Bibb Mill Girls: 1909

Wow, the turn of the century child worker photos always get me, but this one in particular breaks my heart. They look so weary, so old before their time. I hope they found some rest and happiness later on in life.

Tired and unhappy is easy enough to understand given the photo was likely taken to document unpleasant work conditions, but the girl in the middle not only looks 'not all there', but as if she were about ready to punch Hine and her friend wants to calm her down or hold her back with that hand on the shoulder. Wonder if she was a bit 'odd' and prone to fits of temper, or just PMSing and didn't want her photo taken after a long, sweaty day's work.

I would surmise it was long long hours that would not even be allowed for adults, let alone children, in this day.

They all look tired and unhappy. It would be interesting to know what was happening right before the picture was taken.

She does have that "Full Metal Jacket" sort of look in her eye, doesn't she?

Is it my imagination or does the angry looking one in the center look "not all there"?

I live in Macon and if I am not mistaken this building still remains today, and is a great antique store. Boy don't we know how to raise those Southern belles here?

All the mill workers we've seen have an alarming amount of lint and fiber on their clothes, in their hair--you know they must have inhaled so much.
I wonder what they would look like if they had the lives of the DC basketball girls, below.