A letter from Abigail Cornell in Far Rockaway, New York discussing the details surrounding the days leading up to and the eventual death of John Ball. The letter states that John Ball arrived at the Cornell house to lodge and was under the care of Dr. Martin. His symptoms were a cold, head pain, blisters on his neck and temple, a fever and swelling of the head. Cornell details how she sat with John Ball reading to him and asking him questions about death and God.
A letter from Alwyn Ball in New York to his cousin William Ball in South Carolina asking for financial help, having to sell furniture to "keep the wolf from our door," getting into a retail butter stand, spending one and a half years in an asylum for drinking, and not receiving any assistance from other friends and colleagues.
This 1949 photograph was taken in New York and shows Francine and her cousin, Laddie Lefer. Francine came to America before her fiance, Harry Taylor, who had broken his leg.
A letter from a white Northern supporter of Rivers' opposition to the Civil Rights Bill. He states that integration doesn't work in New York like Congress says. He thinks integration has decreased the value of white lives. He believes that most whites in his district agree with southern thought and are uncomfortable socializing with blacks.
A letter from Lomax telling Rivers a bit about his family's history in Virginia, where he grew up. From there, the letter transitions to Lomax telling Rivers to "take off the kid gloves and kill the so-called Civil Rights Bill."
