Carl John Alfred Hammerberg. Case No. 5148. Letter from John A. Forsman to Charles E. Vasaly, March 25, 1921.

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GEO. A. MOWRY, W. A. GORDON, WT WALSH
PRESIDENT SECRETARY ASST SECRETARY

TWIN CITY FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY
MINNEAPOLIS

WEST DULUTH REALTY CO., AGENTS
5407 RAMSEY STREET
WEST DULUTH, MINN. March 25, 1921.

Mr. Chas. E. Vasaly, Superintendent,
St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Dear Sir:-
Re: Carl John Alfred Hammaberg-#5148. (sic)
I have known the young man for about eight year, not intemately (sic) but fairly well.
As to his past life will say that I have never heard of his connection with any robbery, riot or ill-behavior before the time of the lynching. As far as I know, he has no bad habits; he is not a bad boy and I have never heard of him associating with the bad boys of the community. He attended our Sunday School for several years. I saw him there, I have seen him on the street with other boys. He is one of those that like a little excitement of moore (sic) innocent fun, usually of the kind that harm no one, such as getting into water or mud-hole with good cloths on, ect. (sic) I remember, I saw him do that one Sunday morning on way to Sunday School. I never heard of him being mean to playmates, comrades or public. And I am sure he is not one of those who carry a grudge against society. I dare say his character is above the average of young man of his age.
If you parole him, you make no mistake, I am sure. It will give the young man a chance to earn a living for his mother, who is now on verge of despair. He is her only support; then, too, he has a sister who is married to a man of little or no value, so he is needed at his home. He has been thoghtless (sic), but I believe he has already suffered enough for his deeds. And his parole might be the saving of one poor mother who has already suffered far beyound (sic) her strength and indurance (sic). And as for the you man, I feel sure that he will not diappoint you.
Trusting that you will consider his case carefully, I am yours for betterment of our boys and humanity as a whole.
Very truly yours,
John A. Forsman