in the book the Education of little tree chapter 11 What is it that Grandpa explains such as the shootings and window jumpings in New York

After Granpa and Little Tree drop off their whiskey and collect their money, they squat by a shed in back and idle the time amongst the other men, while Little Tree sucks on his stick of old candy. They listen to the men talk about a depression and people in New York jumping off buildings and shooting themselves in the head. Granpa explains that New York City is so crowded that it drives people to do such crazy things. Old Man Barnett is often in back 'jumping' teeth. He uses a hot wire and hammer to literally knock out the tooth so it jumps to the ground. One day an older man, named Mr. Lett, comes to have his tooth jumped. When Old Man Barnett tries to wrap the hot wire around Mr. Lett's tooth, Mr. Lett gets his tongue caught in it and bucks like a mule. Afterward, they end up in a big fight. It's the first time Little Tree see Old Man Barnett fail to jump a tooth.