"December 1910. Coal Creek, Tennessee. "Hard work and dangerous for such a young boy. James O'Dell, a greaser and coupler on the tipple of the Cross Mountain Mine, Knoxville Iron Co., in the vicinity of Coal Creek. James has been there four months. Helps push these heavily loaded cars. Appears to be about 12 or 13 years old." Photograph and caption by Lewis Wickes Hine."
Text and image from Shorpy, which posts interesting large-format hi-res historical photos. That website has done an admirable job of documenting the abuses of child labor here and abroad; the site's name is in fact a tribute to Shorpy Higginbotham, a turn-of-the-century coal-mining child.
Posted today because a number of blogs are suggesting a boycott of gold, decrying the use of child labor in African gold mining operations. This photo a reminder that similar conditions existed in this country not that long ago.
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