Jefferson Standard Life
Insurance Company
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA.

December 13, 1919.

(PERSONAL)

Honorable Thos. W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina,

My dear Governor:-

The excellent results obtained for the improvement of conditions in our civic life, the enlargement of our industrial life and the general development of every good cause effecting our State and the City of Raleigh during your administration, very largely due through the intelligent, industrious and unselfish efforts of yourself, have caused me to feel that you have a permanent place in the life of our community and at the hands of our people, but the article appearing in the News & Observer this date in connection with the State Prison¹ is causing me to feel that you have been misinformed in regard to the conditions in connection therewith, and that you are going to be severely criticised by a great many people if the State Prison is located as contemplated by the State Prison Board.

I am informed by the Secretary of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce that there is no record in his office of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce having taken any action in regard to this matter during the past and there is no record showing that Hon. Jas. H. Pou was ever authorized to speak for the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce in this connection. You also mention that the State Prison will occupy only 60 acres of land in Cary Township whereas according to the records of the Sheriff's office there are 369 acres included in Cary Township and this land is of the best value. On the other hand a school building and school district in House Creek Township, which is included in the 3000 acres to be purchased by the Board, and although this school building cost the county several thousand dollars, this movement will destroy the value of the property and there will be no further use for the school.

I do not believe that you will claim for one moment that any member of the State Prison Board, or any member of your official staff, would be willing to purchase a lot, build and home and live next or any where near this prison. If you know of any such person who is willing to do so I have some property that I will be very glad to sell for less than what I could have gotten sixty days ago. I would also be glad if you would take into consideration the effect that this movement is going to have on the cement road, which will cost about $200,000.00, and the property parallelling this road to Cary. Before this matter is closed I think it is only fair that the people in this community be given a hearing. I have no doubt but what you have been fully informed by the State Prison Board and the Selling Agents of the Real Estate Company, as to their views in the matter, and if such is the case, I feel it is nothing but just that you give the other side a chance to present their side of the matter.

Thanking you for your indulgence, I beg to remain,

Yours very sincerely,

N. C. Hines

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1. See "Bickett Recalls Facts on Prison," News and Observer (Raleigh), 13 December 1919.