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Friday, January 03, 2014 / Published in Forgotten People, Uncategorized

HARD TIMES…STRANGE MEASURES

The Great Depression was in full swing in 1934.  Looking back at people’s wildly varying reactions to such adversity elicits a mixed bag of emotions. Great sadness for the suffering.  Amazement at the triumph of human spirit.  Bafflement at seemingly futile (but perhaps poetic) gestures of hope.

Take, for example, this poor family passing through Pack Square on a journey from Florida to Canada…in a “PUSHMOBILE!”

asheville citizen-times 4/15/1934

A veteran of the Canadian Army, J. A. Foster is hoofing it on foot to talk to “get his bonus straightened out.”

There must be a long story behind that brief explanation.

Their intriguing mode of transportation drew some interest at Pack Square.

pushcart20000

As if the hard economic times weren’t enough, the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 took the lives of 5 daughters, two sisters, and his mother.  I wonder if they ever made it…

photo and article from Asheville Citizen-Times: April 15, 1934

post by Lyme Kedic

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Tagged under: Asheville Visitors, Canadian Army, Pack Square, The Great Depression

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3 Comments to “ HARD TIMES…STRANGE MEASURES”

  1. Bob Benites says :Reply
    January 4, 2014 at 12:13 pm

    I wonder if Mr. Foster and his family made it back to Canada AND got his
    “bonus straightened” out?

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  2. Peggy Gardner says :Reply
    January 6, 2014 at 10:56 am

    It’s good to be reminded of our ease and wealth. Thanks, Lyme!

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  3. Jenny Bowen (@FotoJennic) says :Reply
    May 25, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    Love the history you guys uncover and share. Another excellent read.

    Reminded me of this image from Asheville, 2006 – the sentiment is similar:
    http://bit.ly/1Etf61x

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