"Ol' Massa had a church right on de plantation for us niggers," he continued. "Many's de time I danced late in de night an' den had to git up an' go to church wid de rest. All of us had to go. A white man would preach, but I allus enjoyed de singin' most of all."
George believes earnestly that ghosts exist, but admits they have never bothered him.
George Dillard, Eutaw, Alabama
"Dey is all aroun'," he maintains, "but dey don't follow me. No'm, I's not 'fraid of 'em; but I knows plenty of niggers dat'll run if a ghost so much as brushes by 'em."
The old darkey said that "atter freedom come to de worl'" he continued to live with his master and worked a share crop. He said that Mr. Steele was always fair and good to him; always giving him the best of everything.
George married Celia Shelton, and to them were born twenty-four children.
"It was a bunch of dem," he said, "but I loved ebry one. I had a nice weddin' an' de white folks helped me to git myself a 'oman an' then to git married to her."
[Ella Dilliard]
Personal interview with Ella Dilliard
756 Canal Street, Mobile, Alabama
—Ila B. Prine