Interviews with the last of a dying breed.
Wrong Way
How he became a hobo: In the early 1970s, Wrong Way hit a guy really hard in a bar in South Alabama. He thought the police were after him, so he hopped on a train and left town. At first he was scared of the hobo jungles, but he met a guy named One-Armed Blackie who took him under his arm.
How he got his hobo name: In the early 1970s, Wrong Way's nephew got him a job hauling meat in Chicago. His nephew offered him a bus ticket, but Ronnie said he would just hop on a train. The night before he left for Chicago he went out to the liquor store and got hammered. The next day he woke up in a city and called his nephew. His nephew had never heard of the street he was on. Ronnie hung up, found a cop, and asked him where he was. The cop said "the Bronx."
His favorite places:
- Up North in the Summer
- Down South in the Winter
- He hates Florida because it's a crazy place and the laws are insane.
- He likes the Pan Handle of Texas because he does really well there.
- Doesn't like Salt Lake City because there are too many bums.
His hoboeing tips:
- A good solid pair of boots. It's the best tip he could ever give. He sees guys in tennis shoes and thinks they're insane.
Random facts:
- His name used to be Wrong Way Ronnie, but he thought it was too long, so he dropped "Ronnie."
- It was his first time at the Hobo Convention after hearing about it for a million years. He said it felt like home to him and reminded him of the hobo jungles of the '70s and '80s.
- This summer is probably his last season hoboeing. He has some health and legal problems he needs to take care of.
- Ronnie used to be a real angry person, but in the past couple of years has snapped out of it. He realized everyone isn't after him.
Tiny Legend
How he became a hobo: Tiny Legend has basically always been a hobo. His father was a carnie and his mom was a hippie. He taveled the rails from fair to fair with his father ever since he was a little kid.
How he got his hobo name: He was born on Route 66 in a "hippie van." His father had to cut his umbilical chord with some type of carnie knife. Unfortunately, Tiny Legend was born premature and had to go to the hospital because he was so tiny. He also told me he was legend, so, "Tiny Legend."
His favorite places:
-Little Rock, Arkansas because the people are nice and feed you good.
His hoboeing tips:
- Pee before you get on the train. The train loosens up your bladder and peeing out the side is dangerous.
Random facts:
- He's a self-proclaimed carnie hobo/carnie tramp which means he travels from fair to fair on the rails.
- Tiny Legend was also really good at hustling the Britt, Iowa locals. He would charge people $1 for giving them their hobo names.
- This was his first year at the Convention.
Pantomime
How he became a hobo: Pantomime had his first ride at age 14 when his mother and father separated. His parents lived on opposite sides of town, so he would hop a train to go between them. He became a full-time hobo after he lost his job as an iron foundry worker in the 1970s. He said iron jobs went overseas.
How he got his hobo name: He made a film with his stepbrother in the early 1970s about riding the trains called "Pantomine." Unfortunately, the film was destroyed shorty after it was edited in a fire. He said he was just looking to make a movie and maybe get a job.
His favorite places:
- Anywhere with work. He said it's like fishing. You pick an area, throw the bob in, and hope you get a bite.
His hoboeing tips:
- Wear a pair of long pants. The steel can get really hot and you can burn yourself.
- Get a good job and keep it!
Random facts:
- He made me write down this quote, "A recession isn't just a word, it's actual human suffering."
- He's running for President. The booklet he's holding is his platforms. You can see his website here.
A screenshot from his Presidential website.