Chapter IV: The Royal Adventurers and the Plantations (11)

_Sir_: I am looking for a place to locate this fall as a farmer.
Do you think you could place me on a farm to work on shares. I am
a poor farmer and have not the money to buy but would be glad to
work a mans farm for him. I am desirous of leaving here because
of the school accommodations for children as I have five and want
to educate them the best I can. Prehaps you can find me a
position of some kind if so kindly let me know I will be ready to
leave here this fall after the harvest is layed by. I am planting
cotton.

GRANVILLE, MISS., May 16, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: This letter is a letter of information of which you
will find stamp envelop for reply. I want to come north some time
soon but I do not want to leve here looking for a job wher I
would be in dorse all winter. Now the work I am doing here is
running a gauge edger in a saw mill. I know all about the grading
of lumber. I have abeen working in lumber about 25 or 27 years My
wedges here is $3.00 a day 11 hours a day. I want to come north
where I can educate my 3 little children also my wife. Now if you
cannot fit me up at what I am doing down here I can learn
anything any one els can. also there is a great deal of good
women cooks here would leave any time all they want is to know
where to go and some way to go. please write me at once just how
I can get my people where they can get something for their work.
there are women here cookeing for $1.50 and $2.00 a week. I would
like to live in Chicago or Ohio or Philadelphia. Tell Mr Abbott
that our pepel are tole that they can not get anything to do up
there and they are being snatched off the trains here in
Greenville and a rested but in spite of all this, they are
leaving every day and every night 100 or more is expecting to
leave this week. Let me here from you at once.

PELAHATCHEE, MISS., April 27, 1917.

_Dear Sirs_: I see through the Chicago Defender that you have a
reputation of furnishing employment to men. Kindly give me the
particulars. What class of work do you get men? I am writing you
to know that I may obtain an; employment through you. I want a
good paying job that I may be able to educate my children. Kindly
let me hear from you.

DEO VOLENTE, MISS., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sirs_: I am expecting to come with my family to your town,
or some smaller town near you, in the near future. Would like to
farm near Chicago or some small town near Chicago where my
children can have good educational advantages. Seeing the Chicago
Defender that your organization was in position to give me the
proper infermation therefore I write asking you to please give me
the above infermation. By so doing you will greatly oblige me.

-------------------- (colored)

STARKVILLE, MISS., May 28, 1917.

_Sir:_ Your name have bin given me as a Relibal furm putting
people in toutch with good locations for education there children
Now I am a man of 40 years old by traid I am a barber of 20 years
experence I am now in the business for white but I can barber for
either white or colord I have a wife and seven children 5 girls
and 2 boys allso I am a preacher I dont care for the large city
life I rather live in a town of 15 or 20 thousand I want to raise
by family nice and I would like for my children to have the
advantage of good schools and churches Now if you are in a
persison to help me a long this line I would be glad to here from
you.

GREENVILLE, S. C., 5/2/1917.

_Sir:_ I have been impressed to the extent of writing you by
having noted an article in the Chicago Defender regarding the
good work your organization is accomplishing.

I am a Negro mechanic, having served the paint trade since 1896,
30 years years of age, married, no booster, a graduate of N. Y.
trade school, first honor, class of 1906, wish to change location
for better educational advantages for my children consequently
will be glad to have you endeavor to place me. Hoping to hear
from you at earliest convenience. Willing to accept position in
any good north western city, with white or colored firm.

ATLANTA, GA., April 22, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I now rite to inquier of the works in the north as I
saw your ad in the Chicago Defender I wants to come north if
thair is any work up their I wants to get in a good place whear I
can educate my children I am a natif of Charleston West Va but
come off down here in this hard luck countary and married &
raised a fanily and wants to get in a good location to raise them
sence you are in the busness I wants some information I would
like to hear from you pearsonaly if I can I am not pertickley
about Chicago just since I get a good place in the north whear I
can educate my children how is groceries in the countary let me
hear from you at & early date.

AUGUSTA, GA., April 27, 1917.

_Sir:_ Being a constant reader of your paper, I thought of no one
better than you to write for information.

I'm desirous of leaving the south but before so doing I want to
be sure of a job before pulling out. I'm a member of the race, a
normal and colloege school graduate, a man of a family and can
give reference. Confidentially this communication between you and
me is to be kept a secret.

My children I wished to be educated in a different community than
here. Where the school facilities are better and less prejudice
shown and in fact where advantages are better for our people in
all respect. At present I have a good position but I desire to
leave the south. A good position even tho' its a laborer's job
paying $4.50 or $5.00 a day will suit me till I can do better.
Let it be a job there or any where else in the country, just is
it is east or west. I'm quite sure you can put me in touch with
some one. I'm a letter carrier now and am also a druggist by
profession. Perhaps I may through your influence get a transfer
to some eastern or western city.

Nevada or California as western states, I prefer, and I must say
that I have nothing against Detroit, Mich.

I shall expect an early reply. Remember keep this a secret please
until I can perfect some arrangements.

GLEBDON, ALA., April 22, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I seen it in the Chicago Defender that if any one
dezire to locate in a small town where they can get fairly good
wages and educate there children address you who neads men and
stop paying men 50 cts & $1.00 for Job well i wont to come there
where i can get work & fairly good wages & educate my children &
i am not able to bear my expences i have a wife & 7 chrildren &
if you can make any preparation for me to come & bring them let
me here from you i have too boys big enough to work one 12 years
old the other 10 and i have been trying to get away from here for
some time & i cant get ot without your aid i seen it on a small
paper a littler strip where Mr. ---- ---- at the state of Neb at
omaha he advise any one that wont to go north or west rite him &
send a too sent stamp withen your letter that i may not be
slighte and then when her and your he send a blank with the
letter to be fill an send him $1.50 one dollar an half which he
say it is all is required no more money i will hafter pay i wrote
hem for a pass & that what he told me to do & when i arrive i
would have a job all ready now when i seem what the Chicago
defender says about men get money that way it cause me to stop &
study would it a safe plan of me to go out on such terms an so i
ask you Gentlemen for all infermation that you can give me in the
regards of leaving the south let me here from you at once we
colored people havin a hard time down here now i have paper here
but I aint sind it yet

LETTERS ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF NEGROES IN THE SOUTH

MACON, GA., April 1, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am writing you for information I want to come north
east but I have not sufficient funds and I am writing you to see
if there is any way that you can help me by giving me the names
of some of the firms that will send me a transportation as we are
down here where we have to be shot down here like rabbits for
every little orfence as I seen an orcurince hapen down here this
after noon when three depties from the shrief office an one Negro
spotter come out and found some of our raice mens in a crap game
and it makes me want to leave the south worse than I ever did
when such things hapen right at my door, hopeing to have a reply
soon and will in close a stamp from the same.

SAVANNAH, GA., May 5, 1917.

_Dear sir:_ I rite you these few lines seeking information how
could I get up north and if you could do me any good I an five
more men would like to come but we have no money we would come to
any reasonable terms that you makes, and if you cannot do the
five no good please sir try and do some thing for me. I rite you
this mostly for my self I am in a bad shape. I am willing to do
most any kind of work labaring excuiseing hotel. You was
recomended to me by Bro -- -- ---- of Savannah Tribune, now in
plain words plese send for me or get some of the contractors to
send and I will willingly come to terms. I am willing await you
ans. In short.

SPARTA, GA., Jan. 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ Information reaches me that you can give information
as to places that colored men can get employment in the north and
east as quite a number of we colored men in this vicinity
contemplates leaving the south providing we can get employment at
reasonable wages. I would like to know where to locate, what kind
of work and what wages paid skilled and unskilled laborer, &
whether transportation can be furnished. Hoing to hear from you
by return mail.

CHARLESTON, S.C., 4/4/17.

_Dear Sir:_ I have heard about you as being an employment beura
so I would like very mutch for you to get me a job, and if you
will please send ticket by rail because we are not allowed to
leave by boat any mour. so I will take a job as
porter--butler--hosler bellman can furnish reference an 27 years
old married. Please notify right away.

SANFORD, FLA., 5/12/17.

_Dear Sir:_ The winter is about over and I still have a desire to
seek for myself a section of this country where I can poserably
better my condishion in as much as beaing asshured some
protection as a good citizen under the Stars and Stripes so kind
sir I am here asking you agin if you know directly or indirectly
of any opening that you could direct me to where I can make a
reasonable livelyhood kindly inform me. Why I write you agin is
because it appears to me from your headings that your concern ar
making some opening for the (col) from the south and agin I do
not cear to live here in a simple way if poserable I would like
to be shure of an imployment before I leave Kindley do what ever
good you can for me.

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 30, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I perchanced to run across your address. The which I
am proud of. I like my fellow southerner am looking northward.
But before leaving the South Id like to know just wher I am goin
and what Im to do if posible. I see from your card that you can
help me and I believe you will. I want to say that I dont hope to
travil north to loaf. I will be seeking better employment and
better wa es mainly. I might state just here what Im best fitted
for. 1st Im a christain man a man of sober habits. Ive had
several years experience in business for 20 years Ive been a
salesman & collector or business mgr thirteen years of said time
I were engaged in the industrial insurance work. worked from a
green agent to dist mgr ship at present am engaged as a salesman
and collector. But would accept position as jarnitor of general
utility man ordainary cook the which I ve served in a short order
house for whites only. And also in a house run for both races. In
fact will serve in any honest capacity That I'm capeble of that
pays well. Please excuse these persional reference but Im
striveing to make the acquaintance, can furnish reference as to
integrity and ability any information given me in my efort will
be gratefully received. Thanking you in advance.

TROY, ALA., Oct. 17, 1916.

_Dear Sirs_ I am enclosing a clipping of a lynching again which
speaks for itself. I do wish there could be sufficient presure
brought about to have federal investigation of such work. I wrote
you a few days ago if you could furnish me with the addresses of
some firms or co-opporations that needed common labor. So many of
our people here are almost starving. The government is feeding
quite a number here would go any where to better their
conditions. If you can do any thing for us write me as early as
posible.

BHAM, ALA., May 13, 1917.

_Sir:_ the edeater of the paper i am in the darkness of the south
and i am trying my best to get out do you no where about i can
get a job in new york. i wood be so glad if cood get a good job
hear in this beautifull city o please help me to get out of this
low down county i am counted no more thin a dog help me please
help me o how glad i wood be if some company wood send me a
ticket to come and work for them no joking i mean business i work
if i can get a good job.

ANNE MANTL, ALA., April 24, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I read in the Chicago Defender of last week that you
were in the employment buisness now sire we want to leave the
south and settle in some small town in Illinoise or any other
good northern state where we can get fairely good wagges and be
protected we are disgusted with the south since we hear that we
can do better we want to get up a club to get north. Please tell
us how to go about it all of us dont have a lot of money but we
are able and willing to work and just want a chance. Thanking you
in advance for any thing you may do for us we are

BRYAN, TEX., Sept. 13, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am writing you as I would like to no if you no of
any R. R. Co and Mfg. that are in need for colored labors. I want
to bring a bunch of race men out of the south we want work some
whear north will come if we can git passe any whear across the
Mason & Dickson. please let me hear from you at once if you can
git passes for 10 or 12 men. send at once. I beg to remain.

OAKDALE, LA., April 21, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I saw in the Defender something concerning the
employment up there. I would like mighty well to come if I could
get a job I would be ready to come about the 15th of May. I will
take a job in town or out of town either one. There are 3 or 4
more business men that are interested and would come, write me at
once and let me know about the situation. Some hasn't the fund to
come with and if the employer would furnish them transportation
they would readily come at once.

So far as me I couldn't come until I could arrange to sell out as
I am in business for God knows I want to leave the South land.
Let me hear from you at once.

SAVANNAH, GA., 4/21/17.

_Dear Sir:_ Through the Chicago Definder I am writing your
company to get in touch with you. as I am seeking employment in
the north part of the country for the betterment of my condition.
& friends wishes to follow after me. if there is any advice or
assistant you can give to us please let me know at once, we are
not choice about locating in the city as we will be satisfied
with a small town as well as any part of the north.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 17, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I am a race man and aire inquireing Dear Sir from
some one that I know is in position to give me the proper
information truthfully enclosed please find stamps for return
mail. Dear sir I have a wife & a son also that has a wofe and one
child we desire to come north to live if we could only get a pass
to that end. The passes that are being issued in New Orleans to
members of the race are verry limited and it is a little dificult
for me to get a pass out I am no railroad man but I can work also
my son if my son and I could get a pass to Illinois we would come
at once and leave our wives at home untill we could work and
send for them ourselves. Dear sirs if you know of any firm that
desires any one of the race that wants to come north with their
families please inform them and me as I would like verry much to
come north but have not the money to pay my fare with please
answer by return mail. Please help me as I wants to get from the
south so bad. Thanking you in advance I am yours in the Lord. I
am 40 years old. Please help me to get away from the south.
Please keep this letter and not put it in public print. Dear sir
I further ask that the firm or firms in which I am offered
employment desire a recommendation as a work or laborer I can
furnish them with same for honesty and etc. Please answer. Please
answer as there are others of the race that wants to come north
in great numbers and would like to be informed how to come north.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., 5/20/17.

_Dear Sirs:_ My silfe and a friend is after hearing from you
contemplating the idea of coming north we have been told that
yours is the business of informing those who are coming there of
what is the very best way and about work, etc. Wish to say we
need your information and are very anxious of being advised by
you. We will want work as soon as were there and we are not
perticular about Chiago. Anywhere north will do us and I suppose
the worst place there is better than the best place here. Please
inform us by return mail where we can get work and how in doing
so you will be helping us wonderfully and we will more than
appreciate your efforts, wishing you much success and hoping to
hear from you this week, I am, Yours with best wishes.

PALESTINE, TEX., 1/2/17.

_Dear Sir:_ I hereby enclose you a few lines to find out some few
things if you will be so kind to word them to me. I am a
southerner lad and has never ben in the north no further than
Texas and I has heard so much talk about the north and how much
better the colard people are treated up there than they are down
here and I has ben striveing so hard in my coming up and now I
see that I cannot get up there without the ade of some one and I
wants to ask you Dear Sir to please direct me in your best manner
the stept that I shall take to get there and if there are any way
that you can help me to get there I am kindly asking you for your
ade. And if you will ade me please notify me by return mail
because I am sure ancious to make it in the north because these
southern white people are so mean and they seems to be getting
worse and I wants to get away and they wont pay enough for work
for a man to save up enough to get away and live to. If you will
not ade me in getting up there please give me some information
how I can get there I would like to get there in the early
spring, if I can get there if posible. Our southern white people
are so cruel we collord people are almost afraid to walke the
streets after night. So please let me hear from you by return
mail. I will not say very much in this letter I will tell you
more about it when I hear from you please ans. soon to Yours
truly.

SAVANNAH, GA., May 16, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I written you a special letter on last week
containing stamped envelope for early reply asking a favor of
you, as I am in the south and are trying all that I can to get
away as I told you in my letter that I have been here all my
life, which is about 40 years and trying with all of my might all
of that time to make an honest living and all of it seems to be a
failure and now as I heard of better wages and better treatment
you can receive acording to character and behavior. I am seeking
to get there by the help of the good Lord and if it is any
possible way of you securing work I and 2 daughters I will gladly
try all I can to repay you for your trouble. I wont say any thing
of my children as they are very honorable to me they have never
slept one night from under my roof. Now dear friend I write you
this as I have heard that you all are a friend to the needy and
if there is any hope for me please let me know by return mail.

ATLANTA, GA., April 29, 1917.

_Kind friend:_ While reading the Chicago Definder i saw and
advertisement for laborers wanted i am down in the south with my
familey and wishes to become a northern citysin i have onley
worked for two firms in my life and i am 35 years old. Worked in
Augusta Ga for more than 20 years and only made 10 dolars a week
fore years ago i moved to Atlanta went to weark for the ----
Cleaning Co of Atlanta, only making 10 a weak the wages is so
small i cant harly feed by familey and i cant save enough money
to get away i would like to get to Cleavland ohio i have some
friends thear saying that the wages is good if it is eney way you
can help me get up thear i will assure you i will be a wearthy
citysin wishing to hear from you soon. i am a man that wants to
weark and by gods help i beleive i will concur some old day.

ATLANTA, GA., April 22, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I am an experienced packer having been regularly
employed for quite a number of years for such work and I am now
employed by one of Atlanta's largest firms as a packer. I desire
to leave the south and would like for you to secure me a position
or put me in touch with some firm that needs a colored packer,
kindly advise me what your terms are for such work. I am not
particular about living in Chicago. Thanking you in advance.

MOBILE, ALA., Jan. 8, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am writing you to see if you can furnish me with
any information in regards to colored men securing employment. I
would like to know if you could put me in touch with some
manufacturing company either some corporation that is employing
or in of colored men. My reason is there are a number of young
men in this city of good moral and can furnish good
reference--that is anxious to leave this section of the country
and go where conditions are better. I taken this matter up with
Mr. ---- of Boston and he referred me to you. I myself is anxious
to leave this part of the country and be where a negro man can
appreshate beaing a man at the present time I am working as
office man for a large corporation which position I have had for
the past 11 years, having a very smart boy in his studies I wish
to locate where he could recive a good education. I could at a
few days notice place 200 good able bodied young men that is
anxious to leave this city, these men I refer to is men of good
morals and would prove a credit to the community. If you can
furnish me with the desired information it will be gladly
received, it makes little or no difference as to what state they
can go to just so they cross the Mason and Dixie line, trusting
you will furnish me with any information you have at hand at an
early date, I await your reply.

HOUSTON, TEX., April 3, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I have read the Defender and I have put my mine on it
and I wood lik to know mor abot it and if yo pleas send me a
letter abot the noth I will thenk uo becaus we have so miney
members of the race wont to come and live up thear and all they
is waitin on is a chanch and that is all and they will say fair
wel to this old world and thay all will come, some is rail road
some is shop and anny thang thay can gets to do. With hold the
name.

HOUSTON, TEX., May 16, 1917.

_Sir:_ I sincerely ask of you this very important favor I and my
family consists of 4--husband, wife boy 14 years boy of 4 months
also three others male of healthy and ambitious character also
dependable to our race asking at any time, are you able to
communicate with any firm or person needing such as are stated
thereon. I sincerely ask you to refer such to said adress as we
are only here asking the Lord to aid us out of this terrible
state we are now in. We do any kind of work for an honest
liveing.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., July 1, 1917.

_Kind Sir:_ in reading your paper I see where you could get me
and my family a job so if can I would be verry glad as it is my
wish to leave the south, any kind of a job all rite with me. I
will remane, Yours truly.

PENSACOLA, FLA., 5-19-17.

_Dear Editor:_ Would you please let me no what is the price of
boarding and rooming of Chicago and where is the best place to
get a job before the draft will work. I would rather join the
army 1000 times up there than to join it once down here.

WARRINGTON, FLA., 4-24-17.

_Sir:_ i red the Chgo Deffedeer and i seen where yo was in the
need of good men that wanted worke Sir I would like very much to
leave the South and come north if I could get a imployment my
trade is carpenter or seament finisher and I am willan to do any
kind of worke that come before me I can do which I am not working
at my trade now I am working in a store now and I can bring yo
some good men all so bring my recommendashon with me Hopin yo
will rite me at wonce and let me here from yo. My addres.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., May 11, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ given me. Although i am badly disapointed because i
realy want to be among the northern folk and i have got the means
to leave here with and by the way you have explain matter to me
it would pay me best to have a transportation so I can be sure of
having a job when I gets there.

PENSACOLA, FLA., 5-18-17.

_Dear Sir:_ Just a few lines to ask your ade en getting a job as
waiter. I am a waiter of 10 or 12 years exsperience in the city
of New Orleans, 4 years here in this city also. I can cook and
serve as butler, I am verry anxious to get up there becaus I have
a family and I desire a study job en a more better city than
this. If you know of any one will send a transportation for a
good man please send for me. I am willing to pay my
transportation back in monthly payments. I will appreciate any
favor you can do for me along these lines as I am in need of a
good job just now. Can furnish best of refrience.

MOBILE, ALA., May 3, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ Alowe me to congralate you on your wonderful paper it
is a help to a lot of the people of our race it shows us the
difference between north and south. We are doing fine in our way
but would like to do better a lots of us would like to come up
there but are not able and dare not ask some one to help us to go
for the law will have us. I like your paper and would like to see
more of Mobile news in it. Who is your agent in Mobile. There is
lots of idle men in Mobile lots have trades but they are not
supplied with work and can't get anything to go off with. Several
men were arrested on being labor agents. Would like to correspond
with you if you could help our pepel eny. You may let me no threw
your paper.

NEW BERN, N.C., May 5, 1917.

_Dear sire:_ I seen you ade in the Chicago Defender for different
occpatisions and I in close you for and transportation for ten
men as I has them menny reddy now and wood be glad to leave at
the earliest date and I can get as menny as you wont and all so I
wont a job for my self because we ar in a bad condition in this
country and wish to in press a pon your mind the condition of we
poor colored people how we are geting a long in the south and I
want to show you how we ar treated by the white of the south by
sending you this strip to read for you self so I will close I
wish to here from you in the return mail at wonce. Please

ALEXANDRIA, LA., May 5, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I read your ad in the Chicago Defender paper where
are in need of 20 bench molder witch mean machinery men who under
stand the manufacture work and I am one who will be willing to
learn the trade at small wage about $2.25 a day and I also have
five more here who will come with me if you only send me six of
your transportation soon as can and I also wish that you will not
turn me down. I am looking for your letter promptly and will be
deeply glad to get it as I trust in the Lord that you will send
me six of your transportation as I am willing to come in work. we
will come at once when you send them to me send me a special
delivery letters with them in it and I will pay you when we are
there.

ATLANTA, GA., May 2, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am a reader of the Chicago Defender and is verry
proud of it and by reading the Chicago Defender I saw your adv.
and I want to consult with about a position in a Chicago firm. I
would like verry much to get a position there or eny where above
the Mason Dixon line. I am a competet chauffer or butler. I am
married no children. My wife is a cook nearse or maid, and if you
cannot supply me with some position within about 10 days will you
please put me in tutch with some other employment and if you can
supply me with eather of those posetins please write me. I am
also a first class laundry man. I hold reference as good shirt
ironer, coller ironer or extractor man in the wash room. Please
let me here from you. the peoples is leaving here by the
thousands.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 1, 1917.

_Sur:_ in reding the defender i saw they advurtise that you sen
transportation at advanced from Chicago now dear sur please let
me know i am a maride man an hav a famly off 5 now if you cant
sen for all send 2 one for me and my brother he live with me he
is 18 yers old then i can arang for the rest after i get out
there now pleas tri and do sumthing for me i am working her for
nothing i will bee to glad to get a way from here so pleas sen me
a pas for me an my brother and we will sen for the res of the
famly after i get there ancer this letter soon as you get it try
to get us work in the ware house or yard work i am a cook an utly
man have to cook serv drink and short ordes an work al nite.

MEMPHIS, TENN., April 29, 1917.

_Sir:_ Seeing the wonderful opportunity that is being offered the
colored man of the south by the northern industries and the aid
in which your organization is giveing them it aroused within me
the ambition that prompts every man to long for liberty. What I
want to say is I am coming north and seeing your call for me
thought I would write you and list a few things I can do and see
if you can find a place for me any where north of the Mason and
Dixon line and I will present myself in person at your office as
soon as I hear from you. I am now employed in the R. R. shop in
Memphis. I am a engine watchman, hostler, red cup man, pipe
fitter, oil house man, shipping clerk, telephone lineman, freight
caller, an expert soaking vat man that is one who make dope for
packing hot boxes on engines. I am a capable of giving
satisfaction in either of the above name positions. I bought a
Chicago Defender and after reading it and seeing the golden
opportunity I have decided to leave this place at once.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am writeing you the third time because i am anxious
to leave the south and come north but up to this writeing i have
fail to hear from you i notice in the defender that you are still
calling for men i am engineer and all round machine man i am and
would be very glad if you could locate me a position in the
Molders Manufacturing or any thing pertaining to machine work. I
am not in a position to pay my way out there and would like to
get transportation for my self wife and nephew he all so can do
machine work. So please let me hear from you.

MONROE, LA., April 30, 1918.

_Dear Sirs:_ I was reading in the Defender one of your recent
advertising about laborers wanted for foundry warehouse and yard
work. I would like to respond to the advertising but I aint
fiancel able also my brother we are both very poor boys and would
like to get where we would be able to have a chanse in the world
and get out from among all of the prejudice of the southern white
man. please send me and my brother transportation tickets so we
can come right away. I belong to church but my brother does not
but you would not tell the difference by his actions. Please send
tickets by the 15th of May. I am now working at public work I owe
a few debts I want to act honest I want to pay all of my
responsible debts so I can face my debtors anywhere in the world.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK., May 7, 1917.

_Sir:_ I am a reader of the Defender and i found in it on last
Saturday April 28th why that you could place mens in iny job or
trade they follows. I am riten you this letter an in it i am
leting you know my condition so that if you ever did help a man
in this way pleas help me the help is this. help me to get a job
in yor city as blacksmith helper bareler maker helper or molder
helper. i kin furnish references for those jobs. i has a wife and
a 11 yr old girl who are now in the 7 grade and i wants to bringe
them with me when I come i am now employed as black smith helper
my pay is 26-1/2 per hour but the white comes so hard onus in
these departments so that we are frade to speak what is right
becase they dont want us in those departments they has been
trying to put us out for 4 years. before they begen to work a
ginst ys we had all colord help but now they has 75 per cent
white help and it is hard for this 25 per sent colord to stay
hear and i found in the Defender just what i has ben looking for
is a little help and if you will only do as i has said God will
bless you. now remember i dont ask you to send me a
transportation to come on if you will just get me a job for me i
will be please at that and i will pay you charges when i come i
will be ther in 4 or 5 days from the date i reseave yor ancer so
pleas ancer as soon as you kin.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 23, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ As a constant reader of your most valuable paper the
Defender and after viewing from time to time the services that
you are rendering not only to the race of which you are one of
its honored leaders but one who are doing services to the sacred
cause of humanity, and your admireable editorials has impressed
me so much until I feal that I know you personaly. now sire I
note with pleasure that you are manifesting a very great interest
in our people from the south and as I am a man of family and are
always willing and ready to grasp any opertunity that will tent
to better my condition I raise my head and I am now looking to
the North of this benighted land for hope there I feal that if
once there that I may be granted the opertunities of peacefully
working out my mission on earth. without fear of molestation. Now
sir I am a painter by trade. I am also a first class creol cook
and as I above said that you seams very much interested in your
newcomers well fare to the extent of trying to place them in some
lucrative position. I ask you one favor and that is this will
you please advise me as to if I come up there will you try and
get me work.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 21, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ As it is my desire to leave the south for some
portion of the north to make my future home I desided to write to
you as one who is able to furnish proper information for such a
move. I am a cook of plain meals and I have knowledge of
industrial training. I recieved such training at Tuskegee Inst.
some years ago and I have a letter from Mrs. Booker T. Washington
bearing out such statement and letters from other responsible
corporations and individuals and since I know that I can come up
to such recommendations, I want to come north where it is said
such individuals are wanted. Therefore will you please furnish me
with names and addresses of railroad officials to whom I might
write for such employment as it is my desire to work only for
railroads, if possible. I have reference to officials who are
over extra gangs, bridge gangs, paint gangs and pile drivers over
any boarding department which takes in plain meals. I have 25
years experience in this line of work and understand the method
of saving the company money.

You will please dig into this in every way that is necessary and
whatever charges you want for your trouble make your bill to me,
and I will mail same to you.

Wishing you much success in your papers throughout the country,
especially in the south as it is the greatest help to the
southern negro that has ever been read.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., 5-20-17.

_Dear Sir:_ I am sure your time is precious, for being as you an
editor of a newspaper such as the race has never owned and for
which it must proudly bost of as being the peer in the
pereoidical world. am confident that yours is a force of busy
men. I also feel sure that you will spare a small amount of your
time to give some needed information to one who wishes to relieve
himselfe of the burden of the south. I indeed wish very much to
come north anywhere in Ill. will do since I am away from the
Lynchman's noose and torchman's fire. Myself and a friend wish to
come but not without information regarding work and general
suroundings. Now hon sir if for any reason you are not in
position to furnish us with the information desired. please do
the act of kindness of placing us in tuch with the organization
who's business it is I am told to furnish said information, we
are firemen machinist helpers practical painters and general
laborers. And most of all, ministers of the gospel who are not
afraid of labor for it put us where we are. Please let me hear
from you.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 1, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am a reader of the Chicago Defender and while
reading I seen where you are aiding those in search of work and I
thought that I would drop you a few lines though I am far away
but if there is any way that you could get a pass please try and
do that much for us as we are a party of four good working men
the southern white are trying very hard to keep us from the north
but still they wont give us no work to do they dont pay us any
thing and still dont want us to go. now please answer at your
very earliest I am

DAPNE, ALA., 4/20/17.

_Sir:_ I am writing you to let you know that there is 15 or 20
familys wants to come up there at once but cant come on account
of money to come with and we cant phone you here we will be
killed they dont want us to leave here & say if we dont go to war
and fight for our country they are going to kill us and wants to
get away if we can if you send 20 passes there is no doubt that
every one of us will com at once, we are not doing any thing here
we cant get a living out of what we do now some of these people
are farmers and som are cooks barbers and black smiths but the
greater part are farmers & good worker & honest people & up to
date the trash pile dont want to go no where. These are nice
people and respectable find a place like that & send passes & we
all will come at once we all wants to leave here out of this hard
luck place if you cant use us find some place that does need this
kind of people we are called Negroes here. I am a reader of the
Defender and am delighted to know how times are there & was to
glad to, know if we could get some one to pass us away from here
to a better land. We work but cant get scarcely any thing for it
& they dont want us to go away & there is not much of anything
here to do & nothing for it. Please find some one that need this
kind of a people & send at once for us. We dont want anything but
our wareing and bed clothes & have not got no money to get away
from here with & beging to get away before we are killed and
hope to here from you at once. We cant talk to you over the phone
here we are afraid to they dont want to hear one say that he or
she wants to leave here if we do we are apt to be killed. They
say if we dont go to war they are not going to let us stay here
with their folks and it is not any thing that we have done to
them. We are law abiding people want to treat every bordy right,
these people wants to leave here but we cant we are here and have
nothing to go with if you will send us some way to get away from
here we will work till we pay it all if it takes that for us to
go or get away. Now get busy for the south race. The conditions
are horrible here with us. they wont give us anyhing to do & say
that we wont need anything but something to eat & wont give us
anything for what we do & wants us to stay here. Write me at once
that you will do for us we want & opertunity that all we wants is
to show you what we can do and will do if we can find some place,
we wants to leave here for a north drive somewhere. We see
starvation ahead of us here. We want to imigrate to the farmers
who need our labor. We have not had no chance to have anything
here thats why we plead to you for help to leave here to the
North. We are humane but we are not treated such we are treated
like brute by our whites here we dont have no privilige no where
in the south. We must take anything they put on us. Its hard if
its fair. We have not got no cotegous diseases here. We are
looking to here from you soon.

GREENVILLE, MISS., May 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ this letter is from one of the defenders greatest
frends. You will find stamp envelope for reply. Will you put me
in tuch with some good firm so I can get a good job in your city
or in Cleveland, Ohio or in Philadelphia, Pa. or in Detroyet,
Michian in any of the above name states I would be glad to live
in. I want to get my famely out of this cursed south land down
here a negro man is not good as a white man's dog. I can learn
anything any other man can. Not only I want to get out of the
south but there are numbers of good hard working men here and do
not know where they are going and what they are going to. Also I
could get a good deal of men from here if I could get in tuch
with some firms that would furnish me the money as passes. Now in
conlution, I want to know what is the trouble? I cannot get
anything more through the Defender. I have written to the
Defender some 3 or 4 times and eather articel was never
published. I recieves a free copy of the Defender every week and
the people here are all ways after me to write some doings to the
Defender and if I write anything it is never published.

GREENVILLE, MISS., 5-20-17.

_Dear Sir:_ I write you asking you some information as I am a
reader of your paper I have been buying a paper every Sunday for
5 months I want to come to your city to live and every thing is
so hard down here everything is so high and wages is low until we
just can live I want to know what will it cost from St. Louis to
Chicago. I can get from Greenville to St. Louis cheap by boat. I
want to come up there the last of June. I ask you to assist me in
getting a job I can do most any kind of hard work and have a
common education. If you will look me up a good job it will be
highly appreciated and your kindness will never be forgotten.

SELMA, ALA., 4-15-17.

_Dear Sir:_ If you no of any firm or corporation who need a good
reliable man please notify me I want get out of the south. I cant
live on the salary I am getting I am not so bent on coming to
Chicago. But anywhere up that way where there is an opening for
labor please attend to this matter at once. I can do any kind of
common labor please let me hear from you at your earliest
convenience. I take the Defender every week I see where southern
people are being put on jobs when they reach the North please
look for me a job or hand this to some one that will be
inturested in it.

MOSS POINT, MISS., April 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I read your advt in the Chicago Defender wanting
laborers for foundry, ware house, and yard work with
transportation paid. I'll come at once and lots of others here
would also come if you will transport us there for we are anxs to
get of southen soil.

LAUREL, MISS., May 10, 1917.

_Dear sir:_ i rite you i seen in Chicago paper that you aftiese
for laborer ninety miles from Chicago and i am a experienced
molder and i do truly hope you will give me a job for i am sick
of the south and please send me a transportation i have a family
and wife and three children my oldes child is 8 years old and i
wont to bring my famiely with me so please send me a
transportation at once for i am redy to come at once me and my
family i will pay you for your trubel with all pleasure if i can
get up there please send after us at once for i am redy to come
at once and i have not got money to pay our train fair and if you
will send after us i will sure pay you your money back so i will
close from your truly ansure soon

LETTERS FROM SOUTH TO FRIENDS NORTH AND FROM NORTH TO FRIENDS SOUTH

MACON, GA., May 27, 1917.