The Mulligan of Happiness

by Lila Colloton (pictured in her clowning outfit, along with her friend Kay)

Until recently I had never met or even seen a hobo. Being raised in Chicago there were no drifters from the train yards seeking food and shelter at the door of our apartment. At least none that I was aware of.

But, one day several months ago a friend of mine asked if I would like to go to a Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa in August. He suggested that I stay with friends who lived a short distance from the town where the convention was being held. That way I could attend the many hobo activities the town had to offer. But, there was one small catch. I was to bring my clown costume and help with a children's program. Then on Saturday I was to ride on a float in the parade. 

I was eager to go, but was a little hesitant to bring my clown attire. What if the hobos didn't want me to invade their space? "I've told many of them about you already," he said with a grin on his face, "and they are anxious to meet you." I didn't know just what that meant, but I agreed to the challenge and my friend Mildred and I were soon on our way to stay with my friends in Clear Lake, Iowa which was fairly close to the town where the Hobo Convention was held. 

I was soon to learn there is no real way to visually tell who a hobo is. They don't wear unusual clothing and contrary to most of the police officials there are no organized gangs. One of the major things the hobos try to keep in their head is traveling intelligence, which isn't always possible. It resolves around the mode of transportation they use which is usually a freight train, but it may also include hitchhiking on the highways. Older hobos used a railroad scanner to find out what time the train was coming, and where it was going. 

I was excited to talk to some of the hobos and they willingly told me about their lives while riding the rails. I was told to become a Hobo King a man must have ridden in freight cars for some time in his life. A Hobo Queen was not required to do that. 

The National Hobo King for last year was called Hobo Spike. He was from Mt. Shasta, Calif. He said he has had the wanderlust since 1952. "Being raised in an orphanage," he said, "I never felt like I belonged. So one day I hopped a freight train and I've been in love with riding the trains ever since." Hobo Spike is now married to Lady Maria who has the title of Crown Princess. 

The National Queen Hobo for last year was a woman named Mama Jo who came from Blue Spring, MO. She is an outreach worker for the homeless in Kansas City, MO and Kansas City KS. While she was feeding the homeless one year she met a man whom they called 'Frog' and he invited her to the Hobo Convention in Britt. She and her husband liked it so well they have been going back for the convention for the past nine years. Although her husband is not a hobo she refers to him as her queen's consort. 

As the Hobo Queen, Mama Jo rode in freight cars for 200 miles with permission. Her mission this year was to raise money for a larger Hobo Museum in Britt. 

Hobo 'Frog' was the 1997 Hobo King. He never married and is living in Helena, MT. "I started riding the rails when I was 20 years old," Frog mentioned. "I was camping on the beach in Jacksonville, FL and a policeman came up to me and told me to leave town within 24 hours or I'd go to jail. I began hitchhiking and met a black man who suggested we hop a freight train and get out of there. It just seemed like the right thing to do. The very first night I was on that train I fell in love with 'riding the rails'". 

Frog said he always worked during his hobo days, and when he couldn't find steady employment he would find part time jobs and scrape together enough money to bake pies to sell. Many of the hobos spoke to the youth and were eager to share their experiences and also stress the danger of hopping a freight train today. They mentioned that the trains are much faster now than they used to be, and just as it was years ago, it is illegal. 

The Hobo Convention wouldn't be complete without mentioning "Serenity" The National Gospel Singers, (much of this information was taken from a journal of one of the singers). A few years ago, when "Fishbones" (who was King of the Hobos in 1988), went to be with the Lord, God opened a door of opportunity for 'Serenity' to proclaim the Gospel in song at the National Hobo Convention. 

Fishbones was the father of Connie Hall and father-in-law of Debi Batchelder. Together, the two, along with Lynn Bearce, who are all from Maine, answered the call of the Lord to share Christ with those attending the memorial service during the convention. Afterwards, around the Jungle fire, they were given the opportunity to sing scripture songs. At the end of this five day convention, 'Serenity' was dubbed as "The National Hobo Gospel Singers" - a door was opened for the Gospel to be proclaimed at any and every hobo gathering across America. 

'Serenity' was given a royal proclamation by the new king and queen of the hobos, which gave them that right. The women who make up 'Serenity' believe that God has given them the opportunity to share their hope and faith in the songs they sing about Jesus to the thousands of people during the Hobo Convention. "God has given us favor among these people," Connie said, "which is an answer to our prayers. We have seen once silent Christians becoming bolder in expressing their faith and we are witnessing lives being changed by the truth of the Gospel. Some of the hobos are even beginning to open up to us." 

She continued to say that in the last three years they have spent a total of 26 days in the hobo communities. During those 26 days, they saw the hand of God move in miraculous ways. They had the privilege of praying with seven people to receive Christ as personal Savior and Lord - one is now off the rails and in Bible College! "It is very important to take the time to listen to them and to pray for the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus." One of the men who was honored this year was Ramblin' Ruby from Shawneetown, IL. He was King of the Hobos in 1986. The Hobo Parade was Saturday Aug. 14th and I was invited to ride on 'Serenity's' float as a clown. This was followed by the coronation and crowning of the new Hobo King and Hobo Queen. As I look back at that week, I can honestly say I had a magnificent time. Meeting and sharing with the various hobos and their families and friends was an experience I will never forget. Plus the National 'Serenity' Gospel Singers were awesome. What a satisfaction it must be for them to see lives changed in this type of surroundings, through their ministry of singing gospel songs. Being a clown at the Hobo Convention wasn't so bad after all!!