Document text
Folklore
FORMA
Circumstances of Interview
Washington
J. J. Stouter
Seattle, Washington
December 20, 1938
"A Railroad "Em" Story"; "Miner's Lore"
1. R. Rouse and snon7mous
2. December 19, 1938
3. A.Y.of L. Union Hall, Seattle, Washington
4. None
5. None
6. None.
1PORM
Personal History of Informant
Washington
J. J. Stmt.)?
Seattle, Washington
December 20, 1938
"A Railroad Ho Story"; "Miner's Lore"
H. House and anonymous
1. Not known
2. Not known
3. lot obtained
4. Not obtainable
5. Not known
6. Old-time coal miner, =saber of United Mine loiters.
7. Not obtainable
S. Not given
9. Not given
10. None
American Folk Stuff
Stauter Dec. 20, 19,8
A Railroad "Bo" Story:
"In 1928 times was pretty good, and the "boes" (tramps) were getting
scarce they could make good money almost anywhere. I run across one
feller near Cincinnati that was ridin' the brakes west. He looked like
he might be the kind that took a job once in awhile so I told him that
there was lots of** in Kansas City if he was interested. He said:
'Brother, I hain:tylorked for eleven year. And what's more, brother, I
vpou
hain't never goneito work agin until there's a red flag flyial over
the Post Office.'"
Told by am:v*0We.,
A bit of Miner's folklore
"Hest oreTcoal mine in the country has got rats in it. Mice, too.
You don't Oseinol.ivint creature in a shaft coal mine Ravin' rats and mice
end men.'.' The old timers say that if a mine ain't got no rats nor mice,
it ain't safe) for nobody. They can smell even the least bit of gas. If
there' S gas formilio they'll leave in a hurry. 'Tim said the rats can
tell afore man if there's goin' to be a 04NO in. They can hear the
timbers creak ibenthere's tbo much strain an 'ea. They can feel the top
begin to give when it's lank. So a miner always says: 'Look ovtidum: the
rats leave a eti.ne-- they know betterin the company experts when it ain't
safe."
'o
Told by H. Reuse one of the United Mine Worker's Union. In old coal miner.