“Dusty Feet” appeared in the Bowery News in 1947 (no date, but it was Volume 1, Number 10). John was 17 at the time; it was one of his first sales. I assume he was indulging in some poetic license in some of these lines….
The Bowery News, subtitled “The Voice of Society’s Basement,” was aimed at “mission stiffs and hoboes, dock wallopers and pearl divers [dock workers and dishwashers], wingies and plingies [one-armed beggars and panhandlers], smokehounds and canned heat artists [drug addicts and wood alcohol drinkers]”; John contributed occasionally in his teens. It was originally called the Hobo News, reviving an earlier paper by that name. And here he is photographed by one of the paper’s regulars.
My condolences. Always sad to see someone go. I just found this site and it is a wonderful tribute to people on the caliber of John Keel and Phyllis Benjamin. Good people have brought us good thoughts, and it’s always nice to hear what they left behind. Thank you of keeping us informed on people have brought light to our world.
Comment by Michael Johnson — March 13, 2012 @ 9:30 pm
Thanks, Michael!
Comment by Doug — March 13, 2012 @ 10:51 pm