After the rise of the daily newspaper in the 1880s, newsboys — and a few newsgirls — sold more than half of all newspapers in the United States. These children, known as newsies, bought papers each morning from publishing companies and had to sell them the same day or lose the money they had spent, since unsold papers were not reimbursed. They claimed street corners, theater lobbies, saloons, and train stations across American cities, often working from before dawn until late at night. Photographer Lewis Hine documented their lives in a series of powerful images that helped bring national attention to child labor and contributed to landmark labor legislation, including the Keating-Owen Act of 1916.
Newsboys waiting for the Baseball edition, in a newspaper office. Bad environment, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908.One of America’s youngest newsboys. Four years old and regular seller. Tampa, Florida, 1913.Some of the newsboys returning Sunday papers. Many of them had been out since 5 and 6 a.m. Hartford, Connecticut. 1909.Tony Casale, 11 years old, been selling 4 years.
Sells until 10 p.m. sometimes. His paper boss told me the boy had shown him the marks on his arm where his father had bitten him for not selling more papers. He (the boy) said ‘Drunken men say bad words to us.’ Hartford, Connecticut. 1909.
11 a.m. Newsies at Skeeter’s Branch, Jefferson near Franklin. They were all smoking. St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.Patsy, 8-year-old newsboy. Says he makes 50 cents a day. Newark, New Jersey, 1924.A Pool Room Branch (Chouteau & Manchester).
These boys were playing pool and smoking in the pool room while waiting for papers. The smallest boy is 9 years old and sells until 9 p.m. St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.
Another young newsboy. Hartford, Connecticut, 1924.[Factually Corrected] Twelve-year-old newsboy, Hyman Alpert, been selling three years. Spends evenings in Boys Club. New Haven, Connecticut, 1909.Freddie Kafer, a very immature little newsie selling Saturday Evening Posts and newspapers at the entrance to the State Capitol.
He did not know his age, nor much of anything else. He was said to be 5 or 6 years old. Nearby, I found Jack who said he was 8 years old, and who was carrying a bag full of Saturday Evening Posts, which weighed nearly ½ of his own weight. The bag weighed 24 pounds, and he weighed only 55 pounds. He carried this bag for several blocks to the car. Said he was taking them home. Sacramento, California, 1915.
John Howell, makes 75 cents some days. Begins at 6 a.m., Sundays. (Lives at 215 West Michigan Street). Indianapolis, Indiana, 1908.Hyman, six year old newsie. Another six year old newsie said he sold until 6 p.m. Lawrence, Massachusetts, 1911.Nine-year-old newsie and his seven-year-old brother Red. Tough specimen of Los Angeles newsboys. Los Angeles, California, 1915.Have been selling two years. Youngest, Yedda Welled, is 11-years-old. Next, Rebecca Cohen, is 12. Next, Rebecca Kirwin, is 14. Hartford, Connecticut, 1909.Johnnie Merkle, 6-year-old newsie. Home of Johnnie Merkle, 5110 North Broadway.
Father owns this home and a butcher shop. Johnnie’s brother owns and runs a nickelodeon. St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.
Francis Lance, 5-years-old, 41-inches high. Sells regularly on Grand Avenue. St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.Jefferson Street Gang of newsboys 10 p.m. over campfire in corner lot behind billboard.
Jefferson Street near Olive. Witness E.N. Clopper. St. Louis, Missouri, 1910.
Newsboy asleep on stairs with papers. Jersey City, New Jersey. 1912.Max Schwartz (8-years-old) and Jacob Schwartz, 163 Howard Street. Sell until 10 p.m. sometimes. Newark, New Jersey, 1909.Jerald Schaitberger of 416 West 57th Street, who helps an older boy sell papers until 10 p.m. on Columbus Circle, 19101 a.m. near the World Building, ready to start out. Two of the sleepers, larger boy, Abraham Jachnes, 13-years-old.
Newsboys Lodging House, 14 Chambers Street. Has not been home for 6 months because step-mother has been trying to put him into a House of Refuge. Could not get name of smaller boy, but he was younger, probably 11-years-old. These boys are hanging about and snatching an occasional sleep in sheltered spots. New York, New York, 1908.
2 a.m. Papers just out. Boys starting out on morning round. Ages 13 years and upward.
At the side door of Journal Building near Brooklyn Bridge. New York, New York, 1908.
Willie Cohen, 1210 South 6th Street, 8 years of age, newsboy, attends John Hay School.
He was selling papers at Philadelphia & Reading Terminal at 10:30 a.m. Said it was a Jewish holiday. Max Rafalovizht, 1300 South 6th Street, 8-years-old, attends John Hay School, was selling papers at Philadelphia & Reading Terminal. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1910.
Eight-year-old newsie. Many youngsters get up early to sell papers. One 10-year-old starts out at 3 a.m. every day and goes to school. Waco, Texas, 1913.Newsie, selling before school, 7 a.m. Quito Scentola, 13-years-old, 20 Pennsylvania Avenue, been selling papers four years. Rochester, New York, 1910.
![[Factually Corrected] Twelve-year-old newsboy, Hyman Alpert, been selling three years. Spends evenings in Boys Club. New Haven, Connecticut, 1909.](https://www.bygonely.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Newsies-early-20th-century-9.jpg)
