The Journal of Negro History Volume IV Part 36

_Dear Sir_: I saw your add in the Chicago Defender papa and me being a firman and a all around man I thought I would write you.

prehaps You might could do me lots of good, and if you can use me any way write me and let me No. in my trade or in foundry work.

all so I got a boy 19 years old he is pretty apt in Learning I would Like to get him up there and Learn him a trade and I have several others would come previding if there be an opening for them. So this is all ans. soon

ALGIERS, LA., May 16-17.

_Sir_: I saw sometime ago in the Chicago Defender, that you needed me for different work, would like to state that I can bring you all the men that you need, to do anything of work. or send them, would like to Come my self Con recomend all the men I bring to do any kind of work, and will give satisfaction; I have bin foreman for 20 yrs over some of these men in different work from R. R. work to Boiler Shop machine shop Blacksmith shop Concreet finis.h.i.+ng or puting down pipe or any work to be did.

they are all hard working men and will work at any kind of work also plastering anything in the labor line, from Clerical work down, I will not bring a man that is looking for a easy time only hard working men, that want good wages for there work, let me here from you at once,

ELLISVILLE, MISS., 5/1/17.

_Kind Sir_: I have been takeing the Defender 4 months I injoy reading it very much I dont think that there could be a grander paper printed for the race, then the defender. Dear Editor I am thinking of leaving for Some good place in the North or West one I dont Know just which I learn that Nebraska was a very good climate for the people of the South. I wont you to give me some ideas on it, Or Some good farming country. I have been public working for 10 year. I am tired of that, And want to get out on a good farm. I have a wife and 5 children and we all wont to get our from town a place an try to buy a good home near good Schools good Churchs. I am going to leave here as soon as I get able to work. Some are talking of a free train May 15 But I dont no anything of that. So I will go to work an then I will be sure, of my leaving Of course if it run I will go but I am not depending on it Wages here are so low can scarcely live We can buy enough to eat we only buy enough to Keep up alive I mean the greater part of the Race. Women wages are from $1.25 Some time as high as $2.50. just some time for a whole week.

Hoping Dear Editor that I will get a hearing from you through return mail, giving me Some ideas and Some Sketches on the different Climate suitable for our health.

P. S. You can place my letter in Some of the Defender Colums but done use my name in print, for it might get back down here.

TALLADEGA, ALA., Apri 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I am a subscriber for the Chicago Defender and have been reading in your paper of occupations waiting to be filled.

And as I understand you want the person writting to state just what kind of work they can do. I can car petter work and have been off and own for some years. I am not a finished up carpenter, I can do ware-house work, I can work in a wholesale, I have not sufficient money to come on will you be obliging to send me my transportation. I am near thirty eight (38) years old and weighs about one hundred and ninety five (195) pounds. If you will send a transportation please write me at once at Talladega.

MOBILE, ALA., April 21. 17.

_Dear Sirs_: I am a man that would like to get work in some place where I can elevate my self & family & I think some where in the north is the place for me & I would like to get you gentlemen to advise me in getting a location my trade is cook rail Road camp cars pre fered but will do enything els that I can do. so if you all can help me out in eny way I will Sure take it as a favor.

PALESTINE, TEX., Mar. 24, 17.

MR. EDITOR--

_My dear Sir_: I have been reading your paper for some time my farther is a subscriber for the New York age I have read a few letters in your paper asking for help of securing a position in the North I am trying to make a man of myself I can get any work down here in the South and owing to prejudice I cant get a start I am 18 yrs. of age weighs 152 lbs. and any position that you can get me will work at any job--untill I can get better I am asking how can I get transportation from here it can be deducted from salary and I will certainly appreciate any thing you do for me toward helping me leave the south a gol any where in the north--please help me if you possible can

I am hoping to hear from you some time soon Your agent of Palestine Mr. ---- is a cousin to me my farther is principle of D---- School but refuses to help me any I havent any special trade a little expierence in stage work and drawing.

BESSEMER, ALA., 5/14/17.

_Sirs_: Noticing an ad in Chicago Defender of your a.s.sitance to those desiring employment there I thought mayhaps you could help me secure work in your Windy City I'm a married man have one child. I have common school education this is my hand write. I am presently employed as a miner has been for 14 years but would like a Change I'm apt to learn would like to get where I could go on up and support myself and family. You know more about it than I but in your opinion could I make anything as pullman porter being inexsperienced? I'd be so grateful to U. to place me in something Ive worked myself too hard for nothing. I'm sober and can adjust my life with any kind and am a quiet Christian man.

NEW ORLEANS, 4/25/17.

_Kind Sir_: I noticed in last weeks Defender an issieu relating to ocupations in your territory I am a Laborer of N.O. and desire to get information concerning Best ways and means of securing a Position I am absolutely willing to do manual Labor any-where will you--Kindly inform me as to what step can be taken for further reference if necessary apply to ---- Hoping this will meet with your generous approval I remain

NEW ORLEANS, April 22, 1917.

under the head lines in the Chicage Defender of Sat.u.r.day April 22-17 I red how some of us that goes up north are being treated.

there is a few that have gone from this city north, and came back a few weeks. some say they came back on account of being to cold "The others Say they ware to pay so much to get work etc" I would like to go north. and would rather be in some place. other then Chicago. or near Chicago. I am a union man" but dont exspect to work at union only" there is a few of us union men that are planing to go north and Kindly please write me" all so I mail you one of my union cards hoping to heare from you soon I am respectfully, Yours.

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 12 8 17.

_Dear Sir_: I am a constant reader of your paper which can be purchased here at the Panama Cafe news stand. Mr. ---- at present I am employed as agent for the Interstate Life and acc'd ins. Co.

but on account of the race people leaving here so very fast my present job is no longer a profitable one. I have a number of young friends in your city who are advising me to come to Chicago and I have just about made up my mind to come. but before leaving here I wanted to ask Some advice from you along certain lines. I am buying property here and taking up notes each month on Same these notes now are aroun $14 per month. and with my present Salary and the unusual high price on everything I can't possibly protect myself very long against a foreclosure on above mentioned property on account of my Salary being less than $50.00 per month. Mr. ---- do you think I could come to your city with myself and wife rent this place out here and better my condition financially? I am strong and able to do anything kind of work so long as the Salary is O. K. I have a fair experience as a meat cutter and can furnish the best of reference from business houses one of them is Swift & Co of this city. I hope you can understand me clearly, it is my aim to make an honest living and would not dream of any other method. I am prepared to leave here at any time and must go Some place but Chicago is the place that impress me most. and having the confidence in you as a great race man I am writing you for your honest opinion concerning the facts in the matter. Many thanks for the information in today's paper under the Caption ("Know thyself") hoping this will meet with your hearty Cooperation.

P. S. What is about the average salaries paid there for unskilled laborers and what is board and room rent? if I come would it be advisable to come alone and Secure location and everything and then have my wife come later?

JACKSON, MISS., May 10-17.

_Kind Sir_: I saw your ad., in the Chicago Defender. Where you wonted 15 or 20 good men. So I am Writing you asking you do you still wont them. Also you said that you would send transportation for them. If you still wont them I can get good steady working men that wount to work and not gambling no rounders but working men. I am working man can work at anything not a left hand man but work both right and left. So please let me hear from you at once. For I wont to work and wont to work now. So if you Can not send transportation for all send me one. Please Oblige me.

P.S. Please let me hear from you at once.

MEMPHIS, TENN., May 22nd, 1917.

_Sir:_ As you will see from the above that I am working in an office somewhat similar to the one I am addressing, but that is not the purpose with which I sat out to write.

What I would like best to know is can you secure me a position there? I will not say that I am capable of doing any kind of labor as I am not. Have had an accidental injury to my right foot; hence I am incapable of running up and down stairs, but can go up and down by taking my time. I can perform janitors duties, tend bar, or grocery store, as clerk. I am also a graduate of the Law Department, Howard University, Was.h.i.+ngton, D. C. Cla.s.s of '85 but this fact has not swelled my head. I am willing to do almost any thing that I can do that there is a dollar to it. I am a man of 63 years of age. Lived here all of my life, barring 5 or 6 years spent in Was.h.i.+ngton and the East. Am a christian, Bapitst by affiliation.

Have been a teacher, clerk in the government department, Law and Pension offices, for 5 years, also a watchman in the War Dept.

also collector and rental agent for the late R. R. Church, Esq.

Member of Canaan Baptist Church, Covington, Tenn. Now this is the indictment I plead to.

_Sir_, If you can place me I will be willing to pay anything in reason for the service. I have selected a place to stop with a friend of earlier days at ----, whenever I can get placed there.

An early reply will be appreciated by yours respectfully.

PASCOQOULA, MISS., April 8 17,

_Dear Sir:_ As you have charge of the Urban League, I want to know if the League can locate work for about 8 or 10 men. We are all middle-aged men and would like to have our faires paid and deducted from our wages.

We will work in any small town in Illinois. All of these men are property owners and have large families. We'll _leave_ families 'till later on.

Any good you can do for us Will be highly appreciated.

P.S. Some of these men have trades and are capable of working in railroad shops.

HAMLET, N. C., May 29, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ I am very desirous of changing my location and am writing to know whether or not you can find a lucrative opening for me somewhere in the North.