Vel Phillips Papers (Correspondence, Box 10)

8

The negroes sinned against us; we didn't sing against them. They caused us tremendous fear, apprehension, anguish, agony, tension, stress and strain. There are more black bigots than white bigots. This was a war on the "whitey." Fleeing in fear for our lives following our brutal beating and robbery at our bus stop by two negro men - from our former address in the inner core area - we are now residing in a sleeping room - at a rooming house. I still have not had my cancer operation. Negroes should be fairly treated but not foolishly fawned over or rewarded for rioting. Please reply.

Respectfully yours Frank "Honkie" Evans

Phillips & Pitts: Groppi is goofy! An arrogant ass!

Note: Groppi's "Commandos" shout on the street "move over whitey." What if we whites would shout "move over blackie" on the street? Stupid scum!

1619 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, Wis. Apr 22, 1968

cc: Richard J. Novotny Atty (For Bohemian Hall Association) 4525 W. North Ave Milwaukee, Wis

cc: Ald. Phillips & Pitts, City Hall Milwaukee, Wis

cc: Miss J. Konz, Social Worker VA Center Wood, Wis.

Attorney Robert G. Wilke State Adjutant, American Legion 3945 N. Farwell Ave. Shorewood, Wis.

Frank Evans, C-425176 VA Cancer Patient

Dear Mr. Wilke:

Fleeing in fear for our lives from our former address in the inner core area following our recent beating and robbery at our bus stop by two negro men which I had recounted...

2

TO YOU IN DETAIL IN MY OTHER LETTER - A CARBON COPY OF WHICH I ALSO SENT THE CHIEF OF STAFF AT THE VA CENTER - WE ARE TEMPORARILY RESIDING IN A ROOMING HOUSE - IN A SLEEPING ROOM. HOWEVER, OUR HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND OTHER BELONGINGS ARE STILL AT OUR FORMER ADDRESS 1872 N. 12TH ST. WE HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO VACATE THE PREMISES BY THE 30TH OF THIS MONTH WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE AND OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR NOT ONLY ARE WE COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED AND NEED MORE REST AND RECUPERATION AFTER OUR TERRIBLE PLIGHT BUT WE ALSO ARE AFRAID TO GO BACK THERE EVEN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. THE BUILDING IS OWNED BY THE BOHEMIAN HALL ASSOCIATION AND I ASKED FOR AN EXTENSION BUT THEIR ATTORNEY REFUSED TO GRANT IT. IT SEEMS THAT A NEXT DOOR NEGRO TAVERNKEEPER WANTED AND WAS

3

PROMISED OUR PLACE - WHICH IS A STORE - FOR A POOLROOM. WE HAD BEEN RENTERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. WE USED TO OPERATE A SMALL RESALE SHOP AT 1866 N. 12TH ST. UNDER THE SAME OWNERSHIP. WE MOVED INTO THE STORE AT 1872 N. 12TH ST., WHICH ADJOINS THE BOHEMIAN HALL A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. AT THAT TIME THE TAVERNKEEPER WAS A WHITE MAN AND EVERYTHING WAS JUST FINE. HOWEVER, HE SUDDENLY PASSED AWAY AND WHEN THE NEW PROPRIETOR A NEGRO MAN TOOK OVER ALL OF THE TROUBLE STARTED FIRST WITH A TEENAGE RIOT FOLLOWED BY OTHERS. ANYWAY. THE TEENAGE AGE RIOT TOOK PLACE AT NIGHT AND THERE WAS SO MUCH NOISE THAT WE COULDN'T STAND IT AND HAD TO RUN OUT OF THE PLACE. BEFORE THE OTHER MAN DIED THINGS WERE SO QUIET THAT YOU COULD HEAR A PIN DROP. THERE WAS NO YELLING, FIGHTING, BRAWLING OR BAD LANGUAGE THEN

4

THE RIOT OCCURRED AFTER A TEENAGE DANCE AND WE GOT TO HELL OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS WE COULD GET DRESSED, GRABBED A BUS AND JUST RODE AROUND ALL NIGHT UNTIL DAYBREAK! WE THOUGHT THE ROOF HAD CAVED IN! WE WERE SERVED WITH A PERSONAL NOTICE TO MOVE BY A MR. HENRY ZELENKA. WHO PAID NO ATTENTION TO OUR COMPLAINTS. THE LAST NOTICE WAS FROM THE SHERRIFF'S OFFICE. DUE TO MY CANCER CONDITION I HAVE A CONSTANT URGE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM TO EMPTY MY BOWELS. BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. I CAN'T VERY WELL GO OUT AND HELP MRS. EVANS LOOK FOR A PLACE TO MOVE. I'M IN NO SHAPE TO DO THIS BUT EVIDENTLY IT IS TOO DIFFICULT FOR SOME PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND OR ELSE THEY JUST SIMPLY DON'T CARE TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION OR TO PUT THEMSELVES IN MY SHOES. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT OUR ROBBERY MIGHT HAVE