Federal Writers' Project
of the W.P.A.
District #6
Marion County
Anna Pritchett
1200 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
FOLKLORE
ROBERT MCKINLEY—EX-SLAVE
1664 Columbia Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
Robert McKinley was born in Stanley County, N.C., in 1849, a slave of Arnold Parker.
His master was a very cruel man, but was always kind to him, because he had given him (Bob) as a present to his favorite daughter, Jane Alice, and she would never permit anyone to mistreat Bob.
Miss Jane Alice was very fond of little Bob, and taught him to read and write.
His master owned a large farm, but Jane Alice would not let little Bob work on the farm. Instead, he helped his master in the blacksmith shop.
His master always prepared himself to whip his slaves by drinking a large glass of whiskey to give him strength to beat his slaves.
Robert remembers seeing his master beat his mother until she would fall to the ground, and he was helpless to protect her. He would just have to stand and watch.
He has seen slaves tied to trees and beaten until the master could beat no longer; then he would salt and pepper their backs.