e the
colored people in Liberia, West Africa, and thereby lessen or destroy
the friction and prejudice existing in this country between the two
races, set about earnestly and faithfully distributing the literature
that we issued from time to time. He always appeared to be mild but
earnest in his advocacy of emigration, and never to my knowledge used
any method or means that would in the least appear unreasonable, and had
always kept within the bounds of law and order in advocating emigration.

The work he performed for this society was all gratuitous, and
apparently prompted from his love of humanity, and desires to be
instrumental in building up a Negro Nationality in Africa.

If he ever violated a law before the killing of the policemen, I do not
know of it.

Yours, very truly,

D.J. Flummer

Besides this statement, Mr. Flummer enclosed a letter received by the
Society two days before the tragedy at New Orleans. This letter was
written by Robert Charles, and it attests his devotion to the cause of
emigration which he had espoused. Memoranda on the margin of the letter
show that the order was filled by mailing the pamphlets. It is very
probable that these were the identical pamphlets which were found by the
mob which broke into the room of Robert Charles and seized upon these
harmless documents and declared they were sufficient evidence to prove
Charles a desperado. In the light of subsequent events the letter of
Charles, which follows, sounds like a voice from the tomb:

New Orleans, July 30,1900

Mr. D.J. Flummer:

Dear Sir--I received your last pamphlets and they are all given out. I
want you to send me some more, and I enclose you the stamps. I think I
will go over in Greenville, Miss., and give my people some pamphlets
over there.

Yours truly,

Robert Charles

The latest word of information comes from New Orleans from a man who knew
Charles intimately for six years. For obvious reasons, his name is
withheld. In answer to a letter sent him he answers as follows:

New Orleans, Aug. 23, 1900

Mrs. Ida B. Wells-Barnett:

Dear Madam--It affords me great pleasure to inform you as far as I know
of Robert Charles. I have been acquainted with him about six years in
this city. He never has, as I know, given any trouble to anyone. He was
quiet and a peaceful man and was very frank in speaking. He was too much
of a hero to die; few call be found to eq