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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.

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"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
 
 

    DERRY RAILROAD DAYS is right around the corner. The Festival begins with a big parade on Saturday, September 27th . The parade line up includes The Mason-Dixon Brass Band, The American Legion Riders, and Bikers Against Child Abuse; the Jaffa Lil Vettes and The Oscar Mayer WeinerMobile. Awesome 'Free' entertainment begins at 11 AM and includes 'Pennsylvania's Patsy Cline' - Cathi Rhodes; Pop Music Band – Majority Rules; the Diamond Dolls; Cindy Baltzer's Voice Students; and the extremely popular country band 'Saddle Up'. The PennDot PennMobile will provide on-the-spot driver and vehicle services to the public and a mobile hospital lab will also be available. Kids will love the pony, hay and miniature train rides. Over 40 food and craft booths loaded with your favorite festival treats will also fill the streets of Derry Borough. The Railroad Days Committee honors all railroaders & hopes you will stop by the 2-caboose Railroad Museum during your visit. Oh and don't forget to stop by on the Thursday before the Festival for the 6 PM HOBO PICNIC - back by popular demand.

Directions: Located between Latrobe & Ligonier ... Off of Rt. 30 (at Kingston Dam) take Rt. 217 - 5 miles to Derry Borough.

    Thanks to Keystone Bob for sending this info on Derry.  Been a while, Bob.  Hope things are going well for you and yours.

    Jewels and Tuck will be having a pot luck party honoring the new  HOBO KING DANTE AND HOBO QUEEN DOUBLE  B.  Jewel's wants to let every know that this is an open invite but overnight  space is limited and any pets need to be cleared by her!  Please bring a dish to share

    Minneapolis Jewel's party are always full of good food and great friends.

Join travelling hobos who are coming to Pullman this weekend (Saturday, Aug. 28) for their annual visit following the National Hobo Convention last week in Britt, Iowa.

A welcoming spaghetti dinner with all the fixin's will be served at Greenstone Church from 5pm-7pm, followed by hobo & folklore music and other entertainment in the community room at the church -11211 S. St. Lawrence Ave. Suggested donation is $6 adults; $3 children. (proceeds to the Pullman Youth Group and Greenstone Church maintenance fund)

Sleeping under the stars in the hobo camp behind the Pullman factory/clocktower will be permitted on Saturday night.

Mulligan Stew on Sunday afternoon.

    Discharged cancelled.  Will go home in the AM after the major abdominal dressing (4"long X 2"wide X 1 1/1"deep) is changed.  It is hooked up to something like a wet/dry shop vac.  I have a portable unit that I can carry with me.  No pain.
 Much frustration.  Looking forward.  Birdman

aint been riddin sinse 96 or so , been island livin , p.r. , now hawaii , lookin for an ol road dawg , handle , Billy?.  (That's his handle, Billy?)  aint seen nor heard oh him since 94 . ? likes the hi line , used to do the 1808 stamp run outta washington  , slide down to yuma cop some erb . liked to hang gods love in vancouver wash , when he wasn't cookin crank in sac , cal . mission names and there junctions get clouded like the stops on a m.r.l. junker , speed crashing hoping the next stop is missoula , only now it aint crank crash that clouds the last three days on the siding the rattler dumped me on , it be age brother .  missoula got a mission , share [scare] house , home guard bro oh mine be a volinteer thar for a bunch of years [tramp time that is ] his name be Jim Price , he can tell you bout paul mclaren , a.k.a. basic paul .
be pleasant to see billie ?' name on the electric tank [ e-mail] , got his born handle if that will help , but later for that.  can you tell me what track # will put me in the direction of where he is or was last jungled up ?

    I just received the following note from our hobo friend, Arkansas Red.  He is a musician and singer.  He has written hobo songs.  He is a good "PR" person for the hobos in his music.  He received three certificates from the National Hobo Convention.  The certificates were: 1) Hobo Moniker and Recognition Certificate from the Hobo Kings and Queens 2) Hobo Musician and Singers Recognition Certificate from fellow hobo singers and musicians 3) Hobo Award Given Posthumously in honor of his father, Ozzie Breid who was a conductor-brakeman on Katy  (MK&T) railroad for forty four years and never threw a hobo off a train from the Hobo Kings and Queens.  Congratulations Arkansas Red for your contribution of music about the hobo life and in memory of your father who was a friend of the hobos....

Dear Mama Jo and all the hobos and hobesses of the world,

    Words cannot begin to express my gratitude for the wonderful gifts the hobo community has bestowed upon me. This is truly a great honor for me, and I pledge to keep the spirit and honor of the "knights(and knightesses) of the road" in high esteem as long as the Good Lord allows. I hope and pray the legend of the hobo will be around forever, and that people never forget the sacrifices they make to live "their lives as they see fit". I'm so glad I grew up in an era where there were "real" trains and hobos, and I saw this part of America before everything got so loud and fast, and people starting communicating by small hand held machines rather than using the vocal chords God gave them. To paraphase a line from a song I wrote, "God bless the hobo".

Dear Friends,

    Both Marianna & I are happy to announce that Marianna is now operating her Holzer hand book bindery full time!
We just put together a new web site that you can take a look at

    Soon we will be adding a new page with some of our featured items and a video about the bindery,   so check back often !

    Please help me get the word out that the Port Huron gathering is cancelled for this year. I will let you know if it gets rescheduled.

    This e-mail is to inform everyone that PH&D board of directors have voted to postpone the 2010 September 17th and 18th Hobo Festival untill next year.  With the repairs that need to be addressed on the building and the work that will be involved moving the caboose to the yard and also the cost for the liability insurance, the stage, restrooms we just feel we cannot put on a good event.   I would like to thank every one for there time and effort and I assure every one this was not an easy decision.    Again,

    My entries for Britt may seem a bit disjointed this year because what I'm going to do is print each letter I get as I get them.  The last shall  be first and the first shall be last.  (Hmmm, seems to me someone else said that same thing many years ago.)  Let's hope with them all we can get everything that happened.

Good morning Fran,

    Wow what a week, don't ask me who was all there either, I was too busy cookin to take a head count but know that they ate all of the food that I threw at them, I understand that we feed around 250 on Thursday night for the hog roast that our King Inkman funded. I made a large potatoe salad and Medicine Man made baked beans and we had sweet corn and oh yeah someone made some great brownies that I was sure to get one of them, now if you want Cookin'Mama in your pocket just give me some chocolate! I want to thank so many people that helped me keep the kitchen running, Tanman, Spider and Kabar you were my right hand guys even if one of you did dress kind of kinky at times, you made my days great, filled with laughter and turning a large job into one of joy. It was my pleasure to give back to my brothers and sisters with much love!  Wish you could have joined us maybe one other year, hint, hint?  Take care and have a great one day, life is good!

    I haven't got much to report. yet, but I got a call from Stretch and Jump Off John, last night, and I'll put down what I can remember.  (Hey, my hearing and my memory aren't what they used to be and, remember, anyone that mentions age is being disrespectful to a senior citizen.)

    Ok, there was a good attendance and there were no problems with the new rules, as some of us may have expected.  Dogs were no problem and the boxcar was not locked all week as we were told it would be.  Who was there?  I'm still hoping to get a complete list but, for now, I'll put down the names I can remember Stretch mentioning.  "Stretch and John", as I said, Cookin' Mama was cookin' up a storm and Frog was racing around on his new electric wheel chair.  Grandpa Dudley and M.A.D. Mary came with Ohio Tom and Danville Dan was driven there by one of his sons, Serenity, Trucker Phil, Connecticut Tootsie and Don and, of course, Totem Pole. Rik Palieri.  I know that Red Bird, Connecticut Shorty, Maggie, Half Track, our new King and Queen, Dante and Double B. had to have been there also.   Many other of the regulars were there but I don't have any confirmation.    It was a bit warm and a couple of folk had to get medical attention but nothing serious.  As I said, " a goodly crowd was there and all seemed to have a great time".

    Hah, that makes me think of the old poem, "The Face On The Barroom Floor".

    Ok, that's all I have for now but I'm sure someone will send more and, as soon as they do, I'll post it.

    Since I do not have photos of the King and Queen coronations for 2010 I had to go into my library of photos in order for you to meet the new National Hobo King Dante and Queen Double B.  The photos were taken a couple years ago when both candidates ran for king and queen.  The Queen candidates always spoke first and then the King candidates spoke.  The Queen candidate was announced first and then the king was announced.

    I hope one of the hobo family will email me photos from this year's election of the Hobo King and Queen elected.

    Congratulations to Dante and Double B from myself, too, and from all the Hobo Community.    Hopefully someone will send a picture of the coronation of our most recent monarchs, and a bit if a write up about Britt, for me to post.

    The Owosso, Michigan American Hobo Days is coming up.  Read all about this event.  This is a fun event.  We have been there a couple time.  The folks are so friendly and put on a great Hobo Event.  I highly recommend everyone to go to this event.  I am saddened we can't be there but we will sure be there in "spirit".

Hi Fran,

    T.J. Gaffney is hosting a hobo gathering at the Steam Railroading Institute on August 28th. Hobo Days will include a hobo jungle with delicious hobo stew, music, children's activities and lots more! For more information the contact number is 989-.725.9464. Would you please list this event on the Hobo Grapevine? We REALLY appreciate it! Thanks.

    The Port Huron Hobo Fest details will be available this weekend. I will send them to you after our Friday afternoon meeting. I will be in touch soon!

             Lots of activities for the whole Family!

• Enjoy Free caboose rides
• Try our delicious Hobo stew
• Sing along with Live Blue Grass and Country bands
• Free rides on our 7-1/2 gauge miniature railway
• Watch iron forgers work
• Learn to play a Harmonica
• Sit around an open campfire and listen to Hobo stories
• Meet the Hobo King and Queen
• Visit our Gift Shop/Museum
• Learn Hobo Codes in our Scavenger Hunt
• Sit inside the cab of the Pere Marquette 1225
• Raffles and Drawings all day!
• Kids and adults can learn to tie their own flys
• Games and Activities for Everyone
 
 

From: Allen Schroeder, Stonefield Historic Site Director, 608-987-2122allen.schroeder@wisconsinhistory.org
Come Celebrate the Lure of the Trains at Stonefield Railroad Days!

      Railroad Days at Stonefield Historic Site in Cassville,WI - Saturday, August 20, and Sunday, August 21, 2010 from 10 AM to 4 PM each day.

      At Railroad Days, you will be able to see displays and layouts from The Toy Train Barn in Argyle, Gordan Letheby from Monroe, and the Mineral Point Railroad Museum. There is even a hands-on layout that children of all ages can operate!

      You can continue your Railroad Days journey in the Stonefield Depot where you will find Dean Martin, one of the last telegraph operators in the country, tapping out Morse code messages and regaling visitors with his stories of working for the Chicago and Northwestern railroad as a telegrapher.

      Check out the restored railroad equipment on the track next to the Depot. You can climb aboard a caboose and a box car and see section shanty boards carved by hobos riding the rails.  At the other end of the tracks you will find an "End of the Line Hobo Camp" where you can sample some mulligan stew cooked over a camp fire.  "Luther the Jet" National Hobo King 1995-1996, will be back once again to provide music and stories about hobo life on the road riding the rails across the country.

      The Old West come alive when the "Hole in the Sock Gang" robs the Bank of Stonefield and a shoot out takes place in the streets of Stonefield.

      In addition to all of the railroad related activities there are a host of other activities around the site including Nelson Dewey house tours, historic games, beer and root beer served in the Saloon, horse and carriage rides, a blacksmith demonstration, a broom making demonstration,  and a bee keeping demonstration.  Well known Wisconsin author, Jerry Apps, will be signing books and giving a talk about his newest book "Horse Drawn Days".  Author, Axel Lorenzsonn, will also be available for book signing of his new book, "Steam & Cinders: The Advent of Railroads in Wisconsin". Listen to some music by "LaBarge" with Roger LaBarge and his daughter Mandy and their music about the river, river folk, river towns, and river life in general.

Good Show, Tim,

    A great way to spend a summer and a wonderful learning experience for the boys.  Some of the best years of my own youth were spent in the Boy Scouts (Yup I were young once.)  and the camping, forestry and survival skills I learned came in very handy later in my life.  On the road, riding, and when my wife Florence and I started climbing and camping in the White Mountain National Forest.  Tell the boys, "Hi" for me and that I hope they all have a great summer.

    Stretch called last night and told me that, due to unforseen circumstances, there's going to be a shortage of Hobo singers, and enertainers at Pullman this year.  How about some of you Boes, with lots of time on your hands, pack up your instruments, and your butts, and get there to uphold our reputation of being sterling entertainers.  Stretch is sending me an email to put up but it hasn't arrived yet so I'm just posting this bit until it does.

    Hi fran sorry i'm a little late but wanted to tell folks that we need folks to preform at the greenstone chuch in pullman the weekend of aug 28th 29th even if it's just story telling....we need to keep pullman alive but need your help or there wont be a next year..contact tom shepard or email me at  stretch122hotrail@yahoo.com.
see yall soon

    haven't talked to you in a wile but i guess no one keeps you in the loop anymore cause i have 2 date changes for you. Pullman chicago gathering is on but it's aug 28th and 29th and any questions you can contact Tom shepard at 773 370 3305.
As far as Rochelle goes the dates are the same, jun 4th-6th  and contact Ross(the boss)freier at  rsfreier@comcast.net    or  rossthebosshobo <freier@rochelle.net  or check out this link at

    Burlington dog and are back in wisconson at jump off john's place for spell and hopefully find some work but plan on being at Britt in AUG.   hope things are doing well and i'll call you some time.
down the road

    Some of you may have heard me mention, over the years, that I pick up a bit of cash posing for the art classes at the local university.  I thought you might be interested in seeing an example of what these students do.  This is a photo of an oil painting one of the students finished this week.  "Notice", that I'm modeling fully dressed.  This professor insists on clothing when I model so the coeds don't get too excited.  It's just as well.  I don't want to go through the peoblems, again, that I went through after posing for the town nude calendar a few years ago. (Sheesh.  It's tough being a sex symbol to millions of women.)

The Original Tourist Union 63 Organization started in 1897 and since that time has never been disbanded.  At this time, it is my desire to reactivate the Tourist Union 63 Organization.  I am starting a membership drive to Help Our Brothers Overcome (H.O.B.O).  Members of the Tourist Union 63 Organization will receive:

                         A  Tourist Union 63 membership card, good for one year.  Renewable each August.
 

           A History of Tourist Union 63 written by an original member of Tourist Union No. 63.

The funds from memberships will be used to aid needy Hobos when appropriate.

No funds will be given to anyone without the approval of a Tourist Union 63 Committee's vote.  H.O.B.O. was an organization started by the 1996 Hobo King Liberty Justice who Caught the Westbound in 2008.  Helping Our Brothers (and sisters) Overcome ties nicely to the goals of the original Tourist Union 63 Organization in 1897 as well as today.

Please join by sending your $5.00 membership fee plus name and address and phone number to:

                                                TUCK 2007/2008 Hobo King
                                            Tourist Union 63
                                            P.O. Box 18495
                                            Minneapolis, MN 55418

                              Make checks payable to: Tourist Union 63

            HELP KEEP TOURIST UNION 63 ALIVE

            Thanks,
                                                     TUCK

    I'm sure that King Tuck won't object if Y'all want to send dues for more than one year at a time.  I don't believe any of us have paid any dues for a couple of years, at least, so the bankroll must be a little short.  We all owe Tuck many thanks for keeping this historic union going.

    This may be a good time to tell folk that if you send a picture to me, or anyone else, it should be reduced in size before you email it.  A photo as it comes from your digital camera can be as much as 2 megabytes and a thirty six inch picture.  A photo this large takes a hell of a long time to down load with a phone connection.  The picture of the mayor and Happy Hobo, above was two megabytes, 38 inches,  had a resolution of 350 and took me fifteen minutes to just copy it to my computer.  The photo now has been reduced to 3" X 4" with a resolution of 72 and is only 10 kilobytes.  A photo reduced like this can be brought back to any size and resolution in your own computer so, please, have mercy on me and anyone else you send pictures to and learn to reduce them before you email them.  Anybody can do it even my great grand daughter can do this and she ain't no  brighter than her father or her grandfather.

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.