ll, rent
large tracts of land, subrent to others, and in this way pay no rent
ourselves, as these subrenters did that for us. We could in this way
also escape paying taxes, insurance, and other expenses that naturally
follow. We could, as many white farmers do, hire wage hands at from
$7.50 to $10 a month, with "rations," or arrange to have them work on
"halves," as I have already described.

But at last we yielded to the constant pounding received at Tuskegee
whenever we would go over, that we ought to own land for ourselves; and
then, too, it occurred to me that we might not always have the same
whole-souled man to deal with, and that terms might be made much harder.
My brother and father agreed, and we set about to purchase the first 320
acres. As I feared, rental values have increased; formerly we rented the
1,100 acres for three bales of cotton; now we give sixteen bales for the
same land.

My brother, our father, and I have worked together from the beginning.
We have had no disputes or differences; we have worked on the basis of a
common property interest.

We have encouraged the people of our community as much as possible to
secure homes, buy lands, live decently, and be somebody. The following
are some typical examples of thrift and industry in the community about
us:

Turner Moore owns 210 acres of land adjoining ours. He was born near
where he lives and was over twenty-five years a slave. He has 11 mules
and horses and raised 65 bales of cotton last year. His property is all
paid for. His brother, Moses Moore, also has 65 acres, all paid for, and
Reuben Moore, a nephew, owns 212 acres, all paid for. Their farms join.

James Whitlow, father-in-law of Mr. J. C. Calloway, the teacher referred
to, owns 1,137 acres in one body, only about two miles from our place.
It is all paid for, and the deeds are all recorded at the Macon County
Courthouse. He was born right where he now lives, and was twelve years
old when freed.

Mr. Whitlow rents a gin, but will own one of his own this year. He also
carries on a store. He has 20 tenants, who will raise over 100 bales of
cotton this year together. He has raised over 30 himself. He has 20
mules, 3 horses, 30 head of cattle, and about 75 hogs. He does not owe a
nickel. His taxes are $60 per year. He has a very good four-room house,
besides a kitchen.

Mr. Whitlow has fourteen children, ten boys and four girls, who go to
school on our place. He himself can not read or