Messenger boy working for Mackay Telegraph Company. Said fif
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Messenger boy working for Mackay Telegraph Company. Said fif
Messenger boy working for Mackay Telegraph Company. Said fifteen years old. Exposed to Red Light dangers. Location: Waco, Texas. Date 1913 September
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Media ID 7281193
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Cigar Dangers Exposed Fifteen Labour Mackay Messenger Poverty Telegraph Texas Waco Years
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph, a fifteen-year-old messenger boy named Said stands proudly outside the Mackay Telegraph Company building in Waco, Texas, in the year 1913. The young boy, with a serious expression on his face, clutches a bundle of telegrams under his arm, ready for delivery. He wears a simple shirt and trousers, and a cap adorned with the company logo. In one hand, he holds a cigar, puffing on it with a nonchalant air. Despite his youthful appearance, Said is exposed to the harsh realities of life as a messenger boy in this bustling American city. The dangers of his job extend beyond the physical demands of delivering messages on foot, as he is also confronted with the seedy underbelly of Waco's Red Light district. The area, located near the telegraph office, was notorious for its brothels, saloons, and gambling dens. The image offers a poignant reminder of the harsh labor conditions and societal norms of the time, particularly for children. Poverty was rampant in Texas during the early 1900s, and many children were forced to work long hours in dangerous jobs to support their families. The use of cigars and other vices was common among adults and children alike, as a means of coping with the harsh realities of life. This photograph, taken by an unknown photographer, offers a glimpse into the past, providing a poignant reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of a young boy growing up in America over a century ago. The image is a powerful reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing the issues of child labor and poverty, which continue to be relevant today.
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