Hobos
have been traveling the US and riding the rails since the Civil War. The image
of the hobo peaked during the depression of the 1930's, when many took to the
rails in a desperate search for work. It must be noted that a hobo is different
from a tramp or a bum. Most hobos would agree that a hobo work, the tramp will
only work when they have to, and the bums will not work at all.
Hobos
were often welcomed in areas of under employment or when their labor was
required. They were also viewed as a menace when unemployment was high or when
the hobo's labor was no longer needed. Many times they were literally driven
out of town by the local police who would meet incoming freight trains and take
the hobos to the county line.
For
the hobos the train is their primary method of transport as they roam the
country in search of work. Hobos have an intimate connection and knowledge of trains
and railroading in general. In the early 20th century, the increasing use of
cars and trucks brought a reduction in the number of passengers and freight to
be transported. This would ultimately lead to decreasing rail network upon
which the hobo could travel. The nearly total replacement of steam engines by
diesels in the 1950's also contributed to the decline of the hobo. Steam
engines had to make regular stops to take on water and this allowed hoboes to
get on or off trains at these points and many hobo camps were located beside
water tanks.
Riding
the rails was very dangerous. The bulls were hired to keep hoboes off trains,
so you couldn't just go to a railroad yard and climb on. Most hoboes would hide
along the tracks outside the yard. They would run along the train as it gained
speed, grab hold and jump into open boxcars. Sometimes, they missed. Many lost
their legs or their lives. As the train was reaching its destination, the hoboes
had to jump off before a new set of bulls to arrest them or beat them up.
1930’s
was a decade of mostly tolerance towards the hobo. Some railroads would attach
empty box cars to freight trains to accommodate the large numbers of hobos.
It's not certain if these were acts of charity or an attempt to stop hobos from
breaking into sealed cars.
Research
Source: Hobos and the Railroads
Click here to view images of hobo during the great depression.
Rice
dishes are easy to make and economical.
Hobo
Delight
Copyrighted
2013, Christine’s Pantry. All rights reserved.
Ingredients:
1
cup uncooked rice
1
cup water
1
cup beef broth
2
tablespoons olive oil
1
onion, chopped
1
green bell pepper, chopped
1
teaspoon minced garlic
salt
and pepper, to taste
1
(8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1
bay leaf
4
beef hot dogs, slice
1
(15.25 oz.) can corn, drained
Directions:
In
a large pot, bring water and beef broth to a boil. While liquid is boiling,
stir in rice, cover and cook for 17 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
In
a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, green bell pepper, garlic,
salt and pepper, stir and cook for 5 minutes, until bell peppers are
tender. Add tomato sauce and bay leaf,
stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Add hot dogs to the tomato mixture and stir well,
simmer another 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Stir in cooked rice. Add corn and
stir well, simmer until corn is heated through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Enjoy!
This sounds like a great cool weather dish, Christine! I've got a couple of Hot Links to use up... the hubby will love it... me, too. :) My Mom hailed from a small town in Iowa where hobos frequently passed through. Seems they had kind of a "short-hand" or secret language where they'd leave marks indicating where a warm meal (and warm welcome) could be expected. My Grandma's house was on their route. They would've loved a meal like this!
ReplyDeleteHello Kim,
DeleteThe hobos had a secret code... Among hobos messages were routinely exchanged about where to find work, or hand out or perhaps mark a place that was not good for hobos.
Thanks,
Christine
What lucky hobo's to enjoy a meal like this!!!
ReplyDelete