Letters From Mississippians, 1916-1918
Brookhaven, Miss., April 24, 1917
Gents: The cane growers of Louisiana have stopped the exodus from New Orleans, claiming shortage of labor which will result in a sugar famine. Now these laborers thus employed receive only 85 cents a day and the high cost of living makes it a serious question to live. There is a great many race people around here who desires to come North but have waited rather late to avoid car fare, which they have not got. isn't there some way to get the concerns who wants labor, to send passes here or elsewhere so they can come even if they have to pay out of the first month wages? Please don't publish this letter but do what you can towards helping them to get away. If the R.R. Co. would run a low rate excursion they could leave that way. Please ans.
Collins, Miss., April 7, 1917
Dear Sir: I saw where you needed labor and I am a hard working man but I can't make above a living here and hardly that and so if you can assist me your kindness will never be forgotten. I shall look to hear from you by return mail.
Carrier, Miss., May 1, 1917
Please sir will you please send me transportation for me and my wife I am willing to work anywhere you put me at the rate am going it would take me from now until Cristmas to feed myself and get money enough to come with. Wages is so low and grocery is so high until all I can do is live. Please answer soon to.
Jackson, Miss., April 20, 1917
Sir: i wants to know do yo want somme famlis to move up their if you do rite and let me no at once and i will get yo some at once to come up their to work for you if you do rite an let me no at once and i will get them. now write an let me no at once send me work an i will try to bill your wont if you will aide me to get them up their i can get all that yo wont here to come up their and will come if they had any way to comt i wont to come but the times is so harde that i cant make the money to come on i want to move up their at once if i hade some way to come i wod come at once.
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 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 of point out such party, or parties that can and will do so.
(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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