King of the Hobos

Рет қаралды 15,429

4 жыл бұрын

This a portrait of Steam Train Maury Graham that I produced in the early '80s. It was broadcast nationally on PBS, won an award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and was selected as a finalist in the American Film Festival in NYC. Steven Ashley was the cinematographer and a key artistic contributor. Steven is now the Managing Director of Masterpiece- the winner of 83 Prime Time Emmys.

Пікірлер: 88

@CreachterZ 3 ай бұрын

RIP Hobo Shoestring. You will be missed.

@Chris-pg8dl 3 ай бұрын

RIP Shoestring. He was a tramp, not a hobo

@CreachterZ 3 ай бұрын

@@Chris-pg8dl He liked calling himself a hobo. That’s good enough for me!

@Chris-pg8dl 3 ай бұрын

@@CreachterZ Sounds good, but hes still a tramp. Not trying to be ugly. He will be missed

@hertzluke 7 күн бұрын

I remember meeting Steam Train in the mid 80's as young boy. He came to our Cub Scout camp fire and told us his story of the road. I still have a signed post card of him and the Buckeye he gave us. He made an indelible mark on me as a young man! Keep the spirt alive!

@myrnawashington9057 11 ай бұрын

I'm glad he wasn't alone out in the middle of nowhere when he passed. I've heard Shoestring mention him and now I know who he is. The problem now is you can't tell a hobo from a tweaking home bum hanging around the rail yard and it's very irritating constantly being asked for money for food and than they become angry if you offer to buy it for them, they want cash only. One time a young woman accepted food and she gulped the hamburger down in 4 bites, I brought her another one and sent her on her way, never seen her again. I don't do that all the time but I knew I just had to feed her. This man truly lived the life he loved.

@formanandcompany 11 ай бұрын

Always glad to know people watch this. I started producing this more than 40 years ago and it's the film I want to be remembered for.

@imonearthnow1903 Жыл бұрын

At the rate the U. S. Is deteriorating, hobos will become our teachers in survival. God bless all of tbem.

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Yes, I still keep a picture of him on the wall of my office.

@wileycoyote4206 Жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@PatrickBixler 10 ай бұрын

I was telling my wife about Steam Train this morning and that led me here to this video. When I was a kid, around 1979, is when I met Steam Train. I don't know the events that led up to my meeting him as that is a story I need to get from my mom. I am assuming he came through Kentland, IN maybe on his way from Britt Iowa to Toledo Ohio. What I do recall is that my mom and step dad brought him to our home for supper and a place to stay for the night. I remember sitting on the couch next to him as he talked and told stories. He looked so much like Santa Clause and with a similar sparkle in his eyes. At 9 years old, I did not realize who he really was other than the "King of the Hobos". He may have inspired my Halloween outfit for that year which was a hobo with a blue flannel shirt, jeans, coal dust on my face, and a stick with a handkerchief knapsack at the end.

@formanandcompany 10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for taking the time to write. I also dressed as a hobo when I was about 9. My mother used burnt cork to give me a look somewhere between a beard and the dust of the road. It was right around 1979 that I first met Steam Train and I knew I had to do a film portrait of him. Since you mention his Santa Clause look, it was my son who sat on his lap in the scene when he was actually working as Santa Clause at the Franklin Park Mall in Toledo. I think that may have been the last scene that was shot and my son was also in to 8-9 age range (he's now 43). Good memories... Thanks again for writing.

@Rocketman88002 3 ай бұрын

I knew Hobo Shoestring would come up in the comments. So be it, this channel is about a soul worthy of recognition. There are hundreds of hobo's, winos and homeless people worth spots on KZfaq. Great documentary!

@formanandcompany 3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! "Soul worthy of recognition" is a great description. I've always felt honored to help get his messages out there.

@insightfulsojourner3869 Жыл бұрын

I grew up living next door to Streamtrain. He taught me about foraging for wild mushrooms

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Cool! Then I've been next to your house too though it's been a long time.I first met him in his house. My wife grew up just a few blocks away in the South End.

@Red-wave2024 Жыл бұрын

HOBO SHOESTRING NEEDS TO WIN KING OF THE HOBOS!!

@clems6989 3 ай бұрын

HE IS KING !

@christopherknowles 3 ай бұрын

Imagine being dead.

@CreachterZ 3 ай бұрын

RIP Shoestring.

@HLLRAZRMuGGZ-xg5co Жыл бұрын

As a cement mason too very interesting man he is . The best is he gave his time to make others Happy & teaching them what he learned . Great vid . On the king of hobos

@dis_trak_ted 6 ай бұрын

Fellow cement worker and train rider here. Much appreciation for this legend as well

@jeannerobson935 Жыл бұрын

Keeping history alive. Great stuff

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad it still speaks to people.

@alisterx8698 Жыл бұрын

Love to see a story with hobo shoestring.

@imonearthnow1903 Жыл бұрын

Outstanding idea. What a good guy Shoestring is.

@frankschultz4170 3 ай бұрын

@@imonearthnow1903 Was.

@erikguthrie1475 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this. I had looked for some years to find this video. You see, I'm the boy scout (with too many badges) who is introducing Steam Train to a campfire being held at Camp Miakonda on a Saturday night. It was my first time in front of cameras but I have since gotten the chance to speak publically throughout the world. Thank you for allowing me to do this at the ripe age of 16 or 17, lol. Steam Train was a good freind of my mom, Karen Hartman, who was the first female cement mason in the State of Ohio and a member of the Toledo Local 886 with Steam Train. Steam Train had been over to our house on a number of occasions. Both my mom and Steam Train are long gone but you captured the light in his eyes in your documentary. Thank you again for posting this.

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Eric. Your campfire introduction provided the perfect framework for sketching out all the unique--and sometimes contradictory--facets of Steam Train's incredible personality, soul, and heart. I actually don't know how I would have been able to accomplish that in editing without your contribution all those years ago. I'm curious about what you speak about these days. I'd love to know, if you're comfortable sharing that in a public forum like this.

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Sorry, I just realized I spelled your name wrong.

@myrnawashington9057 11 ай бұрын

This has to be very special for you. Good memories can be so special and sometimes it's all some people have left.

@outlawrailfan129 Жыл бұрын

Steam train is an O.G. So much respect for this legend

@josephanderson7237 10 ай бұрын

An uplifting story about hobos, good to hear.

@kens.3729 Жыл бұрын

Thoroughly Enjoyed Video. I saw Hobo’s Riding trains in Colorado back in the 1970’s covering their faces from diesel fumes before going through Moffat Tunnel. 🙏

@user-gb2cg1rv7m 3 ай бұрын

I met steam train. When I was about seven years old at the Maumee Ohio Eagles club my father told me to get his autograph, I was scared of him here is big guy with a big Ol beard sitting at the table, but that fear went away real fast. And got. to talk to him for a while He signed a card with his image of him. standing in a box car i had that card and his obituary. and donated them to the mad river rail museum in Bellevue Ohio last year .

@formanandcompany 3 ай бұрын

He was probably the most amazing person I've ever met. My son was about seven when we shot the scene with Steam Train as Santa. Thanks for your donations. He was the real deal.

@manogoreda 5 ай бұрын

Esto es increible

@Baz-Ten 4 ай бұрын

What a great documentary!. An eloquent character. The photo of Maury Graham with Lee Marvin was a lovely surprise because I almost forgot the movie Emperor of the North.

@boobtubeakatv1296 Жыл бұрын

It's NICE to actually see and hear my neighbor Maury again !!! Yes, originally from Toledo Ohio... Lived just down the street around the corner when he was in his stable box again... Thanks for posting !!!

@shanecollins9617 3 ай бұрын

R,i,P mARK hobo Shoe

@nywherebuthere 6 ай бұрын

RIP Stobie

@timr31908 9 ай бұрын

I'm pretty sure the honor must go to Mark Nichols

@IndianapolisGerry Жыл бұрын

I doubt I could make it a week living this lifestyle --- but as an RV'er, I find a kindred spirit with men like this. There's not much better than a camp fire, friendship, and a good meal...even a mediocre meal :D

@stevelarson5481 9 ай бұрын

I dint think i would be interested in being a full time hobo, but doing the hobo thing for a yr or 2 sounds interesting

@hellboundgrinnin Жыл бұрын

Now we have HOBO ShoeString #

@timmillan6701 3 ай бұрын

And now, we don’t - RIP

@HoboRoadrunner 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing ! As bo my self I would've love to meet old steam train but of course he died years before I was on the road

@formanandcompany 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Great to know it still speaks to people. He was one of the most interesting persons I ever met--with a huge heart.

@HoboRoadrunner 3 жыл бұрын

@@formanandcompany i have pics of him hanging in my house a long with others along my self

@merccadoosis8847 3 ай бұрын

I have a signed autograph of Iowa Blackie - also a former King of Hoboes a few years ago

@PorchHonkey Жыл бұрын

God bless ya Ole beauty!

@BrianWalters93 Жыл бұрын

This is the best video on the internet

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian. This is the one I want to be remembered for.

@BH4LF 2 жыл бұрын

I remember going to the annual Meskwaki powwow in Tama, IA as a kid seeing this guy year after year.

@formanandcompany 2 жыл бұрын

I guess I shouldn't be surprised to learn about the ways he connected with people. But it feels good to be reminded of the depth of that connection. It's a cliche to say "they broke the mold" after him but if there's any case where that applies, it's with Steam Train.

@BH4LF 2 жыл бұрын

I remember he even had pictures he would autograph for people @ the annual powwow. We only saw him in Iowa we’re from Wisconsin

@formanandcompany 2 жыл бұрын

@@BH4LF Where in Wisconsin? I went to high school in Oshkosh and college in Madison. So I have deep roots there.

@BH4LF 2 жыл бұрын

Wisconsin Dells

@lambo485 Жыл бұрын

Great doc…I wouldn’t mind he’s life….easy life

@Nick-dw4je Жыл бұрын

Lots of hardships as a hobo tbh..but yeah it's awesome

@hermanhamilton3416 Жыл бұрын

My uncle “rode the rails” and he became one of the best cooks, with unwritten recipes.

@neintoten6155 4 ай бұрын

*KZfaqR, HOBO SHOESTRING, HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE 3/27/2024.* He was last seen at his apartment in Johnson City, Tennessee. Please, BOLO! If you see or hear of him, please call 911. A "Silver Alert" has been activated on his behalf. He's a heavily bearded 53 year old White Man, 6' tall, and missing the ring and little fingers on his left hand. Thank you!

@Ridealonggang Жыл бұрын

Nice documentary

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@rsomers8032 3 ай бұрын

Perhaps he's crossed paths with Hobo Shoestring.

@TerraExplorations Жыл бұрын

A real true Sage

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

He really was a true sage. I keep a picture of him in my office to remind me what "true north" is.

@pmccoy8924 Жыл бұрын

He passed the torch to Mark Nichols, Hobo Shoestring. King of the rails.

@jimmydesanta6337 7 ай бұрын

If you believe that you're delusional.

@pmccoy8924 7 ай бұрын

@@jimmydesanta6337 ok jizzle

@clayguinard3651 Жыл бұрын

Is this man still alive

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

No, but he lived to the respectable age of 89. Here's a wikipedia link, though you'll probably need to cut and paste it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_W._Graham

@HoboRoadrunner 2 жыл бұрын

Hey mark.its been a while since talked. I was wondering if I can upload.your video to my channel. With a bigger following I can get more people to view it and I can have a link from your main video in the description and try to get more people to watch YOUR video

@formanandcompany 2 жыл бұрын

I'd love that. Just let me know if you need anything from me to make that possible.

@zippsushi Ай бұрын

Please what’s opening song !

@formanandcompany Ай бұрын

I love that song but all I can tell you right now is that it was written and recorded by Goebel Reeves. I bought one or two of his albums from Glendale Records around the time I was making the film and I ended up licensing the music I used from Glendale. His most famous song is "Hobo's Lullaby" which is in the film and is available on KZfaq. Believe it or not, one of the albums I used is listed on eBay for $399 but I can't say for sure if the opening song comes from that album. I can't find my original production file for "King of the Hobos" but if I stumble on it, the music cue sheet should be in there and I'll reply again.

@bartstarr5471 3 жыл бұрын

Does anyone know who is singing the hobo song

@formanandcompany 3 жыл бұрын

All the songs in the film were written and recorded by Goebel Reeves. Glendale Records put out a couple of collections of his songs which I came upon when I was making the film. Wikipedia has a short entry for him and some of his songs have been posted on YourTube. The albums can be found on ebay and amazon.

@SteinBee Жыл бұрын

Bro looks like santa clause

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

For sure. And his heart was as big.

@mrmanio4935 Жыл бұрын

@@formanandcompany thank you for this documentary. I have been fascinated by hobo culture for some time now.

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

@@mrmanio4935

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

I always appreciate knowing people appreciate Steam Train.

@mike.p.1400 25 күн бұрын

Hobos are dinosaurs. They don’t exist these days. The spirit is still alive and maybe getting bigger cause young people are saying. What’s the point. But the true old fashioned hobo. Is dead !!!!! Sorry. But it’s true.

@ssom06 Жыл бұрын

Great story....but if his knees were so bad he wouldn't be able to walk and run the rails

@formanandcompany Жыл бұрын

I don't think he did much running late in life. He talked about his Greyhound Ameripass and I believe he hitchhiked a lot too. He had a significant limp when I knew him and he eventually got what he called "a store bought hip."

@johnnybegood9285 Жыл бұрын

I believe he said he was a concrete finisher meaning he would have been on his knees a lot troweling. He may have been able to walk, but not kneel.