Mill Children, Gastonia, 1908

The note with this photo identifies the boys from right to left (the opposite of the way we usually identify people) as Willie Long, James Hurley, Lloyd Long, 12, Spurgeon Price, 13, Clarence Price, 14, and Charley Caswell. They are on their way home after Sunday School. The surprise, to me anyways, is that during the week, some of these boys work in a mill in Gastonia. Willie Long has already worked in a mill for 4 years. Lloyd Long has worked for 2 years, Spurgeon Price, for three years, so they both started work at the age of 10. Clarence Price and Charley Caswell have each worked for three years in the mill. James Hurley is the only one not working in a mill. All of these photos were taken by Lewis Wickes Hine (1874-1940) and are part of a collection at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Words in quote marks are from Hine's notations, as recorded by the Library of Congress.

"Boys going home from Sunday School. Right to left. (not left to right) Willie Long—in mill 4 years.; James Hurley; Lloyd Long, 12 yrs., in mill 2 years; Spurgeon Price, 13 yrs., in mill 3 yrs.; Clarence Price, 14 yrs., in mill 3 yrs.; Charley Caswell, in mill 3 yrs. Gastonia, North Carolina."

Hine's note for this photo: "Boy on the right hand works nights." 

Loray Mill workers, Gastonia, photo taken in November 1908

"(Right hand boy) John Campbell (Box 294 Gastonia) 10 years old. Been three years in mill. In school part of this time. (Left hand boy) Roy Little. Said 12 years old. Two years in mill and worked nights 8 months. Doffer. Location: Gastonia"

"Running warping machines in Loray Mill, Gastonia"

"Boy from Loray Mill Gastonia"

Eugene Bell, House 48, Loray Mill, Gastonia

Gola Chambers, House 38, Loray Mill, Gastonia

"Spinners. Smallest girl—Pearlie Turner, 408 East Long Ave. Been at it 3 years and runs six and seven sides. Her sister (largest girl) runs only four sides. I found other cases where youngest sister did much more work than oldest and family stimulated her by praising her speed and the other’s slowness. Location: Gastonia, N.C."