all I know 'bout slavery less you ask me 'bout somethin' I
might answer: We ask if we could go to white church and they tell us
they wanted certain ones to go today so they could fix up. It was
after the war new churches and schools sprung up. Not fast then.

Prices of slaves run from $1600 to $2000 fer grown to middle age. Old
ones sold low, so did young ones. $1600 was a slow bid. That is whut I
heard.

Name of Interviewer: Martin-Barker
Subject: Ex-Slave
Story--Information (If not enough space on this page add page)

This information given by: Frank Larkin
Place of Residence: RFD #1--Bx. 73
Age --
[TR: Personal information moved from bottom of form.]

I was born a slave, my owner was Mr. Rhodes of Virginia. On a large
plantation, my white folks gave a big to do, and served wine. Had corn
shuckings. Swapped help around harvesting time. I was sold when 6 or 7
years old. Sold to highest bidder. First marster gave my mother to his
white daughter and let her keep me.

I was raised as a house boy. I was always a mean boy. When I was sold
I split another boys head open with an axe. Then I runned off. They
caught me with blood hounds. My master whipped me with a cowhide whip.
He made me take my clothes off and tied me to a tree. He would use the
whip and then take a drink out of a jug and rest awhile, then he would
whip me again.

Sometimes we would set up until midnight pickin' wool. I would get so
sleepy, couldn't hardly pick de wool.

I hung up my stocking at Christmas to get gifts.

When we left de plantation, we had to get a pass to go from one
plantation to another.

We went to church, sat on de back seat of the white folks church. It
was a Baptist. Baptized in pool. White preacher said: "Obey your
master."

When I came to Arkanansas, I was sold to Mr. Larkin.

Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Frank Larkin
1126 W. Second Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 77

"Yes ma'm, I was born in slavery times, right about 1860. I was bred
and born in Virginia--belonged to a man named Rhodes. When I was a
little fellow, me and my mother was sold separate. My mother was sent
to Texas and a man named Larkin bought me.

"I member when people was put upon the block and sold. Man and wife
might go together and might not. Yes ma'm, they sho did separate
mother and childen.

"Take a little chile, they would be worth a thousand dollars. Why old
master would just