Child Laborers in the Early Child Laborers in the Early 19001900’’ss

Photos from: Photos from: http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/childlabor/

Young child laborers Young child laborers in the early 1900sin the early 1900s

A view of the spinning room A view of the spinning room

These boys were 11 years old and had been working at These boys were 11 years old and had been working at the mills for one year already. They were asked to climb the mills for one year already. They were asked to climb

up and fix the threads.up and fix the threads.

One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mill. She was 51 inches high and has been in the mill one year. One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mill. She was 51 inches high and has been in the mill one year. Sometimes she works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she Sometimes she works at night. Runs 4 sides - 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she

hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but hesitated, then said, "I don't remember," then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same." Out of 50 employees, there were ten children about her size. Whitnel, N.C.do just the same." Out of 50 employees, there were ten children about her size. Whitnel, N.C.

““NewsiesNewsies”” Often as young as 10 years old, Often as young as 10 years old,

often worked until 10 at night.often worked until 10 at night.

Tony Casale, age 11, has been selling 4 years. He sometimes sells until 10 p.m. His Tony Casale, age 11, has been selling 4 years. He sometimes sells until 10 p.m. His boss at the paper told me the boy had shown him the marks on his arm where boss at the paper told me the boy had shown him the marks on his arm where

his father had bitten him for not selling more papers. his father had bitten him for not selling more papers. He (the boy) said, "Drunken men say bad words to us." Hartford, Conn.He (the boy) said, "Drunken men say bad words to us." Hartford, Conn.

Miners after a long days workMiners after a long days work

View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. The View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Company. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust

penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or

kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa.kicking them into obedience. S. Pittston, Pa.

The Breaker boys, The Breaker boys, some as young as age 7.some as young as age 7.

Boys working in a glass factoryBoys working in a glass factory

Young boys in a cigar factory, most of the Young boys in a cigar factory, most of the youngsters began smoking as youngsters began smoking as

early as 9 years old.early as 9 years old.

Seafood factory workers, began work as early Seafood factory workers, began work as early as 3:30 am and went until 5 p.m.as 3:30 am and went until 5 p.m.

After 9 p.m., 7 year old Tommie Nooman demonstrating the advantages of the Ideal necktieAfter 9 p.m., 7 year old Tommie Nooman demonstrating the advantages of the Ideal necktie Form in Form in

a store window on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. His father said, "He is the youngest a store window on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. His father said, "He is the youngest demonstrator in America. Has been doing it for several years from San Francisco, to New York. We demonstrator in America. Has been doing it for several years from San Francisco, to New York. We

stay a month or six weeks in a place. He works at it off and on." stay a month or six weeks in a place. He works at it off and on." Remarks from the by-standers were not having the best effect on Tommie.Remarks from the by-standers were not having the best effect on Tommie.

Workers picking nuts in a dirty New York City basement . TheWorkers picking nuts in a dirty New York City basement . The dirtiest dirtiest

imaginable children were pawing over the nuts eating lunch on the table. imaginable children were pawing over the nuts eating lunch on the table. Mother had a cold and blew her nose frequently (without washing her hands) Mother had a cold and blew her nose frequently (without washing her hands)

and the dirty handkerchiefs reposed comfortably on table close to the nuts and and the dirty handkerchiefs reposed comfortably on table close to the nuts and nut meats. The father picks as well. nut meats. The father picks as well.