DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | ""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

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""Leno and Maria: A Success Story"" by Vincent P. Cano - 1985

Page 35

agriculture, mining and railroading had a relevant effect on labor in the border areas. Pressured by the wages caused by the abundance of workers, the Mexican as well as the contratista began to migrate to Midwestern and Northeastern cities. 

These were the forces that led Leno to sign up for farm work in the midwestern state of Minnesota in the town of Crookston located in the upper northwest portion of Minnesota. 

The following day, Leno reported with his family to the contratista to begin their trip northward. Along the way, other families who had also signed on were dropped off to their prospective employers. Within a few days, Leno and his family found themselves at the doorstep of their first American employer, Mr. Martin. At this time, Mr. Martin shared his farm with his mother, a sister, and three brothers. This particular season, however, they needed help in tending their large sugar beet crop. This type of work was commonly known as "stoop labor" which was hard field work lasting from twelve to fourteen hours a day. There existed no agreement between the Mexican government and the United States concerning these workers. There was no prior guarantees as to salary or living conditions. Being very limited in the English language, they were left to the mercy of the contratista. When he moved on, their dependency automatically switched over to their employer. Low wages and poor housing was the common rule and employment was of short duration. Following a brief welcome, Mr. Martin led Leno, Maria, Elena and Maria Guadalupe to their first American home. 

The sudden change of light temporarily blinded Leno as he stepped inside the room of the house closing the door behind him. Rays of sunlight breaking through the uneven cracks of the wooden walls lit the room just enough for him to refocus on his surroundings. Mr. Martin stood in the center of the room motioning him to enter. Leno quickly walked over to one side where Maria and the children were already standing. 

"This is where you will live for the time you will be here." Mr. Martin slowly began to explain. He turned and walked toward a very old stove breaking the dust motes as he went. "Here i your stove and over there are the beds and your table and chairs. The wood for the stove is out back and be sure you cut your own wood. The well is off to the side of the main house. I have already bought you something to eat which is in that box by the stove. 

Don't worry about the cost as I will deduct it from your weekly salary. Be ready to work by four thirty in the morning. That's about when it gets light around here. You will get fifthteen minutes for lunch and we quit when there is no daylight left. We have a lot of acres on which we have to plant and harvest our sugar beets in about a six month's span. The time will go by fast, Mr. Cano. Do you have any questions? No..., ok, then. We weill see you bright and early. Good night and don't worry; you'll work out just fine." The room lit up for a second as he opened and closed the door behind him.

"Did you understand all what he was saying, Leno?" Maria asked as she loosened her grip from around her girls standing at her side. "Now children, go over and sit at that table by the stove. Do not go wandering off heaven knows what could be in here."

35.

Saving...

agriculture, mining and railroading had a relevant effect on labor in the border areas. Pressured by the wages caused by the abundance of workers, the Mexican as well as the contratista began to migrate to Midwestern and Northeastern cities. These were the forces that led Leno to sign up for farm work in the midwestern state of Minnesota in the town of Crookston located in the upper northwest portion of Minnesota. The following day, Leno reported with his family to the contratista to begin their trip northward. Along the way, other families who had also signed on were dropped off to their prospective employers. Within a few days, Leno and his family found themselves at the doorstep of their first American employer, Mr. Martin. At this time, Mr. Martin shared his farm with his mother, a sister, and three brothers. This particular season, however, they needed help in tending their large sugar beet crop. This type of work was commonly known as "stoop labor" which was hard field work lasting from twelve to fourteen hours a day. There existed no agreement between the Mexican government and the United States concerning these workers. There was no prior guarantees as to salary or living conditions. Being very limited in the English language, they were left to the mercy of the contratista. When he moved on, their dependency automatically switched over to their employer. Low wages and poor housing was the common rule and employment was of short duration. Following a brief welcome, Mr. Martin led Leno, Maria, Elena and Maria Guadalupe to their first American home. The sudden change of light temporarily blinded Leno as he stepped inside the room of the house closing the door behind him. Rays of sunlight breaking through the uneven cracks of the wooden walls lit the room just enough for him to refocus on his surroundings. Mr. Martin stood in the center of the room motioning him to enter. Leno quickly walked over to one side where Maria and the children were already standing. "This is where you will live for the time you will be here." Mr. Martin slowly began to explain. He turned and walked toward a very old stove breaking the dust motes as he went. "Here i your stove and over there are the beds and your table and chairs. The wood for the stove is out back and be sure you cut your own wood. The well is off to the side of the main house. I have already bought you something to eat which is in that box by the stove. Don't worry about the cost as I will deduct it from your weekly salary. Be ready to work by four thirty in the morning. That's about when it gets light around here. You will get fifthteen minutes for lunch and we quit when there is no daylight left. We have a lot of acres on which we have to plant and harvest our sugar beets in about a six month's span. The time will go by fast, Mr. Cano. Do you have any questions? No..., ok, then. We weill see you bright and early. Good night and don't worry; you'll work out just fine." The room lit up for a second as he opened and closed the door behind him. "Did you understand all what he was saying, Leno?" Maria asked as she loosened her grip from around her girls standing at her side. "Now children, go over and sit at that table by the stove. Do not go wandering off heaven knows what could be in here." 35.