The Bank of Creswell

CRESWELL, N.C. July 27, 1917

To His Excellency The Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N.C.

Information has reached Washington County, to Wit: That Mr H. G. Walker and Mr Gatlin of Creswell [1], amd Mr Roy Hampton and Mr. Watts of Plymouth [2] have been exempted from the Draft Call because of misrepresentations made to your Excellency concerning their importance to the people of each end of the County.

Great dissatisfaction is springing up in every direction in consequence thereof and there is no telling the amount of trouble that will follow. Let all fare alike and all will be well, otherwise trouble is ahead.

Inform yourself well before trouble becomes too far advanced.

Yours very respectfullly,

Dempsey Spruill
Ex member of Local Board of Exemptions.

[1] Most likely Jesse Cecil Gatlin of Creswell, North Carolina. When he registered for the draft in June 1917, he was twenty-eight years old and claimed two dependents, his wife and mother. He was then employed at a bank as a cashier.

[2] Most likely William Bryant Watts of Plymouth, North Carolina. The Martin County native claimed two dependents, his wife and child, upon registering for the draft in June 1917. He had two years of prior military service with the North Carolina Naval Militia and was then employed as a cashier at a bank.