KADAY
2581 Madison Street
Gary, Indiana

Mrs. Hockaday is the daughter of an ex-slave and like so many others
does not care to discuss the dark side of slavery and the cruel
treatment that some of them received.

After the Civil War the slaves who for the most part were unskilled and
ignorant, found it very difficult to adjust themselves to their new life
as free persons. Formerly, they lived on the land of their masters and
although compelled to work long hours, their food and lodging were
provided for them. After their emancipation, this life was changed. They
were free and had to think for themselves and make a living. Times for
the negro then was much the same as during the depression. Several of
the slaves started out to secure jobs, but all found it difficult to
adjust themselves to the new life and difficult to secure employment.
Many came back to their old owners and many were afraid to leave and
continued on much as before.

The north set up stores or relief stations where the negro who was
unable to secure employment could obtain food and shelter. Mrs. Hockaday
says it was the same as conditions have been the last few years.

About all the negro was skilled at was servant work and when they came
north, they encountered the same difficulties as several of the colored
folks who, driven by the terrible living conditions in the south four
years ago, came to Gary. Arriving here they believed they were capable
of servant work. However they were not accustomed to modern appliances
and found it very difficult to adjust themselves. It was the same after
the Emancipation.

Many owners were kind and religious and had schools for their slaves,
where they could learn to read and write. These slaves were more
successful in securing employment.

Although the negro loved the Bible most of all books, and were mostly
Methodists and Baptists, their different religious beliefs is caused by
the slave owners having churches for the slaves. Whatever church the
master belonged to, the slaves belonged to, and continued in the same
church after the war.

Since slaves took the name of their owners, children in the same family
would have different names. Mr. Hockaday's father and his brothers and
sisters all had different names. On the plantation they were called
"Jones' Jim," "Brown's Jones," etc. Many on being freed left their old
homes and adopted any name that they took a fancy to. One slave that
Mrs. Hockaday remembers t