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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

The 1900s U.S census revealed that over 1.75 million children aged ten to fifteen-year-old were working for meager wages. These children worked in agriculture, factories, streets, hotels — the dawn of the industrial revolution and a rapid increase in the industrial exploitation of labor. Lewis Wickes Hine was an American sociologist and photographer whose work was instrumental in changing child labor laws in the United States. In 1908 he started his efforts against child labor by documenting the lives of children working in factories, streets, and farms for the National Child Labor Committee. He got serious threats from the factory owners, but he didn’t stop. Risking his safety, Hine snapped thousands of photographs with one goal – to end child labor. His photographs were published in newspapers, pamphlets, and magazines, which compelled the federal government eventually to put out stricter labor laws.

#1 Vance, a trapper boy, 15 years old. Has trapped for several years in a west va. Coal mine. $.75 a day for 10 hours work. All he does is to open and shut this door. Location: west Virginia

Vance, a trapper boy, 15 years old. Has trapped for several years in a west va. Coal mine. $.75 a day for 10 hours work. All he does is to open and shut this door. Location: west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#2 Some boys were so small they had to climb up on the spinning frame to mend the broken threads and put back the empty bobbins. Location: Macon, Georgia

Some boys were so small they had to climb up on the spinning frame to mend the broken threads and put back the empty bobbins. Location: Macon, Georgia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#3 Young driver in mine: had been driving one year. (7 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. Daily) brown mine, brown, w. Va. Location: brown, west Virginia

Young driver in mine: had been driving one year. (7 a.m. To 5:30 p.m. Daily) brown mine, brown, w. Va. Location: brown, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#4 Photo of boys working in arcade bowling alley, Trenton, n.j. Photo taken late at night. The boys work until midnight and later. Location: Trenton, new jersey

Photo of boys working in arcade bowling alley, Trenton, n.j. Photo taken late at night. The boys work until midnight and later. Location: Trenton, new jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#5 Seven-year-old Rosie. Regular oyster shucker. Her second year at it. Illiterate. Works all day. Shucks only a few pots a day. Varn & plat canning co. Location: Bluffton, South Carolina

Seven-year-old Rosie. Regular oyster shucker. Her second year at it. Illiterate. Works all day. Shucks only a few pots a day. Varn & plat canning co. Location: Bluffton, South Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#6 Accident to young mill worker. Giles Edmund Newsome. While working in sanders spinning mile, a piece of the machine fell on to his foot mashing his toe. This caused him to fall on to a spinning machine and his hand went into unprotected gearing, crushing and tearing out two fingers. He told the atto

Accident to young mill worker. Giles Edmund Newsome. While working in sanders spinning mile, a piece of the machine fell on to his foot mashing his toe. This caused him to fall on to a spinning machine and his hand went into unprotected gearing, crushing and tearing out two fingers. He told the atto

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#7 7-year-old Ferris. Tiny newsie who did not know enough to make change for investigator. There are still too many of these little ones in the larger cities. Location: mobile, Alabama

7-year-old Ferris. Tiny newsie who did not know enough to make change for investigator. There are still too many of these little ones in the larger cities. Location: mobile, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#8 Newsboy asleep on stairs with papers. Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Newsboy asleep on stairs with papers. Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#9 Callie Campbell, 11 years old, picks 75 to 125 pounds of cotton a day, and totes 50 pounds of it when sack gets full. “no, i don’t like it very much.” Location: [Pottawattamie county, Oklahoma]

Callie Campbell, 11 years old, picks 75 to 125 pounds of cotton a day, and totes 50 pounds of it when sack gets full. “no, i don’t like it very much.” Location: [Pottawattamie county, Oklahoma]

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#10 Arnao family, whole family works. Jo is 3 years old. Boy is 6 years old, girl is 9 years old. May 28th 1910, before school closed. Location: Browns mills, New jersey.

Arnao family, whole family works. Jo is 3 years old. Boy is 6 years old, girl is 9 years old. May 28th 1910, before school closed. Location: Browns mills, New jersey.

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#11 Frank p……., whose legs were cut off by a motor car in a coal mine in west Virginia when he was 14 years 10 months of age. Location: Monongah, west Virginia

Frank p……., whose legs were cut off by a motor car in a coal mine in west Virginia when he was 14 years 10 months of age. Location: Monongah, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#12 Four-year-old Mary, who shucks two pots of oysters a day at Dunbar. Tends the baby when not working. Location: Dunbar, Louisiana

Four-year-old Mary, who shucks two pots of oysters a day at Dunbar. Tends the baby when not working. Location: Dunbar, Louisiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#13 Tipple boy, turkey knob mine, MacDonald, w. Va. Witness e.n. Clopper. Location: MacDonald, west Virginia

Tipple boy, turkey knob mine, MacDonald, w. Va. Witness e.n. Clopper. Location: MacDonald, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#14 Rose Biodo, 1216 Annan st., Philadelphia. 10 years old. Working 3 summers. Minds baby and carries berries, two pecks at a time. Location: browns mills, new jersey

Rose Biodo, 1216 Annan st., Philadelphia. 10 years old. Working 3 summers. Minds baby and carries berries, two pecks at a time. Location: browns mills, new jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#15 Rhodes mfg. Co., Lincolnton, n.c. Spinner. A moments glimpse of the outer world said she was 10 years old. Been working over a year. Location: Lincolnton, North Carolina

Rhodes mfg. Co., Lincolnton, n.c. Spinner. A moments glimpse of the outer world said she was 10 years old. Been working over a year. Location: Lincolnton, North Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#16 One of the small boys in j. S. Ferrand p[ac]king co. And a heavy load. J. W. Magruder, witness. Location: Baltimore, Maryland

One of the small boys in j. S. Ferrand p[ac]king co. And a heavy load. J. W. Magruder, witness. Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#17 Noon hour in the ewen breaker, Pennsylvania coal co. Location: south Pittston, Pennsylvania

Noon hour in the ewen breaker, Pennsylvania coal co. Location: south Pittston, Pennsylvania

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#18 Some of Newark’s small newsboys. Afternoon. Location: Newark, new jersey

Some of Newark’s small newsboys. Afternoon. Location: Newark, new jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#19 A greaser in a coal mine. See 1835. Location: Bessie mine, Alabama

A greaser in a coal mine. See 1835. Location: Bessie mine, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#20 Breaker boys in #9 breaker, Hughes town borough, pa. Coal co. Smallest boy is Angelo ross. Location: Pittston, Pennsylvania

Breaker boys in #9 breaker, Hughes town borough, pa. Coal co. Smallest boy is Angelo ross. Location: Pittston, Pennsylvania

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#21 Lunch time, economy glass works, Morgantown, w. Va. Plenty more like this, inside. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

Lunch time, economy glass works, Morgantown, w. Va. Plenty more like this, inside. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#22 10 yr. Old picker on Gildersleeve tobacco farm. Location: Gildersleeve, Connecticut

10 yr. Old picker on Gildersleeve tobacco farm. Location: Gildersleeve, Connecticut

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#23 A typical Birmingham messenger. Location: Birmingham, Alabama

A typical Birmingham messenger. Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#24 “basket! Five cents each!” Antoinette siminger, 12 years old, 4219 glenway ave., price hill, sixth st., market, Cincinnati. 10 p.m. Had been selling since morning. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

“basket! Five cents each!” Antoinette siminger, 12 years old, 4219 glenway ave., price hill, sixth st., market, Cincinnati. 10 p.m. Had been selling since morning. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#25 Greel’s shoe-shining parlor, Indianapolis, ind. Said he was 15 years old. Works some nights until 11. Taken at 10 p.m. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Greel’s shoe-shining parlor, Indianapolis, ind. Said he was 15 years old. Works some nights until 11. Taken at 10 p.m. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#26 Working girls learning dressmaking in the free evening school. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Working girls learning dressmaking in the free evening school. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#27 Eight-year-old, Jennie Camillo, lives in west Manayunk, pa. For this summer she has picked cranberries. Location: pemberton, New Jersey

Eight-year-old, Jennie Camillo, lives in west Manayunk, pa. For this summer she has picked cranberries. Location: pemberton, New Jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#28 11:00 A:M Monday, may 9th, 1910. Newsies at skeeter’s branch, Jefferson near franklin. They were all smoking. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

11:00 A:M Monday, may 9th, 1910. Newsies at skeeter’s branch, Jefferson near franklin. They were all smoking. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#29 Little Fannie, 7 years old, 48 inches high, helps sister in elk mills. Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee

Little Fannie, 7 years old, 48 inches high, helps sister in elk mills. Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#30 Scene in canning factory showing a 7-year old girl who shucks 3 pots of oysters a day, and works regularly, and her 6-year old brother who helps some. Mostly negro workers. The boss said “we keep only enough whites so we can control the negroes and keep them agoing.” Location: Bluffton, South Caroli

Scene in canning factory showing a 7-year old girl who shucks 3 pots of oysters a day, and works regularly, and her 6-year old brother who helps some. Mostly negro workers. The boss said “we keep only enough whites so we can control the negroes and keep them agoing.” Location: Bluffton, South Caroli

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#31 Drivers in a coal mine co. Plenty boy driving and on tipple. No trappers used, as mine is ventilated by another system. Location: West Virginia

Drivers in a coal mine co. Plenty boy driving and on tipple. No trappers used, as mine is ventilated by another system. Location: West Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#32 Two of the tiny workers, a reveler and a looper in Loudon hosiery mills. Location: Loudon, Tennessee

Two of the tiny workers, a reveler and a looper in Loudon hosiery mills. Location: Loudon, Tennessee

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#33 Maud Daly, five years old. Grade Daly, three years old. Each pick about one pot of shrimp a day for the peerless oyster co. Location: bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Maud Daly, five years old. Grade Daly, three years old. Each pick about one pot of shrimp a day for the peerless oyster co. Location: bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#34 A little spinner in globe cotton mill. Augusta, The overseer admitted she was regularly employed. Location: Augusta, Georgia

A little spinner in globe cotton mill. Augusta, The overseer admitted she was regularly employed. Location: Augusta, Georgia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#35 Widow & boy rolling papers for cigarettes in a dirty n.y. Tenement. Location: New York

Widow & boy rolling papers for cigarettes in a dirty n.y. Tenement. Location: New York

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#36 “Radishes! Penny a bunch!” Sixth St. Market, Cincinnati. 10 p.m. Saturday. Boys and girls sell all day, and until 11 p.m. Aug.22, 1908. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

“Radishes! Penny a bunch!” Sixth St. Market, Cincinnati. 10 p.m. Saturday. Boys and girls sell all day, and until 11 p.m. Aug.22, 1908. Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#37 Sonny and Pete newsboys. One is six years old. They began at 6:00 a.m. Location: san Antonio, Texas

Sonny and Pete newsboys. One is six years old. They began at 6:00 a.m. Location: san Antonio, Texas

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#38 Francis lance 5 years old, 41 inches high. Sells regularly on grand avenue. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Francis lance 5 years old, 41 inches high. Sells regularly on grand avenue. Location: St. Louis, Missouri

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#39 Fruit peddlers. Boston 1915 exhibit. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Fruit peddlers. Boston 1915 exhibit. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#40 Maple mills, Dillon, s.c. Soarbar seris, has worked off and on in the mill for 5 years. Winds. Gets 70 cents and up. “recon I’m about 14.” Didn’t look it. Has worked more nights than day time. Location: Dillon, South Carolina

Maple mills, Dillon, s.c. Soarbar seris, has worked off and on in the mill for 5 years. Winds. Gets 70 cents and up. “recon I’m about 14.” Didn’t look it. Has worked more nights than day time. Location: Dillon, South Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#41 Bertha, one of the six-year old shuckers. Began work at 4 a.m. Maggiano canning co. Location: port royal, South Carolina

Bertha, one of the six-year old shuckers. Began work at 4 a.m. Maggiano canning co. Location: port royal, South Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#42 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, but i do just the same.” Location: whit

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, but i do just the same.” Location: whit

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#43 “Fire- fire – i want to make the fire.” An Italian boy on Salem street Saturday morning, offering to make fires for Jewish people. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

“Fire- fire – i want to make the fire.” An Italian boy on Salem street Saturday morning, offering to make fires for Jewish people. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#44 Two of the boys on night shift in the more-Jonas glass co., Bridgeton, n.j. Location: Bridgeton, New Jersey

Two of the boys on night shift in the more-Jonas glass co., Bridgeton, n.j. Location: Bridgeton, New Jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#45 Ethel Shumate. Has been rolling cigarettes in Danville (va.) Factory for six months. Said she was thirteen years old, but it is doubtful. Location: Danville, Virginia

Ethel Shumate. Has been rolling cigarettes in Danville (va.) Factory for six months. Said she was thirteen years old, but it is doubtful. Location: Danville, Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#46 Messenger boy working for MacKay telegraph company. Said fifteen years old. Exposed to red light dangers. Location: Waco, Texas

Messenger boy working for MacKay telegraph company. Said fifteen years old. Exposed to red light dangers. Location: Waco, Texas

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#47 Louis Birch, newsboy, 12 years of age. Just started selling. Made 10 cents one day. Father dead. While not under any compulsion to sell papers, louis, of his own accord, took it up in order to help support his widowed mother. Location: Wilmington, Delaware

Louis Birch, newsboy, 12 years of age. Just started selling. Made 10 cents one day. Father dead. While not under any compulsion to sell papers, louis, of his own accord, took it up in order to help support his widowed mother. Location: Wilmington, Delaware

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#48 Carrying-in boy at the lehr, (15 years old) glass works, Grafton, w. Va. Has worked for several years. Works nine hours. Day shift one week, night shift next week. Gets $1.25 per day. Location: Grafton, West Virginia

Carrying-in boy at the lehr, (15 years old) glass works, Grafton, w. Va. Has worked for several years. Works nine hours. Day shift one week, night shift next week. Gets $1.25 per day. Location: Grafton, West Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#49 San Antonio newsboys need supervision. Here are three brothers. They all start out at 6:00 a.m. And sell until 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Nearly every day except Sunday. I found them selling after ten p.m. Boyce said “we don’t go to school; got to sell papers. Father is sick.” Location: san Antonio, Texas

San Antonio newsboys need supervision. Here are three brothers. They all start out at 6:00 a.m. And sell until 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. Nearly every day except Sunday. I found them selling after ten p.m. Boyce said “we don’t go to school; got to sell papers. Father is sick.” Location: san Antonio, Texas

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#50 Mary Christmas, nearly 4 years old. Picks cranberries sometimes. She is now picking up berries spilled at the barrels by grandfather. Location: Falmouth – week’s bog, Massachusetts

Mary Christmas, nearly 4 years old. Picks cranberries sometimes. She is now picking up berries spilled at the barrels by grandfather. Location: Falmouth – week’s bog, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#51 Elsie Shaw, a 6 year old cartoner during the summer. [her father] asked me to take some photos of her, as he has her do a singing act in vaudeville in the winter, “and she’s old enough now to go through the audience and sell her own photos.” Location: Eastport, Maine

Elsie Shaw, a 6 year old cartoner during the summer. [her father] asked me to take some photos of her, as he has her do a singing act in vaudeville in the winter, “and she’s old enough now to go through the audience and sell her own photos.” Location: Eastport, Maine

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#52 The “carrying-in boys,” midnight at an Indiana glass works. Location: Indiana

The “carrying-in boys,” midnight at an Indiana glass works. Location: Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#53 Noon hour in an Indianapolis furniture factory. Aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Noon hour in an Indianapolis furniture factory. Aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#54 Young doffers in Mollohan mills, Newberry, s.c. Dec. 3/08. Witness, Sara r. Hine. Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Young doffers in Mollohan mills, Newberry, s.c. Dec. 3/08. Witness, Sara r. Hine. Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#55 One of the young spinners in the quid wick co. Mill. Anthony, r. I. (a polish boy willie) who was taking his noon rest in a doffer-box. Location: Anthony, Rhode island

One of the young spinners in the quid wick co. Mill. Anthony, r. I. (a polish boy willie) who was taking his noon rest in a doffer-box. Location: Anthony, Rhode island

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#56 Newberry mills (s.c.) Noon hour. All are working here. Witness, sara r. Hine. Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Newberry mills (s.c.) Noon hour. All are working here. Witness, sara r. Hine. Location: Newberry, South Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#57 A few of the messenger’s western union, Hartford, conn. They are on duty, alternate nights, until 10 p.m. Location: Hartford, Connecticut

A few of the messenger’s western union, Hartford, conn. They are on duty, alternate nights, until 10 p.m. Location: Hartford, Connecticut

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#58 In the Alexandria glass factories, negroes work side by side with the white workers. Location: Alexandria, Virginia

In the Alexandria glass factories, negroes work side by side with the white workers. Location: Alexandria, Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#59 Oldest girl, Minnie carpenter. Makes fifty cents a day of 10 hours. Works four sides. Younger girl works irregularly. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina

Oldest girl, Minnie carpenter. Makes fifty cents a day of 10 hours. Works four sides. Younger girl works irregularly. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#60 Lillian Dambrinio, an eleven-year-old shrimp picker in peerless oyster co. She is an American and lives here. Says picking makes her hands sore. Location: bay st. Louis, Mississippi

Lillian Dambrinio, an eleven-year-old shrimp picker in peerless oyster co. She is an American and lives here. Says picking makes her hands sore. Location: bay st. Louis, Mississippi

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#61 An Indianapolis newsie: (rather young) witness e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

An Indianapolis newsie: (rather young) witness e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#62 Fruit vendors, Indianapolis market, aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Fruit vendors, Indianapolis market, aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#63 Boys working in a cannery, Indianapolis, unloading freight cars full of new tomato cans. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Boys working in a cannery, Indianapolis, unloading freight cars full of new tomato cans. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#64 A. D. T. Messenger boy, Indianapolis, 10 p.m. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

A. D. T. Messenger boy, Indianapolis, 10 p.m. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#65 Boys at lehr, economy glass works. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

Boys at lehr, economy glass works. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#66 In front of shacks at noon, Florence colony, whites bog, browns mills, n.j. This is the fourth week of school and the people expect to remain two weeks more. Location: browns mills, new jersey

In front of shacks at noon, Florence colony, whites bog, browns mills, n.j. This is the fourth week of school and the people expect to remain two weeks more. Location: browns mills, new jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#67 Tenjeta Calone, Philadelphia, 10 years old. Been picking cranberries 4 years. Location: browns mills, New Jersey

Tenjeta Calone, Philadelphia, 10 years old. Been picking cranberries 4 years. Location: browns mills, New Jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#68 Boys going to work, Merrimac mills, noon-hour. Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Boys going to work, Merrimac mills, noon-hour. Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#69 Hyman lapcoff, 1526 fourteenth st., n.w., Washington, d.c., a ten-year-old newsie from a good family, carrying a heavy load of newspapers quite a distance. This is a common occurrence and is bad for the little fellows. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Hyman lapcoff, 1526 fourteenth st., n.w., Washington, d.c., a ten-year-old newsie from a good family, carrying a heavy load of newspapers quite a distance. This is a common occurrence and is bad for the little fellows. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#70 Children thrashing corn during school hours on a farm near Dublin. Many such light occupations fall to the lot of the Georgia child. Location: Dublin, Georgia

Children thrashing corn during school hours on a farm near Dublin. Many such light occupations fall to the lot of the Georgia child. Location: Dublin, Georgia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#71 Katie karateka, 7-year-old oyster shucker. Has mumps now. Her 8-year-old brother also shucks. Location: Dunbar, Louisiana

Katie karateka, 7-year-old oyster shucker. Has mumps now. Her 8-year-old brother also shucks. Location: Dunbar, Louisiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#72 Dave, a young “pusher” at Bessie mine, Alabama. Location: Bessie mine, Alabama

Dave, a young “pusher” at Bessie mine, Alabama. Location: Bessie mine, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#73 Young boy on warping machine elk cotton mills. Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee

Young boy on warping machine elk cotton mills. Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#74 Israel April, 9 yr. Old newsboy with no badge. Been selling for several years. I found him selling after midnight april 17th and 18th. Quite a pugnacious little chap. He and his brother are said to have a large clientele among ambassadors and senators. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Israel April, 9 yr. Old newsboy with no badge. Been selling for several years. I found him selling after midnight april 17th and 18th. Quite a pugnacious little chap. He and his brother are said to have a large clientele among ambassadors and senators. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#75 A typical fisher boy at “t” wharf. Boston. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

A typical fisher boy at “t” wharf. Boston. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#76 6 yr. Old earle holt (or hope), 712 h st., s.w., Washington, d.c., sells papers for a neighbor boy. When i met him, within an hour he had forgotten that i had photographed him, but he didn’t forget to shortchange me when i bought the paper. Location: Washington (d.c.)

6 yr. Old earle holt (or hope), 712 h st., s.w., Washington, d.c., sells papers for a neighbor boy. When i met him, within an hour he had forgotten that i had photographed him, but he didn’t forget to shortchange me when i bought the paper. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#77 Girls running warping machines in loray mill, Gastonia, n.c. Many boys and girls much younger. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina

Girls running warping machines in loray mill, Gastonia, n.c. Many boys and girls much younger. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#78 Noon hour in a furniture factory, Indianapolis, Aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Noon hour in a furniture factory, Indianapolis, Aug., 1908. Wit., e. N. Clopper. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#79 Glass works, night scene. Location: Indiana

Glass works, night scene. Location: Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#80 A little “shaver,” Indianapolis newsboy, 41 inches high. Said he was 6 years old. Aug., 1908. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

A little “shaver,” Indianapolis newsboy, 41 inches high. Said he was 6 years old. Aug., 1908. Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#81 Postal telegraph messengers, Indianapolis, (Indiana has no age limit for mes’grs.) Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Postal telegraph messengers, Indianapolis, (Indiana has no age limit for mes’grs.) Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#82 “Teaching the young idea.” The boss (who began at 10 years of age, and has been at it for 30 years) showing a beginner (who is apparently 9 or 10) see 169. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

“Teaching the young idea.” The boss (who began at 10 years of age, and has been at it for 30 years) showing a beginner (who is apparently 9 or 10) see 169. Location: Morgantown, west Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#83 Boy making melon baskets, a basket factory, Evansville, ind. Location: Evansville, Indiana

Boy making melon baskets, a basket factory, Evansville, ind. Location: Evansville, Indiana

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#84 S.D. Ison and family. Father works some. Both boys on right of photo have been in Washington cotton mills, fries, va., for four years. When i asked the smallest worker how old he was, he said, “don’t know,” and looked at his father, who said, “going’ on 14.” Location: fries, Virginia

S.D. Ison and family. Father works some. Both boys on right of photo have been in Washington cotton mills, fries, va., for four years. When i asked the smallest worker how old he was, he said, “don’t know,” and looked at his father, who said, “going’ on 14.” Location: fries, Virginia

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#85 Two little pickers. Manuel alvez – 12 years, Marion alvez, 8 years. She picks 19 measures. He picks 10 measures. Location: Falmouth – baker bog, Massachusetts

Two little pickers. Manuel alvez – 12 years, Marion alvez, 8 years. She picks 19 measures. He picks 10 measures. Location: Falmouth – baker bog, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#86 Salvin Nocito, 5 years old, carries 2 pecks of cranberries for long distance to the “bushel-man.” Location: browns mills, New Jersey

Salvin Nocito, 5 years old, carries 2 pecks of cranberries for long distance to the “bushel-man.” Location: browns mills, New Jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#87 Helper on a dairy wagon. See report. Location: bowling green, Kentucky

Helper on a dairy wagon. See report. Location: bowling green, Kentucky

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#88 A young doffer working in central mills. Location: Sylacauga, Alabama

A young doffer working in central mills. Location: Sylacauga, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#89 John Tidwell, a cotton mill product. Doffer in Avondale mills. Many of these youngster’s smoke. Location: Birmingham, Alabama

John Tidwell, a cotton mill product. Doffer in Avondale mills. Many of these youngster’s smoke. Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#90 Girls working on ice wagon. Location: New York

Girls working on ice wagon. Location: New York

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#91 10:30 p.m. At center market. 11 yr. Old celery vendor Gus strategies, 212 Jackson hall alley. He sold until 11 p.m. And was out again Sunday morning selling papers. Location: Washington (d.c.)

10:30 p.m. At center market. 11 yr. Old celery vendor Gus strategies, 212 Jackson hall alley. He sold until 11 p.m. And was out again Sunday morning selling papers. Location: Washington (d.c.)

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#92 At the “glory hole.” A midnight scene in a n.j. Glass works. His name in Edwin cope, 18, mt. Vernon[?]. His mother read me the date of his birth from the family record–mar. 26, 1996 [i.e., 1896]. This proves him to be 13 years old. Location: Bridgeton, new jersey

At the “glory hole.” A midnight scene in a n.j. Glass works. His name in Edwin cope, 18, mt. Vernon[?]. His mother read me the date of his birth from the family record–mar. 26, 1996 [i.e., 1896]. This proves him to be 13 years old. Location: Bridgeton, new jersey

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#93 Spinners in Melville mfg. Co., Cherryville, n.c. Location: Cherryville, North Carolina

Spinners in Melville mfg. Co., Cherryville, n.c. Location: Cherryville, North Carolina

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#94 Picking over ash barrels. Boston, mass., oct. 1909. L.w. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Picking over ash barrels. Boston, mass., oct. 1909. L.w. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#95 Small boys work at and around these machines some of which are dangerous. Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Small boys work at and around these machines some of which are dangerous. Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#96 Vendor in Boston market. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Vendor in Boston market. Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#97 8 p.m. Harry Laudeman, 13 years old. Has sold papers for 7 years. Brother, Morris, 7 years old 46 inches high. Location: Hartford, Connecticut

8 p.m. Harry Laudeman, 13 years old. Has sold papers for 7 years. Brother, Morris, 7 years old 46 inches high. Location: Hartford, Connecticut

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#98 Daisy Langford, 8 yrs. Old works in ross’ canneries. She helps at the capping machine, but is not able to “keep up.” She places caps on the cans at the rate of about 40 per minute working full time. Location: Seaford, Delaware

Daisy Langford, 8 yrs. Old works in ross’ canneries. She helps at the capping machine, but is not able to “keep up.” She places caps on the cans at the rate of about 40 per minute working full time. Location: Seaford, Delaware

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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#99 5-year old Harold walker. Location: Comanchero county–[Geronimo], Oklahoma

5-year old Harold walker. Location: Comanchero county–[Geronimo], Oklahoma

Lewis Wickes Hine

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50+ Heart-Wrenching Photos Depicting How Children Were Exploited For Profit In The 1900s

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Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

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