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Wise, Alice

1112 Indiana Stroct, Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Age 79

"I was born in South Carolina, and I sont and got my age and the man sont me my age. He said he remembered me.

He said, 'You married Marcus Wise. I know you is seventy-nine 'cause I'm seventy-four and you're older 'n me.'

Why, I got a boy fifty-three years old.

"We belonged to Daniel Draft. His wife was named Maud. And my father's people was named Wesley Caughman

and his wife was Catherine Caughman.

"I can recollect hearin' the folks hollerin' when the Yankees come through and singin' this old cornfield song

"I'n a goin' away tomorrow

Hoodle do, hoodle do."

That's all I can recollect.

"I can recollect when we moved from the white folks. My father driv' a wagon and hauled lumber to Columbia from

lexington.

"I don't know how old I was when I come here. My age got away from me, that's how come I had to write home for

it, but I had three chillun when I come to this country; I know that.

"I went to school a little, but chillun in then days had to work. I was always apt about washin' and ironin' and sewin'

and so if anybody was stopped from school I was stopped. I used to set pookets in pants for mama, In them days

they weaved and made their oun.

"They'd do better if they had a factory here now. Things wouldn't be so high.

"Oh Lord, yes, I could knit, I'd sit up some nights and knit a half a sook and spin and card.

"My mother's boys would card and spin a broach when they wasn't doin' nothin' else, but nowadays you can't get

'em to bring you a bucket of water.

"They say they is weaker and wiser, but I say they is weaker and foolisher, That's what I think. You know they ain't

like the old folks was. Folks works nowadays and keeps their chillun in school till they're grown, and it don't do 'em

much good--some of 'em."

Interviewer Samuel S. Taylor"

Wise, Alice -- Additional Interview

"I tell you what is sure a sign. You let any one be sick and cows walkin' around lowin'---death is sure to come. Yes

ma'am, I always been watchin' that and I watched it good last year. Yes ma'am, it sure will happen."

This information given by Alice Wise; Place of residence 1112 Indiana Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Occupation -

none; Age - 79.

Robertson, Miss Irene Brassfield, Arkansas (Feb. 19, 1933)

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