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Coal Hill, Arkansas
Age 85
"Yes'm I was a slave. I been here. I heard the bugles blowing, the fife beat, the drums beat, and the cannons roar.
We started to Texas but never got across the river. I don't know what town it was but it was just across the river
from Texas. My white folks was good to me. I staid with them till they died. Missy died first, then master died. I
never was away from them. They was both good. My mammy was sold but I never was. They said they was
surrendered when we come back from Texas. I heard the drums beat at Ft. Smith when we come back but I don't
know what they was doing. I worked in the house with the children and in the field too. I help herd the horses. I
would card and spin and eat peaches. No, that wasn't all I had to eat. I didn't have enough meat but I had plenty of
milk and potatoes. I was born right here in Coal Hill. I ain't never lived anywhere else except when we went South
during the war.
"Law woman I can't tell you what I think of the present generation. They are good in their way but they don't do like
we did. I never did go naked. I don't see how they stand it.
"I could sing when I was young. We sang everything, the good and bad."
Interviewer Mrs. Bernice Bowden"
