Joseph Papin, on-the-scene drawings on the Bowery at the Bowery Mission, circa 1957.
“Basement, Bowery Mission, run by the Christian Herald, men know as ‘the boys’ wait in line to show identity cards and have meal ticket punched, next on schedule a 45 min message from the minister in upstairs chapel.”
“Group of the boys, who nightly await the free meal, after the hard hitting-all encompassing sermon on sinfulness and its artful application in the Bowery. General consensus – a waste of the good minister’s time.
“Having patiently listened to the sermon, the boys’ reap their reward, soup, sandwiches, coffee and doughnuts. Later some will remain to make the floor their bed for the evening.”
“Sweeping up prior to dinner and after collection period to have tickets punched.”
“John, one of the kitchen helpers at the Bowery Mission, very friendly, voiced opinion of sketch as, ‘it’s not quite me but it’s good, keep trying,’ said he played football for Dublin University, ‘some years ago.’ ‘Felt at home on the Bowery.’ Things had gone wrong and it was no use trying to live any other way, guessed it was ‘that way’ with the others too. Although it was ‘a shame’ to see young men down here, no excuse, plenty of work for young men.”
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