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Arkansas
Age 83
"I was born on the plantation of Dr. Andrew Scott, but my old ma'ster was Col. Ben T. Embry. The 14th of March,
in the year 1855, was my birthday. Yes suh, I was born right here at old Galla Rock! My old Ma'ster Embry had a
good many slaves. He went to Texas and stayed about three years. Took a lot of us along, and de first work I ever
done after I was set free was pickin' cotton at $2 a hundred pounds. Dere was seventy-five or a hundred of us freed
at once. Yes suh! Den we drove five hundred miles back here from Texas, and drove five hundred head of stock.
We was refigaes--dat's de reason we had to go to Texas.
"Father and mother both passed away a good many years ago. Oh, yes, day was mighty well treated while day was
in slavery; never was a kinder mas'r anywhere dan my old mas'r. And he was wealthy, too--had lots of land, and a
store, and plenty of other property. Many of the slaves stayed on as servants long after the War, and lived right
around here at old Galla Rock.
"No suh, I never belonged to no chu'ch; day thought I done too much of the devil's work--playin' the fiddle. Used to
play the fiddle for dances all around the neighborhood. One white man gave me $10 once for playin' at a dance.
Played lots of the old-time pieces like 'Turkey in the Straw', 'Dixie', and so on.
"We owns our home here, and I has another one. Been married twice and raised eighteen chilun. Yes suh, we've
lived here eighteen years, and had fine health till last few years, but my health is sorter po'ly now. Got a swellin' in
my laigs.
"(Chuckling) I sure remembers lots of happy occasions down here in days before the War. One day the steamboat
come up to the landin'. It was named the Maumelle--yes suh, Maumelle, and lots of hosses and cattle was unloaded
from the steamer. Sure was busy days then. And our old mas'r was mighty kind to us."
NOTE: "Uncle Bill" did not know how he came about the name "Little." Perhaps it was a nickname bestowed upon
him to distinguish him from some other William of larger stature. However, he stands fully six feet in height, and
has a strong, vigorous voice. He is the sole surveying exslave of the Galla Rock community.
Interviewer Thomas Elmore Lucy"
