- Transcription
R. D. LUSK
LEXINGTON, N.C.
303 First National Bank,
Roanoke, Virginia.
December 25, '18.
Governor Thomas A. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.
Confidential.
Sir -
The author, Emerson Hough, is writing a book covering the official activities of the American Protective League, which operated under the direction of the United States Department of Justice throughout the war and which will be disbanded Feb. 1st.
In my work as Chief at Lexington, N.C. the question of treating with men who “stepped back into the brush” came up, and it became my immediate policy, from long and personal acquaintance with these mountain boys, to work for them instead of against them. I never recognized them as fugitives, but as loyal Americans of native blood who were breaking the law through ignorance. I left all strong-arm methods to special agents of the Department of Justice, and devoted my time to getting information and assurances back to these boys through the medium of friends in whom they had confidence. Many of them came in. My work is to receive special recognition as a method of dealing with a mountaineer problem which was peculiar to three or four states in the South. To quote official advice I have just received, “It was a real achievement to save them from a military prison and induct them into the Army where all of them seem to remain excellent fighters.”
It has occurred to me that you would be glad to give some expression about this phase of the work, which I may append to my report, as I know you were an earnest advocate of these methods of dealing with our mountain boys, and yourself made a trip into the mountains to talk to your people. And I know the response you got.
No names or places are to be divulged. Substitute names and localities will be used in Mr. Hough’s book so that no men can be identified in the relation of incidents connected with this work. If you would care to send me a letter with any special reference to your own experience in this matter, or with any assurance that you approved this method of dealing with those boys who “stepped back” only through ignorance, I will be glad to have it sent me to Lexington, N.C., as I shall be at my office there for about a week.
Yours very truly,
