Children at home in a textile mill community

A family of textile mill workers in Gastonia pose in front of their house in the mill village. The girl, aged twelve, made 60 cents a day, and had worked at the mill for four years. Many mill owners allowed families one room in each mill village house per worker, a policy that encouraged child labor.

The photographer wrote that the Father, Mr. Carswell, said "the wife of neighbor made $7.40 last week, $ 1.40 more than her husband. Women and girls makes more than the men." The girl said that she "runs sides" and makes 6 sides for 60 cents a day. She will run 8 sides for 80 cents a day soon. Her eight year old sister helps her in the mill.