Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, September 26, 1928

Community life | Crime, jail and imprisonment | Place--New Jersey | Social organizations | Work and employment

Roger Yancey asks his mother, Harriet Yancey, for advice about a new job and potential new residence. He describes his initiation into Omega Psi Phi.

To: Mrs. Harriet A. Yancey
Esmont, Virginia
From: After 5 Days, Return to
Roger M. Yancey LLB.
81 Somerset Street
Newark, N.J.
Postmark: Newark 1, N.J.
SEP 26, 1928
6-30 PM

Sept. 26, 1928

My dear Mother,

Well, I am sure that Mae is home by this time. I know that you are glad that she is.

Mother, I need your advice. Mr. Northrup (my boss) has decided to give me an assistant and an office boy, both to be colored. I have already recommended a boy, Robert Foster and he has been given the job. He will take my place and I will move into the reception room.

All of this is great, but should I remain?

While I really want to begin my clerkship this fall, I am

(page 2)

considering working to save until spring.

Would you advise such?

Another question.

Mrs. Bradshaw wants me to move to Nutley to stay in her home. The African Man has a position now and he will move. She wants some one who is well known to her etc. Further, she wants me to remain until Adele and I marry and then continue to reside there as long as we wish. If Adele wants to do that, I shall move, and not alone for that, but because I will have more room, the house is heated by a furnace and the neighborhood is quiet.

What think you of it?

I am an OMEGA PSI PHI man now. I was initiated last evening

(page 3)

in Mont Clair. Had a terriable time. My lip was bruised in a fall, and they cut off my mustache, and branded my chest with a hot iron. My hands were tied behind me and of course I was blind folded. I did not get home until 4:50 A.M. The dues & fees and cost of pen totaled $15.50. I paid it. But it shall repay me. It is a fraternity of only college men, and they are men of means. Dr. Burke who attended me when I had the measles was [missing text] intiated also.

I am proud to become a member.

I saw Cousin Mary last night. George & William's boss murdered his wife and killed himself Sunday or Sunday night. He was worried over money matters

(page 4)

so said the papers. Anyway George & William are looking for work. Perhaps they are working by now.

How are you? I trust that you are well and that that cold has left you.

How does the place look now since Bob West cleaned it up?

I would like to be at home now with you & May.

Give my best regards to all.

Let me hear from you.

With Love,

I am your son,
Roger

N.B. You have met Foster. He came with Dennis and me the night J.D. Banks sang at the "Y."

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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