Letters between Mrs. T.L. Smith and Governor Ibra C. Blackwood, April 1933

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Document Description:

Letter written by Mrs. T.L. Smith of Camden, S.C. to Governor Ibra C. Blackwood on April 22, 1933.

Mrs. Smith writes to the Governor asking for help getting her money from a bank that has been closed. She is a widow and has no money other than what was in the bank and needs it for medial treatment and survival. She writes dramatically about her situation: “Oh how hard it seems” and “my awful Distress and trouble,” and that she is sure that the Governor’s help will save her from starvation.

The reply from the Governor’s office written April 24, 1933 by the Secretary to the Governor, says that the Governor does not have the authority to release Mrs. Smith’s money and that she will have to talk to the Conservator, who is now in charge of the bank.

Citation:

Smith, Mrs. T.L. to Governor Blackwood, 22 April 1933. Governor Blackwood Papers, Alphabetical Correspondence 1931-1933. S539020 Box 6: 1933 A-Y. South Carolina Department of History and Archives, Columbia, South Carolina.

Secretary to the Governor to Mrs. T. L. Smith, 24 April 1933. Governor Blackwood Papers, Alphabetical Correspondence 1931-1933. S539020 Box 6: 1933 A-Y. South Carolina Department of History and Archives, Columbia, South Carolina.

Transcription:

Camden S.C.

Route #1 Box 60

Care of William Tate

Apr. 22nd 1933

Governor Blackwood,

Columbia S.C.

Esteemed Friend

My husband has been Dead two years, I am 70 years old and have no children or any one to look to for a support I have worked hard all my life and save Three Hundred and fifty two Dollars, and Deposited it in the Bank of Camden S.C, now I am Old and Helpless I need medical treatment and Something to Live on, and when I go to the Bank to get my money they, tell me the Government has Closed the Bank and I can’t get one cent, Oh how hard it seems, [page 2] 2 I am living all alone I have no money to Pay anyone to come and stay with me, No money to get Provisions to live on My Dear Governor if you can Help me get my money out of that Bank so that I can use it I will allways feel that you have saved me from Starv-ation, Please let me know if you can help me in my awful Distress and trouble, I feel sure you can and will, by so doing you may save my life,

Anything you can do for me will be greatly apreciated

Sincerely yours

Mrs. T.L. Smith

[page 3]

P.S. Please let me hear from you it will relieve my mind so much

Correlating SC Social Studies Academic Standards:

Standard 3-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the major developments in South Carolina in the late nineteenth century and the twentieth century.

Indicator 3-5.5 Explain the effects of the Great Depression and the New Deal on daily life in South Carolina, including the widespread poverty and unemployment and the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Standard 5-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the economic boom-and-bust in America in the 1920s and 1930s, its resultant political instability, and the subsequent worldwide response.

Indicator 5-4.2 Summarize the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, including economic weakness, unemployment, failed banks and businesses, and migration from rural areas.

Standard 8-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of South Carolina’s development during the early twentieth century.

Indicator 8-6.5 Explain the effects of the Great Depression and the lasting impact of New Deal programs on South Carolina, including the Rural Electrification Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, Works Progress Administration and Public Works Administration building projects, the Social Security Act, and the Santee Cooper electricity project.

Standard USHC-7: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the economic boom-and-bust in America in the 1920s and 1930s, its resultant political instability, and the subsequent worldwide response.

Indicator USHC-7.4 Explain the causes and effects of the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, including the disparity in incomes, limited government regulation, stock market speculation, and the collapse of the farm economy; wealth distribution, investment, and taxes; government policies and the Federal Reserve System; and the effects of the Depression on human beings and the environment.

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