The Journal of Negro History Volume IV Part 54

HERNANDO, MISS., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I have heard so much about the demand for negro labor and the high price paid for it in the northern part of this country (the U. S.). I've decided to investigate the rumor from the most reliable source. And as it generally known that newspaper men are the best informed, therefore have thought to request of you for the particulars of the matter. Will you furnish me the desired information or point out such party, or parties that can and will do so. (Personal.)

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ Please send me at once a transportation at once I will sure come if I live send it as soon as possible because these white people are getting so they put every one in prison who are not working I can not get any I can do any kind of common labor. I am a brick layer also a painter I want to go to Cleveland and I have good health and will do my best to improve.

They are two family my mother want to come she is a good cook house clean, so all she want is information. I am not going to bring my family when I come I am gong to send back for it. Dont fail to send my Fla. transportation by return mail if you want I can get them as many as you want.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., April 29, 1917.

_Dear sir:_ reading the Chicago Defender seeing thair are still plenty work in the north I am an automobile repaire and wishes position at once as I am out of employmen and are a man of family and a working man indeed. Hoping to receive ticket by Return Mail or anser

FULLERTON, LA., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I was looking over a news paper and seen your address and has been wanting to go some where in you country where i can get better wedges and i would like to come up there of corse i dont know anything about that work but i can learn it in a short while. and if you can give me a job i would like to know and i want to know weather you will send me a pa.s.s or not i has a wife an i would like to know will you send me a pa.s.s for i and my wife if you will i want you to write me and let me know as soon as you can and tell we what you can do about the matter so this all

HOUSTON, TEX., April 29, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I thought I would write you a few lines of importance I ask you to help me that much the lord will help you I am a christians I try to make a honest living a man ought to help another when he try to help his self. this is only one I will do any kind of work if any company pa.s.s in up their I can pay half of my fare. I am motherless and fatherless I dont care when I go I am gone trust in the lord if you yill help me the Lord will pay you I am with donfident I am not a loafer If my fare is advance up their it a written contract that I will work it out.

May G.o.d bless you. Answer soon

NEW ORLEANS, LA., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: I write you a few lines asking you if there is a chance please let me know I can do most any kind of work labor or helper packer willing to learn a trade I see where they sends transportation well I would be willing if one of the firms would send me a pa.s.s then when I start to work for them they could take it out of my wages every week untill it was paid for. All I ask is give me a chance and I will make good. Hopeing that my letter will meet with your Apporval and if there is a firm that is willing to send me a pa.s.s to come to work up there Please show them my letter and they can deduck out of my wages for the pa.s.s.

Hopeing that you will hear of one of the firms that wants laborers and Helpers and that they will let me know when writing adress is to

G---- A----, ---- ---- Ave. New Orleans, La.

Please write and let me know if theres a chance. I remain yours

PENSACOLA, FLA., 4/29/17.

_Dear Sir:_ in reading the Chicago Defender I saw yore wants add for foundry ware house and yard men I do truly ask you to pleas give me some instruction How I can get there I am a working man I am not sport or a gamble or cla.s.s with them if I kno it But I am study evry day working man of family wife and one child 9 years old but this is hard time in the south now and I have not the means to come. But if you can get me up there I will give you good service in yore ware house and yard work. My daily work has been in a ware house for the past 6 years and i kno one more good man that want to come too with family and would be glad to get up there as soon as I can. I will garntee you good and reglar service from Both of us.

Hopeing to here from you soon

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir_: Im a reader of the Defender, and I saw in this weeks issue where you stated that three cities were in need of moulders and helpers. And as I have once worked in a foundry, as a helper I have some experience of the work and would like very much to know under what conditions could you put me in touch with a firm in a small size town, where it would send me a transportation.

I would leave tomorrow, if I had such opportunity. I am married, have a wife and two small children, and cant support them in this place properly.

Hoping to receive some kind of reply.

SAVANNAH, GA., April 29, 1918.

_Dear Sir_: I were reading your advertis.e.m.e.nt in the Chicago Defender where you were in need for men at the ---- ----. I am a hard working man in the south and get nothing for it I would like to recive a hearing from you in return mail in rgard of seeking a transportation for me and my nephew if you will send for me and my nephew I will come at once and I garantee you that you wont regret it. We are hard workers of the south please oblige.

Answer at once return mail I will be at your call.

MOBILE, ALA., April 30, 1917

_Dear Sir_: I was reading in the Chicago defender where They wanted so many men to work. I am very anxious to work. I can do most any kind of work I have been out of a job ever since January. will you please try and get me in Chicago, so that I can be able to get one of those jobs. please get me a job. I have a wife and we can hardly live in this place. I am a machinist by trade. I am a Schauffer also. I can repair an auto to. please send for me at once, as I am in need of work.

My age is 25 years and my wife is 21 years. My name is ----

SAVANNAH, GA., April 24, 1917.

_Gentlemen:_ As I my self intend to go north or some place where I can get good wages so as to better my condition and aim to go in a few days if I can get off right. I would have been gone before now but I could not save enough money out of small wages and high cost of living to get away, since I saw a piece in the Chicago Defender about you I am eager to get in touch with you at once as I understand you are in the employment business if so please let me hear from you by return mail as I must leave in a few days if can get away the right way. So if you have some good jobs open in some small towns or cities that will pay good wages please let me hear from you this week if can do so. Write me the kind of work and wages paid and where at so I can choose the kind I like, also let me know if I can get a ticket sent me to come on with a garntee to pay for it out of my first wages a part each pay day until paid. Please let me hear from you at once.

ATLANTA, GA., April 30, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ In reading the Chicago Defender I find that there are many jobs open for workmen, I wish that you would or can secure me a position in some of the northern cities; as a workman and not as a loafer. One who is willing to do any kind of hard in side or public work, have had broad experience in machinery and other work of the kind. A some what alround man can also cook, well trained devuloped man; have travel extensively through the western and southern states; A good strong _morial religious_ man no habits. I will accept transportation on advance and deducted from my wages later. It does not matter where, that is; as to city, country, town or state since you secure the positions. I am quite sure you will be delighted in securing a position for a man of this description. I'll a.s.sure you will not regret of so doing.

Hoping to hear from you soon.

SHREVEPORT, LA., April 26-17.

_Dear Sirs:_ I am writing you as to how and where I can go to obtain better freedom and better pay for the balence of my life as being a contance reader of the Chicago defender the add in front cover first colum refered me to you. If you can put me in touch of some one that I ma communicate with as to the position I will be verry grateful to you. I am a cook & barber also thorughly acquainted with steam works hoping to hear from you will full particular

I am yours for better success.

P S I has a fair education.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 7, 1917.

_Dear Sir:_ I am earnestly in need of work and would be very glad if you could recomend me to some of the firms that you are securing labor for. I saw your add in the Defender.

CRICHTON, MOBILE, ALA., April 30, 1917.

_Sirs and Gentelmen:_ I am poor man and honest working man and I am here in the south this hard country seeking for labor that I can make an onest living I can do most any kind of commond work and I will do so please put me next. Give me an early reply years to please

PENSACOLA, FLA., May 7, 1917.