Hobos During the 1920’s

Hobos, not to be confused with Tramps Bums, or Yeggs, were very active during the 1920’s. Most people think of Hobos as lazy good for nothing people that rob and steal, just criminals that live on streets. Actually Hobos are wondering, traveling men, who worked their way across the country, who usually live by an unwritten code of ethics and stay away from illegal acts. Yeggs are the ones who give Hobos a bad name; they were criminals who traveled in gangs. Hobos have been labeled unethical and unintelligent but in fact they are quite intelligent and are very ethical.

During the great depression teenage Hobos were all across America. Most Hobos left their homes in search of a better life. Many felt like as a burden to their families or they felt ashamed because they had no jobs and no money. By the 1930’s the Hobo became a part of America, females were even seen out on streets wondering the countryside. Hobos were seen as bad people who just lied around trying to bum food off whoever they could. Actually they were kind people who roamed across America in search of work or adventure.

Hobos were actually smarter than you think. They had their own signs and symbols to notify other Hobos where things were such as; man with gun lives here, kind lady lives here tell a pitiful story, religious talk will get you a meal here, and many more. With these signs Hobos knew what they were going to be up against. Hobos have died down since the 1920’s but you may of still see some every now and again.

If you would like to see these signs and learn more about them, you can click on the link below.

http://www.slackaction.com/signroll.htm

Justin Dilley 11/13/04 bibliography