996

(COPY OF TELEGRAM)

Feb. 12, 1918

To Hon. Woodrow Wilson, Pres. U. S. A.,
White House, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The daily press reports a lynching, burning and torture with
hot irons of a colored man, Jim McIlherron at Estill Springs,
Tennessee on the birthday of the late president, Lincoln. The
colored people pray that you take this and many other outrages com-
mitted upon them in the Southland and make it a war measure. This
mob composed of over a thousand white men and women. We do not
want to surpass Germany in her Belgium outrages. We know the
spirit of Lincoln is frowning on these outrages and thank you to
frown with him. The colored people are loyal to you and the flag
in this crisis and asked no more of you. We know you can call
the American people's attention if nothing more.

(Signed)
Nick Chiles, Editor
The Topeka Plaindealer,
Topeka, Kans.

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(COPY OF REPLY TO TELEGRAM)

The White House
Washington, February 14, 1918

My dear Sir:

Allow me to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the
12th instant and to say that it is being brought to the attention
of the Attorney General.

Sincerely yours,
(Signed)
J. P. Tummulty,
Secretary to the President

Mr. Nick Chiles,
Topeka, Kansas.

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