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BOYVILLE
BOYVILLE
A HISTORY OF FIFTEEN YEARS’ WORK AMONG NEWSBOYS BY JOHN E. GUNCKEL ILLUSTRATED PUBLISHED BY The Toledo Newsboys’ Association Toledo, Ohio Copyrighted 1905 By JOHN E. GUNCKEL All rights reserved To the Newsboys of America, and their Friends this book is respectfully dedicated PRESS OF THE FRANKLIN COMPANY TOLEDO, OHIO Copyrighted 1905 By JOHN E. GUNCKEL All rights reserved To the Newsboys of America, and their Friends this book is respectfully dedicated PRESS OF THE FRANKLIN COMPANY TOLEDO, O
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
No one ever stopped to ask this boy where he lived; what about his parents, his home life, or to see if there was really any good in him worth trying to develop. The bad was visible, and the people seemed to delight in their vain efforts to correct him by censures and kicks. There was no question about Jimmy being bad, about as bad as any street-boy would become who had his own way, and, whose parents permitted him to go and come when he pleased, and to associate with bad company, particularly b
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
“Now I want you to come down to my office, Monday after school, and we will talk over something that I want you to do for me.” “I’ll be there,” replied Jimmy, and after a moments thought he asked. “And can I bring some of my friends with me?” “Certainly, that is exactly what I want you to do. Bring your gang, all your friends, particularly the little toughs, and when you come into my office don’t let any one stop you from seeing me.” “Oh, don’t be afeared o’that, we knows as how to get there.” A
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
“These is part of de gang,” said Jimmy. “Do you boys all want to be my friends, just the same as Jimmy is?” They replied, “Sure thing; cert. Yes’m.” These friendly words brought the gang closer to the gentleman’s desk. And more papers were disturbed. The ink was investigated and one of the boys wanted to know why it wasn’t red ink. Another poked his finger in the ink stand and made black streaks down the smallest boy’s face. The gentleman was shown quite a number of articles they had in their po
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
From the material at command it was surprising how many little good things sprung up where least expected and from soil considered as absolutely worthless. Like some products of the garden, good came from unexpected places. Taking advantage of conditions and circumstances, the number of friends increased so rapidly that when cold weather set in, over a hundred little hustling friends of the street were added to the list. Winter came with snow and ice and cold winds, making it hard for the carrie
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
PART SECOND A dozen or more newsboys can be seen at almost any hour of the day, dodging here and there around the corners, down alleys, or playing in the rear of the circulating offices of the great dailies. In all kinds of weather they will be found at their posts, prompt in delivering their papers to subscribers, or upon the streets crying the most important of the many head lines of the transactions of a day. Would it be possible to get this noisy, hustling crowd of boys together and gradua
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CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
The Boyville Newsboys’ Association. It was at once organized, and in its preamble of incorporation was written the Golden Rule. In the formation of Boyville it must not be understood that its mission was to draw good boys from good homes; but rather to give help to bad boys, come from where they may, when they appear on the streets—away from home influences. Whether they come from the most palatial residences on the shaded avenues, or from the crowded hovels of alleys, from poorly kept tenements
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CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
The association began to assume such magnitude that it was found necessary to divide it into auxiliaries, to get a suitable badge, and a membership card defining more explicitly certain rules. Boyville was therefore divided into five auxiliaries—the sellers, north, south, east and west branches, with the constitution of the Central. Each auxiliary had eleven officers, making a total of sixty-six officers—all boys. In the annual election of officers great interest was taken by the boys, many disp
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CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
They had a bottle of whiskey between them. In broken sentences they told where a keeper had sold them the liquor, Sunday morning, and how the men in the saloon dared them to drink all the whiskey in the bottle. It wasn’t necessary to drink all, a few swallows made them dizzy. “We got funny and noisy, an’ the man pitched us out.” They staggered towards the opera house to attend the newsboys’ meeting, when a policeman assisted them in the house. Immediately upon their entrance their friends hustle
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CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
That the convention might prove a success, particularly among men who are familiar with work among newsboys, the aid of the circulating managers of the newspapers was asked. At the annual convention of the National Association of Managers of Newspaper Circulation, held at the World’s Fair June 12, 1904, the president of “Boyville” appeared and explained the methods adopted in this association. He satisfied them that, not only did the association accomplish much good, through its efforts to influ
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CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
The railroads who have approved of the work have permitted the officers of the National Association to issue circular letters to their agents instructing them to allow no newsboy to sell or wait for newspapers at the stations unless he is a member of the association and wears, while on duty, the official badge. This simply means that newsboys to sell or wait for papers at railroad stations must not swear, steal, lie, smoke cigarettes or gamble. The trustees, feeling that the good work accomplish
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CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
PART THIRD “I AM AN OFFICER OF THE SELLERS’ AUXILIARY; GET BUSY.” “LADY, I AM SORRY I RUN AWAY WID DE MONEY.” See Page 68 The reader will observe that when Boyville was well organized no boys were admitted to membership except those who sold newspapers or shined shoes. But later, after many years of work, incident after incident came to the president of the wrong-doings of the carriers who occasionally sold extras. Those boys came from the best families and much was expected from them by the s
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CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XII.
The reader will observe that when Boyville was well organized no boys were admitted to membership except those who sold newspapers or shined shoes. But later, after many years of work, incident after incident came to the president of the wrong-doings of the carriers who occasionally sold extras. Those boys came from the best families and much was expected from them by the sellers. But some of them proved to be very bad boys. The following is one of a number of incidents that induced the presiden
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CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
In every city of our land there are hundreds of boys like this “good boy at home,” who on the street surprises their most intimate friends by their wickedness. “TROW DE CIGARETTE AWAY.” See Page 74 The newsboy cannot gain admission to many of the boys clubs, debating clubs, athletic clubs, and is often debarred from many of our greatest christian associations, because he is a being within himself, he stands alone in his class, a creation of his own acts and deeds, and goes upon the street at tha
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CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
It was through the honesty of one of the hustling sellers that this new work was started, which became part of the great work and was carried on so successfully, and to such an extent that hundreds of valuable articles, from fifty cents in pennies to a diamond necklace, were found and returned to the owners. The following incident was the starting point. A stranger gave a little seller, what he supposed was a new bright penny, for an evening paper, and passed on. The boy renewed his work, and a
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CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
A newsboy is never at a loss for a reply to any question, and knows something about any subject discussed in our daily papers. This boy further surprised the president by saying: “Those who are thoroughly skilled in navigation are as well acquainted with the coasts of the ocean, with the sands, the shallow places, and the rocks as the secure depths in the safest channels, and good boys must as well know the bad that they may avoid it as the good that they may embrace it.” GETTING FAMILIAR WITH T
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CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
“What did you do?” was asked the officer. “We went to the house and demanded that the boys receive care and attention for what they were doing—they were bringing into the house from fifty to sixty cents a day earned by selling papers. And instead of the drunken man and woman spending this for whiskey, we made them buy good things to eat. A retail clothier gave us the suits of clothes, and the boys are simply good, and are working their way on the streets.” While the boys were working on this cas
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CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
It was just before Christmas; the streets and stores were crowded with people purchasing presents. An old lady was standing on the corner waiting for a street car. In her hand she held a small package, a Christmas present for someone. A boy, about fourteen years of age, darted out from a door-way, grabbed the package, hastened down the street and dodged into an alley. A newsboy who saw the act started after the thief, and as he ran several other newsboys joined in the chase. While they were gone
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CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The next morning, Bundle, with five other boys came into the office, their faces were long; Bundle looked sad. “Bundle got a licking,” said one of the boys looking sympathetically at Bundle. The president looked surprised. “Got a licking, and what for?” “His mother licked him because he brought the money to you. She said it belonged to her and she could spend it as she liked.” It was a fact that Bundle was severely punished. “All the boys on the street saw me get a whipping,” said Bundle, “and I
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CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
After waiting an hour, and no signs of the boys returning, the president went upon the street and to his surprise saw the two little boys, who were to hunt down the villain, playing together. “Well, what was done with the boy who ruined Joe’s stock of papers; did you find them?” “You see, we went to the alley, we looked ebery place fur the kid as what threw de papers into de gutter, but he had skipped. So me an’ Skinny talked it over quickly an’ we just gave Joe eight cents an’ told him to go ho
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CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
The usual questions were asked and answered. He proved to be a carrier and had twenty-eight customers. A membership card was given the boy with instructions to call in thirty days and get the badge. The boy left the office perfectly happy. In about a week he returned, walked to the desk and laid his membership card down, saying: “My mother says I can swear all I want to, and you have nothing to do with it. You must not tell me to stop swearing.” The president turned around, looked at the boy for
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CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
There is no subject that has received so much attention and has worried so many good people as the liquor question. Saloons and drinking never cease to be problems for our well-meaning temperance people. Why man created saloons, no one undertakes to answer. The strongest man is never too strong in a saloon, and the weak is to be pitied. The saloon is an evil that has been with us a long time and seems to be here to stay in one form or another. While we cannot eradicate the evil, especially by ex
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CHAPTER XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
“Well, you have no right to bring me here and accuse me of doing what you yourself do. Read your card, kid, read your card.” FIRST SALE OF THE DAY. Without showing any signs of worry, the little fellow said. “President what can you expect of a bationist. When I get my badge things will be different. I cuts swearing out then.” “Yes, but you better wait instead of buttin in before you are a live member,” said the carrier. They talked some time about the matter between themselves and finally they l
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CHAPTER XXIII.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The president said to the young man: “You know we advertise what the boys find in the daily papers and do everything we can to seek the owner and—” “Yes, sir,” replied the young man, “I know all this and have been through it many years ago. That is just what I want you to do, please try to find the rightful owner. I want no compensation, and I don’t want my name mentioned in any way.” LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH. As it was necessary to know who the finder was, so that after the expiration of
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CHAPTER XXIV.
CHAPTER XXIV.
The money was raised, and the boy was required to pay for the stolen peanuts and make an apology. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know it was again’ the rules of the association,” he said. “Of course it’s again the rules, an’ it’s our business to give all new members warning when they do things like that. Don’t do it any more.” This was a warning well heeded as after events proved. One of the greatest benefits gained by the newsboys in belonging to the association is the securing of suitable positions;
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CHAPTER XXV.
CHAPTER XXV.
“Say, president,” said one of them, “here’s a boy shining shoes on the market an’ the way he swears is puttin’ men out o’ business.” The accused bootblack was a sight. To the question where he lived he replied: “I have no home. My father’s dead an’ my mother, she’s no good. There’s no room fur me in the house.” THE TOUGH FROM MARKET SPACE. See Page 152 By further questioning it was learned that the clothes he had on were given to him some two months ago and had not been taken off since he put th
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CHAPTER XXVI.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The usual smile was still missing when Willie said, quietly: “Sand the track, you’re slipping.” “What do you mean?” asked the boy, his face becoming very red. “You know the rule of the association is to warn a boy when he’s slipping; when he’s doin ’ something wrong. When I say, sand the track, I mean you can’t go forward, you go backward, and some one must help you or you slide back, see? I’m the fellow who’s ready to stop you from sliding. I saw you take the papers.” The accused was surprised.
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CHAPTER XXVII.
CHAPTER XXVII.
The boy picked it up, and, to use his own language, said: “I waited until my temper cooled down and I asked him, ‘can you say you never swore, never stole any thing, never gambled, never cheated any one? I can, sir, and that’s what that card means. I wouldn’t work for you.’ Oh, I hit him hard. As I was leaving he called me back, but I said, ‘if you would give me five thousand dollars a year I wouldn’t work for you. You have not only insulted me but the association.’” Before Boyville was thought
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CHAPTER XXVIII.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Some boys made a business of begging, the majority not from their own choice, but by compulsion of their parents. One boy in particular was doing more to injure the success of the association’s work on the street than hundreds of others who were bad in other lines. The father of this boy would wait until the theatres were out, at night, and instruct the boy to “work the car,” by begging, and if that failed by forcing papers upon young men who were compelled to purchase what they did not want. It
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CHAPTER XXIX.
CHAPTER XXIX.
It is on this line that the Newsboys’ Association, with all its varied interests and objects, through its many channels of work, backed with that true spirit of Christianity characteristic of everything that means good, with the aid of its president and its many working officers, in the name of God and humanity, aims to make the bad boy of the streets of our cities and towns good, so that the mother will not find it necessary to say: “Now, my dear son, don’t go into bad company.” Let us all hope
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CHAPTER XXX.
CHAPTER XXX.
The problem of the boy is a great one, and the more we have to do with his life upon the street the greater the task of solution becomes. It is said that two great factors make the sum of human life—heredity and environment. We are told that if you will gather up soil from the arctic regions and carry it on a steamer southward, you will soon see it covered with vegetation. If the soil of the tropics is taken to the frozen regions of Franz Joseph Land, it will become barren. The soil of both regi
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CHAPTER XXXI.
CHAPTER XXXI.
One Sunday morning, a gentleman in the city was walking down an avenue of considerable importance when he was surprised to see two young newsboys coming out of the rear door of a saloon, each trying to keep the other from falling to the ground. The building was old and rickety. On the second floor were not a half dozen whole panes of glass in eight window frames. Astonished at this, a question was asked, of a passer-by who owned the saloon property? “Mr.—— owns all the property on that side of t
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CHAPTER XXXII.
CHAPTER XXXII.
WAITING FOR THE LAST EDITION. If the same interest is taken in our newsboys, to pull out the weeds so that the boy can grow, it will be doing what the preacher often says: “A good man’s goodness lies not hid in himself alone; but when he endeavors to strengthen his weaker brother.” Men often lose great opportunities to assist their fellow-men through neglect, through carelessness and indifference. It is so easy to say, “you have my sympathy, you are doing a noble work,” when many times the speak
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CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
“Yes, sir, we all see it, and it’s a beauty.” “Well, you see,” he said straightening up above his natural height, “I subscribed four cents to this here badge, and all the boys put up the dough. When I went home and thought it over, I says to myself, we ought to have a bigger badge than this fur our president. So when I comes down town I see de boys and we concluded to have a diamond put in the center. It met wid de kids ’proval, and it was done. You see de diamond?” “Yes,” replied a dozen voices
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
“One of the most pleasing remembrances of Barney’s life was shown in the following incident. It was a cold November evening, with a heavy fall of rain and sleet. I was standing in the street looking for a car to take me home, when little Barney came running to me and said: ‘You go in the store, in a dry place, I’ll watch for the car and I’ll call you,’ and in spite of protestations, he stood in the rain until the car passed. So it was always with Barney, ever looking after the happiness of his f
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CHAPTER XXXV.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Everybody knows that the infallible receipt for happiness, is to do good, and under the right conditions it is as natural for character to become beautiful as for a flower. In scores of instances it has been seen that the principles early established in the minds of the street-boys, especially where they are watched by their companions, and warned when they do something wrong, leave a lasting impression that time cannot efface. Life is full of opportunities for the young man to do good, and if i
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Hon. Ben. B. Lindsey, of Denver, Colorado, Judge of the County and Juvenile Court of Denver, after many years of hard work, intermingled with the kind of experience that brings good results, declares that in the work of the Juvenile Court he has found a way to make our boys of today, who are inclined to be bad, follow paths of virtue and honesty that will lead them to good and honorable citizenship, and his success has been along the same self-governing plan of the Boyville Association. We do no
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Boyville has made itself known to all classes of citizens, and has attracted intelligent attention throughout the country. The newsboys have learned to work together harmoniously, and this is one of the valuable secrets of human society that all must learn in order to be successful and happy. In the auxiliary monthly meetings the newsboys conduct the business with more decorum and intelligence than the average political conventions. So much for the self-governing plan. The following interesting
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CHAPTER XXXVIII.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
“It not only deprives the blood of the proper quantity of oxygen and thus prevents its purification, but it also loads it with filth, so that the heart becomes clogged and the delicate convolutions of the brain, upon which the mind’s attitude toward intellectual concepts and moral principles depends, are paralyzed. Cigarette smoking also creates a perpetual irritation, like unquenchable thirst, in the nervous system. It sets up a continual discomfort, a kind of a gnawing in the nerves, which mak
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CHAPTER XXXIX.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
He answered: “This morning I shoveled off the snow from the sidewalks in front of our house. After I got through I went across the street and cleaned the snow from the sidewalks of a widow lady. A friend passing asked me ‘why I did it,’ I replied ‘why, she’s our neighbor’.” We often hear it said that time is wasted in trying to save these newsboys, not perhaps because of the boy himself, but because of that which makes him what he is. It is argued that his environment, the influences which surro
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CHAPTER XXXX.
CHAPTER XXXX.
Begin today, go out upon the streets, work among the newsboys, reach down to those below, and offer a hand to lift them up. Throw around them the proper protection and influence. In your own city, your own town, at your own doors, are acres of diamonds only waiting for you to help in the work of polishing....
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