house. Said he didn't do much
work--just tended to the gin.

"I remember one night the Ku Klux come to our house. I was so scared I
run under the house and stayed till ma called me out. I was so scared
I didn't know what they had on.

"I remember when some of the folks come back from Texas and they said
peace was declared.

"I think my brother run off and jined the Yankees and come here when
they took Pine Bluff. War is a bad thing. I think they goin' keep on
till they hatch up another one.

"I didn't go to school much. I was the oldest boy at home and I had to
plow. I went seven days all told and since then I learned ketch as
ketch can. I can read and write pretty well. It's a consolation to be
able to read. If you can't get all of it, you can get some of it.

"Been here in Jefferson County ever since 1867. I come here from
Lincoln County.

"After freedom my papa moved my mama down on the Douglas place where
he was and stayed one year, then moved on the Simpson place in Lincoln
County, and then come up here in Jefferson County. I remember all the
moves.

"I remember down here where Kientz Bros, place is was the gallows
where they hung folks in slavery times. You know--when they had
committed some crime.

"Yes'm, I voted but I never held any office.

"I know I don't look my age but I can tell you a heap of things
happened before emancipation.

"I think the people are better off free--they got liberty."

Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Lidia Jones
228 N. Oak Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 94
Occupation: None--blind

"I was born in Mississippi and emigrated to Arkansas. Born on the
Peacock place. Old John Patterson was my old master.

"My first goin' out was to the cow pen, then to the kitchen, and then
they moved me to Mrs. Patterson's dining-room.

"I helped weave cloth. Dyed it? I wish you'd hush! My missis went to
the woods and got it. All I know is, she said it was indigo. She had a
great big kittle and she put her thread in that. No Lord, she never
bought _her_ indigo--she _raised_ it.

"Oh, Miss Fannie could do most anything. Made the prettiest
counter-panes I ever saw. Yes ma'am, she could do it and _did_ do it.

"She had a loom half as big as this house. Lord a mercy, a many a time
I went dancin' from that old spinnin'-wheel.

"They made all the clothes for the colored folks. They'd be sewin' for
weeks and months.

"Miss Fannie and Mis