Byron De La Beckwith Sr.

1001 Dewey Street

Greenwood, Miss. 38930



Bryan Bros Packing Co.

West Point, Mississippi



Gentlemen -

For the past 4 years I have had the good fortune to have a happily married son living in your area - and for quite a while he has wanted me to live in that area. The thought also appeals to me.

It has been my thinking that parents at a safe distance - summoned when needed - are of real value - but constantly underfoot could become a bore, a burden and a nusance [sic] - even a liability.

However - my son is the young gentleman who was severely scalded, quite accidentally, while on the job at Blozon, Dec 19th - and he still will be hospitalized for 40 to 60 more days (University Hospital, Jackson, Miss.} while his skin grafts heal etc.

When he recovers he is anxious to return to Blozon, where he is evidently needed and wanted; also they have recently purchased a home in West Point.

Because of this serious accident I was brought to a sudden and acute awareness of how necessary it is for me to be close by - for I look upon my two grand children and my daughter-in-law as more than my heart and my life its self.

I told my loved ones that I would make every effort to find something I could do well and profitably (and for a good many years yet) in or about your city. In order to be closer as a family unit.

For the past 5 years (4 years working every town in Florida) (this past year working La. Ark. & Mo.) I have been on the road (year round) for Barrentine Mfg. Co. of Greenwood - I have never been happier with a job or either territorys. But Mr. Barrentine wants All of his men to actually live in Greenwood even if they work the west coast!!! At 80, and in business for 50 years, he gets his way 98% of the time!!! I would not leave him without a 30 day notice - fair is fair. Besides I am personally fond of the whole family.

For 5 years I worked for C. De Witt Walcott of Greenville, Miss. Calling on wealthy Delta planters and cattle men checking their sails & crops & pastures and selling them the highest prices custom made liquid fertilizer money can buy - (worked parts of Miss. Ark. and Ala).

As you know I ran for Lt. Gov. in 1967 and I did Not come in last. And I suceeded [sic] in getting my case thrown out of All the courts of Mississippi etc. - Good Deal.

I also worked a large territory for New Deal Tobacco & Candy Co. of Greenwood, Miss. for 12 years.

Just after WWII I re-opened your Golden Triangle Area for D. Canole & Co. of Memphis - then I sold Fresh Dressed chickens (all over) from Oxford down to Durant over to Greenwood etc. for (Dan Roy Hitest) now out of business.

At age 51 (last years photo included) I have sold for about 30 years except 4 years in the USMC - wounded in action at Tarowa 30 % left Gunshot wound thigh. Disability - but I still "get around" and if you don't think I'm a salesman of the first [water?] then have your men go ask the deals. I have called on or now do call on or ask my competitors - not bragging - just stating facts. To me selling is like hunting wild game - challenging.

I've never answered an add [sic] - filled out an application - nor been fired nor drawn unemployment - but I manage to keep bussy [sic] selling - I love it and people. People who want me hire me on my reputation.

I spend my time and my money on the following - First Independent Methodist Church of Greenwood (teach Bible class etc.) on my hobbys [sic] which are guns & photography - on my children and grandchildren - on Sons of the American Revolution - Sons of Confederate Veterans, Citizens Council, Masons, Knight Templor work, the Shrine, V. F. W., American Legion, various charities, the Salvation Army. Also on George C. Wallace of course. Plus an assortment of other right wing activities.

I drink very lightly (coffee that is) I don't smoke and neither does my family - I take a nip when I want one if I have no driving to do or if I am not working or have any people to on Business matters or classes to teach etc. So I seldome [sic] spend time drinking - very little. Don't have time or patience for it or with it.

I work only for White Anglo Saxon Protestants or very conservative Roman Catholics. However I could for Arabs with as much pleasure and honour.

I pursuade [sic] every one I see to stay out of labor unions - unions are just another tool in the Zionist Jews tool box to dis-mantle Christian Civilization with. So Labor Leaders hate me - union members like me for I'm an accused Klansman!!!!

If a nigger is courteous to me I will be as gentle with that darkie as if he or she were an Imperial Christler [sic] - but woe to a bad nigger - your nigger, the governments nigger or your mothers nigger! I'm use to niggers, having had, at one time, a plantation full of them and have sold them every thing immiginable [sic] for years as a salesman. Many of my old Negra customers sent me money when I was in jail for 10 months - Believe it or not!!! Negra merchants - secretly of course.

I waste no time with and have no patience with for liberals: However - if a literal is Buying I'll sell him or them - they knowing who I am and I knowing who they are.

The only kind of schools I'm intrested [sic] in are all white private schools - having attended several myself and having sent my son off to one also. And am determined for my grandchildren to attend also.

The only kind of work I relish is traveling a Big territory for a reputable firm - a firm who backs up its sales force with fine merchandise - cheerfully.

If I were to have to work several states as I now do - fine - glad to stay out on the road 2, 3 or 6 weeks at a stretch if it is necessary.

I'm not a job hopper - I go where I'm invited and stay where I'm wonted [sic].

If you think you would like to have me appear in your presonce [sic], at some future date For a chat then splendid. Please let me know. If you think West Point needs another Christian Conservative voting in that area, then splendid. Would be glad to join you.

Id [sic] have to also make arrangements for a house up there which I would also like. And Of Course I do earnestly desire to be close to my family - especially as the grand children grow in years and I in experience.

Of course, being so widely known Helps me in my selling. Being accused of murdering a top ranking NAACP official Dear to the US Communist Party and its subsidiaries in Government seems to open all sorts of doors - financial - religious - political - etc.

The news media is very careful not to agrivate [sic] me. I use to be 10th owner and sales manager for my own news paper, The Southern Review, which I put out over your city (and area) in '67 as thick as shingles on your roof. And those who control [sic] the news media know not when I may crank up that paper again and put out some ugly FACTS. The editor of that paper (at that time) took my advice and this time he himself ran for Lt. Gov. He like I, was a minor candidate (Elmore D. Greaves atty at Law, Jackson, Miss.) but we having run and run hard for such a high office learned more in a few months of all of Mississippi, its people and its government than all the political science professors in Mississippi combined. Thats [sic] the reason I'm keeping my mouth shut - ha! ha! ha! We know too much to talk carelessly

Yes sir - I did quietly use my influence over the state to elect Bill Woler but only after Swon fell out. Bill and I are very much at peace and quite congenial with each other, even though some of our views on some issues vairy [sic] considerably - Futhermore - Bill was the butter of the two candidates for Governor and Fair is still Fair!!!

I will be happy to come to your office if you send for me.

Thank you, sir, for any consideration and for reading this lengthy letter.

Most sincerely yours

Byron De La Beckwith

For Christ and His Kingdom



Note on back of letter:

JB-

Suggest you answer very briefly & formally stating that we have no openings @ present.

John