was Sam Kirk and he had overseers and nigger
dogs (bloodhounds) that didn't do nothin' but run them niggers.

"I 'member one time when they say the Yankees was comin' all us
chillun, boys and girls, white and black, got upon the fence and old
master come out and say 'Get in your holes!'

"The war went on four years. Them was turrible times. I don't never
want to see no more war. Them that had plenty, time the regiment went
by they didn't have nothin'. Old mistress had lots a turkeys and hogs
and the Yankees just cleaned 'em out. Didn't have time to pick
'em--just skinned 'em. They had a big camp 'bout as long as from here
to town.

"They burned up the big house as flat as this floor. They wasn't
nothin' left but the chimneys. Oh the Yankees burned up plenty. They
burned Raleigh and they burned Atlanta--that was the southern capital.
I've seen the Yankees go right out in people's fields and make 'em
take the horses out. Then they'd saddle 'em and ride right off.

"General Grant had ten thousand nigger soldiers outside of the
Irishmen and the Dutchmen. I know General Grant looked fearful when he
come by. After surrender he had a corps pass through and notify the
people that the war was over.

"Abraham Lincoln was a war captain. He was a man that believed in
right. He was seven feet four inches high.

"I was born in North Carolina and I come here in 'sixty seven. I
worked too!"

Interviewer: Miss Irene Robertson
Person interviewed: Betty Krump,
Helena, Arkansas
Age: --
[Date Stamp: MAY 31 1938]

"Mother come to Helena, Arkansas from Lake Charles, Louisiana. I was
born here since freedom. She had twelve children, raised us two. She
jus' raised me en my sister. She lives down the street on the corner.
She was a teacher here in Helena years and years. I married a doctor.
I never had to teach long as he lived, then I was too old. I never
keered 'bout readin' and books. I rather tomboy about. Then I set up
housekeepin'. I don't know nothin' 'bout slavery. I know how they come
here. Two boats named Tyler and Bragg. The Yankees took 'em up and
brought 'em up to their camps to pay them to wait on them. They come.
Before 'mancipation my mammy and daddy owned by the very same old
fellar, Thomas Henry McNeil. He had a big two-story stone house and
big plantation. Mother said she was a field hand. She ploughed. He
treated 'em awful bad. He overworked 'em. Mother said she had to work
when she w