FAQ

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FAQ

An Interview with Quiet Mike, Great Grand Duke of Hobo Educators

Question: What is a hobo?

Quiet Mike: The traditional definition goes like this:
        A hobo wanders and works.
        A tramp wanders but does not work.
        A bum does not wander or work.
    The real answer is more complicated than this. The tradition of the American hobo as a wandering worker goes back to the civil war soldiers returning home after the war. It was in the times of economic crisis after the war when millions of men were out of work and moving across country using any means available to find work. In these hard times, petty crime and unsavory behavior were all too common and it was easy to consider all strangers and migrant workers as undesirables. They were considered in many communities as vagrants and often treated harshly. Many ended up in prison or on chain gangs just for the “crime” of being unemployed and poor. It was in this period that the hobo, tramp, bum definition became popular. Many honest wandering workers wanted to set themselves apart from the criminal element. They established specific codes of behavior and even coined a new name, “Hobo”. These were promoted as “Knights of the Road” and many stories and songs were circulated telling of their good deeds, traditions, and patriotic adventures.
Today, hoboes still follow the traditions and codes of behaviors handed down over the past one hundred and thirty years from hobo to hobo. Just wandering and occasionally working is not the whole hobo story. Knowledge of hobo history and practice of the traditions are an important part of being a modern hobo.

Question: Do all hoboes ride freight trains?

Quiet Mike: Some, but not all hoboes ride freight trains. Freight rain travel played an important role in hobo history because it was often the only way to move about quickly in a huge country while looking for work. Many hoboes helped build the railroads and many hoboes were used to traveling by rail when they were soldiers at war. Most train travel by hoboes ended with the steam engine era. Steam trains had to stop about every fifty miles to take on water. Hoboes could easily get on and off at their chosen spot. With the invention of the diesel engine, trains could go on for hundreds of miles without stopping. A hobo could easily end up several states away from a desired destination. Also, freight train riding is both very dangerous and quite illegal.   But with the wandering lifestyle at the core of the hobo nature, hoboes will make use of any transportation available. This might include walking, bicycles, automobiles, hitchhiking, motorcycles, boats, or airplanes. The terms “rubber tire hobo” or “rubber tramp” are quite commonly used to refer to a hobo or tramp that always travels by automobile. Train riding and hoboes are often used as a romantic media characterization, but it is certainly more myth than fact today.

Question: What is a hobo gathering?

Quiet Mike: Hoboes often gather at established locations called ”Jungles”. Certain jungles can become a popular gathering place at a designated time of the year. That is, established dates when all hoboes know that they can meet with other hoboes. These gatherings take place in all parts of the United States, often on dates that are constant from year to year. Most gatherings are advertised and open to the public. They are used as a time for hoboes to gather and exchange information, stories, songs, and so on. They are also used to promote a positive image of the hobo and educate the public on hobo culture and traditions. Many hoboes will offer their artwork or crafts (sometimes called “tramp art”) for sale or trade at these gatherings.   Usually, the media is quite interested in these gatherings because it is often the only place where a number of real hoboes can be found in one spot.

Question: Why is the East Coast Hobo Gathering in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania different from all the other gatherings?

Quiet Mike: The Pennsburg gathering is unique because the theme of education is so pervasive in all activities. The location is an old turn of the century hobo jungle located on the campus of Perkiomen School. The school is a one hundred and twenty seven year old private boarding school that attracts students from all over the world for a college preparatory education. During the gathering, students and faculty from the school spend a great deal of time with the hoboes and study the uniquely American hobo traditions and history. This setting also makes it attractive to all ages in the community who come by the hundreds to enjoy the hobo stew and hours of great music and poetry that is showcased each evening.
Some hobo gatherings are very small attracting a dozen or so hoboes. Other are associated with community themes that include street carnivals and parades. The Pennsburg gathering is privately sponsored by hoboes for hoboes. Redbird Express, King of the hoboes in 2002 - 2003, and Keystone Bob have hosted the gathering since 1992. The community heavily supports it, but the hoboes are solely responsible for the gathering. This traditional format attracts older retired hoboes, currently active hoboes, kindred spirits, and occasionally some of the young road kids who are interested in learning the hobo traditions. There were one hundred names on the official hobo sign-in board last year making the Pennsburg one of the largest gatherings in the country.

Question: What is the hobo jungle like during the gathering?

Quiet Mike: This quiet little patch of trees by the railroad tracks takes on a festival -like look and feeling during the gathering. Several hundred people visit the jungle every day.
The campfire is the centerpiece of the jungle as always. During the day, many hoboes will set up a place to display their art and crafts. There is always a group of hoboes sitting around the kitchen area ready to welcome visitors with stories and music. The local railroad brings in a locomotive and antique rail cars. Keystone Bob offers a fantastic gallery of hobo photographs and memorabilia in a boxcar along side the jungle. Free trackside coffee is always hot and hobo stew is served each evening. A small stage is set up for the evening entertainers who offer poetry, stories and great music until about 10:30 at night. Then, smaller quieter circles are formed and the jungle settles in for the night. There are boxcars and camping for hoboes only at the jungle. The hoboes strictly enforce hobo and jungle rules. Absolutely no alcohol or drugs are permitted at any time.
The atmosphere is always friendly and the more experienced hoboes are always ready to share their knowledge with the younger generation. This sharing of knowledge and information is really at the heart of the gathering. It is also one of the reasons the Pennsburg Gathering is the most popular among the hoboes.

Question: In the past, there have been special events like steam locomotive rides and U.S. Post Office stamp cancellations. Is there anything special happening this year?

Quiet Mike: This year the Pottstown Area Amateur Radio Club is setting up a special event field radio station in the jungle. The government has assigned special call letters, W3H that will be used to contact people all over the world. This will be a major event for amateur radio and will receive national attention. You might wonder what amateur radio has to do with hoboes. Well, the subject came up around the campfire last year and it turned out that quite a few of the hoboes had amateur radio licenses! What's up with hoboes and amateur radio? I don't know other than amateur radio also contains that element of freedom and wandering over large distances that is in the heart of all hoboes.
It's “riding the airways” instead of “riding the rails”. Hoboes and other radio operators will be set up make contact with other operators around the world.   A special collector's certificate will be available to document the radio contact. It just goes to show you should not stereotype hoboes. Some hoboes are Eagle Scouts, some have advanced college degrees, some are incredible artists and musicians, and some are amateur radio operators.