Hobos, Tramps and Homeless Bums

[KaBar2]

TU 63 is the hobo organization that originally started the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. It stands for "Tourist Union # 63." (There were 63 charter members.) It was created back in the late 1890's when labor unions were first getting establisdhed in a big way. Sometimes somebody who owned a saloon or a hotel would start a labor union and just call it something like "The Plaster Workers and Lath Craftsmen Union # 1." They would seek to find plaster jobs and put their members to work on it, similar to a labor pool type agency. There was really no regulation of labor unions back then.

 

The police would often raid a jungle, and anybody without some proof that he was working or at least seeking work would get arrested for "vagrancy." Vagrancy was essentially the crime of being unemployed.

 

The hoboes in Chicago formed Tourist Union #63 partially as a joke, and partially as a way to create "union cards" that they could present to the cops when they were stopped and carded. (Remember, this was before Driver's Licenses, before State I.D. cards, before individuals having to "positively identify" themselves to any cop that wanted to know who they were.)

In the late 1890's, the Chicago police broke up a large hobo convention, and in the process there was a huge fight, sort of a riot. It made headlines all over the world.

 

A group of investors and developers in Britt, Iowa decided to try and cash in on all the publicity. Britt was a newly developed farming community, and farming communities must have agricultural workers to plant and harvest crops. Back then, these jobs were done mostly by hoboes. These business men in Britt contacted the leaders of TU 63, and offered to bring them by train down to Britt to see if they would like to move their convention there. The TU 63 men agreed, if the Britt developers would buy them First Class tickets. They did, and the first National Hobo Convention in Britt was scheduled for August of 1900. This also made headlines all over the world, which was the developer's intention, to publicize Britt, Iowa. (It must have been a slow news day, LOL.)

 

The Convention has not been held every single year since 1900, I don't think. there were years when it wasn't held. But in more modern times, it has been very regular, certainly since the 1970's. Britt uses it as the basis for their annual festival, the Britt Hobo Days. They have a huge sign on the turn-off to Britt, featuring a gigantic hobo. For the town, it is a huge economic consideration. They make money off of the Hobo Days gathering, because thousands of tourists come to town to attend the carnival, the flea market booths, the food booths and so on. The Hobo Convention is actually secondary to the parade, the election of the King and Queen of Hobos, the mulligan stew feed and all the rest of the week's events that are designed to entertain tourists.

 

The TU 63 actually still exists and it is being run by well-known hobos. Texas Mad Man is the collector of dues and all that sort of thing. Last time I heard, Preacher Steve was the Grand Head Pipe or whatever they call the leader. I don't think I'm currently paid up, but I was a member for several years. Most people pay their annual dues up in Britt at the NHC. You get a membership card, a bumper sticker that says "Tourist Union #63" and a newsletter that comes out ever so often, maybe monthly.

 

If you want to join, send an IM to Texas Mad Man. I don't think there is any particular requirement to be in the TU 63, you just pay your dues and conduct yourself like a stand-up tramp. That's it. Actual rail riders get to vote in the Convention. Non-rail-riders get a voice, but no vote. Civilians don't get to attend or observe, because it's too disruptive, and besides they don't need to hear whatever the Convention's business is anyway. (Most of the time there's not a whole lot to discuss, but they don't need to know that, either, LOL.)

 

Tourist Union 63

1665 Bryn Mawr

East Cleveland, Ohio 44112

Annual dues are $24, by MONEY ORDER. Or in person only, in cash. Don't forget to include a return address.

 

A Brief History of Tourist Union #63 and it's Mission In the mid 1800's several hobos found themselves in a jungle next tothe mainline of the B & O RR They all had something in common, theyhad been repeatedly kicked out of towns and off train yards becausethey had no visible means of employment nor funds on hand at many times of the year. And because of strict enforcement of vagrancy laws by allpolice agencies nationwide an organization was needed to aid themigrant working hobo. However if one was the member of a Union thenthe unemployed person was granted free passage on any RR, and wouldnot be persecuted for vagrancy while in any city attempting to gaineven a few hours of employment. And so these few hobos drew uparticles of confederation for a Tourist Union for any hobo nationwideto join and avoid persecution for vagrancy. Finding that the hobospresent numbered to 63 this Union was labeled Tourist Union #63. Thefounding members, both men and women, registered their union inCinncinati Ohio holding a small office at 1143 W. Market St. Nearthe Queensgate neighborhood, and the yards of the B & O, and NickelPlate RR's. In August of each year Tourist Union #63 held a National HoboConvention to renew friendships, collect annual dues, sign up newmembers, and honor the most deserving of their union to the temporarypositions of King, Queen, Crown Prince, Crown Princess, and GrandHead Pipe. Thereby attempting to elevate the stature of all hobos inthe general public’s eyes. Through the mid to later 1800's the Conventionof Tourist Union #63 was held in a different city of the USA toappease to every region of the nation that it's members originated,and to enlist new members thereby gaining more political support forthe legitimacy of the union. During the 1887 convention, held on the banks of St. Louis on whatwould someday become the Gateway Arch National Park, the conveningmembers voted on Chicago as their next convention location. AndChicago remained the location of their convention for the next 12years. [for by that time up to 8 organizations were hold a NationalHobo Convention because of the publicity it generated] It was at oneof these Chicago held conventions that the article called the code ofthe road was drawn up, voted on, and adopted by the Union as anabsolute of laws that the entire Hobo Nation could enforce at anytime or any place. In the year 1899 the heads of the town of Britt,Iowa approached theheads of Tourist Union #63 to hold their annual convention in Britt.The President of the Union rode the Milwaukee Road to Britt toinspect the Accommodations for the large gathering of members thatwould converge on Britt in August. And so beginning in the year 1900the National Hobo Convention of Tourist Union #63 was movedpermanently to Britt Iowa. The town needed to be able to accommodate alarge convening body and this was very evident during the 1949Convention when a total of 1800 hobos converged upon the town. Some of the members of Tourist Union #63 went on to form theAmerican Civil Liberties Union which was instrumental in repealingvagrancy laws nationwide. Tourist Union #63 continued to work withthe ACLU to aid it's members and other migratory workers through the1990's. In 1998 Tourist Union #63 relocated it's national office toBritt Iowa locating in the National Hobo Museum and dues fell to theHobo Foundation to collect. The foundation is an organization createdby members of Tourist Union #63 for the preservation of the nationalhobo culture that shaped the lives of many notable American PublicFigures. In the year 2001 Preacher Steve, Halftrack, and The Texas Madmandiscussed relocating the national offices of Tourist Union #63fromBritt Iowa to another location because dues collection, memberships,and records were being poorly maintained and so it was voted that thenational offices would be moved to Annandale Mn. Preacher Steve wouldmaintain records of the Union, serve as president, and appointmembers to union duties. Preacher Steve, however, is about tograduate from nursing school and soon will be working a full timejob, so seeing that his personal time would be demanded of him for acareer he appointed The Texas Madman as the official collector ofdues, issuer of memberships, and seller of union items, and [comingsoon] the publisher of the Union Newsletter which would come outmonthly. And even though the new national offices of Tourist Union#63 is now in East Cleveland Ohio it is still recognized that thepresident is still Preacher Steve until he wants to step down andhave a new president elected. The address for the offices of Tourist Union #63 is;Tourist Union #63, 1665 Bryn Mawr Rd., East Cleveland Ohio 44112 All dues can be sent to this address in the form of Cash or a MoneyOrder seeing I may not be able to attend every hobo gathering throughthe year. Soon we will be issuing a newsletter which I've decided toname THE HOBOTRAMP VOICE being mailed out on a monthly basis. Thisnewsletter is free for dues paying Union members, but can besubscribed to by non-union members as well. The cost for this is$2.00 per month, or a total of $24.00 per year, this is to aid the cost[yes we don't always dumpster dive as much paper or printing ink andwe'd like to] of materials, printing, and mailing. Everyone isencouraged to send their past and present stories of the road to thisaddress, as well as poetry, road news, letters will be deleted forfoul language and non-foul language will be inserted to insure thatthe original tone of the letter remains. Funds collected will be usedby the Union thru a majority vote by all dues paying members. Tourist Union #63 is a Hobo Nation oriented organization, we DO NOTexpound a political attitude, but one that is directed towards aNationwide Family. Our Mission is to preserve the Hobo Culture intothe future, to police our own when needed, and to give a more conciseimage of our nation thru the control of our personal print media, andour many corners of the internet.

[KaBar2]

I just got an email from Old Crow, and he informed me that there are TWO hobo gatherings every year in Bucyrus, Ohio:

 

"Hello KaBar: The Bucyrus Hobo Days are always the Saturday before Memorial

Day and the Saturday Before Labor Day. This year those dates are May 24th

and August 31st. Hope to see you there. I'll copy this to Mama Jo. Again,

thanks for asking. Jim Croneis: "Old Crow."

 

 

2008 Bucyrus Hobo Days: MAY 24th and AUGUST 31st, Bucyrus, OH.

The September date in the post above^^^ is INCORRECT. My apologies.

KaBar

[themaritimes]

its too bad all these things happen south of the border, i'd really enjoy meeting up with some of y'all and learning and just listening to what ya'll have to say... haha, assuming you'd all be okay with a young rookie like myself being around... are you aware of much of this happening up in Canada? my part of the country is fairly rail-deprived (not THAT much train traffic, and even less of the interesting stuff like writers and riders)...

 

just on the topic of personal belongings... in a sitation in which you absolutely need somehwere to store your goods for a day (or 6 hours, or whatever) and it can't be guarded, would wrapping it in a bag and burying it work alrite, or hiding it in a tree? (assuming weather permits of course)

[ValueHorse]

"your gear goes wherever YOU go."

safest route to take.

there is definatly train riding in canada.

[themaritimes]

there is definatly train riding in canada.

 

no doubt! but in atlantic canada i haven't witnessed or heard of it, other than the occasional young person catching a train for short distances (ie. myself)... same deal goes for the writers, a few small groups that i know in the other province, and just me and my boys here.....

[KaBar2]

I think you're just not looking in the right places. One of the most well-known female trainhoppers in North America is Stray Cat Julie, who comes from Quebec, I think. She actually rode a freight train INTO BRITT during the Convention! There were cops and Iowa, Chicago and Eastern railroad bulls as thick as fleas on a dog, and Julie rides in on a grainer she caught in Mason City, then she slips into the chow line in the jungle quietly and unobserved. Everybody in the line is chattering away "Did you hear? Some chick rode in on that grain train!" And Julie is like "Really? Pass me a slice of bread, would you? I'm really hungry!"

[Guest The Texas Madman]

Over dinner once at the home of actor Hal Holbrook in Los Angeles, he handed over a photograph of a bearded fellow who turned out to be his father, who was a hobo. We talked a long time about the fact that his dad had no other interest other than knocking along in life as a hobo.

[Guest The Texas Madman]

Once again giving traveling info at a jungle fire is as commonplace as offering a cup of coffee to a new ‘bo, or enforcing the “Frisco Circle”, so here again I add the chatter that’s been listed on the Train Hoppers List!

 

"surf catz" <surfcatz@hotmail.com>

 

Yesterday the Union Pacific Railroad informed Amtrak that the Frazier slide will likely keep the line blocked until at least late March. Meanwhile, Union Pacific Conductor Greg Boam - UNOFFICIALLY - sent out an email stating the line may not reopen until April 26th. Regardless of what actually takes place, we now know the cleanup efforts will go on much longer than expected.

==============================================================================

"Widerstand" <widerstand@riseup.net>

 

I would like to point out that this is a great chance to ride SBD UP train to CA on there detour route which is East to The Dalles, OR then 13 more miles east to the BNSF Oregon Trunk Sub where they turn SBD towards Bend, OR, and then re-enter there own sub at Chemult, OR!

 

Kickass ride if anyone cares!

 

it is a beautiful ride down the deschutes river canyon, towering sandy bluffs. it is never to be forgotten. Mr. "Resistance" (Widerstand = resistance in Deutsch) is right.

 

Warum dein Nahme ist Widerstand? Sprechst du Deutsch?

=============================================================================="chucho seco" <chuchitoseco@yahoo.com>

 

which means your UP from portland to roseville will go east on river out of portland and then head down oregon trunk subdivision to KFalls (BNSF tracks via Bend)

 

cee

[KaBar2]

I was checking links in my posts above, and realized that the link for the National Hobo Convention is a dead end. I'm not sure what's wrong with it, but if you need information about Britt, try :

 

www.hobo.com

This site has tons of information about the National Hobo Convention, the Hobo Foundation and Britt, Iowa in general. It's a neat little town, kind of sedate after dark, of course.

[Guest The Texas Madman]

July - 18 - 19, 20 2008 Deep lock Quarry Metro Park in Peninsula, Ohio

Pat Rydquist prydquist@summitmetroparks.org

[Guest The Texas Madman]

http://www.worldpath.net/~minstrel/fetes.htm

 

This is a better link for Hobo-Tramp Gatherings K-Bar [the Knife?]

[Guest The Texas Madman]

National Hobo Convention.2007 "Hobo" Convention Schedule

 

Sunday, August 5th

 

4:30 PM Time Capsule Dedication and Burying of Time Capsule

Located in the Lot North of Hobo House on the New Museum Lot

Following Dedication: will be a fundraiser Picnic and Campfire

 

Thursday, August 9th

 

5:30 AM - 4:00 PM Silent Auction

8:00 AM to dark Hobo Memorial Wall (hobo shelter) a tribute to Steamtrain

in the hobo jungle (Queen's Drive fundraiser for new museum)

9:00 AM Hobo Museum & Gift Shop open daily through out convention

7:00 PM Official lighting of the Jungle Fire at Hobo Jungle

 

Friday, August 10th

 

Daylight to Dusk Hobo Memorial Wall (hobo shelter) a tribute to Steamtrain

in the jungle (Queen's Drive fundraiser for new museum)

9:00 AM Hobo Museum & Gift Shop Open

9:00 AM Hobo Memorial Service at Evergreen Cemetery

11:00 AM Hobo Art Gallery by Leanne Castillo - Municipal Building

2:00 PM Ladies Tea by Hobo Ladies at St. Patrick's Catholic Church Parish Hall

4:00 PM Poetry Reading at Hobo Jungle

7:00 PM Hobo Jungle Entertainment - Hobo Jungle

8:00 PM Terry Smith show @ West Hancock High School (Fundraiser for new

Hobo Museum)

 

Saturday, August 11th

 

Daylight to dark Hobo Memorial Wall (hobo shelter) a tribute to Steamtrain

in the hobo jungle (Queen's Drive fundraiser for new museum)

9:00 AM Hobo Museum & Gift Shop Open

10:00 AM Giant Parade

11:00 Am Hobo Art Gallery by Leanne Castillo - Municipal Building

12:00 PM Free Mulligan Stew in City Park

1:00 PM Hobo King and Queen coronation in City park followed by the Hobo

Auction in the Gazebo

7:00 PM Hobo Entertainment at Hobo Jungle

 

Sunday, August 12th

 

9:00 AM Hobo church at the jungle around the campfire

10:00 AM until finished Secure the Jungle (Clean it for litter and put items in

Shelter storage)

[Guest The Texas Madman]

Deep Lake Quarry Directions

 

Starting in Chicago take CSX either out of BARR Yd. or Clearing Yard thru C.C. at Garrett In., Willard Oh., into Cleveland Oh. - Collinwood Yd. Call 249-8140 for a ride to Peninsula Ohio where the gathering will take place, you could try to get close on NS to Cleveland, but not every train will stop at the Motor Yard behind the FORD Plant.

 

In Buffalo take CSX to Cleveland and call the same number, If in Pittsburgh take NS to Cleveland this will give you a chance to get off at the Motor Yard behind FORD in Northfield Park. That put you only 7 miles from the Peninsula Hobo Camp site for the event.

 

Deep lock Quarry

 

Join Metro Parks, Serving Summit County and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in celebrating the life of a hobo. On July 22, 2006 ride the train from Nothside Depot located at 27 Ridge St. Akron, OH 44308, to Deep Lock Quarry. There you will learn about the tradition and lifestyle of this noble culture. Hobos will be escorted off the

train by the railroad police and walk up the hill to the hobo jungle for refreshments and friendship. You will visit with some of the train hoppers and hear their stories and music. Come dressed as a hobo and bring a can of soup or vegetables. The train will then pick up the riders at 2:20 for a return trip to the Northside Depot. cost for the train is $15.00. Tickets may be purchased at CVSR in Peninsula or call: 800-468-4070 or email: http://www.cvsr.com to make

reservations.

 

Deep Lock Quarry, 5779 Riverview Rd., Peninsula (3/4 mile South of State Route 303, in Peninsula), has a rich cultural history which includes hobo jungles. Hobo jungles were a campsite, a place where the men and women of this often misunderstood people could get a cup of coffee, share food, feel safe in the friendship of other hobos,

and find out where they could hop the next freight. Visit our hobo jungle and enjoy the stories and music around the campfire. Deep Lock Quarry, (3/4 mile South of State Route 303, in Peninsula), has a rich cultural history from Indian trails, quarrying for sandstone during the Ohio & Erie Canal era, railroad loading on canal boats, to park preservation. Part of its rich history also included hobo jungles. Hobo jungles were a campsite, a place where the men and women of this often misunderstood people could get a cup of coffee and share food, feel safe in the friendship of other hobos, and find out where they could hop the next freight. Visit our jungle on July 22 & 23 and learn about the history and code of ethics of hobos. Enjoy stories and music around the campfire. Those dressed like a hobo will be eligible to be elected King and Queen of the DLQ jungle. In the hobo tradition, please bring a can of soup, meat, or vegetables for the pot.

[PudMiester]

mmm homestyle cooking

[princess_potatoe]

i would really like to meet some girl hoppers and find out what they do about "girl stuff" every month. do you know anything about that?

-random question.sorry.

[Guest The Texas Madman]

TAMPAX

[HighOnStress]

Just bring the things with you and use them as usual, i guess?

[Guest The Texas Madman]

Colt 45 Duche

[princess_potatoe]

bhah thankss guys.

[...BeerAd632...]

Stretch's gear. The puppy dog sleeping bag is Burl's winter bag.

 

 

 

 

22 oz. Estwing framing hammers---Best in the West!

 

 

...hehe...gReat chOice in haMMer... ESTWiNG brotha!!!

[PudMiester]

THE BEST MONEY CAN BUY

[KaBar2]

Princess Potato---

 

It's not like there are no stores whatsoever where tramps ride. My late ex-wife, Diana, and I travelled together hitch-hiking and trainhopping for months. We always managed a bath or a shower somewhere, either we met people who would let us get a shower at their place, or we rented a cheap motel or hotel room once in a while, stopped at a state or national park or we just found some private spot and bathed out of a 5-gallon bucket or in a stream. In the West, especially, we had often access to streams and rivers that were pretty much clear, cold water. Along the West Coast we often just went swimming in the surf.

 

Most female trainhoppers carry a supply of feminine hygiene products like pads or tampons. Disposing of them wasn't too difficult, just like other waste products: out the boxcar door and onto the ballast. When the monthly event arrived we would usually camp out for a few days in one spot, somewhere close to some amenities like a water spigot or someplace with a bathroom maybe. She always liked staying clean and spiffy, even when we were catching out. I might go a week or more without scrubbing up, but she usually managed a spit bath every day or so. Despite the austere conditions, Diana very rarely complained.

 

It's more or less like backpacking or camping out. There aren't any toilets out in the middle of a National Park, you know. Just find a nice secluded spot and dig yourself a cat-hole. A lot of today's trainhoppers carry something like Baby Wipes to keep clean. When I was grocery shopping the other day, I noticed a container of handi-wipe disposable disinfectant towels in the Kroger produce department, so I took a few and walked along having a "spit bath" as I shopped. It got rid of the worst of the grime I collected working on the hooch. It's really not all that difficult to stay pretty clean.

[Guest The Texas Madman]

ALMOST every town has a Y.M.C.A./Y.W.C.A. that you can buy a shower for between $3 to $8!

[Guest The Texas Madman]

But if it's summertime and you're in the woods or countryside most streams are clean and Fairly warm/refreshing!

[princess_potatoe]

wow thanks so much for all the info! i met some squatters a week ago downtown and just fell in love. such a crazy life it seems. i'd really love to try it one day. with the right people.

[Guest The Texas Madman]

BTW - An easy and quick way to wash-up after getting off a train and needing to go up-town with less grime on your face and hands is to carry a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some cotton balls with you. The alcohol and cotton balls will act like a washcloth and water and soap, and you'll air-dry, removes road-grime, and B.O. too! Just be careful about where you use them, some areas of your skin is TOO TENDER to use Rubbing Alcohol on!

 

Just don't try to drink the Rubbing Alcohol, more Hobos have gone blind drinking RUB-A-DUB!

[HighOnStress]

...hehe...gReat chOice in haMMer... ESTWiNG brotha!!!

 

I agree! I swing a 200z, but what can i say, I'm a skinny guy!

[PudMiester]

haha

[beetle.juice]

my question goes out to anyone who has a good idea about what's going on at the hobo get togethers in mississippi.

I'm from mississippi and have been reading up on all you can about trainhopping/squatting/free living/etc.etc.

1.I've read on some places that the two festivals will take place back to back, and on others that one or the other is cancelled. i would like to know which one or both will be taking place.

2. I'm also wondering which will be the best or if either will be a good place for a couple of younger kids to come and learn and hopefully meet some experienced traveler. i've noticed in most pictures that it is an older crowd and i'm not sure how friendly or excited they would be for some un-experienced kids to come and listen and sit around with them. perhaps i'm just missing the pictures that show the other masses of people but from what i understand these are public events that at night turn into more of a strictly hobo get-togethers.

Please let me know if i'm wrong and what the real deal on these gatherings is.

p.s. i would like to catch out from one of these and end up at the casey jones festival in tennessee. i'm not sure how open these vets my be to the idea of taking and teaching some others about the rails. but then again i know they don't want a bunch of un-knowing kids trying to hop the rails the wrong way either.

thanks.

-beetlejuice.

[PudMiester]

i second that beetle