Volume IV Part 41 (1/2)
ANNINSTON, ALA., April 26, 1917.
_Dear sir_: Seeing in the Chicago Defender that you wanted men to work and that you are not to rob them of their half loaf; interested me very much. So much that I am inquiring for a job; one for my wife, auntie and myself. My wife is a seamster, my auntie a cook I do janitor work or comon labor. We all will do the work you give us. Please reply early.
SHREVEPORT, LA., May 22, 1917.
_Dear Sir_: I want to get some infirmation about getting out up there I did learn that they had a man here agent for to send people up there I have never seen him yet and I want you to tell me how to get up there. they are pa.s.sing people out up there that are unable to come I would like to hear from you at once from your unknown friend.
DERIDDER, LA., April 18, 1917.
_Dear Sir_: in regards of helth and all so in need that I am riting you these fue lines to day to you. this few lines leves famly and I well at the present an doe trus by the help of G.o.d these will find you the same. Now what I want you to doe for me is this will you please give this letter to the Chicago Defender printers and I will bee oblige to you. I wood of back this letter to the Chicago defenders but they never wood of receve it from here.
I am to day riting you jus a fue lines for infermasion I wil state my complant is this. now her is 18 hundred of the colored race have paid to a man $2.00 to be transfered to Chicago to work, he tel us that thire is great demand in the north for labor and wee no it is true bee cors ther is thousands of them going from Alabama and fla. and Gergia and all so other states and this white man was to send us to Chicago on the 15 of march and eavery time we ask him about it he tell us that the companys is not redy for us and we all wants to get out of the south, wee herd that this man have fould wee people out of this money, wee has a duplicate shorn that wee have paid him this money and if ther is iny compnys that wants these men and will furnis transpertas.h.i.+on for us wil you please notifie me at once bee cors I am tired of bene dog as I was a beast and wee will come at wonce. So I will bee oblige to you if you will help us out of the south.
LIVE OAK, FLA., 4-25-17.
_Dear sir_: I wish to become in touch with you. I have been thinking of leaving the south and have had several ofers presented to me if only would say I would go and pay down so mutch money until a certain date but dont aprove of sutch. Know would be glad to have you relate to me weather I can get a job in or near the city.
I am now working at a commission house. Listen there have been several crooks out saying they are getting men for difrent works in the north, all you had to do pay them $2 or $3 dollars and meet him on a certain day and that would be the last. Will you relate to me some of the difrent kinds of works & prices.
Nothing more, I remain.
NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 22, 1917.
_Dear sir_: with the greatest of pleasure for me to address you a few lines, concerning of labor as I was reading and advertis.e.m.e.nt of yours in the Chicago Defender stateing that those who wish to locate in smaller towns with fairly good wages and to bring their children up with the best of education will kindly get in touch with you. However if you are in a business of that kind it just fitted me. While I am a man with a very large family most all are boys and it is my desires to get in touch with some good firms to works. Kind sir if you are in that kind of position please let me hear from you at once I've get no confidence in some of these so called agents. Ill be to glad to hear from you at once.
MOBILE, ALA., 12-4-16.
_Dear Sir_: While reading Sunday's Defender I read where you was coming south looking for labor I see you want intelligent industrious men to work in factories so I thought I would write and get a little information about it. there are a lot of idle men here that are very anxious to come north. every day they are fooled about go and see the man. pleanty of men have quit thier jobs with the expectation of going but when they go the man that is to take them cant be found. last week there was a preacher giving lecturers on going. took up collection and when the men got to the depot he could not be found, so if you will allow me the privaledge I can get you as many men as you need that are hard working honest men that will be glad to come. I will send you these names and address if you will send for them to come.
there is not work here every thing is so high what little money you make we have to eat it up. so if what I say to you is agreeable please answer.
LETTERS ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHERN DRIVE OF 1917
PENSACOLA, FLA., 4-21-17.
_Sir_: You will please give us the names of firms where we can secure employment. Also please explain the Great Northern Drive for May 15th. We will come by the thousands. Some of us like farm work. The colored people will leave if you will a.s.sist them.
NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 25, 1917.
_Dear Sir_: Would you kindely advise me of a good place where I can get a good job out in some of the small places from Chicago about 50 or 60 miles. I am expecting to leave the south about the 15th of May and will bring my family later on. Answer soon.
Pa.s.s CHRISTIAN, MISS., April 30, 1917.