walt disney
In 1917, the year the United States entered World War I, Elias Disney
sold the paper route and invested his money in a jelly factory in Chicago.
When the family moved, Walt stayed behind to finish the school year.
That summer he worked as a “news
butcher” on the Santa Fe Railroad.
Get your
newspaper! Candy!
Cold drinks!
In the fall he went to
Chicago. He also worked in
the jelly factory and took
art classes at night.
One day, after school was out, Walt got a message from Roy. He was
passing through Chicago on his way to a navy training camp and asked
Walt to meet him at the train station.
Gee, kid! It’s great to
see you! You’ve gotten
so tall!
They talked until the order was
given for Roy and the other
recruits* to board the train.
You there! On board!
Train leaves in half a
minute!
The officer had taken sixteen-yearold Walt for one of the recruits. It
made him feel proud … and it gave
him an idea.
* a newly enlisted or drafted member of the armed forces