July 27th, 1920.

Col. A. H. Boyden,
Salisbury, N.C.

My dear Colonel Boyden:-

The members of the Committee to investigate the alleged assault on the jail and the conduct of the troops, are requested to meet in Durham on next Monday morning at 10 o'clock to hear the evidence of the soldiers and then proceed to Graham and hear the evidence there.

Of course the Committee will need a first class stenographer, and Mr. J. L. Emanuel of this city is quite a competent man, and I am taking the liberty of getting him to serve.

Something has been said about counsel. My own opinion is that none will be needed. The parties interested can present such witnesses as they see fit, and they can be examined by the members of the committee in an impartial way. Two members of the committee are lawyers, the other one is a man of large experience in business affairs and in public life, and the members of the Committee can bring out the facts as investigators and not prosecutors or defenders, and I think this would be the best plan to pursue.

This is a very great patriotic service that you gentlemen have agreed to render, and I desire to express my profound appreciation of the personal sacrifice that I know each one of you is making.

With kind regards, I beg to remain,

Sincerely yours,

[unsigned]

B-G