I served as member of the Local Board for McDowell County for many months, and was in close touch with the young men who went from this County. I am glad to say that we had very little evidence of “slackerism”, but we did have some. We had a few men who went to the woods, and who are reported to have hid in caves and under the floors of their homes, and thereby evaded arrest. They stayed out until after the armistice was signed and three of them came in a few weeks ago and were sent in by the Local Board as “wilful deserters.” They have stayed at Camp only a few days and have come away, according to report circulated here, with honorable discharges and full pay. I feel that it is a very grave injustice to the men who have served their Country, to permit these “slackers” and “wilful deserters” to be rewarded for their slackerism in this manner. It appears to me that premium is put on their conduct, and, while I am not on the Board, I feel that protest should be made in behalf of the boys who have gone into the Service and sacrificed their business, property and lives.

I am writing this letter as protest in their behalf. I think that official protest ought to be made against permitting these deserters to enjoy freedom while our patriots are still in France.