Victims of the Depression

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jackson, of St. Louis, fled St. Louis when he lost his job. But they were unable to find work in Chicago either. In the cold winter of January 1931 they decided to "beat" their way home in an open rail car. Mrs. Jackson had no coat and the 4 month old baby was wrapped in a worn blanket for a five hour night time ride. They were noticed on the railroad tender and taken into the stations building in Bloomington. Mrs. Florence Strohmeier of the Bureau of Social Service was able to confirm their situation and provided the Jackson's with food and a ride home to St. Louis inside the train car.

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