Don’t know. You’d have to ask the FReepers here that are older than dirt.
Yep, there’s a few.
Ha...I’m not older than dirt yet, but approaching it.
As a kid the railroad went through our town and there was a rural area by the tracks where most of them stayed. They knew the homes they could come to where folks would find them something to eat. They didn’t come into town after dark or late in the evening, if they did the cops would tell them to be out before the sun went down and they meant it.
Don’t ever remember a problem and my grandmother was one of the people they came to for a bite.
Of course those were the days when there were mental institutions and the Hobos I came across were always polite and kept to themselves.
Born in ‘49 and when I was growing up the last generation of real hobos was still alive and moving through where I lived.
Most were nice guys, willing to work for a decent day’s pay. Many camped in the woods between my house and the rail line to Bugettstown and west to Columbus.
Saw many campfires. Learned a lot.
Those not following the rules were summarily ostracized.
OTD FReeper.
My grandfather often used hobos to work around his store. There was always something to be painted, a mop to be swung, and so on. Not a whole lot different from a temp. They’d trade an afternoon’s work for money or dinner.
The smart ones worked for food. My grandmother was an incredible cook!!