Finding Jerusalem Slim

You call me Christ Jesus with intelligence slim
But I was a rebel called Jerusalem Slim
And my brother: the outcast, the rebel the tramp
And not the religious, the scab or the scamp
-Nineteenth century Hobo poem

I am taking a break from editing chapter three and starting research on my last dissertation chapter. This is the mystery chapter, since nobody on my committee (myself included) liked the proposal. So I think I am going to write about hobo communities in the late nineteenth century, if I can find enough about female hoboes. I will also look at the photos taken of homeless people by Riis, etc.

Hoboes: People who wandered looking for work
Tramps: People who wandered and asked for handouts
Bums: People who stayed in one place but didn't work

Churches were often the last resort for hoboes since they had to do hard labor and listen to long sermons before getting food. The food they received was often meager, like bologna sandwiches and thin soup. However, many of them were spiritual and referred to Jesus as "Jerusalem Slim." They saw him as a hobo who wandered around and shared his story, just like they did.

Long-haired preachers come out tonight.
Try to tell you what's wrong and what's right
But when you ask for something to eat
They will answer you in voices so sweet.

You will eat bye and bye,
In that glorious land in the sky;
Work and pray, live on hay
You'll get pie in the sky when you die.
-Joe Hill ballad, "The Preacher and the Slave"

There is a church protesting our street church. As far as we can tell, it is because St. John's doesn't require any religious commitment before giving out food. They stand across the street holding signs during the service. It is hard to know how to respond.

We are trying to get back into going to street church. It is really the most authentic spiritual experience I have had, but it has been really hard to get into going to any kind of church lately. I feel like Sundays are the only days we have to figure things out at home and relax a little, and we are never sure what form our spirituality should take. Everywhere I go in Franklinton, I see Jerusalem Slim.

Coming Home!

Quick blog post from the airport!

We are getting ready to head back to Columbus from Boston. It has been a busy couple of weeks. Last week we were in Michigan with my college roommates, which was awesome. It was nice to get caught up and spend some time relaxing. I am lucky to still be able to hang out with my college friends.

We have spent this week in Boston! I LOVE it! As per my facebook status, our new plan is to put a lot of pressure on our future children so they feel like they need to go to Harvard to get our approval. Then we can visit a lot. There is something historical everywhere you go. Ashley and Greg were awesome and showed us around. Greg's parents, Jan and Tim, made us feel like part of the family. We went to Concord and saw Walden Pond, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and toured Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. It was incredible to walk where Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, and the Alcotts all hung out. What an amazing group of minds. They spent so much time debating the same issues we are worried about, but I think they spent less time dance partying. I am sure that is the only difference. I will post pictures when I get home!

At Harvard, I read through Abba Alcott's journal fragments and autobiography, and some newspaper clippings about the family. I will probably not post pictures of those since I am pretty paranoid about all of the papers I signed saying I wouldn't distribute the images. I got to hold some pressed flowers from Anna's wedding (Meg in Little Women) and some flowers marking the diary entry after Lizzie's (Beth) death. I was actually tearing up in the library, but don't tell the real Harvard people. Diary entries are tough to read when you know the outcome. Abba kept writing about how Lizzie was rallying and I was like, oh dear, she is not. I can't believe that I got to read the Alcott material for myself! I am going to incorporate the information in my chapter tomorrow and then finish drafting chapter three for my writing group meeting next week.

As much fun as I have had the past couple of weeks, I am glad it is September and I am on my way home. I am looking forward to the fall and getting back to a regular routine. I miss everyone!