Letters From Mississippians, 1916-1918
Between the years 1915-20, The Chicago Defender, Chicago's' African American newspaper published many letters from Southerners and recent migrants to the North. The letters served to fuel the myth of Chicago as the ‘Promised Land‘.
Vicksburg, Miss. May the 5th, 1917
Sir: Just wants you to give me a few words of enfermation of labor situations in your city or South Dakota grain farms what is their offers and their adress. Will thank you for any enformation given of same.
Marcel, Miss., 10/04/17
Dear Sir: Although I am a stranger to you but I am a man of the so called colored race and can give you the very best reference as to my character and ability by prominent citizens of my community by both white and colored people that knows me although am native of Ohio whiles I am a Northern desent were reared in this state of Mississippi. Now I am a reader of your paper the Chicago Defender. After reading your writing ever wek I am compell & persuade to say that I know you are a real man of my color you have I know heard of the South land & I need not tell you any thing about it. I am going to ask you a favor and at the same time beg you for your kind and best advice. I wants to come to Chicago to live. I am a man of a family wife and 1 child I can do just any kind of work in the line of common labor & I have for the present sufficient means to support us till I can obtain a position. Now should I come to your town, would you please to assist me in getting a position I am willing to pay whatever you charge I don't want you to loan me not 1 cent but help me to find an occupation there in your town now I has a present position that will keep me employed till the first of Dec. 1917. now please give me your best advice on this subject. I enclose stamp for reply.
Brookhaven, Miss., 4/24/1917
Chicago Urban League. Sirs: I was reading in the defender that theare was good opening for Men in Smalle towns near Chicago would like to know if they are seeking loborers or mecahnics I am going to come North in a few days and would rather try to have me a position in view would you kindly advise me along this line as I am not particular about locateing in the city all I desire is a good position where I can earn a good living I am experienced in plumbing and all kinds of metal roofing and compositeon roofing and ans from you on this subject would certainly be appreciated find enclosed addressed envelop for reply I wait your early reply as I want to leave here not later than May 8th I remain respectfully yours, P.S. will say that I am a Man of family don't think that I am picking my Job as any position in any kind of shop would be appreciated have had 12 years experience in pipe fitting.
(Collected under the direction of Emmett J. Scott, and excerpted with permission from The Journal of Negro History, Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia.)
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