apolis, Indiana

Iris Cook
District 4
Floyd County

STORY OF GEORGE MORRISON
25 East 5th St., New Albany, Ind.

Observation of the writer

(This old negro, known as "Uncle George" by the neighbors, is very
particular about propriety. He allows no woman in his house unless
accompanied by a man. He says "It jest a'nt the proper thing to do", but
he came to a neighbors for a little talk.)

"I was bawn in Union County, Kentucky, near Morganfield. My master was
Mr. Ray, he made me call him Mr. Ray, wouldent let me call him Master.
He said I was his little free negro."

When asked if there were many slaves on Mr. Ray's farm, he said, "Yes'm,
they was seven cabin of us. I was the oldes' child in our family. Mr.
Ray said "He didn't want me in the tobacco", so I stayed at the house
and waited on the women folk and went after the cows when I was big
enough. I carried my stick over my shoulder for I wus afraid of snakes."

"Mr. Ray was always very good to me, he liked to play with me, cause I
was so full of tricks an' so mischuvus. He give me a pair of boots with
brass toes. I shined them up ever day, til you could see your face in
'em."

"There wuz two ladies at the house, the Missus and her daughter, who was
old enough to keep company when I was a little boy. They used to have me
to drive 'em to church. I'd drive the horses. They'd say, 'George, you
come in here to church.' But I always slipped off with the other boys
who was standing around outside waitin' for they folks, and played
marbles."

"Yes, ma'am, the War sho did affect my fambly. My father, he fought for
the north. He got shot in his side, but it finally got all right. He
saved his money and came north after the war and got a good job. But, I
saw them fellows from the south take my Uncle. They put his clothes on
him right in the yard and took him with them to fight. And even the
white folks, they all cried. But he came back, he wasnt hurt but he
wasent happy in his mind like my pappy was."

"Yes ma'am, I would rather live in the North. The South's all right but
someways I just don't feel down there like I does up here."

"No ma'am, I was never married. I don't believe in getting married
unless you got plenty of money. So many married folks dont do nuthin but
fuss and fight. Even my father and mother always spatted and I never
liked that and so I says to myself what do I want to get married for.
I'm happier just living by myself."

"Yes Ma'am.