September, 1877

Traveling to Elmira was not a good decision. Railroad strikes have become common all across the country, and Elmira was no exception. Wells and I were practically thrown out of town and lost all of our money. I am home once more, and I begin to realize that I cannot be traveling around anymore. I need a steady job to help support my family. And I have found just such the job. I have been hired as a reporter for the New York Tribune. Perhaps this will be the job where I can find what it is that I am supposed to do.

Jacob Riis