s
paralyzed two years. My head was drawed 'way back between my
shoulders. I lived with my first husband about six years. He died with
T.B. in Memphis, Tennessee. He had married again when he died. We got
so we couldn't agree, so I thought it was best for him to live with
his mother and me to live with mine. We quit under good conditions. I
had a boy after he was separated from me.

"I don't know what to say about the people now. I don't get 'round
much. They aren't like they used to be. The young people don't like to
have you 'round them. I never did object to any of my children gettin'
married because my mother didn't object to me.

"I know Mr. Gillespie. (He passed at the time--ed.) He comes to see me
now and then. All my people are dead now 'cept my children."

Interviewer's Comment

Brother Gillespie has a story turned in previously. Evidently he is
making eyes at the old lady; but the romance is not likely to bud. She
has lost the sight of one eye apparently through a cataract which has
spread over the larger part of the iris. Nevertheless, she is more
active than he is, and apparently more competent, and she isn't
figuring on making her lot any harder than it is.

Interviewer: Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed: Mary Jones
509 E. 23rd Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age: 78
[Date Stamp: MAY 31 1938]

"I was born three weeks 'fore Christmas in South Carolina.

"I 'member one time the Yankees come along and I run to the door. I
know ma made me go back but I peeped out the window. You know how
children is. They wore great big old hats and blue coats.

"'Nother time we saw them a comin' and said, 'Yonder come the Yankees'
and we run. Ma said, 'Don't run, them's the Yankees what freed you.'

"Old mis' was named Joanna Long and old master was Joe Long. I can't
remember much, I just went by what ma said.

"I went to school now and then on account we had to work.

"We had done sold out in South Carolina and was down at the station
when some of the old folks said if we was goin' to the Mississippi
bottoms where the panthers and wolves was we would never come back. We
thought we was comin' to Arkansas but when we found out we was in the
Mississippi bottoms. We stayed there and made two crops, then we come
to Arkansas.

"The way the younger generation is livin' now, the Lord can't bless
'em. They know how to do right but they won't do it. Yes ma'am."

Interviewer: Mrs. B