"Yes'm, I voted but I never held any office.
"I know I don't look my age but I can tell you a heap of things happened before emancipation.
"I think the people are better off free—they got liberty."
Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Lidia Jones
228 N. Oak Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 94
Occupation: None—blind
"I was born in Mississippi and emigrated to Arkansas. Born on the Peacock place. Old John Patterson was my old master.
"My first goin' out was to the cow pen, then to the kitchen, and then they moved me to Mrs. Patterson's dining-room.
"I helped weave cloth. Dyed it? I wish you'd hush! My missis went to the woods and got it. All I know is, she said it was indigo. She had a great big kittle and she put her thread in that. No Lord, she never bought her indigo—she raised it.
"Oh, Miss Fannie could do most anything. Made the prettiest counter-panes I ever saw. Yes ma'am, she could do it and did do it.