“I used to work in the field. They didn’t farm then like they do now. They planted one row a cotton and one row a corn. That was to keep the land from gettin’ poor.
“I remember when the Yankees was comin’ through I got scared because some of the folks said they had horns. I know old master took all his meat and carried it to another plantation.
“When freedom come old master give us all our ages. I think when they say we was free that meant every man was to be his own boss and not be bossed by a taskmaster. Cose old master was good to us but we wanted to have our own way ’bout a heap a things.
“I come to Arkansas the second year of surrender. Yes’m, I voted when Clayton was sheriff and I voted for Governor Baxter. I voted several tickets. I was here when they had the Brooks-Baxter War. They fit not far from where I was livin’.
“Well, that’s ’bout all I can remember. My mind ain’t so good now and I got the rheumatism in my legs.”
#665
Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Clark Hill
818 E. Fifteenth Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 84
“I was workin’ ’round the house when freedom come. I was eleven.
“Born in Georgia—Americus, Georgia. Used to go with my young master to Corinth after the mail. We’d ride horseback with me right behind him. He used to carry me to church too on the back seat to open the gates.