After father's death, sent to live at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home in Knightstown, Indiana
1901
At age 14, left the Orphans Home and went to work at the Indianapolis News
Switched jobs and was hired by a railroad company; worked as a fireman until injured at aage 18 in a train wreck
Variously employed as a steel worker, coal miner, cattle ranch hand, circus performer, lumberjack and sailor
While working as a day laborer, became involved in a dispute and fought with three men; director D.W. Griffith reportedly witnessed the altercation and was impressed enough to hire Blue as a stuntman
