Migrant+Worker



October 12, 1932. The railroad that we've been building is finally finished and though I'm happy about the idea of no longer having to pound away on the rails with a heavy hammer, the company says that after today we are no longer employed. I'm afraid to inform my wife of this. She was just saying to me yesterday that we need to buy her new shoes because hers now have no sole in the front part of both shoes. But now that I no longer have my job, we can't affored to buy her them. Winter is coming. I need to find a job otherwise we will freeze and starve. But word on the street is that there are no more jobs.



October 15, 1932. I've been looking for a job for two days. I can't say that I'm surprized that I haven't found one. But I still hoped. I was talking to some man on the street today. He said his name was Jurgis. He also said that not a single company was hiring except the meat factorys. I've stood in line these past two days, but they will never hire me. I am too small to catch their interest, yet too large to do any work that they have for a small person. I fear that we will have to leave. That's what my wife and I spoke of yesterday. We hope that outside of the city there will be crop in the farmers fields that need picked.



October 17, 1932. Jurgis showed me a poster today that gave me the idea of heading west to California. I've been hearing that there's a better chance of finding a job out there. The only problem is that everyone else wants to go too. My wife and I have decided to take the kids though. Jurgis pointed out to me as I told him our plans that I am now going to become an offical migrant worker. I've always made fun of them when I was a boy, and now I am one. I now will follow the crops and harvest whatever can possibley be harvest for the smallest amount of money. It's ironic. I guess when my father told me that the key to becoming a success in life is to be educated, he didn't relized that even English teachers can fall down to rairoad men, and then migrant workers.... October 18, 1932. We left Chicago today. Our wagon is packed, and if we weren't leaving for such tragic reasons, I would find the sight amusing. The kids are excited, though I doubt their curosity will last. We have hardly any money. We had to buy shoes for my wife for I could not bare to see her walking so far with shoes that have no sole. Jurgis said good-bye. I think I'm actually going to miss him. Maybe someday we can come back. If the country fixes itself.

October 24, 1932. We ran into some other people traveling to California. We set up tent with them and chatted. Their stories are very much like ours. We haven't gotten too far, and so far we've passed no farm that can hire us. I'm slightly worried, but the others we met today said that there will be many opportunities to come. They also informed me that there are laws out there to defend migrant workers, but from what they said, not too many. tOctober 27, 1932. We ran into one of my old students today. I'm saddned to think that he is in the same position that I am in. We sat and talked on a broken down railcar for an entire afternoon. I've found though, that he carries a small bible with him that he reads often, and pays attention to what's what's going on in the world. From talking to him, I'm satisfied to say that I think that I have taught him something. He seems to have become a decent fellow that has only been in the wrong place at the wrong time when the country decided to fall apart. Just like me. I was overjoyed to see him. He was one of my best students.

November 2, 1932. The weather is surprizenly warm, and for that we are thankful. We met up with yet another bunch of travelers today. I'm starting to forget all their names. All this traveling is started to get to all of us. The kids' education is getting pushed back fauther and fauther for I am unable to find books to teach them with or the time for so many things must be done for our survival. I've managed to find a couple jobs, but none have paid very well or lasted very long.



November 20, 1932. It's cold and we don't have enough clothes to keep warm. I haven't been able to find work for the past week and the food supply is limited. Everyone is in a bad mood. But we were slightly gladdened by running into our friends James and Ona. They are fortunate enough to have a car, but they don't have any money to buy more gas for it. They fear that when they run out, they'll have to abandon their car for the next town will be too far away....

November 21, 1932. James and Ona made a deal with a man named Frank. He's going to ride with them because his car broke and they've taken the fuel from it to put into James's car. They're on their way to the next town. I'm not quite sure where we're at, though I think we're in Nebraska. If that's true, we made good time. On the bright side though, I've found a job for the next few days. I have to help care for a herd of cows while a farmer is ill. Hopefully it'll give us enough to buy another blanket.



November 24, 1932. Today we met a photographer that has met the president! He had very interesting stories to tell. He took a picture of my daughter with a woman that everyone calls "Mother", her sister, and her kids. The photographer says that the picture will probably end up in front of the president! I can't imagine that my daughter's face could possible be seen by the president of the United States! She's very excited. And the whole event has made us all happier.