Local Board for the County of Watauga
State of North Carolina
Boone, N. C.

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Boone, N. C.,
November 15th, 1917.

His Excellency,
T. W. Bickett, Gov. of N. C.,
Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dear Governor:

For a great many years a family of Croatan Indians have been living in this County, originally from Robinson County. They have been classed by the Registrar here as African, which is certainly not proper. They have never associated with the negro, never would have anything to do with the negro, never would send their children to school with the negroes; yet they had no status in the schools [illegible] white people. They are recognized as Indians and classed and treated as white people by a great many of our people. The men I refer to are:

William Carroll Oxentine - Serial 329
Will Oxentine - Serial 328

I would like very much for you to give this Board the privilege to change their status to that of Indians. I honestly believe they will die before they will serve in a negro regiment.

I hope, Governor, you will give this your attention - I think it would be just to them and hope the change can be made.

I am

Your very obedient servant,

E. F. Lovill
Government Attorney.