Box 17

Mr. Brown traveled the rails for several years and once took his Brother with him. He has had his foot caught in the coupling of a train. Encountered people of every profession. He saw President Theodore Roosevelt several times and Charles Bickford, the movies star, graduated school and found a job lasting eleven years.

Mr. Buss traveled the rails from fourteen to eighteen years of age for fun and adventure. He started to travel with a friend but traveled mostly by himself. Talks about how the crew interacted with the rail riders, often helping them. Discusses how rail riding taught him to be independent and to rely on himself.

Mr. Butler traveled the east coast and to California which started during the depression by his stepfather’s loss of work. After he tired of it, he stayed home, married and worked as a fireman but would have done it all over again. The travels gave him an appreciation for what he has now. Mr. Butler talks about the travel in an enthusiastic way.

Mr. Chaney is enjoying this communication with the help of his wife, Gladys. He uses a guitar to which he sings the songs. They (the songs) are not specified as to ownership of the songs.

Mr. Cromer gives five stories about riding the rails. He talks about being put off the train thirty miles from nowhere and finding, on the road, a school bus loaded with coal. The bus driver picked him up and let him ride on top of the coal in the school bus.

Mr. Evans explains the freight yards and trains, along with where he traveled, concisely.

Mr. Ford started riding the rails with his father and six year old brother. After his hobo days were over, he went on to help start an Edsel Owners Club. Mr. Ford has appeared on eight television shows, on the front page of the Wall Street journal and been reported in Newsweek Magazine

Mr. Giordana was born in Italy and moved with his family to California. He speaks rapidly and enthusiastically.

Mr. Hubbard started hoboing with his older (12 years old) brother had a fight with his mother.

Mr. Johnson is very direct and to the point and seems to have fared better than most hobos. He always had cash for food and an upbeat philosophy.