SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY
LEGAL DEPARTMENT

WALTER H. NEAL
District Counsel
Laurinburg, North Carolina

February 13, 1914.

Personal.

Hon. Locke Craig,
Governor,
Raleigh, N.C.

My dear Governor:-

When I went on the bench I was forced to retire from all church and Sunday School work in my home town. I could not possibly be here many Sundays out of the year and consequently I had to make a complete abandonment of some work from which I derived right much pleasure. Immediately upon my resuming the practice I connected myself with Sunday work in the factory population of this community. I have a Sunday School class of factory boys numbering about twenty-five and I have never missed a Sunday with them if it were possible for me to be in the town. On account of my connection with this class of work, I have been called upon quite a number of times to help the boys out when some of their folks would have domestic troubles of one kind or another, which could not be met by ordinary means. There is a young fellow on my Sunday School class by the name of George Butler about twenty years old, a find looking fellow and a man who I am quite sure will make a very useful citizen to the State. Some two or three years ago his father had a stroke of paralysis and about twelve months ago his mind became impaired. A very few months ago application was made to get him in at the Central Hospital in Raleigh and his family was advised that as it appeared that he was incurable, there was no possible way to get him in the above named institution. He has recently become a bit dangerous to his family and the neighbors in the factory village. They have to work to get their daily bread and there is no one to stay at home and guard this poor unfortunate. If a hand comes out of the mill to guard him that means fewer rations on the table to eat, less fuel to burn and poorer clothes to keep them warm in winter. An appeal has been made to me in the matter and I have become very much interested to see if something could not be done to relieve the situation. All the favor that I ask of you is to drop a line to Dr. Albert Anderson and send it to me and will you be so kind as to write him substantially as follows:

"Our friend Neal in Laurinburg will write to you about a man he wants to get in the Asylum. If there is any reasonable way in which you can help him, I will appreciate it."

If you will send that letter to me I will write Dr. Anderson and send him a copy of the letter that I have written to you and ask him to come to my relief.

Of course you understand that I am not acting in this as a lawyer but only as a man. It is a very pitiful case. It appeals to me with very great force and tenderness and I shall rely with very great confidence on getting your help. I would run up to Raleigh and see you in person but it would mean a day's time which counts much for me now a days.

With my very great regard, I am,

Yours sincerely,

Walter H. Neal

WHN.R.