Ten-year old Earnest Fowler was indentured in April 1910 by the Washington City Orphan Asylum for a period of more than five years. Just a few months later, he wrote this letter to an orphanage official.

Falmouth, Virginia
Nov. 1, 1910

Dear Mrs. Squires

I would like for you to find me another place as I don’t like this one. I want it to be in the country where there is a man. I don’t want to stay here no longer. If you can find a place let me know. If you can’t find one, then I will want to go live with my dady. Write as soon as you can as I want to know. I rather be home if you can’t find another good country place. Miss Lizzie and Mrs. Barber says I will have to go away that she don’t want me to stay here. Because I don’t want to do what they want me to do. And can’t talk polite to them. I would like to be with a man that keeps cows, horses and chickens or a man that is a carpenter. I am a good hand in carpenter.

Yours very truly,

Earnest Fowler