Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-04-30
FROM WASHINGTON.
Rev. II. X. Jones Speaks.
Washington, d. O., April 18th. 100

Washington, d. O., April 18th, 1904
Mr.. q ohm Mitchell, Jr.,
Dear SIR
/ have intended to write my friends
through your paper but have not been
| able to do SO until now. Please say to
them l am in the city of Washington,
among my brethren who are just as kind
to me as they can be. i feel at home
among them. Iwant to answer every
reference made about me later. i have
clipped them out and the Doctor will
not refuse to take the medicine he gives
1t will take six me months to answer
them, but by the God that lives L will
answer them.
noticed a clipping from your paper
on the subject of Mob violence in Roa.
Doke" and then / saw thete words in
reply 1.-The article in question relates to
the case of the notorious r. r. Jones'"
| Who wrote these words? From whence
did he come? What has he done TO
build up and beautify the city? r. r..
Jones has spent thousands and thou.
sands of dollars in the city. r. R. Jones
has had dealings with the best white
citizens of Roanoke for 22years. Where
Is the business man of Roar oke who will
put himself ON Record and say that in
these % years have been anything but
an honest truthful man?
Let the writer of that article pull
eft his hat at the door and go into the
office of such gentle men as the Farmers
Supply company, the First National and
the National Exchange Banks, the
Hobbie Music Co, w. X. Andrews Coal
Company, Lynchburg Trust and Savings
Bank, Engleby Bros. Lowe and Boon,
III. o. Barnes, Judge King, Judge Rober-
son. Mercantile Clothing Co., Peoples
Bank, L. II. Tillett, Davis and Lunfords
Insurance Companies, j. W. Basewell,
Okey Undertaken; Jennings Music Co.,
Central Manufacturing Co., and Messrs
Angel and Motley, When You get their
testimony go to Salem, Va, and call on
the Messrs Boon Brothers and Thomas
j. Preston, to whose uncle belonged in
the days of slavery.
Then go to Lynchburg and call up
Adam Bros, and Payne, then stop in
Bedford City, my adopted home. Call
mp the city and ask them whether |
was man of truth and honesty, then
call on the white ladies who lived in my
part OF the city for 20 years, some of
them aim 1st alone and get their verdict,
then call up the officers Of my church
and any one of those with whom i have
had dealings, some for % years lacking
months and If any one of all / have
mentioned will go against me let me
know who 1T is and L will beg his par
don.
Let me say to the writer that / have
never organized nor given my voice to a
mob. L have never advised my people
TO mistreat the humblest white man or
oman. / have never advised them TO
take up arms even in their own defense
l taught them Co serve God and he
would night their battles as ne did in 81
and '65.
The writer seems to know how often
the mob went TO my house. wonder
why the Police and Mayor could not
find it out. Did the mob come back and
report to the writer? Why didn't he
tell the officers? l have the clippings
here To be used later on, of a mob of
Roanoke church members going to
prayer meeting a Thousand strong TO
take one poor Negro, thousand to take
one preacher.It teaches US our strength.
My wife said that the man who made
her hold up her hands gave her the sign
OF the cross in the breast. To what
! tribe did he belong? Who will answer,
he thought he was bowling to Saint
Mary, but it was my wife, my friend.
Let me close by asking the writer of
the article what would you do if the
Negroes of Roanoke would visit a white
preachers family and treat them as my
wife was treated? Do you think you
could catch them Let them try it.
Remember what you do to others will
be done to you sooner or later. ] have
not been out Of Washington city one
minute since February 9th about pm.