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November 1913. Huntsville, Alabama. "Pete Henson, 414 C Street. Mother said he was 12 two months ago, but has been sweeping in the Merrimack Mill for seven months, so he began at 11 years. Brother Edward said to be 13 years, but doubtful. Mother said they had no Family Record here and gave me ages from memory." Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine. View full size.
Some of the kids in the child labor photos on this site have a hard and flinty look in their eyes. This one looks like life has already broken him.
I live in Huntsville. I am going to look for the memory of Pete Henson at 414 C Street.
No self-pity, my name is Pete,
If I don't work, then I don't eat.
Such haunting eyes. I'm honored to make your acquaintance.
I remember being so proud at age 13 when I secured a paper route for my hometown weekly. I delivered 100 papers twice a week and considered it hard work. Poor Pete, he knew real work at an early age. No lighthearted fun for him. What a grim life!
I am going to stop whining about what I percieve to be my my own financial woes now.
The sobering thing is that those kids were working to make sure the family ate. Computer games, cars and the latest phone fad were still some way off.
Mr. Hine was frequently skeptical about the ages of the kids in his pictures and was frequently wrong about it.
I think he's right to doubt this kid. Even taking into account poor nutrition, etc. The boy only looks about 9 or 10 to me.
I could cry if I see pitures like this one. Children without childhood. Thanks for all the great photos (watching since more than two years)!
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