Opportunities.

November 12, 1917

Dear Tom,

Thank you for allowing us to stay with you in Philadelphia while we get on our feet up North.  It's really bad here, so we have to leave before Christmas.  When the winter gets here, nothing is moving anywhere and it'll be too late.  It's going to cost us about $15 to make this move.  My friend, Bill, who works for a delivery company is going to stow us on the back of his truck to make the trip.  It's risky, and Bill could lose his job for harboring people on his truck, but it's the only choice.  Lou-Ann isn't taking it very well, but she understands that this is the opportunity we need to make a better life for ourselves and our children.  We are scheduled to leave on November 20th.  I've been saving the past two weeks salary to pay Bill for the ride.  So far, I have $12.50.  By the end of the week, I should have the $2.50 and some extra money for Lou-Ann and the babies.

Talk to you soon,

Sam

The Sacrifice.

October 25, 1917

Dear Tom,

Lou-Ann and I have come to a decision.  I am going to head up North with Sam Jr. and John.  Lou-Ann is going to stay behind with the babies until we can gather enough money to get her here.  Picking cotton in the South is not getting us anywhere that we need to be.  I'm not making any money and we've gotta make a choice now to really truly get things going.  If we don't, we're just going to be sharecroppers in the South with no money, no jobs, and no freedoms.

Lou-Ann will continue to work in the fields.  She is a great cook, she is going to also help out in the kitchen at the plantation.  Our daughter, Cassie, is going to have to quit school to help raise the babies while Lou-Ann works.  She is old enough now, and she knows how to read and write, which is a lot better than most of the sharecroppers' children out here.  I know she can do so much more with her life, but right now we need to make this sacrifice and head up North.

I will let you know when I am going to start the journey with Sam Jr. and John.

Talk to you soon,

Sam

Black Soldiers in AEF.

May 19th, 1917

Dear Tom,

Black soldiers are now being sent to fill the ranks in the American Expeditionary Force.  The unit don't have that many blacks in them, they are not mixed.  But I reckon that I will be able to get in there because they want us mainly for support.  Also, it looks like the KKK is hitting 2 million in numbers, which is not good.  They're also some black Vets from WWI who are saying that America's war for "safe for democracy" should include them.  Tom, we have no rights here.  I'm a man just like the rest of the men down here.  We think we've earned a right for equality.

I've been talking to Lou-Ann about moving up North.  We still have a lot to discuss, but I think it's the best decision for my family.  I want my kids to grow up in a world where they can be who they want to be.

Talk to you soon,

Sam