they attain legitimately because it is taken away by demands. It becomes a burden and bait making them a prey, instead of relieving them of a necessity. Society is condescending to the vagabond, wants to profit from him/her, and reap where they do not sow.
Lubliner.

 

[Peace Society]

And some of us wander about by way of books.

 

[A. Roy]

There are also individuals who would rather live as a hermit. Hobos have existed for a very long time. Most any Salvation Army or City Mission will have repeat visitors, but then they move on. The circumstances one run the gauntlet of mental disturbed, drug addiction and depressed.

Here's a dilemma some of us have run into here in Raleigh, NC.: One of the most likely areas for identifying and preserving the Civil War earthworks around the city is in a dense woods where many homeless people camp. If people are used to having that as a camp, how would they react to researchers or an archaeological team probing around the woods? And are there any ethical concerns around disrupting a habitat like that?

Roy B.