The littlest newsie: Mobile, Alabama....1914: "The Littlest Newsie" :: Vintage Photos / Framed Photos / Poster Art "Seven-year-old Ferris. Did not know enough to make change for the investigator."
Shoes were expensive, and kids grow fast, so many parents didn't bother with shoes, when they knew they'd just have to replace them, when the kid would grow out of them in no time.