Guys,
Just curious, everybody knows the legendary exploits of the famous hobo A#1. Does anybody know if there are any pictures of him in his heyday?
He is legendary because of his escapes from the coppers in the depression era and for getting rides for free. Just wondering.
Mike Maurice
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From Wikipedia:
Leon Ray Livingston (1872–1944) was a famous hobo, travelling under the name "A-No.1". He perfected the hobo symbols system, which lets other homeless people know where there are more or less generous people, free food, vicious dogs, etc. He was not a poor man; he simply preferred a life of travelling the country by train to sitting at home. He has been lauded by many American historians as the King of the Hoboes, and has followings all over the USA.
Livingston wrote several books on travelling the hobo way, including Life and Adventures of A-No.1, America's Most Celebrated Tramp. He brought attention not only to the state of the homeless in America, but also to the excitement and benefits of travelling the country for amusement. He lived and published his books in Erie, PA, and Cambridge Springs, PA.
During his later life, he continued to roam the country, but spoke out against youngsters following him. "I began out of necessity, continued because I loved the life, and now because I know nothing else." He died in 1944 and, while having a grave marked "A-No.1 At rest at last" in a Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania cemetery, his actual body was buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery outside of Erie, Pennsylvania (source).
His book From Coast to Coast with Jack London (ISBN 99903-46-63-1) became the basis for the movie Emperor of the North (1973), directed by Robert Aldrich.
Thank you Allen and Cheryl. Most useful.
Mike Maurice
Dear Allan,
Thank you. I have recently bought 6 books authored by A#1......All of which are fascinating. I have an Amazon Kindle so they were $0.99 cents each.
Interesting life that of a hobo.....Don't think it's very appealing now, only challenging traveling from tough break to tough break always on the run from the John Laws!
Mike Maurice
Looks nothing like Lee Marvin...
Rusty
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