Lewis Hine caption: A typical Spinner, Lancaster Cotton Mills, S.C. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina, November 1908. "At the time, my mother may have seen it as an opportunity rather than a bad thing. I think it is understandable for someone in better circumstances to say, … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Human Junk. A product of the mill. "Ben workin fer 10 years. Began when I was six years old for 5 cents a day. Lately I was workin $1.25 a day but got to spittin blood and had to quit." He was truely "scrap[p]ed" and of little use to himself or the world. Roy … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Myrtle Bagwell, one of the youngest of the spinners in Spartan Mills, Spartenberg [sic], S.C. Lives 104 Duncan Street. Been working nearly 2 years. Older sister said she could not find the family bible. Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina, May 1912. This … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Accident to young mill worker. Giles Edmund Newsom (Photo October 23rd, 1912) while working in Sanders Spinning Mille [i.e., Mill], Bessemer City, N.C., August 21st, 1912, a piece of the machine fell on to his foot mashing his toe. This caused him to fall on … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: J.A. Leazer a 19 year old weaver and his family. Highland Park Mill, Rock Hill, S.C., Began working at 9 years. Makes $1.50 a day now and says he probably can't get any more as a weaver. Many of them marry young. Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina. May … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Nannie Coleson, looper who said she was 11 years old, and has been working in the Crescent Hosiery Mill for some months. Makes about $3 a week. Has been through the 5th grade in school. She is bright, but unsophisticated. Told investigator, "There are other … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: 2 violations. Simon Birdsong (left hand boy) said: "I'm about 12." His mother said: "He's old enough to work all right," but the boy admitted that she had to sign up that he was older than he was. He appears to be 10. Has had job doffing for several weeks. … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mfg. Co. N.C. She was 51 inches high. Had been in mill 1 year. Some at night. Runs 4 sides, 48 cents a day. When asked how old, she hesitated, then said "I don't remember." Then confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Lacy (12 yrs. old) and Savannah (11 yrs old) Have worked two years. Father said "The little one is a cracker jack on spinnin', at least so the boss says. She ain't satisfied unless in the mill. The oldest one isn't so good at it. Not as quick." (Note the … [Read more...]

Lewis Hine caption: Oldest girl, Minnie Carpenter, House 53 Loray Mill, Gastonia, N.C. Spinner. Makes fifty cents a day for 10 hours. Works four sides. Younger girl works irregularly. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina, November 1908. "She (Mattie) was a good Christian woman … [Read more...]