Child Labor

Mill Worker• By 1900, 1 in 4 mill workers was under the age of 16

• The children employees were often orphans

• They worked and lived at the mill

• They worked the same hours as adults

• They did jobs that required quick feet and small hands rather than skill. Jobs like…– Changing the spools when they were full– Running the automatic spinning machines– sweeping

• Mill work was dangerous, children could…– be scalped when their hair got caught in the machines

– have their hands crushed by the machines

– fall into the machines and die

Newsie• Newsies were not usually orphans, but were almost always poor or homeless

• They bought 100 papers for 50 ₵ then sold then at little profit

• They could not refund the papers they bought, so they had to choose which papers to sell with care

• They would scout out the best places in town to sell and make it their territory

• They often faked injuries or illness• Real injuries were considered helpful for work

http://www.journoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Newsboys.jpg

Miner• Most mines were located in the middle and south in the country

• Children did not do the actual mining

• Their jobs included…– Opening the trap doors for the mining carts

– Carrying coal out of the mine

– Sorting coal from slate

• Dangers of mining were…– Mine collapses – Having their arms ripped off by carts

– Lung diseases– “Red Tips” a skin condition caused by the sulfur in coal. It causes fingers to be swollen and burns the top layer of skin off

Seafood Worker

• Child seafood workers often lived in workhouses with their parents

• The day lasted from 3:30 to 5:00• Jobs included…

– Shelling oysters & shrimp– Filleting fish – canning

• Dangers were…– The knives used– Bacteria– Irritation from the salt