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Link to Books, CDs & Cassettes
by " The Hobo Minstrels "

Use this link for information about "The Hobo Minstrel's" (Fran's) book,
"The American Hoboes".

Use this one for information about "The Hobo Minstrel's" (Fran's) CDs and cassettes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"New Cds"
(2/3/2005)

  Yes, I now have my recordings of Hobo songs, poetry and history on CDs.  The price for the two CD set is $15.00, including postage, in the continental U.S.  Click here on, Hobo Song CDs, to get full details about this and my other available CDs. Thank you for your attention.  I am

    I get so many requests for the words to old songs and poems I thought I'd add one, or two, at a time to the site.  As some are quite lengthy they're a bit much for the Grapevine page so I've added another page to present them.  These, mostly, old pieces will be replaced periodically, by our Senior Culture and Arts Editor, using a scientific method to determine the length of time each should be displayed.  To enjoy the current "Artistic Selection" click on the title, below.  Anyone having specific requests may ask for them by emailing our "Senior Culture and Arts Editor" at;      cultural arts
 
 

Hi Fran,

    Just wanted to put the rumor that Redbird had caught the westbound to an end. I spent an enjoyable evening with Redbird, Shorty and Maggie at the Hob Nob in Britt last night. I can assure you he is alive and doing well.  Special thanks to Shorty and Maggie for putting me up for the night. It allowed me a good night sleep without the worry of being harassed by any of Britt's finest. Also, sorry to have missed Stretch, Burlington and Oops. I hear they had been there in Britt but departed shortly before my arrival. I wish them good traveling.

        Good news.  I got an email from oops this morning.  He's back on the road, after a brief time of trying to lead a normal (?) life and seems to be doing fine.  He wrote from Ames where he's visiting a friend and his next stop will be Mason city  Welcome back oops.  Keep travelling, enjoying life and have a beer for me.

    Legendary hobo Bear Grease has caught the west bound according to John T. Davis, who made a documentary about him simply titled "Hobo." Bear Grease was a  Washington pig farmer who also worked the ship yards and was a traveling partner  of Seattle Slim. They attended the National Hobo Convention in the late 80's and  Bear Grease was a regular at Road Hog's Dunsmuir Hobo gatherings in the early  90's. This information was passed to me by Shawn Lukitsch, who created and  toured the Hobo Film Festival last year. See attached photo I took  of him.

    Present Hobo Queen, Ccnnecticut Tootsie, and I have been trying to get some information about Frisco Jack but haven't been having much luck.  I haven't seen Frisco since the last time he attend the gathering at Pennsburg.  Jack, I think would probably be in his late nineties now and we have no idea if he is still with us or, sadly, if he caught the Westbound and nobody notified the Hobo Community.

    If anyone has any information they can email me at;    Fran or  Tootsie at;  Queen Tootsie

    Last night I received an email letter from Frog. Now, Frog is a bit more modern than Redbird Express.  He will email even though it seems, at times, that he also prefers to use snail mail.  "Anyway", (oh cripes) again, because of my fumble fingered typing, I'm posting his letter almost verbatim.  (How about that for a big wurd.)  I'll change the colors of the various items to make it a little easier for Y'all but that's the best I can do today.  HEY, don't blame me.  My doctors tell me I'm getting old.
 
 

Hey Fran,

    I think sometimes I suffer from that thing they call Old Zeimers or is it old timers disease. I have to write myself notes constantly so in my house I have note pads and pens at every turn in any given room. Now it's finding all those scribbled notes and getting things done about them.  Even if we had caught one another unexpectedly on the phone I never would of found all my notes to update you on what I know that's gone on that you've not gotten word from me about. Here goes.

    Last month I spoke to Collinwood Kid as he was riding freight right through Helena unbeknown to him until too late as he thought he was in Butte, Mt. He ended up in Missoula, MT. before he realized he had in fact been in Helena. Oh well I'll catch up to him in Britt as I know he is now back in East Cleveland, Oh.

    Then came the arrival of Casey Marie she is the daughter of Dog Man Tony who spent 8 nights and 9 days here with me. She and her boyfriend had traveled by freight from Eugene, Or. aiming for Rochester, MN. to visit her Dad as he had just been released from a hospital there suffering with Colon Ulcers.  Benign as they may be I'm sure still very painful.

    In the time Casey Marie was visiting I was speaking at a Homeless symposium addressing issues on Homelessness here in Montana. I spent half a day there plus it was rewarding in some aspects to see so many people involved in the State in attempting to end Homelessness in the great state of Montana.

    A few days later as I was leaving the homeless shelter where I am the consumer advocate on Homeless Health care I was approached by 2 women who presented me with a beautiful belt buckle with the words Get Er Done on it, which was a paraphrase I used 2 years ago in a speech I delivered at another homeless event here in Helena.   I've decided to have it mounted on a plaque with a stand for any future homeless event I am invited to speak at to remind local agencies to listen to the people and just Get Er Done.

    Shortly after all these things happened I got a package from Dante Fucwha with a postcard attached to the package telling me he is to have a Candlelight vigil at the ranch this 4th of July to commemorate the brothers and sisters that have died there in recent years or who were a big part of the ranch in it's 18-19 ? year history.

    Then came your e-mail yesterday with the attachment from Ramblin Rose in reference to Crazy Lady Linda's Mom passing away. I've since spoken to Linda who informed me that her Mom was killed in a car accident. We only spoke for about 10 minutes but she was really distraught over the entire set of events and she was being rushed to end our phone conversation as she and the remaining members of her family were heading to the funeral home to pay their final respects before their Mother was to be cremated. I've not heard any more from her since so I will try and contact her again this morning.

    I then read on Mama Jo's Hobo History page that Hobo Queen Connecticut Tootsie is now also "Nonna", Italian for Grandmother, and Tarp-man a Grandfather. I don't know how to say Grandpa in Italian. Daughter Cara Marie gave birth to the first Grandchild of the DeYoung's. Congratulations are in order there. That's about all I know. So I'll stop here so I can get my day going.

    Kindly remember Crazy Lady Linda today and in the days to come as she is really struggling through this whole ordeal. She is currently in Wisconsin which is where the family lives but if you want to send a sympathy card or just a note to Linda send it to her home address which is Linda Kerrigan  P.O. Box 2107  Granby, CO. 80446
I'll try to remember to keep you posted on what I know I'll talk to you soon Fran.

    I remain your friend for life from the Rocky Mountains of Montana. Later Buddy,

    I received a note that Lady  Linda  recently lost her mother in an automobole accident.  I have no other information, at this time, but I'll post anything I get.  Linda's friend's phone number, where you can leave a message, is

Hi fran,

    haven't gotten back to you since Rochelle but i had a great time and as far as more details go, we did have 2 more dubbings that sat eve during the fire lighting which redbird always did a fine job of. Thanks to queen Sunrise who helped me with these dubbs and Mick the Stick's son mike now has the hobo title of Gandy dancer which he did for a wile and my freind and train riding partner jump off john now has the title of "knight of the road" and took his first train ride from Amory MS to Chicago where he was running out of time and skin on his feet due to blisters so he headed back to Milwaukee on Amtrak where his dad met his train for a ride home.

         NOW" since Rochelle i've been hanging around the CP yard taking photo's and killing time for the 25th anual fat tire tour of milwaukee which is 25 mile tour around the miller brewery and a bunch of other smaller breweries and famous bars. All together about 300 bikes came down the famous art trail along the CP mainline and hobo camps along the way and was also on there list of stop overs to visit the current hobo king and pal burlington. I'ts a sight to see and jump off john had a DVD made up in HD about or around a hour long. If you did a google search of FTTM (fat tire tour Milwaukee) a bunch of stuff will come up.

          Also john did make about a hour long DVD of Rochelle RR Days/hobo gathering if anyone is intrested, contact him or me so we can bring some to deep lock quary. I am again back at john's house till fri when we take a little road trip to Cassvile WI (Stonefeild village) to drop in and make sure the dates are correct fot the weekend after Britt, then i'll leave john someplace down the line and head into Iowa for a spell till OH and mabee into Britt if i got the time but more than likely Clinton IA where i can get a easy ride into Chicago to meet john to go to OH in july. Altho here in Pewaukee WI the last weekend in june is having their beach party (GIRLS,beer intertainment ect) which has got me thinking but no dogs alowed on the beach which leave burl out so he would have to stay at the house.

           Well i guess thats it for now so we'll see you down the road.

    I attended a wonderful wedding yesterday in a beautiful apple orchard up here in the wilds of New Hampshire.  "So what ", you say?  Well it was a bit special because it was the wedding of one of my granddaughters.  We worry, sometimes, when our children, or grandchildren are getting married whether or not their getting a good partner but I've got to say that I have no worries about Anthony.  Heck no, he's a Bruins hockey fan.

    For those of you who may have the wrong idea of what kind of person I am, I did behave myself at the wedding and even made sure that Anthony had a copy of my phone number so that he could call me in case he needed any advice or instructions on their honeymoon.  Yes, I believe that we (slightly) older folk owe it to the younger ones to give them the benefit of any knowledge we may have gained over the years.  If any of you wish to help them with any further advice and instructions you can email it to Anthony and he can read it, "IF" he survives the honeymoon.

Hello, my dear Fran.

Here I am, just back from Rochelle RR Days. We had a good time together and had a nice crowd. Baloney Kid performed on Friday and Saturday; I performed on Sunday. Redbird Express lit the official fire and explained the importance of the fire in the hobo jungles. Ross let me drive the kiddie train on Saturday which was fun. The Union Pacific parked four of their Heritage engines just east of the Rochelle Depot. On display were the Chicago Northwestern, the Western Pacific, the Southern Pacific and MoPac. It was nice of UP to provided these engines for people to see. Lots of pictures were taken.

We performed two dubbings on Saturday night, but I'll let King Stretch fill in the details. On Sunday, Redbird and I dubbed Ross, the organizer of RR Days, "Ross the Boss." He was deeply honored and he hopes to make it to Britt this summer. He told me he realizes how special the hobo family is to each other and how we care for and about each other. He really did a nice job with the weekend and will be working with the hobos to make 2010 even better. It was great to have King Stretch, Grandpa Dudley, M.A.D. Mary, Baloney Kid and Ladybug, Mick the Stick and his son, Michael, Jump Off John, Birdman, Cookin Mama,Milwaukee Mike and Doris Do Rite at Rochelle. I missed the others, but I'm glad that they came as well. (Forgive me if I missed anyone--someone has an official list)

As for me, I hope to hit the road for a bit before Britt. I've been cooped up in my office all winter and spring and as soon as we move our Rockford office to our new location in July, I need to get gone. I had a nice visit with Max Freedom on his way back from Amory. It was good to see Redbird at Rochelle and to spend some time catching up. I've had several fun conversations with Queen CT Tootsie and she's kept me updated on the hobo family. I send all of my love to you and the hobo family and I keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Fran,

    I was directed to communicate with you by the Hobo Museum.  They indicated you may be able to assist me in gathering information for a project I am working on.  From the evidence I have gathered from Grandmother, my Great Grandfather was a Hobo. She advised that he left when she was young but would occasionally send letters and small amounts of money back home. Per the last letter she received he said he was heading to a place called Comstock, which seems to be in Indiana. The postmark was 1937. This was the last anyone heard from him.  I have attempted to search in town records to locate this city or record of it's existence, without success. I believe this may have been an unincorporated town or perhaps a slang term for another location.

    I was wondering if you may be able to post this question in the off chance that someone has heard of this place and we might be able to find out what happened to him, or at least where he ended up.

   Our lovely Hobo Queen, Connecticut Tootsie, sent me the following note and link to The Crawford County Post which has a great write up, and photo's of the recent Bucyrus Hobo Day celebration.  Tootsie apologizes for being so slow sending it in but it seems she has so much happening these days with her family and her queenly duties that, at times, she's udderly confused.

Dear Hobo Family,

It’s hard to believe that the Bucyrus gathering was two weeks ago, however, I thought I’d send along an update. Though a small gathering, it seemed to pull the entire weekend together. With the first American hobo often recognized as a soldier returning from the Civil War, all came full circle with the bell from Lincoln’s funeral train on display at Bucyrus. Jim “old Crow” Croneis and staff were the best of hosts, and I thank Old Crow for the photos he posted earlier on Fran’s site.

My trip out and back was uneventful, though the battery to my earpiece croaked and prevented me from calling members of the hobo family while in transit…my way of staying in touch with the hobo family and staying awake on long drives.

Grandpa, M.A.D. Mary, Jack Who, Big Skip, Mick the Stick, and Bro were all there with me. It was good to see them and all looked great. I took along samples of hobo and tramp art to show those who visited with us. Most guests never realized that the hobos had a hand in American folk art.

The Memorial Day weekend ended with a concert at the Roxbury Bandshell in Johnstown, PA. It was built in 1939 as a tribute to the strength of the Johnstown people and their determination to survive the Great Depression. My dad, Carmel Coco, played there in the first ever concert as a young, yet accomplished bassoonist in 1939. Two weeks ago, Dad and I sat together during the concert when members of the 54th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and Civilians, a Civil War re-enactment group, walked past us.

Of course, being the inquiring mind that I am, I sought out their encampment where I shared stories of the first American hobo with them, and they told me something I never gave thought to…Johnstown, PA was important to the Civil War both for its brave soldiers and steel mills. Everything came full circle that weekend.

Next stop for this queen is Green Bay, Wisconsin, where I’ve been invited to attend the screening of “Westbound” the documentary of Great Grand Duke Hobo Whittler’s life. The documentary is complete and they hope to share it with us in Britt this year. I’ll post an update when I return. After that, I’m off to the Deep Lock Quarry Gathering. For those attending Rochelle, give King Stretch and Burlington a hug for me and have a grand time.

    This article has some great pictures but, alack and alas, when you have an old computer, and use dial up as I do,  it loads a bit slow but it's well worth taking the time.  I don't know who their photographer is but, believe it or not, whoever it was, even made (old) Hobo King Grandpa Dudley look good.  Of course he was with Queen M.A.D Mary which made the picture immeasurably better.  I tried to copy that picture, and one of Queen Tootsie ringing the Lincoln Bell, so I could post them here but I just couldn't manage it so use the link to see them.

    Thanks to the Crawford County Post, their photographer, and their writer for the wonderful coverage.
 
 

    Ok, Dan has a new computer.  It may take him a while to get used to it and learn how to do everything but he can receive email and even if he should have problems with it someone will help him out.  His email address is    danvilledan@yahoo.com  and I know he'd like to hear from some of his friends.  If we can get him started doing email that will give him something to do besides sitting around eating popcorn.

    Rita is still helping him out and I'm sure she'll call up his email until he gets used to it himself.  Remember, old Hoboes ain't dum.  We just seem that way, - - - - - - - - - sometimes.

Hello Hobo Family,

You will be amazed to watch this video of the largest miniature railroad set-up in Hamburg, Germany.  It is fantastic and unbelievable.  It covers 16,146 square feet of space with more than 10,000 train cars running around its 6.8 miles of HO scale track.

Its construction started in 2000, and is still underway, with a tiny airport due for completion by the end of the year.  This is just the beginning---there are plans to double the layout by 2014.

The note with the video stated it has been visited by over 5 million flabbergasted tourists.

Have your sound on for the narration of the video.  Enjoy!

    Greenie, he has not left us in spirit, fer instance, last nite ELAINE, and I stopped at Sadlers Truck Stop in Emporia, Va, to sleep & park for the night, we stopped early, 5pm, and as we were cooking and resting the evening air carried the sound of train horns, we had just been talking about  Greenie and the good times we had with him, esp, when we travelled in this truck to several Hobo gatherings. We heard the  horns a few times while there, it is, in my book, Greenie saying c u down the road, and I know we will!

    Yesterday, 5/27/2009, was their 48th wedding anniversary.  It would be nice if all marriages could be as long and as great but, sadly, all couples are not as wonderful as Dennis and Jo.  I'll be very happy if I can post it when they hit their fiftieth, or their seventy fifth, but Mama Jo may work Santa into a frenzy before then, with their moving chores, and he may dump her for one of those bikini clad beauties in Florida..

    It wouldn't be nice to mention their ages so I'll just say that Mama Jo calls me son and I'm seventy nine.

    Here's the latest about Rapid T:  He was arrested at the University of S. Maine Gorham Library on 05/01/09.

            Disruptive Person: Complaint received that the male subject who has been bothering the library staff and students is in the Gorham Library. Officers responded and located the subject. When spoken to the subject grabbed one of the police officers and pulled him forward. The officers wrestled the subject to the ground and had to use pepper spray to subdue the subject in order to handcuff him. ARREST - Raymond Tylicki 37, a transient for Assault and Failure to Submit to Arrest or Detention. Subject transported to the police station to wash off the pepper spray, then transported to Cumberland County Jail. He was served a Criminal Trespass Notice which he refused to sign.

    I spoke with Hobo Queen Connecticut Tootsie yesterday whle she was returning home from the Bucyrus Hobo Day.  She couldn't talk long because, for some reason, she was busy dodging various law enforcement officers.  (I won't even speculate on that.)  (Could have been because of some of the folk she associated with in Bucyrus.)

    Anyway she said the day was a success and even though there weren't many Boes there they all had a great time with the local folk.

    I got several pictures from Jim Croneis this morning, via email, but because of space restraints, and slow loading if I post too many, I'm only going to show a couple.

    Thank you Jim.

HI FRAN HAPPY HOLIDAY

    MY Email HAS CHANGED WOULD YOU PLEASE POST IT FOR ME hobodh@knology.net -my phone #'s are the same only email change made would like to hear from some of the bo's

    Sidetrack Chris is getting mild Alchemies and taking med. For it

    We sent frog get well cards as we do any one who needs some encourage mint

    For some time now I've been thinking of selling up this old house with it's eight rooms and an acre of grass to cut.  My reasoning was that, now that I'm over forty, it was all getting to be a bit much to take care of..  Well, after getting this note about what a couple of our (ahem) "slightly, older (?)" Hobo friends are going through I've come to the conclusion that I'd be better off just to stay right here.  If I ever decide to go  the kids can just plant me by the stone wall in the west half acre and they can clean the damned place out.  Does that make me a poor parent?  Hey, why change at this late date?

Hello Fran,

Sunday, April 14, 1935, started as a clear day in Guymon, Oklahoma.  The temperature was in the upper eighties, and the citizens, in their fourth year of drought, went to the Methodist Church for a "rain service".  The congregation packed the church and lifted prayers seeking divine intervention for moisture, the minister said that "good rains within three weeks means a harvest; God rules all, and our last resort is prayer."  By late afternoon the skies were darkened, but not by rain clouds, instead, the worst of the black blizzard hit Guymon - Dust Bowl.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 started as a beautiful day in the temperatures of low eighties.  A different type of dust bowl hit Blue Springs, Missouri.  It was most unusual and the people of "The Parks" subdivision were shocked at such a dust storm striking there area.  The owners of 2221 SW Fleming Drive were amazed how much dust and spider webs could be collected in one garage.  It is only May but seemed like a haunted house in October.  The folks at this residence had to empty all the shelves and vacuum and sweep the concrete floors and take the broom to the high corners to rid of pesky spider webs.  It was unbelievable the shocking spider webs hid behind the hundreds of boxes filled with "stuff".  After the cleaning of the "garage dust bowl" then the next plan was put in operation opening boxes after boxes and sorting to put on the shelves for a "huge" garage sale.  The saga of this story is I was covered from head to foot with dust and all my muscles and body ached from lifting, bending, moving and sorting boxes.   Prayer, yes prayer has been put in motion for the last several weeks to give the folks at 2221 SW Fleming Drive the strength of mind and body, emotional power to let go of "stuff", and to have people come in flocks to buy at the garage sales, Craig's list, and final tag estate sale.

I have heard ladies pay big money to get a "mud facial"  or "mud bath".  Let me tell you if they would have come to 2221 SW Fleming Drive and worked with me in the garage and had the sweat running down their face they would have felt they were getting a "Ozark mud facial" and it is free for the taking...hee hee

A combination of one Tramadol HCL 50mg Tab and one Ibuprofen 800MG Tab helped take care of the tremendous muscle aches and pains but made me almost loopy as in outer space and could care less.  Praise the Lord for pain medication.

    This year the Hobo Museum will be Celebrating 20 Years. And to Honor this event the Hobo Foundation will be serving ice cream treats and free tours of the museum on Sunday August 2 from 3p.m. to 4p.m.

   As everyone knows the Hobo Foundation was started by, Feather River John, Hood River Blackie and Steamtrain Maury. These three men started something that has grown over the years.  The Hobo Museum has grown from a small box of artifacts to a beautiful museum. Many people had a part in this over the years such as, Bob Horstman, Ted and Dorothy Runyan, Marion Malek, Adman, Rod Sykora, Willie Kline, Greg Tangeman, Roger Ewing, Gary Laabs and Gypsy Moon.

    Present day, Denny Brumm, Adman, Rod Sykora, Mary Jo Hughes, Cindy Noble, Ct. Shorty, Frank Kelley and myself are still working to keep the museum going and with the help of some very special people from ISU the artifacts are being scanned and displayed in the proper way. So hats off to the Hobo Museum for a Grand 20 Years and to everyone who helped thru the years.

    A Big Thank You to The Hancock County Foundation for the Grant of $950.00. This grant is for the purchase of a computer and  equipment for the Hobo Museum. Thank You.

    Here's a photo of Tootsie and Stretch sent by Jump Off John. ( Jim Reeves)  He doesn't say where or when it was taken but I surmise it must have been recent and maybe even at Amory this year.  I sure wouldn't ever pick on our Hoho King "BUT" this picture could be entitled "Beauty and the Beast' and Tootsie is certainly not, by any stretch of the immagination, the beast

Hi Fran

I left home on Sunday, April 12 for my big trip to Amory. I moseyed down there. In fact, I had laid out my plan to get there in great detail. It involved following a lot of two lane roads thru Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. I stopped to sleep somewhere in TN that nite, but I wasn't able to doze off, and I finally fired the old truck up and drove on. I finally rolled into Amory somewhere around noon Monday. Breakfast at the Amory Café the next morning - something that was repeated every day in Amory. Make a note…don’t order two pancakes in the Amory café! Those suckers are huge! They're about ½” thick, and they hang about ½” off the plate all the way around. Now, I'm somewhat of a big eater, but I only got around about 1½ of a pancake. Not to worry - Stretch finished it for me. The rest of the week, I ordered pancakes one at a time. And, if you're wondering, the Café is a good place to eat at any time…and I know my food.

This year, I stayed out of the RR yards, and so I avoided a stern reprimand from the Police Chief like the one I picked up a few years ago. Fact is, the Police were decent to us all week, and we hardly knew they were around. One day Grandpa Dudley and I made our way to the Amory Museum. It’s worth the trip when you’re in town. Grandpa Dudley and I enjoyed it, and we recommend it to any visitors. On Sunday, I decided to wash a load of clothes. That was a disaster.

I went to the Laundromat down by the railroad overpass. I put my clothes in the machine, started it, and the I found out that there was no hot water. Then I found out that there was no soap in the dispensers. By then my clothes were wet, so I had to wait out the cycle and THEN dry ‘em. But the best part....I washed AND dried my cellphone! So, I won't be talkin to you or anyone else 'till I get to Defiance and replace it.

 The next day I went to the Laundromat down by Wal-mart. It was kinda grubby, but at least I got my clothes clean.

The festivities went off without a hitch. We mostly just sat around the fire, talking to anyone who stopped to see what a late-model hobo looked like. AND…we ate…and ate….and ate…. Most of the churches in Amory set up a food stand, and they’re all good - god forbid any Good Ole Southern church woman from presenting food that ain’t mouth watering to the public! Only complaint that I had was a seeming shortage of catfish - and eatin’ catfish is about half the reason that I go to that festival. Finally Redbird found a good catfish at the last booth in line - a black southern Baptist Church. The Pastor there was so good that he ALMOST coulda talked me into his church. Not to worry, though, no lightning strikes or similar vengence was poured upon our kind host.

That Monday, I fired the old Ford up and had a leisurley drive up to Water Valley. I stopped at a junk store, and I then pulled down a side street just to see what was down there…and there sat a switch engine at the Werehauser plant that I had photographed years before - same shed, same track, same locomotive! I had forgotten that this was where I took the photo!

Driving North, I got into Water Valley late that afternoon. I spent a couple of days there. Jack Gurner, the museum operator, graciously allowed me to bunk out in the old reefer car they have. In case you’ve never spent the night in an old ice-cooled reefer car, there ain’t a better place to sleep in this world. It’s steady in temperature - cool during the day, warm at night, and QUIET!!! There were about five of us that made the trip, but the rest of them slept in their vehicles. We all had a good time, going to the Diner for breakfast and catching supper in the evening in the museum office. We walked up to the Turnage Drug Store one afternoon. The lady in the store was admiring my shirt that had a picture of a locomotive on the front. “Well, here”, I said, and I peeled it off and gave it to her….I have another at home, anyway. She walked me back into the store and proceeded to give me a VERY nice shirt from the Turnage Drug Store!

There were no activities planned, so I pulled out Thursday. I went up to Oxford and went eastbound until I hit 45, and then I drove north to Corinth Mississippi. That’s where I’d slept in the caboose some years ago. I found the museum, and after a long talk with the manager (new people), I was granted permission to sleep in the caboose. On my way to supper, I stopped and visited with my ole buddy Saint Patrick. When I’d stayed there before, in the morning while I was sitting on the steps of the caboose he came in to redo the upholstery. “What you doing here???” he’d asked me. He then took me down to the museum office, where I calmed everyone down, and got permission to sleep in there another night. This year, Patrick seemed a lot happier to see me, and I was glad to see him doing very well and a hundred pounds lighter. I had supper, looked around town a little, then back to the caboose to sleep as well as I could with KCS trains running right by the west and NS trains to my north.

In the morning I drove over to Abe’s Diner. I’d eaten there my last trip, and I’d bragged on his buckwheat pancakes often. When I plopped down at the counter, that’s what I ordered….and Abe said “We don’t have buckwheat pancakes”. “Oh“, sez I…“you don’t have ‘em anymore?” “Never did” sez Abe. Go figure. The breakfast was good, but I’d been planning on Buckwheat Pancakes. Such is life on the road. Now I’ll NEVER find those Buckwheat Pancakes!

Leaving Corinth, I ran north along country roads until I came to I-40. Some of those roads wound around so had I was sure I was gonna meet myself. I finally came up onto I-40. There I decided to hit the big road and make some time. Pulling onto the ramp down to the expressway, I saw a hitchhiker, so I stopped to give him a ride. He threw his bags into the back of my truck, and climbed into the cab - carrying his chiwawa Heinz 57 pup! His name was G-dog and his dog was something else, and he said that he’d come over from Nashville a couple of weeks ago for some work, the job had ended, and he’d been sittin on that ramp for three days trying to get a ride. He was damned grateful that I’d picked him up! G-dog and his puppy kept me company until their stop just outside of Nashville. Him and his dog got out there. I navigated thru Nashville with no trouble (for once) and came north on I-65.

Partway up, I drove off the Interstate and got onto 31W, which parallels the interstate. I stopped at a nondescript little diner and had lunch. Then I pulled out onto the expressway and put the hammer down. I was home by 9:00.

So, my old Ford truck ran flawlessly, I ate well, and I saw a lot of interesting country. It was a good trip.

    By gosh I sure was glad to get thie note from Tom.  If you pay close atention to what he writ you'll see that he did pretty good considering he was so far from the Ohio corn fields.  This is probably due to the trip he took to New England last summer where he got a chance to further his education and see how real people live and act.  Notice he didn't mention getting lost on the road even once.  (of course he may have just neglected to mention that)  Anyway, it's nice to know that Tom got away from the corn fields for a while and it must have been a pleasant time for him riding in his truck and not having the crows pecking at his scalp.  (Notice, I didn't say pecking in his hair.)  One thing I do question in his account.    "The Pastor there was so good that he ALMOST coulda talked me into his church."
What was that old saying about "When Hell freezeth over?".

Amory or Bust!...that was my queenly goal last week at this time. It’s hard to believe that I’ve already been and done. I arrived in Amory on Tuesday, April 14 and departed on Friday, June 17. My trip was planned around our daughter’s official homecoming from a 400-day tour of duty in Iraq. Though my stay lasted only three days, it was a grand time.

Ms. Charlotte, our 2006-07 National Hobo Queen, was most gracious. For all there, it was bittersweet as we missed the company of Loco Larry. At the request of Charlotte, the hobo family traveled to Larry’s gravesite where in a circle of brotherhood and goodwill we held a hobo memorial service.

Other events included a church service, luncheon, and many impromptu moments for sharing hobo history, lore, and storytelling. In the town parade, King Stretch and I sat on a royal seat atop 1920’s truck. A turkey dinner in honor of Ms. Charlotte’s birthday was held in the hobo jungle, after which Redbird led us in the official lighting of the jungle fire.

Surely there is so much more tucked between the lines – the laughter, the care and concern for each other, the solemn moments that come with thinking about a ‘bo who caught the westbound, and even silliness born of sheer exhaustion. Thanks to Cookin’ Mama, the names of hobos in attendance have already been posted. Thank you to the hobos who did gather in Amory…it was so good to see you. In numbers, it may have been a relatively small gathering compared to years gone by, but you were ALL there in mind and heart from beginning to end.

Good morning ,

    Hope this fine day finds you chasing those co-eds? As of this morning the Hobo list is as follows,

Cookin'Mama, King Red Bird, Virginia Slim and Kathy, King Stretch and Burlington, Jump off John, Ohio Tom, Queen M.A.D. Mary and King Grandpa, Queen Connecticut Tootsie, SLC and Anna, Max Freedom.

    I think that is it, God I hope I didn't leave anyone out, will do another head count tonight and see who shows up for supper. You know the Bo's if they smell free food here they all come!  Take care dear friend and will talk with you later,

    Also visiting Amory;  Freedom Green, Milwaukee Mike, Doris Do Rite, Queen Mama Jo, Hobo Santa, Queen Lady Nightingale, Katy Flyer and Milk.

    This year the Hobo Foundation will be celebrating 20 Years of the Hobo Museum. The Hobo Convention kicks off the the Official Fire Lighting at the Hobo Jungle on Thursday evening, Aug. 6th at 7p.m. On Friday morning will be the Hobo Memorial Service at the Evergreen Cemetery at the Hobo section. This year the hobo's will be remembering Preacher Steve and Loco Larry, both whom caught the Westbound this past year. And then Ladies don't forget the Ladies Tea at St. Patrick's Church at 2p.m. This event is hosted by the Hobo Women. Also watch for the Silent Auction which will be held at the Hobo House. And the Big Hobo Auction will again take place right after the King and Queen Cornation on Saturday. PLUS so MUCH MORE. So plan on attending the 109th Hobo Convention and have a fun time, while learning the history of the American Hobo.

    Please note;  NOW you can buy Hobo Items on http://www.hobo.com. These items may also be purchased at the Gift Shop at the Hobo Museum. So check it out.

    Received this email from Laura, of Make magazine. In this issue they have a piece about Hobo coins and signs with links to The Hobo Nickel Society and my own Hobo Signs page.  When you access their site click on the article, which will be partially covered by the sign in sheet, and it will pop front and center.  Wow, makes me feel pretty good that I could make a magazine like Make even if only peripherally.  Does make me a bit sad, though, that at my age all I can make is a magazine.  Ah well.  How does that old saying go?  "Into every life a little age must fall".  Thank you Laura for helping to keep Hobo history alive.
 
 

Hi Fran,

    This is Laura from MAKE magazine.  I'm just writing to let you know  that the latest issue of MAKE digital is up, and your Hobo Signs page  is mentioned.  Here's the link:

Feel free to post this on your site if you'd like!

    I don't want you folk to get the idea that this is a "Chat Room Site" but I do want to share one more email that I received.  This, along with the previous letter, shows that people are still interested in Hoboes, and Hobo History.  Interested enough to access a site like mine and send me their own interesting, information.

Hello

    On looking for information I came across your page [http://www.worldpath.net/~minstrel/hoboart.htm], and on that page I found the following statement:

    *Monkey's Fist knot was devised.  It is the only knot that will stay secure on a round object.*

    It is one of the knots for that job, and it is used only for that, the more elaborate/fancy one is the turkish head.This knot is normaly used on a cilindrical object, and with a bit of patience to find the right rope for your ball or the right ball for your rope, it fits perfectly around a ball.For the last years I use them for my keyring made from a 4mm line with a hard, foam ball inside.

    Knowing the art and habbits of the sailors in the old days, I think the turkishhead was the prefered one.In the last 100 years the need for knowledge of ropework became almost nill, and the simpler knot, the Monkey fist became the general one.  I remember when I came onboard of my first ship, the first mate asked me to makea few turkishheads of 4 or 5 inch diameter to fit on a trowing line, when he found out, that I had learned them on a junior naval college.

Hi Fran,

    I met these folks last summer. You might want to check out their web site: www.bbcrc.org They have an updated bibliography of hobo books--but I didn't see yours on there (?). Best collection of railroad tattoos I've seen too...

    As of December 1, 2008, I will be located at Goodyear Hts. Pavilion at Goodyear Hts. Metro Park.  Our Interpretive Programming staff will have a small, public information area and some staff offices. Other staff will be located at Firestone Metro Park.  The Nature Realm will be closed for renovation until winter, 2009.  Even though this is an inconvenience, we are really excited about the new exhibits and utilization of the current space.  Our building will be greener, ADA accessible, and very informative.

    My email an phone number will stay the same.  So, if you are in the Goodyear Hts. area, come by and see us.

    Got my copy this week and it's one heck of a CD.  Anyone wanting a copy can send $15 + $2 postage to:

    Bucyrus Hobo Days will be: Saturday, May 23, 2009, the Saturday before Memorial Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a campfire the night before.  Saturday, September 5, 2009, the Saturday before Labor Day, 10 a.m.to 4 p.m., with a campfire the night before.
 
 

Hi Fran,

    Here's a link to the Hobo section of my web site. http://www.ratpackstlouis.com/hobo-u63.htm  Click on the BRITT 2007 picture to see all the gang and the goings on. I also have added pictures on Baloney Kid & Lady Bug's wedding ceremony.  Best wishes to all.

Fran:

    Here on the Grapevine, and on other pages of this site, there are, and will continue to be, links to other internet sites.   I try to check these sites out before posting the links but, occasionally, there could be links, from these other sites, to unwanted materials.  If you should find yourself linked to sites that contain objectionable matter let me know, so I can look into it.

    I'm always looking for more pictures of Hobo art to add to the Hobo Arts page.  Let's show folk what we, and the old Hoboes have for talent.  To you folk that aren't Hobos, I'd appreciate it if you'd send pictures of any Hobo art that you find, also.   Help us preserve as much Hobo history as possible.  For too many years Hobo art and the history of the American Hoboes has been neglected and, at times, what is believed and saved is misinterpreted giving many of today's people  false impressions of the true Hobo.