◆ SpookStack

~ , td eee sitet Nee —~ = oe —— = Pa Se al = =_—v . MT a Y “ ene “Se TU ee oe Morn oy ° . a we, Pal ™ . ~ Homer G. Phillips Hospital 2615 Whittier Street St. Louis, Missouri , copr Mrs. Pranklin D. Roosevelt ~ Washington, D. ©. You have helped all since opportunities were first granted you. I an begging you first to please forgive me if thie humiliates you in any respect. But Madam my circumstances are forcing me to appeal to sone one in which I kmow has the heart to see that justice is given to one that is helpless. My name is Charles Bishop, I aw a Hegro, 30 years of age. J was born -in the State of Mississippi Dec. 6 1909. My parents moved to Memphis, Tenn. later and that is where I started downward. Madam I am going to explain truthfully my past ae brief as I possibly can. I started running around with other boys and getting into trouble. I was sent to a reformatory for fifteen years Dec. 1925. I ran away April i2th, 1926. I was arrested agein April 1, 1929. I wae riding in a stolen car and was sent to Chilicotha, Ohio to the Governzent reformatory, later I was transferred to Leavenworth, Kansas. I do not know why. ‘I was released from there Dec, 24th, 1930. In 1932 I robbed a man and was arrested, plesded guilty and given 15 years in Jefferson City. I served 6 years and 7 months. — Bow I am getting to what I wanted to you about. I have been really bad, Madam, and justly punished, Madan I was released from Jefferson City State Prison Mov, 22, 1939, with a determination to serve God and do the right thing. While I was in prison I etudied hard to have the necessary learning to obtain and hold a job. I also learned that crime don't pay. I confessed my eins to God and am forgiven I know, but J am back in jail and am in the hospital suffering frou the beating that the police gave me making me lie on myself. Mrs. Roosevelt, I am absolutely innocent. Here is my case: On the 10th of Dec. 1939, 1 wae passing a iittle confectionery store and a fellow called me whon I knew in prison. This was the first tine that I had seen him in 18 cr 20 montha. So we talked about different things, and I started to go, (this fellow is named Oscar Johnson) then Johnson said "How about pulling # few jobs (meaning sticking up some one) I told to hy Pin nro “ A RS mee A ee at