Boyville: A History of Fifteen Years' Work Among Newsboys

by John E. Gunckel

The membership increased so rapidly and the detail work became so extended, that it was found necessary to increase the number of officers, from two boys to eleven. The constitution and by-laws provided a Central Association, which was officered by boys who had experience upon the streets, as sellers and carriers. The vice-president gradually became familiar with the objects of the association, and the work among the boys. He was a typical newsboy, a good street-seller and his power was felt among the boys, especially those who were inclined to be bad. A secretary was elected from the ranks of the carriers. He was a good worker. The treasurer was a boy who received the unanimous vote of the association. The money he received was small donations, from benevolently-inclined friends. This was used for purchasing flowers for sick boys, etc. The real work of the association depended upon the executive committee of five members. Like most organizations, the committee-work centered in the chairman. The chairman of this committee proved to be one of the most active and faithful boys of the association. He left nothing undone in his efforts to unravel a difficulty or in correcting and building up a boy who had done wrong. The four boys on his committee were untiring in their efforts for the success of the association. This committee was in constant touch with the president.

The membership committee of three boys looked after old as well as new members. Each applicant had to be submitted to them for approval.

With these eleven officers, all boys under fourteen, the association began life. The constitution and by-laws embraced in its power and force simply one aim, one object, to do good among the boys. To do it effectively, and make the results lasting. To build up, never pull down; to encourage honesty, to watch and warn a boy.

The work among the street boys became more interesting as the months rolled on, and, at the end of a year the membership of Boyville had increased to two hundred and fifty sellers and bootblacks. This number not only included boys who sold papers every day, but those who sold extras, and on Saturdays, and special occasions, and boys who sold magazines or other periodicals. The association began to grow and become recognized by the boys generally, and new sellers appeared upon the streets daily, all anxious to join. The working officers remained the same—but two boys doing the detail work.

Two years passed under the new officers and rules. The Boyville Newsboys’ Association began to be felt in the community. Compliments were frequent concerning the good work. The association had increased its membership to fifteen hundred and twenty boys. A little army, and all working harmoniously together for each others good, and in trying to assist and build up the association. Doubting men and women, and the world is full of them, were perfectly satisfied of the success of the boys governing themselves, as was shown almost daily in the work. The boys solved a problem never thought of being tried by men and women who had long experience in working among boys.

The success of Boyville increased in proportion to the work done by the young officers.

People began to look upon a newsboy with some consideration, and as a necessary adjunct to the growth of a city. His politeness, his honesty, his general deportment attracted special notice, and the boys received many kind words and increased attention.

The association began to assume such magnitude that it was found necessary to divide it into auxiliaries, to get a suitable badge, and a membership card defining more explicitly certain rules.

Boyville was therefore divided into five auxiliaries—the sellers, north, south, east and west branches, with the constitution of the Central. Each auxiliary had eleven officers, making a total of sixty-six officers—all boys. In the annual election of officers great interest was taken by the boys, many displaying political “wire pulling” qualifications that would equal the work done by great political bodies.

These sixty-six officers were scattered in all parts of the city, making it almost impossible for a boy whom they wanted for violating a rule of the association, to escape their notice.