of the hanging, the first and second ropes used broke when the trap was
sprung. For a while the executioner considered freeing the slave because
of his second failure to hang him, but the law said, "He shall hang by
the neck until dead," and the third attempt was successful."
Federal Writers' Project
of the W.P.A.
District #6
Marion County
Anna Pritchett
1200 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana
FOLKLORE
MRS. JULIA BOWMAN--EX-SLAVE
1210 North West Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
Mrs. Bowman was born in Woodford County, Kentucky in 1859.
Her master, Joel W. Twyman was kind and generous to all of his slaves,
and he had many of them.
The Twyman slaves were always spoken of, as the Twyman "Kinfolks."
All slaves worked hard on the large farm, as every kind of vegetation
was raised. They were given some of everything that grew on the farm,
therefore there was no stealing to get food.
The master had his own slaves, and the mistress had her own slaves, and
all were treated very kindly.
Mrs. Bowman was taken into the Twyman "big house," at the age of six, to
help the mistress in any way she could. She stayed in the house until
slavery was abolished.
After freedom, the old master was taken very sick and some of the former
slaves were sent for, as he wanted some of his "Kinfolks" around him
when he died.
Interviewer's Comment
Mrs. Bowman was given the Twyman family bible where her birth is
recorded with the rest of the Twyman family. She shows it with pride.
Mrs. Bowman said she never knew want in slave times, as she has known it
in these times of depression.
Submitted January 10, 1938
Indianapolis, Indiana
Wm. R. Mays
Dist 4
Johnson Co.
ANGIE BOYCE
BORN IN SLAVERY, Mar. 14, 1861 on the
Breeding Plantation, Adair Co. Ky.
Mrs. Angie Boyce here makes mention of facts as outlined to her by her
mother, Mrs. Margaret King, deceased.
Mrs. Angie Boyce was born in slavery, Mar. 14, 1861, on the Breeding
Plantation, Adair County, Kentucky. Her parents were Henry and Margaret
King who belonged to James Breeding, a Methodist minister who was kind
to all his slaves and no remembrance of his having ever struck one of
them.
It is said that the slaves were in constant dread of the Rebel soldiers
and when they would hear of their coming they would hide the baby
"Angie" and cover her over with leaves.
The mother of Angie was married twice; the name of her first husband was
St
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