was good to me. I
staid with them till they died. Missy died first, then master died. I
never was away from them. They was both good. My mammy was sold but I
never was. They said they was surrendered when we come back from
Texas. I heard the drums beat at Ft. Smith when we come back but I
don't know what they was doing. I worked in the house with the
children and in the field too. I help herd the horses. I would card
and spin and eat peaches. No, that wasn't all I had to eat. I didn't
have enough meat but I had plenty of milk and potatoes. I was born
right here in Coal Hill. I ain't never lived anywhere else except when
we went South during the war.

"Law woman I can't tell you what I think of the present generation.
They are good in their way but they don't do like we did. I never did
go naked. I don't see how they stand it.

"I could sing when I was young. We sang everything, the good and
bad."

Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Mary Lee
1308 Texas Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 74
[Date Stamp: MAY 31 1938]

"I was born in 1864, March the fourth, the year before the Civil War
ended. All I know is what they told me and what I read.

"Born in Texas, but my mother and father was both born in Georgia.

"My mother said her white folks was good to her. She was the house
girl, she didn't have to work in no field.

"I went to school when I was six or eight. I don't remember which. I
had right smart schooling.

"I remember my mother's young missis run off and got married. She was
just a young girl, 'bout seventeen. That's been a long time.

"I got a book sent to me a while back. It's a Catholic book--'History
of Church and State.' Yes'm, I'm a Catholic. Used to belong to the
Methodist church, but I wouldn't be a Methodist no more. I like the
Catholics. You would too if you was one of 'em.

"I been here in Arkansas since 1891. That's goin' right on up the
road.

"I can't do much work now, my breath gets short.

"I used to make thirty-five dollars a month washin' and ironin'. Oh,
that was a long time 'fore the depression.

"I don't think nothin' of this younger generation. All goin' the same
way. Oh lord, you better let 'em alone, they won't take no
foolishness."

Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Talitha Lewis
300 E. 21st Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 86
[Date Stamp: MAY 31 1938]

"I should say I was bor