The women milk ten or twelve cows and knit a whole sock in one day. They also wove the material for their dresses; it was called "linsey."
She remembers one night the slaves were having a dance in one of the cabins, a band of Ku Kluxers came, took all firearms they could find, but no one was hurt, all wondered why, however, it did not take long for them to find out why. Another night when the Kluxers were riding, the slaves recognised the voice of their young master. That was the reason why the Keephart slaves were never molested.
Christmas was a jolly time for the Keephart slaves. They would have a whole week to celebrate, eating, dancing, and making merry.
"Free born niggers" were not allowed to associate with the slaves, as they were supposed to have no sense, and would contaminate the slaves.
Interviewer's Comment
Mrs. Locke is an intelligent old lady, has been a good dressmaker, and served for a great number of the "first families" of Indianapolis.
She has been married twice; her first husband died shortly after their marriage, and she was a widow for twenty-five years before she took her second "venture."
She gets the old age pension and is very happy.
Submitted December 17, 1937
Indianapolis, Indiana