Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-05-13
EMIGRATION TO KANSAS.
A Western Railroad Passenger Age
on the Defensive.

A Western Railroad Passenger Agent
on the Defensive.
OFFICE OF SOUTHEASTERN AGENT, ST.
LOUIS, KANSAS CITY AND NORTHERN
RAILWAY, CINCINNATI, o., May 10, 1915.
Dear Sir: If L remember right, in the
latter part Of March, or from the 1st to the
10th Of April, your paper had a local item
concerning the retdrn Of some negroes from
me West. Now, my object in writing You
is TO show you proof that the article as
published in your paper was not Just, so far
as It censured railroad men employed in
the passenger department. / did take a
body Of negroes from Columbia, Tenn,
but never offered any such induceme Is
as mentioned in your paper, as the
enclosed letter will prove, it being a
sample Of my letters generally TO parties
desiring to move 10 the West. You will
see By date and post mark, that this (the
enclOsed) letter was written previous 20
your article, and my being engaged in the
passenger business, and being very well
known in Tennessee, / will be under many
obligations TO You, if YOU will please state
in your paper, for the yiudicati0n Of the
road which represent as Passenger Agent,
as also for myself that ] DO represent
nothing but facts concerning the WEST.
Yours, truly,
JOHN F. MCCARTHY.
The following is the letter referred 10 ia
the above:
CINCINNATI, March >, lS7J.-Wm. r.
White. Sir Yours Of March first received.
In reply to your many inquiries concerning
the West, / have to say 70 YOU that if you
have sufficient clothing 20 cover yourself
with, and some little mgBeyt to furnish coal
for fire, and yOu are willing 10 rOrk there
is no danger Of you or your people freezing.
It's true the past winter has been cold and
severe, but that will not signify 10 men Of
your kind, who have to make 4 Icing no
matter where YOU are. Now about lands.
To locate a homestead on government land
it will cost Won SlI for surveying and deed
TO land anywhere YOU can find government
land. Now, IS % transportation from
Nashville, Tenn, Co Kansas City, you
had better provide yourselves with
at least twenty-five dollars Per head.
EOu say that your people cannot raise SIS
Now let me ask yOu 4 question: How in
the name Of common sense can You eZ-
pect 10 live after yOU get 90 Kansas if You
have no means To provide food for your
families. Take my advice and don't at
tempt to 60 West unless you have a few
dollars left after purchasing your ticket
Anyone who advises yOU. otherwise does
not wish to see yOI get along. Such has
been my advice 10 all who wish to 90
West, and if YOU desire to know the truth,
believe me. The Vest is 4 new country
as yet, and those going there require some
little means surely. If you can make it
convenient to see Rev. Balem FrieESOn- of
Columbia, Tenn, he will be able 20 give
you some facts concerning the West, as he
has been out there and Is authorized TO
send people out who have sufficient means.
See him and you will feel satisfied. Don't
attempt to move West unless you can raise
at least $500 for yourself and wife. Chill
dren between six and twelve years of age
are charged half fare; Orer twelve full fare.
So YOU can arrange your family by their
ages. Under the age Offve years no charge. |
Now, if you conclude 20 90 West, write |
me again where ard when / can meet you. |
Hoping you will follow my instructions, |
am respectfully yours,
JNO. F. NCCAETHY.
In reply TO the above we have only TO !
say that the statement made by the UNION !
AND AMERICAN referred to matters Of very |
common report in Maury and Giles cOUn- |
ties, particularly among persons who had |
received letters from their friends in Kan |
sas, giving their experience with the rail- |
road agents and then impressions Cf that /
country.