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Perkins, Marguerite

West Sixth and Catalpa Streets, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Age 81

"I was born in slavery times, Wiss. I was born in South Carolina, Union County. I was born in May.

"I know I 'member old Missy. I just been washin' her feet and legs when they said the Yankees was comin. Old

Miss' name was Miss Sally. Eer hasband was a colonel. what is a colonel?

"I got some white cousins. They tell me they was the boss man's chillun.

"Yes'm, I reckon Miss Sally was good to me. I'm a old nigger. All us niggers belorged to Colonel Beatty.

"I went to school a little while but I didn't learn nothin'.

"I use to be a nurse girl and sleep right upstairs.

"Missus, you know people just walkin along the street droppin dead with heart trouble and white women killin men.

I tell you lady it's awful.

"I been married just once. The Lord took him out o' my house one Sunday morning 'fore day.

"The thing about it is I got that high blood pressure. Well, Missus, I had it five years ago and I went to Memphis

and the Lord healed me. All we got to do is believe in the Lord and He will put you on your feet.

"I had four sisters and three brothers and all of 'em dead but me, darlin.

"Now let me tell you somethin'. Cld as I is, I ain't never been to but one picture show in my life. Old as I is, I never

was on a base ball ground in my life. The onliest place I go now is to church."

Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson"

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