Britt

CLICK ON PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Britt, Iowa - 2003

After an 11 year absence, I made it back to Britt, IA to see old friends and make new
acquaintances at the 2003 National gathering. Many of the 1992 BO's were not in attendance
in 2003 as they have moved on to a different stage in life or advancing age or poor health
prevents them from finding their way back to Britt.

A review of the signatures on my walking stick from 1992 reveals that nine BO's have caught
The Westbound. Alabama Hobo, Bo Britt Eddie, Cardboard, Fishbones, Hobo Joe, Iowa Bob,
Sonny Slim Chance, Texas Bob, and The Man Called John are in our memory.

I did reestablish contact with many of the 1992 BO's including Adman, Blue Moon,
Collinwood Kid, Connecticut Shorty, Bo Lump, Luther the Jet, Minneapolis Jewel,
New York Maggie, Preacher Steve, Redbird Express, Slo Freight Ben, and last but certainly
not the least-The Texas Madman. My spirit was especially lifted when upon arrival on
Thursday Aug. 7th, 2003 I spotted Wanda, Steamtrain, and Big Skip.

I asked around about Iowa Blackie and Hobo Charlie told me to try uptown. I did find
Iowa Blackie by the Britt Library. As usual, he was camped out by himself and Blackie
remains very much a loner, while continuing to draw the displeasure of librarians throughout
Iowa. I last met up with my Fellow Iowan in 1993 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and to me, Blackie will
always represent the independent Hobo Spirit. I noticed that his hairdresser must be omitting
the color and I suspect that in a few more years, he will be known as "Iowa Grayie".

The "new To Me" BO's are a pleasant bunch and I was happy to meet for the first time:
The Baloney Kid, Connecticut Tootsie, Dante, Derail & Larry, Duane & Joyce, Duffy Littlejohn,
Graincar Geo, Grandpa Dudley & M.A.D. Mary, Half Track, Hobo Charlie, our New King-Hobo Spike,
Irish Red, Kabar, MS Charlotte, Nightingale, Oats, OhioTom, Oops, Roadkill, Slim Tim, Snapshot,
SonShine, Sonny Ray, St Cloud Tim, Sunrise, Tanner City Kid, Tuck, New Queen-Mama Jo,
Hobo Santa, Story Teller, and New York Greenie.

I've relocated from Florida (TOO HOT), to St Louis, MO and I hope to make Britt in the
coming years. If anyone is rolling thru St Louis, e-mail me and we'll meet up somewhere.

Best Wishes to all my Hobo friends,
St Louis Frank - Frank Chambers
c/o Riverside Hotel - Suite 101
615 Sunflower Avenue . Clarksdale, Mississippi 38614
e-mail Frank at r7f77-ratpack@yahoo.com

Congratulations 2003 Queen-Mama JO and 2003 King-Hobo Spike ..

Grand Patriarch for Life-Steamtrain Maury ..

Click Here to see more BO's pictures at Britt.

Back to HOBO-U63 page