The Booker T. Washington Papers, Vol.8, page 271, May 1905, U. of Illinois Press

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MAY . 1 905 From J. W. Adams Muskogee, I.T. May use. 1909 My dear Mr. Washington: You will find enclosed my resignation as member of the Board of Trustees. It is with the deepest regret that it was not possible for me to remain at Montgomery to continue to render my little service to the Institution in that field, but even though a change of residence has occurred there is no change in my feelings toward the Institution. I will always bear a Tuskegee banner and spread the Tuskegee spirit, as, to my mind, it is the right spirit to instill into the hearts and minds of this and future generations of our people. I pray that you may ever live long to continue to press forward the great and good work in which you are engaged. As to my successor, I would recommend Mr. N. H. Alexandert or Mr. V. H. Tulane. Both are strong and honorable gentlemen but I am of the opinion that Mr. Tulane will be in a position to render more service to the Institution, and again, Mr. Tulane is a practical business man and one who has the respect and confidence of the masses. Mr. Tulane has ever impressed me as one who would never tire doing what he could for the School. I am convinced that there is no section of the Country where the Tuskegee spirit is more needed than in the Territory, as our people here own nearly all of the fawn lands in the Creek Nation, but not having had the advantage of industrial training, they know not the value of their lands and are disposing of them as fast as the people from the States can come in and purchase. There are Colored farmers in this section who own as much as goon acres of land, as good as any land in the Country. With the Tuskegee spirit, this could be made the greatest section of the Country for the Colored man. There is no section of the Country that shows the Negro in business more than the Territory. Some of the Towns have as many as ~5 Negro business enterprises. Muskogee, the Metropolis of the Indian Territory, had the Negro in the following businesses, tw Banks, two Millinery establishments, about twenty first class retail Grocery stores, one Wholesale Grocery, one Clothing and Gents Furnishing store, two Dry Goods Stores, one Steam Laundry, se~T271