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We4k ending November'23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES,
-1-
Helen S. Hartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist. 2
WPA, Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND THEIR FLOATING Haws..
Written by Helen S. Hartley.
Three years ago Mr. D. W. Lewis bought a twenty-eight foot
cabin launch which was driven by a four cylinder motor so that he
may be able to enjoy the sport fishing that the Mobile waters
abound in, as he had at that time a job with the nearby Southern
Kraft Paper Mills at Sibert, a suburb of Mobile. After fixing the
boat up to look like a new one, which required quite a bit or re-
pair work, a coat of fresh paint and adding a finishing touch here
and there. When the boat was throughly finished and glistened like
new, his wife decided it would be nice to live on board and by so
doing save the expense of house rent and the necessary monthly bills.
Mr. Lewis acquiesced, and soon the two young people, who make an
ideal couple, were comfortably arranged on board the little launch
as if in a home out in the great open spaces and in God's good
sunshine.
Mrs. Lewis grew to love the waves as they rippled and seemed to
laugh as they passed on by their boat in the warm sunshine,and when
the blue Southern sky would suddenly become bedimmed and the sun
seen only dully through a grew veil and the water that had been so
smooth and silent was cut by large ripples caused by a wind that had
sprung from nowhere, she knew by all those signs that a Higher Power
was controlling it all, and WRS looking down especially upon them
in their comfortable little floating home.
aeek ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
-2-
Helen S. Hartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
FEDERAL WRITES' Project Dist. 2
dPA Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND THEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by Aelen S. liartley.
Mr. Lewis is in his late thirties, he stands about five foot,
nine and one half inches and weighs about one hundred and fifty
pounds. ills hair is very dark and his long heavy and dark eyelids cover
his light brown eyes. Ae is a well educated man and an interesting
and humorous talker, so that a smile seems to hover about his mouth
at all times. Lie was born is Louisiana and lived there until ten
years ago when he moved to Mobile where he has resided ever sinceo
Almost every Sunday the Lewis coupe had some one visiting, them
on their little cruiser, some were just visiting sitting and chatting,
while others wanted to enjoy the sport of fishihg, and more than all
else to eat the delightful Sunday dinners that Mrs. Lewis was proud
to prepare for them, which usually consisted of heaped platters of
freshly caught fish cooked in various ways and served with potato
chips or the equivalent.
Often though it was money -making trips that Mr. Lewis madeltak-
ing a crowd of fishermen up the small bars and bayous north of Mobile,
where they could fish to their hearts content for brim, trout, goggle-
eyed perch and fresh water catfish. Once he took a crowd of sixteen
men out for a days fishing, while his wife remained in the City. A—
nother time it was a mixed crowd of fourteen boys and girls with Mrs.
Lewis,who is still terribly young herself, acting as hostess and chef.
It is real interesting to the observer to watch the antics of the
eek ending November 23, 1938
So0IOLOCTIOL SLAIES
Helen S. .artley
Identification No. 0149-5147
rederal a•iters' Project Dist. 2
drA Project #4454, Mobile, zda.
Mr. O. Lewis
Magazine Pont, Alabama.
THE LEWIS ITAEILY JD THEIkt FLO ,TIKG HOME.
;iritten by Helen S. 1.Lartley
various groups that are gathered for trios of a days outing. The
men seem to go on a trip of this kind just for the sport of fishing
and particularly for the enjoyment of the good dinners they knew
they would enjoy, as one of the recuirements are, that there be plenty
of prosTisions for the ti -in and an early start is also another reouest
of 931 sport fishermen, that is,leeving the city uring the night
and arriving or the fishing grounds before the dawn breaks. The
mfxed crowds go for a days outihg and for the pleasure of being to-
gether, spending their time talking and enjoying themselves generally
in their carefree way, for they usually want to go on some special
holiday such as Labor Day, or when the gang gets rounded up, but their
one requirement is that there would be plenty of fried chicken on
hand for dinner. The particular crowd of fourteen boys and girls
previously spoken of, said Mrs. Lewis, demanded seven chickens
brought along among the other provisions for the trip. So fried olki,k(
chicken, with a side dish of fried fresh water fish, potatoes and
cold slaw with good strong coffee, made up a feast that would be long
remembered for a day spent outdoors in the glorious Southern sunshine
always whips up a keen edge to one's appetite.
Mrs. Lewis is a wizard in the culinary art, and amid such pleas-
ant surroundings which is indeed a fairyland, with the far stretch
of clear water, which seems to be bordered by hedges of different
colored foliage, from the Bay Trees and the Willows, whikthe thick
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
Helen S. J-,artley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist.2
viPA Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alebama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY ND THEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by .-lelen S. Llartley.
underbrush and shrubbery finishes the picture.
The Lewises looked forward to the private fishing and hunting
trips that they would enjoy to the fullest extent up the river into
the different bays and bayous, when they, together with the family,
the brindle cat and the German Police dog, are arone and loll
around the boat in a truly luxurious fashion. Of course, when the
fish were striking good they would put in the full day fishing and
then they would always head the cruiser back to the City if they
were not already to leave and had made other plans, and continuing
to the market would sell the output of freshly caught fish. They
were not dependent at that time on the cruiser making their liveli-
hood by fishing, for lAr. Lewis had his job still with the Southern
Paper Mills end the boat was their home and also served as a pleasure
boat for them, yet it helped them earn many a dollar. So theirs was
truly an independent life, where happiness, tranquility and leisure
abounded.
Their private parties often included one of Mrs. Lewis' sisters,
who also loved the water and the fun of fishing, but lacked the
agility of getting quickly from one boat into the other. One day
while she was visiting them on a trip up to Oak Bayou, which ilabout
a fifteen mile trip, the two girls decided to go fishing along, as
Mr. Lewis had previously taken a skiff and was quietly fishing
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
Helen S. "artley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist. 2
WPA. Project #44541 Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND TEEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by Helen S. Ilertley.
about two hundred yards from the cruiser, LA's. Lewis was getting
everything in readiness for the trip, the rods and. reels, a water jug
and the bait. ihe launch was drifting from the end of the anchor
cable while the small skiff was pressing its side, when Mrs. Lewis'
sister suddenly decided to get into the skiff, which she proceeded to
do. First having caught the skiff's line she edged it in, so that she
could get aboard, then she balanced herself on the cruiser's deck and
climbed into the skiff. She had succeeded in planting one foot firmly
in the skiff while the other foot remained on the deck of the larger
boat, when to her horror the skiff darted away and she slipped over-
board with a splash, screaming and crying out all the while. When
she hit bottom and slowly arose to the surface and finally righted
herself, much to her chagrin, she found herself in water only waist
deep. MT. and Mrs. Lewis at once set to work to left her out of the
water which ordinarily would not have taken much effort, but the muddy
bottom caused the sister to have to do a lot of squirming and wiggling
to free her feet from the sticky mud. This set all of them laughing
so much that they were nearly in hysterics by the time they were back
on the deck of the main boat, and the proposed fishing trip had been
completely forgotten in the excitement.
The brindle cat, who was part of the crew on this little cruiser,
was a fool about water also and when twilight was gradually falling,
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
Helen S. Aartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist. 2
WPA Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND THEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by Helen S. Hartley.
the frogs croaking in their dismal fashion, and the murmur of the
waves as they gently touched the side of the boat, was fast lulling
the Lewis couple to sleep, the brindle cat climbed to the top of the
cabin and, curling herself in a round ball of soft fur, was soon
asleep. Sometimes the cat did not waken in the place of her choice
on the top of the cabin; for in the night when the wind was blowing
strongly, the boat rocked heavily and at times seamed to try to tear
itself away from its anchorage in order to escape the angry waves
that were splashing upon its sides, and the brindle cat would fall
overboard into the water and swim to the banks beside which the boat
would be lying. 1g a plank were out from the banks, the cat would
walk up the plank to the boat and cry until someone let it into the
cabin to dry, and she would feel so big and proud she was not
immediately put out again because of her wet condition.
Mr. Lewis remembers with such pleasure another paid trip that he
made to Dog River on the rburth of July, when he carried a family
party of seven. Again Mrs. Lewis WAS called upon to assist, which she
did with such evident pleasure, she and her husband soon found them-
selves to be accepted as part of the fimily. The day was spent in
fishing and bathing, but mostly by just lounging around enjoying a
leisure day. They did not leave Dog River until they had seen the
display of fireworks at Bay View Park, which lit up the entire sky in
-7
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
Helen S. Hartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal writers' Project Dist. 2
WPA Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND THEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by Helen S. Hartley.
gorgeous colors, so it was almost 10:30 when they finally landed
back in the City.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis lived from fifteen to eighteen months on
this little cruiser that they had grown to know as their home, and in
all that time never did they have an accident of any kind.
One day an offer was made for their boat that would net them
a good profit. The thoughts of the city loomed brightly before their
mind's eye, and thinking that a change might be benificial in every
way, they sold their pleasure -going craft, that had served them both
as a home and as a money maker; but more than 911 else the little
boat had stood as a sydbol of the life they had both loved. But it
was sold, the money collected, and the couple soon found themselves
in a small rented apartment in Mobile.
Mr. Lewis remained with the Southern Kraft until one day three
months ago a message came from his wife's people asking them to come
and make them a visit. Before they left Llobile, Us. Lewis was care-
ful in getting a leave of absence from the Paper Mills for a week.
The enjoyment of being united with his wife's family again made the
time slip by so quickly that he awoke to the fact that he had over-
stayed his time and upon his return to Mobile learned that his place
had been filled at the -taper Mill during his absence, by amen who
needed the job more than he, so he quietly allowed him to keep his
place.
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
Helen S. "artley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist.2
WPA Project #4454, Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY :AND THEIR FLOATING HOME.
Written by Helen S. Ilartley.
Mr. Lewis counted up his savings, although they had been very
frugal with their expenditures, yet after paying all their obligations
and thoroughly cleaning the slate, as it were, he found that they had
very little left to provide them with the necessities of life until
he could get other work. Mr. Lewis is an extraordinary man in some
respects, for he has the manners of the Southern chivalrous gentle-
man of olden days, for he refuses flatly to allow his wife to find
work of any kind out in the business world as long as he is able to
care for her, as he thinks it is a man's duty to care for the woman
he married.
He found to his amazament that he could not find work at all in
any line, and when he had counted their savings, he knew that steps
must be taken to provide for his dearly beloved wife, and that if
they continued to rent an apartment and eat only the necessities of
life, the little money they had left would seen be consumed. So he
decided to look around them in a serious and careful manner in order
to find a place that they might call their home, which would be free
or rent and the monthly bills of light, water, etc, and if possible
save enough money, or work for it in some way, maybe a day's work,
to pay up his Poll Tax that he had been so unfortunate enough to fall
behind on and at the same time have his wife register in order to
vote, as she had not done so far. They are both strong .Jemocrats
Week ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SERIES.
.9-
Aelen S. liartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal Writers' Project Dist. 2
W -PA Project 14-454 Mobile, Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEWIS FAMILY AND TiihIR FLO4aING HOME.
Written by .delen S. Hartley.
and admires Mr. Roosevelt as the greatest man the country has ever
known.
They were fortunate in finding a barge that could be bought cheap-
ly with a newly built house on it. The size of the barge is 12x24
and the size of the house itself is 10 x 20 and ecbout 8 feet high.
feeling that they could not let the chance slip they bought the barge,
as they had not seen anythin else that would do. The house is built
as one room with a door leading out on a deck or porch 0 either end,
with two good -size windows on either side. The barge is lying besides
the banks on the north side of the first span of Cochrane Bridge from
tne Mobile side.
A large Red Star itange stands in one corner of
in the other is a double bed which is covered with
spread, and reclining in the exact center of which
the room,while
an embroidered
is Dollie, a darl-
ing little kitten that nas taken the place of Yrs. Lewis' brindle cat.
Dollie is a year old kitten, and is covered with a thick coat of
glistening black fur without one white hair anywhere to be found,
except her whiskers are now turning a lighter shade but are still far
from white. Lrs. Lewis takes great pride in Dollie, who showed utter
indifference.to her surroundings in e kitten's imprudent way by
gazing in the distance, while all the time she seems to be looking
up et the ceilinp at 9 sun -bean.
ileek ending November 23, 1938
SOCIOLOGICAL SEliIES.
Helen S. Hartley
Identification No. 0149-5147
Federal iriter6' Project Dist. 2
VPA Project A-454.Mobi1e Ala.
Mr. D. J. Lewis
Magazine Point, Alabama.
THE LEVI'S 21 -LILY IND 12=R FLO.±,TING
,ritten by -elen S. i-4artley.
A round dinner table, covered with a clean white table clot 4 which
hung almost to the floor, occupies one side of the cabin while at-
tached to the well and under the table are stationary seats. There
is a water cooler at one end of the dining table, the water used on
the house -boat is carried from Lagazine Point, a distance of about one
half mile. Also ceiling -high cabinets, built in -to the wall which
contain their dishes, condiments etc., and their pots and pans, making
them handy to the stove. These are all in one end of the cabin. On
the same side of the room stands a dressing table and the bed, while on
the other side a comfortable studio couch is up against the wall along
side a small table and dresser. A rocking chair is in the center of
the floor. Each article of furniture is covered with a fancy piece
of some kind and all so very clean, while the floor gleams in its
whiteness and the furniture blends together, proclaiming to the world
that an ideally happy couple are its occupants.
Buster, a young collie puppy six months old, arrived from some
unknown journey which had taken up all of his time for the past few
hours. Hie long light colored hair is sprinkled with tar, but the
pleasure he evinced by whining and wagging his tail vigorously and
in every way tried in his canine way to show that he was very happy to
be home with those he loved. Buster seemed to try and tell his master
that the tar had gotten on his coat without his knowing it, and was
1.-
.eek en Ing November 23,
saelen -artley
Identification No. 014 l
ifederal olect
ff4454)
rlo,..ject
W..sasap
D. 0 Lewis
zinc Points Alabams,
LEWIS FAMILY MAIR YLQATIEG EGME.
4rit.en. by den S. Aartle.
begging r.Lew to wash him all over .iaiL carefl1y so that he
would. be thoron
dry before na.3“t time.
he sheeP skin rug tnet ,Iss served as .3usters bed since his
birth was hangin on the, outside of the cabin where ,rs. ewis had
hung it after caratu].lj brushing and shkin..it well. Nhen it was
tine for the f&tuiI to retIre, the sheep skin was aid carefully on
the floor .or .5uster to retire on but in the night he often awoke
to find that he h;:.s a bedfellow, for ,../o1.1.1e had eased herself along
besiae n51: on t skin bed sometime during the :tight. Ms
lonp •nince, however, ceased to remonstrate with her, so he turns over
-ewie
has not put hisbed down In the special place that bunter has long
since recognized,
and yarns and again drops off to
,leep. If for any reason
whines and begs until it is placed, then he
tmtediately ly down upon It.
On the over -head timbers of the room are a single shot gun, the
life belts and other sundry articles while in a corner are resting
the rods and reels.
and ra 1,,,ewis as yet have no launch with which to move the
house -boat around, but have acquired an engine, so as to be ready for
the day when there is money enough to buy a boat to put it in, so
that once again they may move up to the fishing grounds, taking their
Week ending Bovember 23 I
800IC?LOGIQAL SERIES.
38
Helen S. .i:artley
Identification No, 0143-5147
Federal '';riterst Project Dist. 2
:i?rojeot #4454 Mobile Ala.
Mr. D. 0 Lewis
Magazine Point, iasbema.
THE LEWIS YAK= iaND THEE, FLOATMG HOME.
Written by Helen S. -..jartley.
home with them, where they can enjoy the great open spaces away from
the noise of the City, and where onoe agairi that feeling of a strange
sentiment seems to take possession of them, which makes them feel that
they are amongst the favored and that the Eternal Father is near and
watching over t
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis in their house-
boat, Monday afternoon, November alet, 1q38.