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Indianapolis: 1908

Noon, August 1908. "Young People in an Indianapolis Cotton Mill." Uncharacteristically happy photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, who generally seemed to prefer that his subjects scowl for the camera. View full size.

Noon, August 1908. "Young People in an Indianapolis Cotton Mill." Uncharacteristically happy photograph by Lewis Wickes Hine, who generally seemed to prefer that his subjects scowl for the camera. View full size.

 

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Happy Workers?

Not all industrialists of the day were cutthroats. Perhaps these workers were paid well and treated with reasonable compassion? If Hine wanted them to appear unhappy and abused, it looks like they refused to cooperate. That, or the boss had a gun to their backs!

[No one was making these people work in the mills. Interesting related comment here. - Dave]

Indianapolis Millworkers

With the exception of the young fellow in the front row, these folks look a bit older than the subjects Hines typically photographed. As for they lack of scowls, perhaps it was payday?

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