d get in.

I had saved up $200 in the bank. I was going to buy land. Went
into day school a Preparatory about 800 or 900 students. The
first work was in harness & shoe shop--Lewis Adams was in
charge--I came there walking. I wanted to get away from the farm.
Going around town I saw that everyone looked better than on the
farm--I wanted to be something. Went in twice a year. We had
plenty country churches. Rabbits, squirrels, ducks,
possums--Geography, reading, Wentworth's Arithmetic. Miss Hunt
and Miss Logan were one of my teachers. I read lots about
Hiawatha. There was a number of little boys in the shop--they
used to call me "Pop." They were ahead of me. Went to Blacksmith
Shop. Worked about four months. Then went to work in
Wheelwright. I learn a good deal about blacksmith and wood work.
I find both these trade very handy.

I was here three weeks before I could eat in the dining room--had
to go to restaurant--I was ashamed.

I was here only one term. Came in 1895--left in 96--Never came
back until tonight. My mother sent for me--My mother was awful
sick. My class was so low that I was ashamed to come back. I
weighed 240 pounds. I went back home until 1898--on farm. I got
to read my newspapers. I subscribed for the semi-monthly Atlanta
Journal--I could read that.

I saw advertised and so much money paid out for wages--I thought
I would go into business. I started grocery store and meat
market--I had $2,500 made on farm. Father used to run us off the
farm at 20 so I rented some land.

I was born 1870. I had been working for myself for years. 1898 I
came to Birmingham. I failed in grocery business. "Credit." I
made a lot of friends all over town. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
They had lots of money but they owed a lot. It take lot to feed
them. Took three years and little over to get all of money.

Worked for Tenn. Coal and Iron Co. I leased some land from the
Republic Iron and Steel Co. Leased 64 acres outside of Pratt City
and went to trucking. I bought two mules for $40. It was a sale.
They were old run down mules. They were blind--I worked there
until I grew something. Farm about a mile from Pretts. Paid $1.50
per acre--now I pay $7. The company would not sell. I p