Lewis Hine caption: Twelve year old Selina Wall working at spooling in the Brazos [?] Valley Cotton Mill, West, Texas. Their family Record says she was born, March 23, 1901. Her mother said: "She's just taking the place of her sister fifteen years old. Selina could earn a dollar … [Read more...]
Southern Textile Mills - Page 1
Ralph Kuyrkendall, Magnolia, Mississippi
Lewis Hine caption: Ralph Kuyrkendall. "I'm learnin' to spin in Magnolia Cotton Mill. Work with Blanch ---. I'm 10 years old. Been in the First Grade three years and Second Grade one year." Location: Magnolia, Mississippi, May 1911. "I don't think my grandfather ever completed … [Read more...]
Fannie Sweeney, Fayetteville, Tennessee
Lewis Hine caption: Little Fannie, 7 years old, 48 inches high, helps sister in Elk Mills. Her sister (in photo) said, "Yes, she he'ps me right smart. Not all day but all she can. Yes, she started with me at six this mornin'." These two belong to a family of 19 children. … [Read more...]
Catherine Young & Family, Tifton, Georgia
CHAPTER ONE "My feet they are sore, and my limbs they are weary; Long is the way, and the mountains are wild; Soon will the twilight close moonless and dreary Over the path of the poor orphan child." Lewis Hine caption: Two of the "helpers" in the Tifton Cotton Mill, … [Read more...]
Otto Shelton, Macon, Georgia
Lewis Hine caption: Boys working in Bibb Cotton Mill No. 1, Macon, Ga. Smallest boy--Otto Sheldo--2 yrs. in mill. Next, Jack Bowman--4 yrs. in mill. Next, Clement Olford--5 years in mill gets .75 a day. Next, Lawnie Williams--8 years in mill, gets .65 a day. Next, Henny Potter--2 … [Read more...]
Furman Owens, Augusta, Georgia
Lewis Hine caption: Fursen[?] Owens 12 years old. Can't read. Don't know A, B, C's. "Yes I want to learn but I can't when I work all the time." Been in mills 4 years, 3 years in Olympia Mill, Columbia, S.C. and 1 year here. Location: Augusta, Georgia, January 1909. I fell in … [Read more...]
Florine Fuqua, South Boston, Virginia
Lewis Hine caption: Ebb-tide in the industry. Family of Mrs. Wm. Fuqua. On account of slack work in the cotton mill, her husband recently got work up-town. He is the only wage earner. Six in the family. The oldest girl is 14 years old now. She worked last year, but the lint … [Read more...]
Bessie Hicks, Matoaca, Virginia
Lewis Hine caption: A Suggestion for Dependent Widows. Mrs. Bessie Hicks, a widow in the mill settlement at Matoaca, Va. She has no children large enough for the cotton mill, so she is starting a little store in her home. Location: Matoaca, Virginia, June 1911. Bessie Hicks … [Read more...]
The Purdie Family, Matoaca, Virginia
Lewis Hine caption: Lawrence Purdie (right end) has been spinning in the mule room of the cotton mill at Matoaca, Va., for two years. His brother, next to him, helps in the mill. The others in the photo are not working yet. The father is not at work now as work is slack. … [Read more...]
Lonnie Cole, Birmingham, Alabama
Lewis Hine caption: "OUR BABY DOFFER" they called him. Donnie Cole. Has been doffing for some months. When asked his age, he hesitated, then said, "I'm Twelve." Another young boy said "He can't work unless he's twelve." Child Labor regulations were conspicuously posted in the … [Read more...]
Fred Willingham, Belton, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Extremes of age in the Belton Mfg. Co., S.C. The boy is Fred Willingham. Been working six months in the Bolton Mfg. Mill. Gets 50 cents. Sweeps. His next older brother has been doffing a year or two. Fred and his older sister had some confusion about the age, … [Read more...]
Lizzie McKenzie & The Baxley Children, Dillon, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Dillon Mill (tallest) Lizzie McKenzie, Has helped 1/2 year. Mamie Baxley (holding baby). Been in mill 3 years. Runs 4 sides = 40 cents a day. Maud & Daisy "help." Location: Dillon, South Carolina, December 1908. "She said she was on her feet 12 to 14 … [Read more...]
Lavator & Nettie Arnette, Dillon, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Dillon Mills, Dillon, S.C. Lizzie Davis, (smallest). Been in mill 2 years. Next--Nettie Arnet - Been in mill 8 years. Next--Monnie McCraney, been in mill 3 years. Next--Vater Arnet, been in mill 8 years. Next--Mattie Connor, spinners and Winders. Saturday, … [Read more...]
Ruth Barnhill, Dillon, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Maple Mills, Dillon, S.C. Ruth Barnhill (elder). Been at it 4 years. Run 6 sides. Emma Barnhill 4 years in mill. 4 sides. Looked 10 years old. Location: Dillon, South Carolina, December 1908. "It was just a way of life. I think she must have been doing it … [Read more...]
Archie Love, Chester, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Springstein Mills, Chester, S.C. Archie Love. Said (after hesitating) "I am 14 years old." Doesn't look it. Been in mill 3 years. Worked 5 months nights at the start. Location: Chester, South Carolina, November 1908. "I have this picture of Daddy. It's been … [Read more...]
Daisy Estes, Chester, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Wylie Mill, Chester, S.C. Girl at end of porch Daisy Estis (Couldn't spell her name) Worked 2 years. other two not in the mill. No school within reach. All chewed tobacco. Location: Chester, South Carolina, November 1908. I thought this was a lovely picture … [Read more...]
William & Fred Crocker, Chester, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Willie Crocker, (barefoot) Wylie Mill, Chester, S.C. 13 years old-- "worked since I was 6 years old." Lost part of finger in gear of machinery. Fred Crocker--11 years old. 1 year in mill. Location: Chester, South Carolina, November 1908. "I never knew my … [Read more...]
John Ghent, Lancaster, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: John Ghent has worked at spinning for 1 year. Goes to school now. Been Sick. Lancaster, S.C. Cotton Mills. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina, November 1908. "I thought he was properly dressed. It was probably his only suit." -Doris Phillips, daughter of … [Read more...]
Sadie Phifer, Lancaster, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: Sadie Pfeifer, 48 inches high, has worked half a year. One of the many small children at work in Lancaster Cotton Mills. Nov. 30, 1908. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina. The following are excerpts from The Survey, Volume 21, published in 1909. As to … [Read more...]
Hattie Hunter, Lancaster, South Carolina
Lewis Hine caption: One of the little spinners working in Lancaster Cotton Mills, S.C. Many others as small. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina, December 1, 1908. "She said that someone at the mill told her to go home at lunchtime and change her clothes. And now we have the … [Read more...]