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Helena, Arkansas
Age 74
"Mother said I was born the same year peace was declared. I was born before the Civil War close, I reckon. I was
born in Tunisa, Mississippi. Mother belong to Mistress Cornelia and Master John Hood. He come from Alabama in
wagons and brought mother and whole lot of 'em, she said, to Tunica, Mississippi. My mother and father never sold.
They told me that. She said she was with the master and he give her to father. He ask her did she want him and ask
him if he want her. They lived on joint places. They slept together on Wednesday and Saturday nights. He stayed at
Hood's place on Sunday. They was owned by different masters. They didn't never say 'bout stepping over no broom.
He was a Prince. When he died she married a man named Russell. I never heard her say what his name was. My
father was Mathew Prince. They was both field hands. I never knowed my father. I called my stepfather popper. I
always did say mother.
"Mother said her master didn't tell them it was freedom. Other folks got told in August. They passed it 'round
secretly. Some Yankees come asked if they was getting paid for picking cotton in September. They told their
master. They told the Yankees 'yes' 'cause they was afraid they would be run off and no place to go. They said
Master Hood paid them well for their work at cotton selling time. He never promised them nothing. She said he
never told one of them to leave or to stay. He let 'em be. I reckon they got fed. I wore cotton sack dresses. It wasn't
bagging. It was heavy stiff cloth.
"Mother and her second husband come to Forrest City. They hoped they could do better. I come too. I worked in the
field all my whole life 'cepting six years I worked in a laundry. I washed and ironed. I am a fine ironer. If I was
younger I could get all the mens' shirts I could do now. I do a few but I got neuralgia in my arms and shoulders.
"I don't believe in talking 'bout my race. They always been lady folks and smart folks, and they still is. The present
times is good for me. I'm so thankful. I get ten dollars and some help, not much. I don't go after it. I let some that
don't get much as I get have it. I told 'em to do that way."
Interviewer Mrs. Bernice Bowden"
