1. Child Labor

2. 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

3. Mill work was dangerous, children could…
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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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