I expected to have a little talk with you last Saturday, but failed to get an opportunity. Last fall I started on my 27th year with The Smithfield Herald. I am an older man than I look to be having passed my 59th birthday. I worked hard and a long time for the uplift of our people in every way possible. I feel like our paper has done much good. We have worked vigorously for everything pertaining to the war since it started. I myself am not able to do the work I once did and especially when it comes to the details of the business. Occasionally I have attacks of rheumatism which through me out altogether. I am a farmer also, and produce good big lots of foodstuffs and cotton. Without boasting I think I can say that I lead everybody in Johnston on meat production. What I do in The Smithfield Herald and in farming is largely due to the fact that we have in The Herald office Mr. W. M. Gaskin who is the most efficient man we have ever had with us.

I can do outside work for The Herald or go to my farm satisfied to leave the business knowing that Mr Gaskin is here with my partner Mr. T. J. Lassiter. Next to the men and the money I regard The Herald the most important factor in Johnston County in helping the government to carry on the war. I asked our local board and through them the district board to have Mr Gaskin exempted, but they put him in Class 1. I do not see why they should want to take a wheel off the machine the government wants to use in the County. We cannot get anybody in Mr Gaskin’s place and I cannot do the work myself. If you could help us in any way to keep him with The Herald we would greatly appreciate it.