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Holly Grove, Arkansas
Age 76
"I was born and raised on Mr. Dial's place. Mama belong to them. My papa belong to Frank Kerr. His old mistress'
name Jane Roberts in Alabama. His folks come from Alabama. He say Jane Roberts wouldn't sall her slaves. They
was aired (heired) down mong the children. David Dial had sebral children and mama was his house girl and nurse.
They was married in Dial's yard. My papa name Jacob Kerr. They took me to Texas when I warn't but two years
old. He rode in the covered wagon where they nauled the provisions. They muster stayed a pretty good time. I heard
am talkin' what all they raised out there and what a difference they found in the country. They wanted to go. They
didn't wanter be in the war they said. It was too close to suit them.
"I recken I was too small to recollect the Ku Klux. I heard em talk bout how mean the Jayhaws was.
"I never voted. What business I got votin' I would jes' lak you tell me? I don't believe in it no more'n nuthin'.
"I been farmin' all my life. I had fourteen children. Eight livin' now. They scattered bout up North. It took meat and
bread to put in their mouths and somebody workin' to get it there I tell you. There ain't a lazy bone in me. I jes' give
out purty nigh. I wash and iron some when I ken get it.
"I got a hog and a garden. I ain't got nuthin' else. I don't own no house, no place. I got a few chickens bout the place
what eat up the scraps what the pig don't get.
"I signed up three years ago. I don't get nuthin' now. What I scrape round and make is all I has.
"I was born in June 1861. I don't recollect what day they said. Pear lack it been so long. When it come to work I
recken I is had a hard time all my life. I never minded nuthin' till I got so slow and no count."
Interviewer Samuel S. Taylor"
