Interview with Charlie Richardson,
Webb City, Missouri,
by Bernard Hinkle, Jasper
County, Joplin, Mo.
"Well, Charlie, let us sit right down here on this bench and chat awhile. Mr. Hal M. Wise, editor of 'The Sentinel' here in Webb City, told me about you. You won't mind if I ask you a few personal questions about the days of slavery will you?"
"No Sah' I'd be glad to tell you anything I know."
"Thank you Charlie. The first thing I would like to ask is; is your name Charles, Charlie or Charley?"
"Everybody calls me Charlie."
"Where were you born Charlie?"
"I was born at Warrensburg, Missouri."
"What year were you born in Charlie?"
"They always said I was born in March. Didn't never give no day. Jest March."
"How old were you when the Civil War broke out?"