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Hobo Journal
Sandburg's 1897 Travel Locations and Jobs
 Left Galesburg
last week in June, 1897, by rail to Ft. Madision
Boarded a
small steam-boat to Keokuk, paid passage by unloading kegs of nails
In
Keokuk, blacked stoves and cooked meals
Rode in a
boxcar to Bean Lake Missouri, where he worked in a railroad section
gang
Took a freight
train to Kansas City, worked as a dishwasher
Jumped on
a freight train to Emporia
In Hutchinson,
Kansas, sawed some wood for a lump
Rode a freight
train to Lindsborg, Kansas, worked as a farm hand
In Larned,
Kansas, visited sections of land formerly owned by his father, worked
as a carpenter and wheat thrasher
In Lakin,
Kansas, worked on threshing crew
Took a passenger
train to Rocky Ford, Colorado, enjoyed the Melon Day celebration
Picked pears
in Canyon City, Colorado
Stayed in
Salida for two days
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Rode the
bumpers to Denver, Colorado, almost
died by falling off the train when he fell asleep
Washed dishes
at the Winsor Hotel in Denver
Took a train
to McCook, Nebraska, and was told, "We don't want the likes of you in
this town. You get back on that train."
Stopped
in a hobo jungle for three days in Nebraska
Rode a freight
train to Nebraska City, chopped wood and picked apples
In Omaha
washed dishes at the Hotel Mercer for $1.50 a week
Bought a
train ticket to Council Bluffs and finished his journey back to his
hometown of Galesburg
I walked along Berrin Street 'til I came to the only
house in the United States where I could open a door without knocking
and walk in for a kiss from the woman of the house.
Carl Sandburg
Always the Young Strangers
(1953)
Sandburg, Carl. Always
the Yourng Strangers, Harcourt Brace & World, New York. ©1952
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