March is Women's History Month

  Dere's two things I've got a right to,

and dese are, Death or Liberty — one or tother I 
mean to have. 

                              Harriet Tubman

I'm getting a late start this year but I'd rather be a little messy, than to have nothing at all.  So I'm going to start Women's History Month off with this book I found titled;

Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman by Sarah H. Bradford

 I will post the authors preface then link to a PDF version of the book and also an archchive containing several different applicable formats. The book is in the public domain so you may share it in any way you want to.  Listen here to this audio file about Harriet.

PREFACE

  It is proposed in this little book to give a plain

and unvarnished account of some scenes and adven-

tures in the life of a woman who, though one of

earth's lowly ones, and of dark-hued skin, has

shown an amount of heroism in her character rarely-

possessed by those of any station in life. Her name

(we say it advisedly and without exaggeration)

deserves to be handed down to posterity side by

side with the names of Joan of Arc, Grace Darling,

and Florence Nightingale ; for not one of these

women has shown more courage and power of en-

durance in facing danger and death to relieve hu-

man suffering, than has this woman in her heroic

and successful endeavors to reach and save all whom

she might of her oppressed and suffering race, and

to pilot them from the land of Bondage to the

promised land of Liberty. Well has she been call-

ed " Moses" for she has been a leader and deliverer

unto hundreds of her people.

2 PREFACE.

Worn down by her sufferings and fatigues, her

health permanently affected by the cruelties to

which she has been subjected, she is still laboring

to the utmost limit of her strength for the support

of her aged parents, and still also for her afflicted

people — by her own efforts supporting two schools

for Freedmen at the South, and supplying them

with clothes and books ; never obtruding herself,

never asking for charity, except for " her people."

It is for the purpose of aiding her in ministering

to the wants of her aged parents, and in the hope

of securing to them the little home which they are

in danger of losing from inability to pay the whole

amount due — which amount was partly paid when

our heroine left them to throw herself into the work

of aiding our suffering soldiers — that this little ac-

count, drawn from her by persevering endeavor, is

given to the friends of humanity.

The writer of this story has till very lately known

less personally of the subject of it, than many others

to whom she has for years been an object of inter-

est and care. But through relations and friends in

Auburn, and also through Mrs, Commodore Swift

of Geneva, and her sisters, who have for many years

known and esteemed this wonderful woman, she

has heard tales of her deeds of heroism which

PKEFACE. 3

seemed almost too strange for belief, and were in-

vested with the charm of romance.

During a sojourn of some months in the city of

Auburn, while the war was in progress, the writer

used to see occasionally in her Sunday-school class

the aged mother of Harriet, and also some of those

girls who had been brought from the South by this

remarkable woman. She also wrote letters for the

old people to commanding officers at the South, mak-

ing inquiries about Harriet, and received answers

telling of her untiring devotion to our wounded and

sick soldiers, and of her efficient aid in various ways

to the cause of the Union.

By the graphic pen of Mrs. Stowe, the incidents

of such a life as that of the subject of this little

memoir might be wrought up into a tale of thrilling

interest, equaling, if not exceeding, anything in her

world-renowned " Uncle Tom's Cabin ; " but the

story of Harriet Tubman needs not the drapery of

fiction ; the bare unadorned facts are enough to stir

the hearts of the friends of humanity, the friends of

liberty, the lovers of their country.

There are those who will sneer, there are those

who have already done so, at this quixotic attempt

to make a heroine of a black woman, and a slave ;

but it may possibly be that there are some natures,

4 PREFACE.

though concealed under fairer skins, who have not

the capacity to comprehend such general and self-

sacrificing devotion to the cause of others as that

here delineated, and therefore they resort to scorn

and ridicule, in order to throw discredit upon the

whole story.

Much has been left out which would have been

highly interesting, because of the impossibility of

substantiating by the testimony of others the truth

of Harriet's statements. But whenever it has been

possible to find those who were cognizant with the

facts stated, they have been corroborated in every

particular.

A few years hence and we seem to see a gather-

ing where the wrongs of earth will be righted, and

Justice, long delayed, will assert itself, and perform

its office. Then not a few of those who had

esteemed themselves the wise and noble of this

world, " will begin with shame to take the lowest

place ; " while upon Harriet's dark head a kind hand

will be placed, and in her ear a gentle voice will

sound, saying : " Friend ! come up higher ! "

S. H. B.

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This is a book to start Women's History Month off.

LETTERS OF NEGRO MIGRANTS OF 1916-1918

I had the pleasure of discovering these letters on the jstor site. I'm able to share them with you because they are  they are in the public domain and jstor has indicated that they may be used freely and only request an acknowledgement which I included at the bottom of this post.

The historical and educational  value of this body of work is immense, not to mention the inspirational. I haven't included every letter here but from this sample you can clearly get a picture of condition of the people at that time. I hope you'll find some use for this information and please share it with others, especially our young folks who aren't  familiar with these stories.

SAVANNAH, GA., May 3, 1917. 

Dare sier: I understand that you wont some mens and if you 

wood sen me transportation for ten mens wood bee turly glad and 

please write to me at wonce and lete me hir form you.

LETTERS OF NEGRO MIGRANTS OF 1916-1918

The exodus of the Negroes during the World War, the

most significant event in our recent internal history, may be

profitably studied by reading the letters of the various

migrants. The investigator has been fortunate in finding

letters from Negroes of all conditions in almost all parts of

the South and these letters are based on almost every topic

of concern to humanity. These documents will serve as a

guide in getting at the motive dominant in the minds of these

refugees and at the real situation during the upheaval. As

a whole, these letters throw much light on all phases of

Negro life and, in setting forth the causes of unrest in the

South, portray the character of the whites with whom the

blacks have had to do.

These letters are of further value for information con-

cerning the Negroes in the North. From these reliable

sources the student can learn where the Negroes settled,

what they engaged in, and how they have readjusted them-

selves in a new situation. Here may be seen the effects of

the loss resulting from the absence of immigrants from

Europe, the conflict of the laboring elements, the evidences

of racial troubles and the menace of mob rule.

LETTERS ASKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT

THE NORTH 

SAVANNAH, GA., Apirl 24, 1917.

Sir: I saw an advertisement in the Chicago Ledger where you

would send tickets to any one desireing to come up there. I am

a married man with a wife only, and I am 38 years of age, and

both of us have so far splendid health, and would like very much

to come out there provided we could get good employment regard-

ing the advertisement.

Segregated railroad waiting room at the Union Terminal, Jacksonville, Florida, . 

Source — Florida State Archives.

MOBILE, ALA., April 27, 1917.

Sir: Your advertisement appearing in the Chicago Defender

have influenced me to write to you with no delay. For seven

previous years I bore the reputation of a first class laundress in

Selma. I have much experience with all of the machines in this

laundry. This laundry is noted for its skillful work of neatness

and ect. We do sample work for different laundries of neighbor-

ing cities, viz. Montgomery, Birmingham and Mobile once or twice

a year. At preseant I do house work but would like to get in touch

with the Chicago . I have an eager desire of a clear in-

formation how to get a good position. I have a written recom-

mendation from the foreman of which I largely depend upon as a

relief. You will do me a noble favor with an answer in the earliest

possible moment with a description all about the work.

PENSACOLA, FLA., April 28, 1917.

Dear Sir: I seen in the Chicago Defender where men was

wanted in small towns near Chicago at fair wages. As i want to

lokate in the north i thought it very nessary to consult you in the

direction of this work. hoping to receive from you full pertikulars

i a wate a reply.

MARCEL, MIss., 10/4/17.

Dear Sir: Although I am a stranger to you but I am a man of

the so called colored race and can give you the very best or refer-

ence as to my character and ability by prominent citizens of my

community by both white and colored people that knows me

although am native of Ohio whiles I am a northern desent were

reared in this state of Mississippi. Now I am a reader of your

paper the Chicago Defender. After reading your writing ever

wek I am compell & persuade to say that I know you are a real

man of my color you have I know heard of the south land & I need

not tell you any thing about it. I am going to ask you a favor

and at the same time beg you for your kind and best advice. I

wants to come to Chicago to live. I am a man of a family wife

and 1 child I can do just any kind of work in the line of common

labor & I have for the present sufficient means to support us till

I can obtain a position. Now should I come to your town, would

you please to assist me in getting a position I am willing to pay

whatever you charge I dont want you to loan me not 1 cent but

help me to find an occupation there in your town now I has a

present position that will keep me employed till the first of Dec.

1917. now please give me your best advice on this subject. I en-

close stamp for reply.

BEAUMONT, TEX., May 14, 1917.

My dear Sir: Please write me particulars concerning emigra-

tion to the north. I am a skilled machinist and longshoreman.

LETTERS ABOUT CLUBS AND GROUPS FOR THE NORTH 

MOBILE, AlA., May 11, 1917.

Dear sir and brother: on last Sunday I addressed you a letter

asking you for information and I have received no answer. but

we would like to know could 300 or 500 men and women get em-

ployment? and will the company or thoes that needs help send

them a ticket or a pass and let them pay it back in weekly pay-

ments? We have men and women here in all lines of work we

have organized a association to help them through you.

We are anxiously awaiting your reply. 

SAUK, GA., May 1, 1917.

Dear Sir: There are about 15 or 20 of us hard working mans

seeking employment an we would be more than glad if you assis

us in finding work i see here in the Chicago Defender laborers

wanted i am a skill labor at most anything except molder but i am

willing to learn the trade we are hard working mans no lofers

neather crap shooters work is what we want and can not get it with-

out you assistant. if you will assis us with transportation please

rite and let us no what way to came to you these white folks here

having meeting trying to stop us from going off to seek work an

noing they haven got work nor wagers for us here.

We have had jobs but loose it and have not the money to get

away if you except my letter please give us some assistant to leave

because is send you a letter Monday but i see afterward that it was

send rong so i send you this one. have you got employment up

there for female if so let us no please if you send me a speciel please

dont put 15 or 20 men and i will under stand if you say 15 or 20

mans they will put me in jail. please answer just as soon can as i

want to get away as soon as i can there nothing here to do. some

industrious female want employment answer at once please.

JACKSON, Miss., May the first, 1917.

sir: I was looking over the Chicago Defender and seen ad for

labers both woman an men it is a great lots of us woud come at once

if we was only abel but we is not abel to come but if you will send

me a pas for 25 women and men I will send them north at once men

an women

DE RIDDER, LA., April 29, 1917.

Dear Sir: there is lots of us southern mens wants transportation

and we want to leave ratway as soon as you let us here from you

some of us is married mens who need work we would like to bring

our wife with us there is 20 head of good mens want transporta-

tion and if you need us let us no by return mail we all are redy

only wants .here from you there may be more all of our peoples

wont to leave here and I want you to send as much as 20 tickets

any way I will get you up plenty hands to do most any kind of

work all you have to do is to send for them. looking to here from

you. This is among us collerd. 

LETTERS ABOUT LABOR AGENTS 

MOBILE, ALA., 4-26-17.

Dear Sir Bro.: I take great pane in droping you a few lines

hopeing that this will find you enjoying the best of health as it

leave me at this time present. Dear sir I seen in the Defender

where you was helping us a long in securing a posission as brick-

mason plaster cementers stone mason. I am writing to you for ad-

vice about comeing north. I am a brickmason an I can do cement

work an stone work. I written to a firm in Birmingham an they

sent me a blank stateing $2.00 would get me a ticket an pay 10 per

ct of my salary for the lst month and $24.92c would be paid after I

reach Detorit and went to work where they sent me to work. I

had to stay there until I pay them the sum of $24.92c so I want to

leave Mobile for there. if there nothing there for me to make a

support for my self and family. My wife is seamstress. We want

to get away the 15 or 20 of May so please give this matter your

earnest consideration an let me hear from you by return mail as my

bro. in law want to get away to. He is a carpenter by trade. so

please help us as we are in need of your help as we wanted to go to

Detroit but if you says no we go where ever you sends us until we

can get to Detroit. We expect to do whatever you says. There is

nothing here for the colored man but a hard time wich these south-

ern crackers gives us. We has not had any work to do in 4 wks.

and every thing is high to the colored man so please let me hear

from you by return mail. Please do this for your brother.

SHREVEPORT, LA., May 22, 1917.

Dear Sir: I want to get some infirmation about getting out up

there I did learn that they had a man here agent for to send people

up there I have never seen him yet and I want you to tell me how

to get up there. they are passing people out up there that are

unable to come I would like to hear from you at once from your

unknown friend.

NEW ORLEANs, LA., April 22, 1917.

Dear sir: with the greatest of pleasure for me to address you a

few lines, concerning of labor as I was reading and advertisement

of yours in the Chicago Defender stateing that those who wish to

 locate in smaller towns with fairly good wages and to bring their

children up with the best of education will kindly get in touch with

you. However if you are in a business of that kind it just fitted me.

While I am a man with a very large family most all are boys and it

is my desires to get in touch with some good firms to works. Kind

sir if you are in that kind of position please let me hear from you

at once I've get no confidence in some of these so called agents. Ill

be to glad to hear from you at once.

MOBILE, ATA., 12-4-16.

Dear Sir: While reading Sunday's Defender I read where you

was coming south looking for labor I see you want intelligent in-

dustrious men to work in factories so I thought I would write and

get a little information about it. there are a lot of idle men here

that are very anxious to come north. every day they are fooled

about go and see the man. pleanty of men have quit thier jobs

with the expectation of going but when they go the man that is to

take them cant be found. last week there was a preacher giving

lecturers on going. took up collection and when the men got to the

depot he could not be found, so if you will allow me the privaledge

I can get you as many men as you need that are hard working

honest men that will be glad to come. I will send you these names

and address if you will send for them to come. there is not work

here every thing is so high what little money you make we have to

eat it up. so if what I say to you is agreeable please answer. 

LETTERS ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHERN DRIVE OF 1917   

PENSACOLA, FLA., 4-21-17.

Sir: You will please give us the names of firms where we can

secure employment. Also please explain the Great Northern

Drive for May 15th. We will come by the thousands. Some of

us like farm work. The colored people will leave if you will assist

them.

MOBiLE, AIA., April 25, 1917.

Sir: I was reading in theat paper about the Colored race and

while reading it I seen in it where cars would be here for the 15

of May which is one month from to day. Will you be so kind as

to let me know where they are coming to and I will be glad to

know because I am a poor woman and have a husband and five

children living and three dead one single and two twin girls six

months old today and my husband can hardly make bread for them

in Mobile. This is my native home but it is not fit to live in just

as the Chicaao Defender say it says the truth and my husband only

get $1.50 a day and pays $7.50 a month for house rent and can

hardly feed me and his self and children. I am the mother of 8

children 25 years old and I want to get out of this dog hold be-

cause I dont know what I am raising them up for iin this place and

I want to get to Chicago where I know they will be raised and my

husband crazy to get there because he know he can get more to

raise his children and will you please let me know where the cars is

going to stop to so that he can come where he can take care of me

and my children. He get there a while and then he can send for

me. I heard they wasnt coming here so I sent to find out and he

can go and meet them at the place they are going and go from

there to Chicago. No more at present. hoping to hear from you

soon from your needed and worried friend.

MONTGOMERY, ALA., May 7, 1917.

My dear Sir: I am writing to solicit your aid and advice as to

how I may best obtain employment at my trade in your city. I

shall be coming that way on the 15th of May and I wish to fBid

immediate employment if possible.

I have varied experience as a compositor and printer. Job

composition is my hobby. I have not experience as linotype oper-

ator, but can fill any other place in a printing office. Please com-

municate with me at the above address at once. Thanking you in

advance for any assistance and information in the matter.

ROm:E, GA., May 13, 1917.

Dear Sir: I am writing you in regards to present conditions in

Chicago in getting employment. I am an experienced hotel man-

in all departments, such as bellman, waiter, buss boy, or any other

work pertaining to hotel and would like to know in return could

you furnish me transportation to Chicago as you advertise in the

Chicago Defender. Am good honest and sober worker, can furnish

recermendations if necessary. Have worked at the Palmer House

during year 1911 as bus boy in Cafe. But returned South for

awhile and since the Northern Drive has begun I have decided to

return to Chicago as I am well acquainted with the city. Hope to

hear from you soon on this matter as it is of great importance

to me.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., 4-23-17.

Dear Editor: I am a reader of the Defender and I am askeso

much about the great Northern drive on the 15th of May. We

want more understanding about it for there is a great many wants

to get ready for that day & the depot agents never gives us any

satisfaction when we ask for they dont want us to leave here, I

want to ask you to please publish in your next Saturdays paper

just what the fair will be on that day so we all will know & can be

ready. So many women here are wanting to go that day. They

are all working women and we cant get work here so much now,

the white women tell us we just want to make money to go North

and we do so please kindly ans. this in your next paper if you do

I will read it every word in the Defender, had rather read it then

to eat when Saturday comes, it is my hearts delight & hope your

paper will continue on in the south until every one reads it for it is

a God sent blessing to the Race. Will close with best wishes.

LETTERS CONCERNING WHICH SECRECY WAS ENJOINED

MEmpPHIS, TENN., June 1, 1917.

Sir: as I being one of the readers of your great News paper

and if I am not to imposeing I want to ask you this information

as to what steps I should take to secure a good position as a first

class automobeal blacksmith or any kind pretaining to such and to

say that I have been opporating a first class white shop here for

quite a number of years one of the largest in the south and if I

must say the only colored man in the city that does.

now I never knew any other way to find out as I want to leave

the south and I feel very much confidential that you would give

information if in your power. So if you know of such why please

inform me at your leasure time. Any charges why notify me in

return but do not publish. 

FULLERTON, LA., May 7, 1917.

Dear sir: This comes to inform you that I would like very much

to come up and locate in your town, but would like to have a little

advise before I leave the sunny south. I am a railroad man by

trade. Of course I am a Colored man but I have been Conductor

for the G. & S. R. Ry. of the past eight years. I have acted as

yard master, and manager of the switch engine and had charge

of the local freight department. Please advise if you think I can

secure a fairly good paying position up there and I am ready to

come up and take hold. I can furnish good reference, and have

my own typewriter and equipment.

I am not particular about working for the rail-road, but I

would like to get something respectable if possible.

I think my reference will satisfy the most interogator. Kindly

advise privately and do not publish.

VICKSBURG, MISS., May 2, 1917.

Sir: I am a reader of the Chicago Defender I am asking you a

little information. So many people are leaving south for north

and it is too big families and we want to come north or middle

west for better wages. We all have trade and if you think we all

can get position just as we get north if not the middle west. Better

please dont publish this is no paper. here is a stamp envelop for

reply.

GREENVILLE, Miss., May 12, 1917.

Dear sir: Please inform me as to wether there is imployment

for col. insurance agents by Company as industrial writers sick

and acc. and deth if thair is such co. handling coolored agents in

Chicago or suburban towns, please see suptender as to wether he

could youse a good relible live agent. I am contemplating moving

to Ill. This is confidential.

My experience as ins. agent 15 year industrial and ord. life and

prefered.

LETTERS EMPHASIZING RACE WELFARE

Dear Sir: Just for a little infermation from you i would like

to know wheather or not i could get in tuch with some good people

to work for with a firm because things is afful hear in the south let

me here from you soon as poseble what ever you do dont publish

my. name in your paper but i think peple as a race oguht to look 

 

out for one another as Christians friends i am a schuffur and i cant

make a living for my family with small pay and the people is

getting so bad with us black peple down south hear. now if you

ever help your race now is the time to help me to get my family

away. food stuf is so high. i will look for answer by return mail.

dont publish my name if your paper but let me hear from you

at once. 

NEW ORLEANS, LA., May 1, 1917.

Dear sir: i am a reader of the Chicago defender and i seen in the

defender that you are interrested in the well fair of the colored

people those of the classe that is interested in themselves and com-

ing to the north for a better chance so i take pleashure in riting to

you that i may get some under standing about conditions of getting

work as i see that you are in turch with the foundrys warehouses

and the manufacturing concerns that is in need of laborers and i

thought it was best to rite you and get some understanding as it

is 4 of us expecting to leave here in a few days to come north but

we are not coming for pleasure we are looking for wirk and better

treatment and more money and i ask your aid in helping us to

secure a good position of work as we are men of familys and we

canot aford to loaf and i will be very glad to hear from you and

an my arival i will call at your place to see you.

COLUMBIA, S. C., May 7, 1917.

Dir sur: i saw in one of our colord papers your ad i now seat

my selft to seak work thru your ade of which i beleve is ernest

devotion to our betterment i am a brick layer and plastrer i rite

to no if i can get or you can get work for me please let me know

detales plese.

 

HOUSTON, TEx., April 27, 1917.

Dear Sirs: I am a reader of the Chicago Defender and I seen

where you are in need of men and are also in the position for firms

to seek you. I see where you are in the lines of work for the

betterment of the race.

SHERMAN, GA., Nov. 28, 1916.

Dear sir: This letter comes to ask for all infirmations concern-

emplyoment in your conection in the warmest climate. Now I am

in a family of (11) eleven more or less boys and girls (men and

women) mixed sizes who want to go north as soon as arrangements

can be made and employment given places for shelter an so en

(etc) now this are farming people they were raised on the farm

and are good farm hands I of course have some experence and

qualefication as a coman school teacher and hotel waiter and along

few other lines.

I wish you would write me at your first chance and tell me if

you can give us employment at what time and about what wages

will you pay and what kind of arrangement can be made for our

shelter. Tell me when can you best use us now or later.

Will you send us ticke-ts if so on what terms and at what price

what is the cost per head and by what route should we come. We

are Negroes and try to show ourselves worthy of all we may get

from any friendly source we endeavor to be true to all good causes,

if you can we thank you to help up to come north as soon as you

can.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., 4/29/17.

Dear sir: i was reading the Chicago Defender to day and i find

that you is mutch enterrested in our negro race i have sevrul years   

in laundry business as a wash man and stationery boilers fireing at

this time i have charge of wash room. i am a fire man and all so a

laundry wash man too. hopeing that you will do all you can for

me in getting a plase of theas persisons please giv this your at-

tenson estateing salery per week pleas let me heare from you soon

i remain yours truly.

PENSACOLA, FLA., May 1, 1917.

dear sirs: I sene in Defender wher more positions open then

men for them I am colord an do woork hard for my living an dont

mind it is not no bad habits I work but dont get but small wedges

I am up bilder of my colord race an love to help one when he

dezirs to better his condishon I want to ast you for a favor of

helping me to get to you an your office to get me a woork to do I

want to learn a trade and I will pay you to look out for me an get

me a job if you kindly will. Please an send me 3 tickets as we

three good woorking mens make the time you can corleck ever

weeak pay for yo at once be cause we meanse buisness now.

 

Letters of Negro Migrants of 1916-1918Author(s): Emmett J. ScottReviewed work(s):

Source: The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Jul., 1919), pp. 290-340Published by: Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc.

Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2713780