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Photogallery: Mathis Labor Camp Investigation

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Mexican-American labor camp near Mathis, TexasIn March, 1948, Dr. Garcia investigated conditions at a Mexican-American labor camp near Mathis, Texas. He was shocked by the conditions in which he found these Mexican American people living.

Mathis labor campA man prepares a meal at the Mathis labor camp.

Open pit outhouseMany residents of the Mathis labor camp were suffering from tuberculosis and other diseases caused by the unsanitary conditions. This open pit outhouse was for "women only."

Children in the Mathis labor campA number of children lived in the Mathis labor camp and worked in the fields harvesting crops. A few were fortunate enough to own shoes.

Bed made of cardboard and burlap sacksA man from the Mathis labor camp rises from his makeshift bed made of cardboard, and sheets made of empty burlap sacks.