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Real Life Newsies Were Very Different Than What We Saw In The Disney Film

Updated on Sep 03, 2019. Originally added on Apr 25, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

These aren't the boys who delivered a newspaper to your home, nor are they singing and dancing like in the 1990s Disney film 'Newsies'.

These are the children, usually age 9 - 15 although sometimes younger, who bought papers on their own dime and sold them on the city streets to try and make a living.

These children became the face of child exploitation during the 19th and 20th centuries. How would you feel if your son had to live the life you see on these pages?

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Photos of Newsboys from 1800 - 1920s

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Buying your wares

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These newsies are lining up to buy a token ("brass checks"), which they exchange for newspapers to sell.

Brothers - 5, 7, 10 yrs

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These Texas brothers worked from 6a to 9 or 10p selling newspapers. 1913

Long nights

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This little newsboy (in 1912), fell asleep while selling his papers.

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Waiting for the special edition

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These newsies are waiting for a special baseball edition, which they will then sell on the street.

Just, awww . . .

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A six yr old newsboy in Texas - and he isn't the youngest.

"Newsboy Club"

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Guess they created a club for newsies - to keep them out of saloons - but they're still in trouble. (With a capital T and that rhymes with P and that stands for . . . )

Pretty perky!

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Well, at least they're young. This is noon on Sunday and they have been out selling papers since 5a. No church, of course.

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"Where some of their money goes"

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12 - 15 hr days and buying something to drink! (The public thought that newsies were akin to modern gangs.)

Neither rain, nor snow . . .

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Like the post office, these boys worked in all conditions.

"Little Fattie"

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Not even 3 ½ ft tall, this 6 yr old newsies' nickname was Little Fattie. He began working when he was 5.

Outside the City Jail

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It's 10p and they're still selling papers - here, outside the jail.

Doesn't smoke, visits saloons

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He was 12, had been selling papers for 2 yrs, made 20 cents a day - and didn't have to work to support his family. His money was his - so he didn't smoke, but he did go to saloons!

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