Within a 1000 feet of the eastern mouth of Swannanoa Tunnel, on the side of the mountain and within 300 feet of the public road, I have an humble summer cabin, built five years ago on property purchased nearly ten years ago. Yesterday I received a letter from up there, from a man whom I have personally known for several years and whose word to me is good. The letter as far as it pertains to the question, is as follows, verbatim et literatim;-

Ridgecrest NC. aprile the 26. 1917
dear mr Buerbaum Sir

I write you i got youre letter was glad to hear from you Mr. Buerbaum i Just want to tell you wee hav a croude of Soldiers camping on the levell Below Mr Jacksons house i cant tell you what all they hav don i think they hav Just about striped youre house they hav got mattresses and comfrets looking glasses Books and candles and the clock Pictur frames and i dont noe What else they have Broke in all these housses i thinke the best to write you so i hope you will not let the soldiers noe i written you for they air dangrus they dont cur what they do there is 20 odd of them they hav those things threw out in your olde chick house wee hope you all will come soon………….

Such are the circumstances evidently prevailing at the tunnel, I turn these facts over to your Excellency for such actions as you may see fit, to protect the property of your citizens.

As regards to myself, I was born in Germany in 1852, came to this country in 1872, came to Salisbury in 1876, became a citizen in 1880 and have lived here continuously for over 41 years. As to who I am I refer you to any citizen of Salisbury. A copy of this letter, with an explanatory note I have sent to our Senator, Mr. Lee S. Overman.