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506 E. Twenty, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age 83
"Yes ma'm, this is Cinda. Yes'm, I remember seein' the soldiers but I didn't know what they was doin'. You know
old folks didn't talk in front of chilluns like they does now -- but I been here. I got great grand chillun -- boy big
enuf to chop cotton. That's my daughter's daughter's chile. Now you know I been here.
"I heered em talkin' bout freedom. My mother emigrated here directly after freedom. I was born in Alabama. When
we come here, I know I was big enuf to clean house and milk cows. My mother died when I was bout fifteen. She
called me to the bed and tole me who to stay with. I been treated bad, but I'm still here and I thank the Lord He let
me stay.
"I been married twice. My first husband died, but I didn't have no graveyard love. I'm the mother of ten whole
chillun. All deed but two and only one of them of any service to me. That's my son. He's good to me and does what
he can but he's got a family. My daughter-in-law -- all she does is straighten her hair and look cute.
"One of my sons what died belonged to the Odd Fellows and I bought this place with insurance. I lives here alone in
peace. Yes, honey, I been here a long time."
Interviewer Samuel S. Taylor"
