Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-18
GIRL HOBO PUTS
HAIR IN POCKET
HAS TRESSES CLIPPED AND
WEARS BROTHERS. CLOTHES
Tries to Get to Aunt's Home When
stepfather Causes Her to Leave
Terre Haute-Dodges
Brakemen
Special to The Herald.


ST. LOUIS, Oct. 17.--Forced by the
breaking up of her home in Terre
Haute, Ind, to seek home with her
aunt in Reed Springs, Mo-, and having
no money to pay her fare, 17-year-oid
Osha Mead, pretty and blue eyed, had
her long brown hair cut short. put on
suit of her brothers. clothes, put her
tresses in the pants pocket, and started
with him to beat their way on freight
trains. The distance ahead was 639
miles. They reached st. Louis tired
and hungry, were arrested and are at
the Four Courts.
Osha is the daughter of Mrs. Ida 'Pru-
ner of 1915 Elm street, Terre Haute.
Her father, George Meade, died when
she was years old. Three years later
her mother married James r. Pruner,
Soon there was not enough at home for
Osha and her brother, William.
Osha's aunt, Mrs. Lottie Howard OF
Reed Springs, wrote offering to care for
the children. William made UP his mind
to go. Osha wanted to go with him,
but was told that he was going to beat
his way.
This did not lessen her desire to go,
but she could not go as hobo" In
girls clothes. William offered her a
suit of his clothes
She took them, had her hair shingled
and they started on their long journey
with but $2.65.
They boarded a train at Terre Haute
last Tuesday morning and paid their
way to Paris Ill, about 45 mills. At
Paris they spent go cents for lunch
and waited in the railroad yards until
a westbound freight train pulled in.
There were only cattle cars in the train
and they climbed into one of these.
At Nation, fearing to ride further
lest constable find them, they decided
to leave the car when the train slowed
down. William swung off safely. Osha,
unused to boys clothing, fell. She
threw her body av from the wheels
as she struck the ound, and rolled
hurt and walked with her brother into
town. They passed several men and
talked with them, but Osha's disguise
was not detected.
This Brakeman Grated
To leave Mattcon they got into G. coal
car. 1t was raining. and before they
trains stopped long enough to allow
them to crawl into a cattle car they
were drenched. After they had en-
tered the cattle car they were found by
a brakeman, who threatened to put
them off IL they did not pay him. Will
liam gave him a dime and offered him
a large knife.
The brakeman accepted the money,
but refused the knife.
Near Belleville their car was
switched and they boarded another, in
which they rode 10 East St. Louis. The
Carr street ferry furnished them with
means of reaching ST. Louis Thursday
afternoon
Their capital was reduced to 30 cents,
and for br cad and ham they paid 25
cents more. On their way to the Iron
Mountain freight yards they We're
sotpped by two policemen.
When questioned, they said they were
on their way south. and Osha confessed
that she was a girl.
Cattle Cars Jolting
In the detention room Friday Osha
told OF her impression OF the journey.
1--WE did not meet any real 'hoboes, "
she said, "and only one man beating
his way He got In the car at Nation
and rode only a few miles. It's not
such fun riding in cattle cars They
smell and Jolt. We were wet and
hungry when we reached Belleville, and
my brother did not stand the trip as
well as thought he would. He is very
nervous and gets excited easily.
''Nhen told mamma that / was GO
ing to beat my way 10 Aunt Lottie's,
she gave her consent. II was easy for
me to wear brothers clothes. for we