- Transcription
JOHN E. BROWN
ATTORNEY AT LAW
BOONE, N.C.
December 7th, 1917.
Governor T. W. Bickett,
Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dear Governor:
In view of the fact that on November 27th, you appointed me as a member of the Legal Advisory Board for Watauga County, I do not hesitate to write you about the status of the soldiers who have been drafted and their families in this County.
Some weeks and perhaps months ago, you went to Washington, and on your return you sent a letter to the Local Boards giving them the proper construction that was placed on the law and regulations, as it was understood and being enforced by the War Department. Your suggestion was hailed with joy by those who had been sent to the Camp by a misunderstanding of the intention of the law, and their wives and little children who were helpless before, saw in you one that would see that their rights were protected and that justice would be done them, be they ever so humble.
The Local Board acting on that suggestion coming from you, promptly investigated, and issued discharges to those whom they thought entitled to them and the District Board, acted accordingly, and these discharges for these people have been sent to the Adjutant General long since, but he is as dumb as an oyster and these men remain in the Camps, while their little fields of corn go ungathered, and their wives and children go without the proper protection and comforts while the snow falls on these mountains.
If there is nothing in this matter, the people ought to be notified about it, so that they would become settled, and if there is no intention of keeping faith with these people, it will destroy the faith of the people in their Government.
Please have the proper official give me the information, as to whether these men will be discharged or left in the Camp.
Yours most respectfully,
P.S.,
One young man to wit: J. Bynum Taylor of Valle Crucis, N.C., has been placed in the service through error and all in authority have promised to have him discharged, but he still remains there, and the discharge has been sent to the Adjutant something like a month. His serial number is 926.
