Browse Items (444 total)

Hobo signatures

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List of signatures from well-known hoboes in the community. List most likely came from the 1984 Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Names listed from left to right: Hafey “the Bo”, Steam Train Maury, Rambling Rudy, Larry Mierhoff- Gas Can Paddy, Texas…

"A Conversation with Mountain Dew" transcript

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Transcription of interview on the life of Mountain Dew. Most likely an oral history transcription. Location of audio unknown.

"Hard traveling gents of the road" magazine article

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Image of hoboes standing and sitting the freight car at the 1981 Hobo Convention in Britt. Front row: The Shadow, Arkansas Traveler, Virginia Slim. Back row: Portland Gray, Slo Motion Shorty, Frypan Jack.

Letter written to Mountain Dew

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Letter sent to Mountain Dew written by Will Hoover. Discussion over an article written about Britt possibly published by the Des Moines Register and Tribune. Good luck coin sent to Mountain Dew

Tramp art newspaper article

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Newspaper article published on the significance of tramp art highly sought after by collectors.

Photo of "Steamtrain Maury" from newspaper

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Photo of Steamtrain Maury freight hopping. Description states "bindle on his back, Steamtrain Graham waits for the train to leave Toledo, Ohio."

"Bums' rush to Britt nears extinction" newspaper article

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Article on the decline in attendance at the Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Quotes from Steamtrain Maury.

"Bumming out in Britt, Iowa" newspaper article

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Feature of Steamtrain Maury in newspaper article that discusses the significance of the Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa.

Photo of early arrivals at the 1986 Hobo Convention

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Photo from newspaper article published by the Britt Tribune featuring hoboes at the 1986 convention in Britt, Iowa. Front Row – Arkansas Traveler, Frisco Jack. Back Row- Cardboard, Red XXXX, Steamtrain Maury. Please note: order of names listed under…

The Last American Romantic article

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Magazine article featuring early arrivals at the 1979 hobo convention in Britt. History of hoboing in America and history of the Britt convention. Feature of Steamtrain Maury and many other popular hoboes of the time.