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Collected by the Federal Writers Project, Works Progress Administration ISE MUCH A MAN Autobiography of Charles Williams Charles Sums up his "Konkors" In all my coming up, I never did eat no idle bread. Allers (Always) love my job whatever. Never was no inside man, but Give Me outside. I haven 1/2 told what has been accomplish in my boy Hood. I nurse my youngest sister and she is gray headed today. Some peppl (people) say that what Make the hairs turn gray is Trubbl. Well, gentlemen, my hairs what on my skull is gray through age, not trubbl. I am One man what don't has no trubbl. Some peopl don't like there hairs be gray. I'll tell the world I no shame of mine. Now, Gentlemen, I am going at a New Thing. All What I has Master since a Boy 5 year old. I has Master a greatell of job. I has Master everry job I put my mits apond. I master them all, except them 2. My Mother & her Old Cow Hide Slavey Whip. When I was age 14 I was leading 75 Hoe Hands. Nothing but a kid. No women in them hoe hands - all Men. I master them. I had 16 milk cow to milk every Morning. I had them 10 row Coton to chop before I go to schoal & 10 row waiting when I get home at night from same schoal. I master that job. I master my job for 3 year Collectioner for Tax in Adams Co. Miss. I master that Job making 7000 thousand of shingle er day. I master that job. I cure 1000 thousand babie in Adams County. Master that job when Docttor man fail. I come erlong & stop them from crying. I master that job er punching 250 sack sand & Run 500 yard every morn for 2 month, getting reddy to take the horns off the Champeen Bully of Miss., what had whip every man he ever tangle up with. I master him, but did not care for bully business. I master that job hunt alligators & Large Loggerhead turtles & ship to New Orleans French Market. Konkor that job in big way. I master job of running raft to Placamine (Plaguemine). 300-log raft, it was. Me & 4 men was all it took. I master that job. I cut down big gum trees 6 & 7 Ft ercrost the stump, geting Black Moss to ship to N.O (New Orleans) to make cushion for chairs & Buggy & Bed ticks for matressus in them times. I whent all eround the country bieing up all moss. Give 1 1/2 cts per Lbs. Allers when I be at one thing, I be at a nuther. I master that job all OK. When I was a farmer I work 40 to 50 acre. Allways got a Boy to do my plowing & I attend the hoeing myself. Simple because I cin hoe 31/2 to 4 acre Per Day. Time I got between 17 & 18, never had been a Man what culd Equel me with a hoe. Sure did Master that job all my life. We had and ocashun (Occasion) to go over in La. to Bill (build) a Verry Large Leavy. Had 100 of men Shover Wheelbar (shove a wheel barrow) of soil I was leader for that gang. Ef you loose one bar (barrow) of dirt coming up out of the pit, it was 25 cts. gone from you money. Master that job. White man, Jim Pullian, was a find man. Dead Now. Ef he like you, he give you anything you asks for. Nothing too good for you. 18 years was my starting point. Christ start His Mission at same age. Here are a nuther job I master for 2 year ontel I get tired of it. I usto love to call figgers for dance. I cut out the 8 figger all together, simple because no buddy could master it but myself. Everything not nice was cut out. No card playing, no crap shooting, no whisky drinking eround, No Cursien among the Girls, no spiting own the floor. I put up a Signed Board for to go by. White people come eround for to see Culard joyous theyselfs, in a nice way. So after all that, they put us a nice Dancing Hall for to joy ourselfs in in Respectfully Way. But without no spiting on floor. Thay was spits toons - 12 of them -for such purpose. I hanle that job two to 3 year. I master job ketch Mr. Possums for steamboat Lady Capt. First every I seen. She name me "Black Possum" simple because I ketch her & husband all possum they want & deliver when they boat come to wood pile. I master water melon patch. Raise them skonk so thick you cant walk in patch. Thick as hickry nuts on there tree. I Master my eddication. Learnt all Book by heart. Whey my Mother carry me to teacher, I alreddy know what she had to learn me. Had to get 9 more higher book. Had fine enterlect. I studdy so hard I had head ake continual. Mama had to bie hart Horn for me to carry in my pocket every day of my life. I grow up with that pain of head, but it brought me to my knowing at lest $2.00 worth. Evenuly it left me all at once. Talk erbout Negro what do his studdying. I was him. All what I had to undergo, ent a Nuther Negro Boy in America has accomplish & living today. All jobs what I have konkor has left me for the better. But I had callification while going erlong through this world. You have to be beticular. Done most of the going eround before I was married, to see the world. WatermellonsMy mother learnt me something while she was living and I am glad of it. I cin (can) make soap. I cin patch. I cin wash and starch cloths. I am a all a-round man. I know my stuff. They are not a Negro boy in American has done and went through and master many as jobs as I did and is living to tell. I started my job when 12 year old by healing infants and babe and growing people. I only cure 1000 thousand in my own County. There one thing furthermore lays apond my mind thats this: All my school mates are gone into Judgment. Look like to me I am leff erlone. I would like come ercrost some old schoal mate sometime and talk over our schoal time. I am satisfied I got to go sum day and when my time expires in this here sinfuld world I determine to see Jesus Christ simple because he told me when he forgive my sins to keep on a walking in his statue and keep his command and I will liff you on high. Jobe said in his lusteration (illustration?) every strand hairs apond our skulls is number. I want this world to be my hell. Those 3 year I work hard I made it good. Not so much for myself as for parrient (parents) and wife. I never was much a lover of money but I knowed what it take to Get it. I has handel greatell of money in my time and the principle part was mine; all excusing when I was tax collect in Adams County. Many thousand of dolar went through my mits. I was only getting $120 per month but it kept my mother and dady from lossing on thay crop. I was glad to do it toward my mother and dady and youngest sister and wife. Allers I tell Mama don't let her crop be slite. Keep field clean get all vegetation out from you crop. Don't get behind with it. Even if rain every day, keep that old plow rolling. I say "Mama, I cant negleck my job to help you now with you crop. I furnish money to hire you a first class coton hand When I go home I walk over they land to see what condishun they crop. Be in find shape. I was suporting the hold gang. Sometime my Angel write ask me does I wish a nice pound cake. I write: "It will be excepted verry much, ice cream endall (and all). Raily, I didn care much for pound cake, bud I never told her so. I wrote to her what day I be home, to meet me at landdine (landing). Then I come in. Stay o er 1 night, next morning tell my Angel I come ergain and stay couple day mabbe. She say: "Nolonger er that," Me: "I should say that longer anuff to my idea. Lisen: in them 2 day I am turn loose 200 tax Receipt". All time jest doing it to satisfy my Angel Mama. Next my wife come telling me: "It wouldn hurt you none to stay here with us a week." "Yes", I reply back, "I stay them 2 week, and you want me to stay 2 more." When I start ketching my horse and curry him, she know what going be result. Never stay with them own a Sunday. never did work on a Sunday, but use it to put me clost to my job own Monday morn. Now friends, lisen. I usto give a melon feast every Sunday. Never charge enny one for all they could hold. Everry buddy cany raise melon. I cin raise melon with jest only own see in. Usto make my wagon loan full. Here a style you can play with a watermelon. You get a small mellon, jes size of hen egg and dig a hole in diameter erbout 3 foot round; now lisen. Place this little melon down in that hole. Be shure let it be sized off hen egg and I guaratied (guarantee) it will fill that hole up. but it only have one seed in the middle. I had Adams county tired out of growing melons. Here is something also, Gentlemen. When you save seeds from a melon to plant a nuther season, never take seeds from the stem end. Always save your planting seeds from the blossom end. Cut the melon half way acrost and always take and save what seeds I am tell you. Understand me, I cin improve a water melon. I will further make statement towards raising melons. Be show to keep out the vegetation from the vine. Don't ketch and stop running. Thay is a way that you cin planted melon but before you plant, be shore to know what you doing. Aint careful, you cin chase melons away before they begin to come on vines when vine 41/2 to 5 to 6 feet long, before they begin to put on mellons and if you mind the facts, they drops off. But when the vine erbout es long as you arm, they begin to put on you melon and no dropping off entel you get reddy to pull. A nother pointe erbout raisin melon, you half to, every morn and even while cool, suck you melons. There is a little vine comes right at the joint of the melon and ef you let that runner continual to stay there, it will come to be longest is you arm. That suck belone (belong) to take the strength from that melon. You don't half to have three or maybe 4 acre. I want jest 1 1/2 acres and I am satisfy. 1/2 acres will produce me enough melon. Jest sell them at 15 or 20 cts highest price and I satisfied that I make 1 hundred or 125 dolar over my expenses. When my boy was living I take 2 horse wagon and go in my patch and load that wagon up to it brim with findest kind melon. The highes price was 20 c apiece and 15 c for some. That was my price. Put 150 apond that wagon own a Friday night and get up Saterddi morning. 8 miles to carry them melons to place where day hands get paid off every Saterdday. Laborers didn have no time to make anything like that an you cin get you own price. But I never did sale enny for no big price. Sum time me and son put own 200 or 300 melon own wagon. The high side planks come very near off. After that we carry only 140. Them melons was planted in black loaned soil. It was black as I am. It don't take no hold lot grownd to raise mellon but you got to kno you unions. Gentlemen, a greatell of thing in my life experence is simple because I allers take advanace (advantage). Some work against their own selfs. Ef a man cant make a crop in rainy weather, he cany make none in dry spell. I was the leading farmer in Adams Co. Ef a man know his unions about farming, he can make crop in 90 days. When coton come up you got a fight on from Mon. to Sat. night. Any man what fight his crop inside those 3 month, he make his crop in 90 days all 0 K. Don't leave no day out except Sundays. When I am farming that way, gentlemen, I farm. I love it. I has broke the record in the upper part Miss. Been working every sience I 5 or 7 years and right now I cin kick a man hat of his head, old as I am. A nother thing, regardless of what it is, small or little, in log toating I come clost up to carrying my part and I ent slow. When I been a farming, the time sum men a geting up, I alreddy don a 1/2 day work. I always master every job I has my mits apond. I was almost 2 men, when growing up. All I had in my brains before I got married was how to make a dolar, and my book. I like to put heart and mind on my matters. Some people will go to Hell for a dolar. Money matters are the ornimint of action. Another thing, gentlemen: Guard your manners ef you would pertect you moral. Good temptor (temper) is essens of good manner. He that has no character is not a man, only a thing. Sow good service and sweet rememberances will grow. Good manners are the shadows of virtue. They is virtue in all profesion and occupation. Good manners necessary to success. Ef you speacke the words of an angel in bad words and with disgreable utterance, nobuddy will hear you twice. It great misfortune not to have anuff wit to speake well and anuff judgment to keep mouth shut at proper time. Best way of making oneself loved is to be churfield (cheerful) . Joy soften more heart than tears. To live with our ennimis (enemies) as if they may sumtime become to be our friend, and live with our friend as if that may sometime become our enemy, is not a moral, but a political maxim. Men of evvil manners live as in brass, there virtues we write in water. Honor and Shame from no Condishun Rise, I knows one Beauty thing erbout myself. I cin ackomplush anything I lays my mits apond. What I know has been testered out by white gentlemen what has gradurated. People here don't know me ho (who) I am. See me going erlong and want to find out erbout myself. Right now I cin do as much work es enny young negro in Prairie Co. Sometime be little ailing in my health. Don't stay long at that period. Ergain, I feels like I could stand flat footed and kick a man hat offen he head and want tech hairs on head. All in taken care you self. Go to bed suddently and bee reddy to rise same, reddy for a days work. I been living in Des Arc 13 year and outen that time I give Mr. C.W. Johnson the best of my time inside them years. Not, a blemish cin he said erbout me, and longest I every work for one man. When in Adams County where ever buddy knew my rept (reputation) I might labor one or 2 week and change to a nother fellow. Ef they make me mad I don't quit sudden. I stay over one fully week and esk for settlement at once. No settlement coming, I work for him no more. Greatell of time he come after me. I refuse. When I working, I don't like to be disturb. Only jest tell me what you want done, and I the guie what fill you order. Ef I don't, I will chew up my old and greasey cap. My Mama, she taught me that. "Don't change words with no buddy. Ef they owes you a settlement, call for it at once, but don't hold no arnuments (arguments) My Education.My mother carried me to 6 grade and turn me loose. One month before she did, she carried me to Teacher. She took snap, judgement, least she thought she did. I was out Doores doing something. Here comes Mama eround the house. I meet her when I discover her and look towards her. She had 5 Reader in Right Hand and in Left her old cow hide. She shuch Old Cow Hide in my face and tell me git reddy. I am carry you erway from this morn. I am go on my job. docttoring. Chas., get those 6 reader reddy. "Yes, Mama, I will be ready now any minute." Will I Now Make Further Decasium & Statement.Sooner we got reddy Mama say: "Jump up, Chas., behimb me on this here horse and lets get going." So we went dashing. Got there pretty sooner. She had those 6 readers in her purse. Started towards old school howse. I jump down first and help Mama down. I hitch her horse while she was gone in to teach right now. I burges in with a smile. Mama then mence (commence)tell teacher the cause of her errance (errand). It was towards me, her Son. "My boy, I am erbout to turn over to you and make tell all what I want you to do to him." She hand Teach those 6 book. Continue: "I carry my onliest boy to 6 grade. I got a job to attend and must get to it; raily got to carry own". She also tell Teacher "Don't spare no rod on him' before I leave I want to see you start on him and carry through his 6 book". They set me tween them and started. Went through first jest like taking candy from infant. Started in alferbits from A B C. Me, I tell her I don't know them that away, No Mam. "Well", speake up the teach, "lest see ef you cin say them back words (backward) I started them A B C back words and went strait ahead. When finish she say: "Throught you couldn say them strait erlong." I told her it ent no telling erbout me, what I do next, teacher "Bleev that, Chas.", she reply. She retched down and lift up seccint book. I done same surprise on her. Retch for third. I had them old book all by heart. When she finish up 1/2 them she say to Mama: "Mrs. Morris, how long as this boy look in he books?" Teacher: "This boy got great interlick. He got you brains. You cin make a man outen him. Mrs. Norris, Chas. need new set books right now." She make out the kine new books I need. 9 difference books. Says when I are mastered them I be in 12 grade. Now read and take good notice. Read and search every word I am saying. When I was going to schoal years back- not yestiday - 16- schollar going to same schoal. Was 2 head teacher and 6 hide grade schollar to help out. Allways I last schollar get to schoal every morning. Teacher, she ask me: "What make you alway last to schoal?" Told I had to milk 6 head of cow ever morn and eve and then 10 roes (rows) coton to be chop before every I start, and more 10 roes waiting me get home when I leave schoal at even. Now teacher, she say: "What time, then, does you studdy?" She full sprised at my good interlick and good remembrance. Furtherance she expond me: "Chas., would you make man youself, jest keep on gait you now got. Press on. Dont give the struggle over. Fight own (on). Schollars went to same schoal as me. All now dead and gone to Jedgenent. Old ugly black Charles eround here yet, something to look at. all right. That time I tell Mama I going get married in short, it seem to strike her. She went on talking erbout this and that and other. I let her talk. Then I spoken to her in nice way. Tells her I been working for her and others these 26 year and continue it to do." Now I'm come to my 26 year and still you ent staisfy erbout me get married. Mama then replied: "Chas., you is old enuff, all OK, but I want you get all education you cin get bye on". She told me pack my trunck, she carrying me to High Schoal. Ef I had of went like she say, and had a continuance to strain my brains I might been difference man. Ergain, I might went crazy. With brains like mine, they only stand so much on taxing. When anything get on my mind it stick like musage (mucilage) own a letter. I done forgot moren sum people ever did know. My ways is quit indifference from most of Negro. One thing that I could allers get away with was writing. Slow penman. Wrote pretty good hand all OK. No teacher cin instruck to write. All cin do is put up coppy. When they give me a coppy I look at at and lay aside and use my own thourght erbout the matter. That how I learnt to shove a pen. Took it in my own brains. Sometime coppy on slate, sometime on coppy book. I never did paid any on them any mind Allers took own theo (theory) on the matter. When teacher call in slate and coppy books, I carry up mine. Had write 8 to 10 line jest like her hand write. Soon cut out that stuff and went out for myself. Found evenuly (eventually) that my way was best. I cin write 3 difference hand writing today. Ef I didn work my hands so hard onecet, -jest set down like some men, I would of been like John Adams. He was the greatest penmanship they was in Congress. After his death his wife purchase his hand writing for thirty-thousand dolar. His writing was too good to be throwed and kick eround and tramp apond. So ef I had nothing to do but set down, like some men, I would show you some penmanship. My hands little stiff by grub and strain my nerve. What I say erbout Jno. Adams, I reed. A history book erbout him I read years ago. I ent talk what I heen told, jest read for myself. His nishel (initial) was J.Q. Adams. He wrote finest writing any man in Congress. John Quincy Adams, that master penman writing never no burden to him. Not to me either. I done my part of penman in this world. For 20 year I don this for a church what carried 300 hundred member in good standing and good morals. When first teacher hand Mama name of books she find I in need of, my Mama take the kind, all 7 of those, and intend to bie for me. Those high book costed my mother $7.50. When I come at those book, I natural master those. Any thing I set my heart and mind towards, I master like take candy from er infant, all accept those 2 what I never master. "What they, Chas?" that my mother and cow hide Negro behavor whish she swing over slavy and on me twice time. Now gentlemen, I ent tell no fib erbout my training and rise coming up. ISE NOT A DOCTOR.Before I left home, Adams Co., I cure 1000 babie. I have started babie to go back to nurse they mother nipper when Docttor fail to do so. Science left my home I cured 15 babie of thrash, & I cure another 6 over at Colotchia Bay. Thay is 2 kind thrash, black & red. Red are worse kind. I cure owne (one) old girl with thrash. She 19 year old. I can't make no charge in this matter. I never will forget. I was 12 year old, lying down on a Sunday night. Woman come before me. She look down own me. Had a prety babie in her arms. She a prety brown skin woman. "My babie got thrash verry bad. I want you to cure my babie." I told her I can't cure no thrash. "Yes you cin She keep on worrying me in the matter. At last I tell her: "Give me you babie." She stoop down and give me her babie. I did not set up atall, jest took babie, get on my back and I blowed 3 times in the babie Mouth, & hand the child back to her. That brown skin woman, she disapear from me. I commence from that.
I am not menshion those what I cure sence I left Native Home in Adams Co. I cure 1000 babie before I left home. Dr. Taylor make inditement against me. I have to meet 12 men, but I met them with a smile on my lipses. One big black Negro dressed to death with all them diamonds. When I walk in, he know me all O.K. Every buddy in Adams Co. knew my raisons (raising) and my training. When I walk in, he the first to tell me be seated. He Look at Me for minute. When he did speak, him say: "Chas., this is indiction (indictment) against you for going eround a curing Babie what got thrash. Is this indicement true? Is you got licens to heal babie? Does you carry medicine? What charge do you charge for that work? None? How come? How come you start on this job in first place?" As aforsed, I met them like a man. The big black gui, after being me seated, he ritch ercrost the table and read the charge about the matter to me. He say: "Is you power from the Almighty er how you go erbout curing babies?" To him I make answer: "I has been behimb docttor what could not master they job. I carry my medicine in my mouth. I am healer sent by my Maker." Charles, you state you carry you medicine in you mouth. What that?" "Gentlemen of the jury, I don't carry no medicine stall. I blow in they mouth 4 or 5 time and thrash is gone. I inherit this matter. I carry my medicine in my mouth." "How longer you been at this job, Chas?" "Started when I am 12 years old. Now I am 25 year old." "They tells me you is all sorts of Negro." "I am like any other young man, ecept few you can find like me." He asks the other fellows: "Any you all wants to quisseted (question) this man?" "Well, Chas., we excuses you to go ahead curing you babies, same as you been a doing." When I got out and slam door, I herd them all laugh. Was not studdying erbout them, noway. Thay couldn harm me. I was jest erbout sharp as thay was. That close that subject, right now. One woman did not born the only sharp child. M. M. W. M. C. MY MOTHER WAS MY CAPTAIN My MotherShe lived to be 124 years old and died on the 8 Day of Jan. in 1918. Dat same year my Angel dye, on Aug 5. 1918. My mama was the oldest daughter of her old father. He had 8 girl and she last one to die. My dear mother had a fine education by her owner and she carry me up to the 6 grade. She was a Docttor woman too and had to go out on her mission. She put me under a teacher. My mother was a sharp woman. She taken snap judgement on me and haden (had not) look at my book for 4 mo. She never did say eny thing to me erbout the matter till one morn she called: "Chas., get reddy. I am going to carry you and turn (you) over to the teacher." So, I prepair to do jest what she say in the matter, simples because I know those 6 book was no more than a trick to me to handle. So I cought the horse and saddle him and led up to porch and she jump up own (on) the horse and say to me to jump up behind her. Here we go. She taken snap judgement by think I had forgot what in them books When we come at school house I jump down and Help her down. We go inside. She spoken to teacher. Tell her business what cause Her to come at this time was to bring my boy to turn over to you. "I am got to go to my job." She pull out old book and carry me through 1/2 of them. She stop. She say to Mama: "All he need is new books." At once she take down name of what Higher Books I need. All 7 of those Book cost my Mama $7.50. When I get there, I just naturly master. When I was growing up in this Life, I thought my mother was awful cruel to me. But she not. She Know exactly what she doing and I glad. I love her dust, since I come to look into the matter. Usto make me go to school with Bagging around my feet. Children all make fun at me It was not because my parient (parent) did have no money. Right now at that time Mama had in that old Red Box $800 hundred dolar. Simple enuff. My step father was drawing pension. My step father was getting eround $40 per Mo. I was drill coming up. My Mother did not had me in no swinging blanket, and it going backward and forward, with a big hunk of candy chucked in my mouth. I am proud of it. She made a man of me. If you is black as ace spade (ace of spades), yet you cin be relible and have some good morale & Pricciples and treat all boddies right. My mother taught me that, and what she taught me I don't have no troubble with. By mother did not allow me to run in no fast crowd. I was 25 year old when I got my last flogging from Mama. She would whip me today ef I done something she didn intellurate (intellucally agree) with, ef she was living. My mother was a slave driver for her master. Part time she slave driver, part time help in the house. She fine cook. She weight 185 lbs. I bet. She was put over twenty five or 30 heads of women and child to have hoe coton - hoe it right - and chop coton, trim the corn; plant corn and pead (spread) seed. She walk erlong with her old cow Hide whip and tell how to do it. She was a Negro slave Driver, pointed by the riding boss. She was strong. Having a pappy in them days was sorter like Santy Claus is now. My mother tell me about my dady. His old master use to eat logger head turtle. There thys was big as my leg right here. Fine meat. Oncet my dady in house and et a thy (thigh). When old master ask cook where two thys of that turtle, my dady say "I et it." Old marster say I going to whip you for that', and my dady left. Put 16 nigger hounds after him. My dady was 200 lbs. He kill 6 or 7 of them hounds when they come up to him. But they shot my dady and roll him in the river. I cin show you the very spot. I always obey my Mother, every thing she say. She was strick (strict) on me and on her girls. When that old cow Hide came down on you thinks your seeing stars in the day time. My mother was a hard nut to crack. I did leave from her, and leave to my Angel, but I did Not Forsook My Mother when I married, but setel down and carry my mother erlong because she was now getting feebly and in age. When I was under her as a minor. I did do what she tell me without no hesetate. I precieate her training to full extent. I believe that old Cow Hide akshually was haunted. I don't care how still a day was that Cow Hide was in moving dispersision, swinging back Ward and For Ward. Never still. I did not Under Stand that. One day my youngest sister was standing up talking erbout Old Hide. I ask her: "Say, how come Mama don't whip you with Old Cow Hide? Every time Mama get ready to lashes you, she go out a doors and get lot a switches. Never yet seen her to towards old cow Hide to use on you.' Furthermore, I tells my youngest sister: "Some these days I'm going to ask Mama." "Don't you do it; don't you ast her that." "Because you aunt not to do so. You got no right. She kill me." Once when we was talking erbout old Cow Hide, I take hold on it to feel it. That old Cow Hide flewed right outen (out of) my hands and struck me on the head. I was surprise at that act." My sister, it tickkel her. If it had been just one More Boy out side of myself, I would don erway with Old Cow Hide. But they was no boy but just me, which was reason I did Not Made way with it. That same old Cow Hide overtook me again in 1881. After that lashing, when I had been married a week, it never did overtook me no more. I don't know what becamed of it after Mama died. I was raily afraid of my mother and her Cow Hide. She was what you call tite on me. I recond she know what she was doing. A girl not out ramblen so much as a boy. I was train to be in bed by 7 and up at 4. Been in that latitude every sience. My honny moon brought all the trubble. I have herd about hony moons. Angel and myself was setting on edge of bed playing and slapping each other. I slap my Angel little too hard, caus her to cry. Then mama hear. She came charging in with Old Cow Hide. The Lady went for me. For some while I tried to go bye her -eround her- but raily could not make way arond. She just natural anuff got me and give me my seccont whipping with Old Cow Hide on my honny Moon. When Mama bulge in, she push me down. Before I hit the floo (floor) she took that old Negro Behavior and started whipping me. What made me so mad, that Girl said to Mama, "Mother, don't whip him no more so he get blue." Mama went outten (out of) the door smiling, and say: "You cin all go own with your rat killing now." One of my sister what live not far from us say: "Bud, who that Mama was whipping on -you or your wife,- been fighting a-ready?" * * * Every thing what in my History of My Life I been keeping in my mind sience 1880. My Dear Mother told me to do this: "When you get about 70 year old, I want you to make record of your life. I want you take you Life History. It is worth it to do so & let the Communit see what you been through. How you was Drill and train by Negro Slave Driving Mother with Old Cow Hide Whip." No one on earth know what all I had to underwent. By Mother carry me through a heap, in this process. I am glad for the profferssision she was. One thing I raily did not like. When at age 5 when I pick her best hen clean as you hand, after she finish whippeing me, she tell me to scrape my feet back & bow my head to her, that meaning, simple, I had to bow. I didn't see no future to that. I didn like it for nothing. But I had to do it. Raily never could see through it. Sum buddy give you a whipping & when they close down, you got to get up and give them a greatell Gratitude for such a acct. After all them 18 years till she flog me ergain. when I slap my Angel on hony moon, she make me do that back-step again. Only time in my hold life. I bowed to a whipping from my mother. If she living today and say: "You get down, you black rascal," you see me getting down, and quick erbout it too." My Angel When my mama get reddy to sence me to High School I told Mama I was going to get married. Mama did not like at all. Also I tell Mama I am going to marry now in short time. I raily loved my Wife from My Heart. I lover (love her) simple, because we live together 40 long year without a blemish between us. She was a pretty col. girl. Pretties they was at that school, it was given up by White and colored. She was brown skin Girl. She was the prettiest out of 80 or 90 girls. She was 12 year old when I began to spark around her. I didn't want a nother fellow to gaine her. To beat He gaining her effections So I think to put my claime in in plenty time. So I done that with all My Heart & Desire. So me and her coming from school after dinner, the other schollar either behind me & her or front of me and Her. 12 year old at that time. I ask her the privilege of coming to see her, er drop her letter now & then & she grant it all right, but say "Now lissen, Mr. Williams, I am jes little over 12 year old. But ef you wait on me till I get 14 I will marry you if nothing don't pervent. I believe you will make me a fine husband. Ef you work for your Mother like you do, I think you make living for a wife." So walk & talk ever chance we had the opportunity to do so. When she get them 14 year, I marry her & live together with her 40 year without blemish. The White people in Adams Co. declare she was Jew woman. She was so difference than culard wimmen. Brown skin & pretty feature. Heavie eie (eye) Brims (brows). Pretty Haire. Tooths look like Ivory. No shoe was No 3. She was a beauty. Nices Girl. We live together 40 year. When White people all saying, "Ent she Jew." I say "Yes she is, no she ent, you don't No." They say: "I can't see how you got sich beautiful woman. She is sure a good looking Jew girl." Then I begin to notice her ways. I watch in every instance. Her ways were sure difference from any other culard girl. Then I came believe what that tell in Natchez, Miss. The longest (longer) me & her stay together, more things I nottist (notice). She had a Jews nose and they close ways. She preserved everything like Jews. She kep everything right up to date, -- never did throw away nothing you know how Jew is clost. Cloestest race that is in the world. They get rich quickern (quicker than) any nation on earth. When they drop in in some city er town, it don't take them long to full up by some means er other. I formly (firmly) believe that my Angel was a Jew. She had different views opend many matter from other wimmins. She talk & ask difference, too. All together she didn't talk verry much to nobody onless you ask her something. Verry slow in speaking, but allers (always) give the best of her idea apond the subject. My Angel Kept inventory of her expenses own the House also inventory of the cash she made with her machine & chicken & garden & eggs & milk & butter. Her cash always run far above her house Expenses all the time. Close preserve, was my Angel. If she only live 5 moe year we been setting pretty. I was farming so could get no money till fall of year. Being clost preserver, she could take 1 pt floor (flour) - mebbe sometime not quite that much- & make biskets enuff for 8 to 10 men. All they cin eat. All they wants and some left. One day I ask my Angel: How come you take such little floor & make so many biskets & them biskets, they invoporations (evaporates) in your mouth." Furtherance I see her taken one of them bisket what she make up & place in the water. It would float around in that tub for 16 or 20 min. before it would invoporate. Look & live. When I witness how My Angel such preserver, I tell her I get her a blotter for to Keep exopensies (expenses) & cooking accts. So I bought the same. With all them things she done to make money, sometimes she have $14 per week. She put nothing in the shop barrel. I never will get a nether wife liken unto my first Wife. If she lived another five year. I been standing Pretty today. Bud (but) her time was out. I never did allowed My Angel in no field. She had a job - 2 job - what she raily did master. Our house was never without 35 to 45 Dolars no time. She was first class Seamstes by trade & first class cook. Ore (oh), I had a wife what Jesus give me. That Angel, she did not have much to say to no one. Not much to say to me sometime. I lover her. She was grand & good person. One day I ask her-I say: "Mrs. Williams, where are you blotter - she go and get to hand me. I sit down to look through her bizzness. Everything was first class shape. She done sewing fer the hold (whole) of Catochie Bay and for the hold entirly plantations. Never use no tape line Just stands her lady up in floe (floor) and looks her up and down. Up to head & down to feets. That ladies, that ask her: "Mis Williams, I allers see a seamster use a tapeline." "No, I don't" say my Angel. My head is my tapeline. My seamster trainer did not learn me to intangle with no tapeline. If I don't fit you, I don't want none you money. I has been verry apt to ketch on & I cin master this job. I stay with my trainer for 12 mos and she test me before she turn me loose. I not oneasy about this sew job." My Angel was smart. I wouldn take nothing fer her. Every woman aust to New something & put something in their brains. She never did visited eround much- not eny that I can see. I told her: "Angel, you aust to take on a little plesoure." Her reply: "I haven got no grown daughter to help my work. I staying to do it. Look at that big pile cloft own that Bed. I got do these people sewing." Get it offen my hands, so I cin demand my money. My Angel first wife sure made hard times for the other femail Kind. I more rather to live like I am and to be living in a Hell. Women don't no nothing. Cant cook, cant make no garment. Still they wants to marry you. Lady, you oust first to learn something. Aint no 2 going stay together if she don't Know nothing. Not long they stay. First place, a woman should no her unions (onions). My Angel was worth any man work and any man money- all too little for angel like her. I don't think I will ever love nother woman in this life. Verry hard to suit in the wimmin line. 40 year a long time 2 people to live together. Mighty seldom you find stay together now that long. These young race coming own has good women verry scarce. Now gentlemen, I hade nothing to do with whiskey and with no whiskey heads. But my Angel, she done it all OK. I had to bie it for her. I firmily believe which I could of got her little licker she would been living today. She couldn run her machine without taking little sup. I kept it fer her all time ontel Whiskey voted out. I never indulge it all time. I always much prefer to have my right mind towards myself. Never did they find my Angel staggering. She had good trains. Old whiskey stay in house 3 to 4 mo at the time simple becauses no one to use it but herself. At time she was awful sick 25 year ago, doctter, he tell me: "Chas. the best thing you do is to allers to keep a little likcer for you wife. This better for her health. After voting time when I reilly could not start no whiskey for her she took down sick. She wouldn of needed over 2 tablespoon full. That would be three times a day. I never got her none but fustest class whiskey. What you call the Black Stone cost me $3.75 per galon. I love to see her enjoying it. I sure did go my last length fer my angel simple because I love my wife. I carry her $14 to $15 dolar per week every week. After Mr. Robt. Leonard was get rich I told My Angel: "Don't ask no one for they sewing." She jest loose her Patticoats, I tells her: "Jest let be, now, and it will draw you money in times." I was satisfied that she had the day tire (sic ?) out towards her sewing. What I tell her was to make herself a suit and ware to Church on First Sunday. She did so, and that what Killed the Cat. She git the Devil by tail on Down Hill Pull. Me and My Angel was crossing own ferry, going over to church. I declaire, My Angel look good anuff to eat. Hole (whole) gang was standing outside church. Had jest took in 35 to 45 new members. We got to men first, before we come to the sisters. I excuse myself. Angel went on in lady company. When I looks, I railly could not see my Angel. Some sisters call to my attention and I went unto them. One want ask me did Mrs. Williams railly make that suit she have own. "Is that what you all calls me for. All OK for me to tell what they ask. "She raily did. She raily made it verry suddently; she didn't miss it." When later we setting to the table serving dinner I tell My Angel what: "Don't go eround asking no one fer that sewing. Jest draw you a pattient (pattern) and I carry you to Cotton Plant and you can picket (pick) 10 yds good goods which cost me $1 dolar per yard, excusing trimmings & thread." I tell her carry you order book and led pencil. She didn't half to go eround asking job. All she do was lay that pattient and she made her right up to date. We had to crost the ferry to go over to church. My Angel got 7 order that day for that suit she perform and woe (wore) over to church on first Sunday in the mo. After that ony went under first class seamster and also first class pastry cook for 2 year at $20 dolar per month. I not say all this erbout My Angel simple because she mine; I give anybuddy what belong to them. She was 54 when she die. She look like 35, well take care off. She allers master every job in every enstance (instance) She was a poor girl adrift from place to place. Father got shot down in Cilvil Armie. Mother dye when she was 2 weeks old. Her mother sister went & got her and she live with her aunt what sent her to school when she verry apt. Those 7 wimmen what bought those 7 dresses comes over to her after the First Sunday. "Stand Erect and Puccindicul (perpendicular) she tell the first, when she take her tipe (type). "Mrs., don't you use no tape line?" "I was not train on tapeline. My Angel tell her, and if I don't square and fit you, I ent want you money." Woman, she say: "You set down there and start a basting and a cutting." When she got done then, she start her fun. Made woman tried suit own and go look at glass and take a view on herself all way eround. "Aint it jest like you skin?" My Angel ask of her. "Never see such in all my life. Sure, you don't need no tape line." The White ladies & same gentlemen declared My Angel a culard Jew woman. She talk like Jewish. Had thare appearing -- high nose, brown skin & pretty haire. In waist, very neat-- 16 inches eround her middle. Of pretty shape-up in every part she was. Visited the poore but visited not much others she allers try to better her condition in all inst. You hardly every see her tough. Quite in diference from most culard wimmen. White ladies what I usto work for, they ask of me: "Charles, where you find that culard Jew woman. Tell me: "Hear white man say she a born Jew and has all they looks. How you manage to marry that good looking woman?" Well I suppose she was for Me. Christ give me a pretty wife. When I marry Angel and be erway for long spell, I come to wanting to see her. Haden look into her face in quite while. She writes to me, but that ent like looking into her darling face. I had little to do, marrying that girl. When she got 14 I did not hesertate a moment. She only woman I every love anyway. Plenty young men was address her at that time. I was black & ugly, all right. Pretty don't last, but ugly just hang on, hold its own. Now, it make me feel awful lively jest to think over Boyhood days. But My Angel was not for any one but jest for me. My Angel died on 5 day of Aug. 1918. She was a black Jew. We stay together 40 year and never a cross word inside all them years. Prettiest girl that ever was in school. I lost my mind when I lost My Angel. I never seen a woman take on about rabbits like she did. She found them at house where she went to Del. some milk & butter. White lady spoken to husband erbout sell two old red-eye white rabbits. Angel ask him how much he want. He tell her 40 ct. a piece, which made 80 cts. Angel tell me when she come home. So in eve, I take my Angel and go ask white man & bring those rabbit back home for My Angel. I made nice rabbit house. Her pleasoure was them two old red-eye. Get in front of they house and play ball for 2 to 3 hrs. all time she setting down in the rocking chair jest laugh and laugh et the way they carry on. I love so to see her enjoy self with those old rabbit with thay eye red as pod peppers. They had lots of games for her to enjoy. First try leaping and then turn summersets. Then they run to there base, one go one way, one go other way. Then meet and clinch. Look like try to play leap frog. Have a race to there bases. Both of us fergit to go Ketch them red-ey rabbits and put in there cage. In Spring she ask me, "Where are my pets, Chas.?" My answer to her: "I reilly can't say. Surpose sombuddy passing jest lift them and went own erbout they bizziness. Then I tell: "I will get you couple more." But white gentleman move from there. No buddy had any more red-eye rabbit. After while she didn't take on so much, but every eve she bring her chair and set by empty cage. She look very frail about hole matter. I raily was sorry about the matter and try to comfort her. I had what you might call a first class wife. Find cook. Fond seamster. What you call a all eround good woman. Had her morals good & interllecl same kind. Raily made a woman out er herself. She was girl what take the cake. I wouldn a miss her for no means in this world. Whenever I was eround, I raily didn Low (allow) no fly to light own my Angel. What I thank Jesus Christ, he let me stay with her 40 year. I thank him verry much. I knew all erlong she had to die some day. I will see her again, simple because I'm heaving (heaven) bound. She was belong to her maker. Only he lend her to me for small spacer (space of) time. Our oldest babie girl would be 50 year old & Boy would Been 48 if they live, but they ent. That show you whar I am Now in Age. MY BOY. My Angel made it good in the Melon Professhun. Our Boy hope (help) His Mother out in selling those Melon. Every Day my Boy carried wagon full while a meting went on. A person have no idea what that pick Up at a Crowd like that. My Boy done the selling & rec'd the Money & turn over to His Mother. Our Boy, he make good in the Melon Line. Our Boy was 26 year old when he died. I Raily give that Black Negro what you call first Class Education. He could talk three langue (languages). I didn let him work for me & No one else. We had a schoal 4 Or 6 mile from where we Live. It was the Low Schoal. Upper schoal allers turn out before Low Schoal turn loose. I give him 2 sessions for 5 year in success. He was awful apt towards his Books. Well, he took that after both sides, his Mother & old Black ugly Chas. B.H. Williams pappy. So he was better man than I was, and I has been a Man among Men. But he could tie me & whip me. Jest natural better man and I know I was a man among men. Thare was one thing He couldn get away with & that was writing. I could write 3 letter while he work on 2. He wrote putty (pretty) good hand, alright, but slow penman. My Boy finish up his learning when he was 18 year old & got his Diplumar. When present with His Mother & myself, he started telling erbout the Girl & Boy at High Schoal. Next he start on his Langues. I raily did not know what he was talking erbout, no more than a monkey & asks his Mother. The he go over & speak for us the meaning of all words. I was sure proud. It done me so much good. So put My Son 3 steps above me. I didn go to no High Schoal. When my Mama got reddy to sence me to one I told Mama I am going to get married. She didn like that atall. I know that my Boy was born to dye. He stood 6 ft. 7 inches. When I had him standing Up full face to face talking. I had to look up in his face, but he didn had no Future. He didn have no feetures like his Mother. No, she did not look like her Son. He had all my feeture, black like myself. His Nishels (initials) was C.J. Williams. Half his name was after his Mother & half after his father. I wish to God that every man had my Dispershion as I is got. I train that C.J. Williams jest as I is drill. Everyone like my boy, brought erlong in same model as his father. He never did call his Mother from a little fellow nothing but "Girl". Never did call her nothing else. When my Boy was 13 year old He had full sets Whisker black & shiny. He was a stout built young negro & I surpose he was a short liver. I did not expect to raise him. "Now Chas., ho' come you to think that way bout him?" "I jest had that idea. He grew too fast For Me. Never seen a Boy Grow so fast in all my life. He was born in 1882 own the 30 of July." I was proud to see his education that me and His Mother give, her running her sewing Machine 1/2 the night. I was making shingles to make the money to send him to schoal. We never regret. He much sprier (superior) to all other Young Men. His schoaling cost us eight dolar er Mo. His teacher, she wrote to me: "Chas. J. Williams now erbout to finish up His education. Soon be getting his Deplumer". He stay away from home 6 Mo. I was sitting down pulling my shingle knife, me at one end and my Angel at other. If my Boy had lived, my intenshun was to Having Him in Congress. He had the learning, all OK. His learning made me felt grand. I went in patches and rags for to educate My Boy to full extent. I didn't know my A.B.C. beside of him, what he knew in education. I got him in good shape. I could of been in the same shape as my Negro Boy, but I took My Angel. I had enuff learning to get by on. I was satisfied my Boy had the stuff. He use it in intelergent way. He was all OK. Treated everybuddy nice, his Race and whites. I had but one fault of My Boy. He wouldn fight when any one mistreat Him. But he come by that earnest (honest) own his Mother side & own his farther side. When He arrive Home I declair, me & his Girl doo not know hour only Child. When he left he way only 15O lbs. Afore time for him to arived he write us: "Look out. On such date I will Be in Route for you all Home." His weight, when he Come home, it were 186 lb. I declair, when anyone look at me, you are look at Him. Blackest kind of Negro, but good Looking. His Mother was so proud to see her only child that she had got those letter from. Got them all erlong, but she say that ent like face to face, hisn to hers. He didn't have no favor like her but one. Her Jew none Like her. But he was my immige, Presisely, up & Down. Never did call his Mother anything but jest Girl from a little Boy, nothing hut Girl. Wrote to his Girl: "Be shore to cook up a good dinner; I will be home on a (suddently?) date. And you talking erbout a woman prepairing for her only chile, she did jest that for shure. We had plenty cash in house. When he walk in door she was ironing. She herd some steps on porch. She plitely look. Say hullo at top er her voice. Say, why he steal apond her in that fashon. I couldn see my boy for his Girl. Jest stand eround & wait till she get through with him. Then he turn to me: "Papa, how are you get erlong? All OK I hope. You & Girl look fine. You haven been sick much I hope." Him wants there to help Girl in that dinner bissiness. She ask him. "How you like you schoalling times? That what the family wants to know." While grand dinner going, he began on his 3 diference Langue. Saluting to us in them. Caus us greatell of laughing. But he soon drap back to his inglish. Then we knowed what he was saluting erbout. We say, Good Chas., now we know what you trying to talk erbout. Right away he go back to them 3 langue & Big Laugh come back to all. He tell us what he talking erbout in them 3 diference langue. I was glad of that. Glad I had a son what could learn me something. Glad I had earn enough money to put him where he was. He was the only child we own. It grieve me when he died, but in little time I could give him up. I knew he was come here but for to die. His Girl took on severe erbout the matter. Look like jest the time he finish up his education and copped that deplummer, he took sick & Pass out. He died all right with His Lord. I am got 2 boys now, but they will never be nothing at all. Got the wrong mother. Now, gentlemen, I Proceed in my Decasion. These 3 years I was own (on) the road for Uncle Sam, I made it good. There was young man erbout 21 years. He was the Only one I care any thing for. He told me if I happen to get a Job Before Him - would I make a Promisory (agreement) between ourselves that I must Get Him own. And I raily did. The Reason I did, simple because he Look like that he try to make something out of his self. Out of 160 students, they was but 2 of us what strove to be some buddy. Then we keep in tech With each others. I raily stood to my promous (promise). I said at the winding up: "I had a concret conversation with the High Sheriff of Adams county when Fall time a drawing pretty close. After that talk with the High Sheriff then I had a talk with my Bawn man (Bond man). I put the question to him and told Him this young man was 21 year old and I am satisfied that he cin handl the job all Right. I don't say that he could turn loose as Many receipt in a Day as I could- which there is few cin (can) do so. When the time roll eround, the big thing come off so my Barn ment (bondsman) went on he's security and they signed up this young man and all was O. K. But he only could turn of from 65 to 70 Per Day. He jest is good otherwise. But he coming in year he sail through a dumps; couldn't find no treasure. Had to go in in April drawing near. He lacken (lacked) fin Hundred Receipt. Before that time, he call on me come assist him. So I went every day. I turn loose 100 receipt every day when I was working for myself. But I got up steam in shoving my pen and in 4 day and 1/2 killed those five hundred receipt. I usto tell that B.H. Clay: "You all 0 K, all except you don't use that pen like you should Do. I did not charge Him one penny for my work. He kept that Job for 5 year - 2 year moren (more than) I did. All the other girl & Boy never tried to work they brain and et too much grease and fat meat. That why the object of Life went all dead for so many - all excepting my Lonely self. Many a man & Others carries on too Fast a Life. I never did like that Job when I was boy and the Same way today. I always took my time. "I am get my life Time to go in", I say to myself, "to get through this here World." Ef I would a lisen at mama, no telling what I would been in this life. I had the Tallent all 0 K & Brain. When Mama told me what the Teacher wrote to her - that she had to send Me to High schoal where they could larn me, I told Mama, No, I am going to git marry. When Mama open that letter & Read, & tell me I to pack my trunck, I had to strack (strike) her that way. I hate to tell her, but it had to come out. Mame says: "Chas., would you more rather to neglect your education for a Woman", I told her: "Now lisen, mama, I have been Working for you for 25 years and willing to work for you still own." "No", come from mama, "you married, you half to work for wife." "That all right", from me, "I cin work for two." "Chas. you have got no money to surport all of us." Thay had not the simple idea about the matter & they did not know My Mind. I had my Business all 0 K before me. Cut and Carve the Bible. It tell me: "Don't let your Left hand know What you Right hand am a doing now." Lisen, gentlemen. Here is a nother object I follow. While was boy 15 year I was Alligator Great Hunter. Myself and 3 more Boys, we go twice er week (twice a week) . They was a lake 4 mile; calls it Gillyard lake. Jest plum full alligator of all kind. You shine they eyes like you do a coon. We see one eye, we go up to him. We be in skiff. Lanton (lantern) in head of skiff. I will be right behimb the lanton and pull the skiff, until We get clost up to Him. He aint paying you no mind, jest looking at the light. You have the gun in You hand. Every now then you gives him jest a little punch. He aint studdying about what you doing - jest looking at the light. Then we rope him. When I Get Tired teasing him, I shoot him where He Heart lie jest back of his Head. Beshow (be sure) now he is dead before you pull Him in the Boat. Ef you don't, the big thing going to come off. He will be from 12 to 16 foot Long when get Him in Wagon. His oil sell for 40 cts Per Galon & the Hide 60 cts per Foot. Usto be Great Demand in them times. Fat of Alligator only layered in two places in them. Jest only places. That in his tail and tong (tongue) . Every gator turn out from 4 to 3 galon to each gator. Here is a nother thing about Mr. Gator. He lays from 160 to 80 eggs. Oldest one lay 160. The middle age one, 80 eggs. Layes them in bresh (brush) Piles. The son hatch them eggs (sun). When thay a few days old, if they be any racket around, Old Miss Gator, she open her Mouth & all babie run down in her mouth until the Noise is Over and she puke them up. Every egg Has 2 young alligator in. You railly cant brake none except you take a ax to it and come down hard. Some people is afraid of alligators. No harm in them. I cin take a harpoon and go into a Lake. I want the Water to be erbout 4 feet deep. I jest natual (naturally) Run them own (on) to land. It great sport. The Negroes in Low part off Miss., thay Eat more Alligator meat of any people I every seen. One Negro, he had been Sick for One Year. Doctor man, he cin do him no good. I told that Darkiar: "Ef I give you 9 mess of Alligator, after you eat that first 9 mess, I give you a nether 9 mess, and ef 18 mess Alligator don't cure you, you aint never going to be cured. You better get you bundle Clost to you and Look over you deeds and prepare to Meet you God in Piece. Gentleman, that Negro et them 18 mess & he got up. When I leff (left) home, that Negro, he Recuvar Health & fat. He way (weigh) 195 lb. Alligator meat, are the Healthierst meat you cin eat right today. I bie (buy) alligator meat enny time before I bie Beef meat. More gators in Miss, en (than) every I seen in any Place in all my life. Jest get up some Fine Morn, soon there is a alligator Going Crost you yard. Fine sport. I love it. They don't like a dog for nothing: Alligators live to get 90 or or 100 year old. I usto ketch those lager Headded turtle. Frenchmen in New Orleans bie all you cin ketch. In French market They Sells for $1.50 to $2.00 dolar apiece according to thay size. When I was a Negro growing up I was a kind of sport. As aforesaid, I konkor everything I lays my mints upon and all Kind of Job, but them 2 jobs what I reilt never konkor. I tell the World I never did Master them 2. Thay was my mother and her old Cow Hide. Excusing (excepting) them 2, thay aint a Negro ever Borned in Americar has done as much as I done & now living to tell it. Started my life work at 12 years. Christ done the same. He start his mess (mission?) When he was 12. He konkor & konkor and tare down Great Mts. of Sin. He soon Let old World know who was Ruler. He is Almity and Great. He die to Save the World. Now, I am so glad that every man got to die & Go Before Him, His Naker and Give acct of his deeds. Jesus spoken piece to My Dying Sole in 1883. It must die once and no more. Me told me: "Charles, ef you keep my Command & Walk in my Statute, I will lift you own High. Just any buddy cin plung (plunge) they way down to a ternal (eternal) Hell, & I am not going Thare. Gentlemen, ef you live right, you will die right. Christ taken (took) snap judgement on people that usto linger. Verry few lingers now. I usto see people what linger for 2 or 3 year; don't do it now. Which seem funny to my Idea is that people ort (ought) to know they didn't come here to stay. If they got education and cin read they will know we cant tell when the Son of man is Coming. Hell is a Mighty Eater. We Got Pestenerys (penitentiaries) & Jail & County farm to send them to. Sometime the Governor Have to Repreve them from there because they is to many crimers (criminals) . Cant crowd em all in. But Hell aint never sent no word being over crowd. It Mighty eater. No buddy been sent beck. So, gentlemen, you better be making Up you Mind and Return from you Sin end come Own (on) the Lord Side. No use to hollow when ole Devil Get you. You is hollow too late. There is but only 2 places - Heaven & Hell. Ef you miss one you get the other. People all is Grasping at this World and what is in it. I want this World to be my hell. It sure seem like hell to any trying to be Christian. A Nother thing I want to state. Greetell (Great deal of) people don't know Today there is difference between Nigger end Negro. Those 2 word spell, to my idea, a difference. Now here is a nigger, what I call. A Nigger is a dirty Breed. Will Do any thing, don't care what. Jest natral low down. That a Nigger. Now here come a Negro whet am decent. I don't admire that I am a Negro, but it bettern (better then) nigger. Difference in them is a syleble. It is not the collar (color) whet make a man er a women. It the Principle. Don't care how Darksome is you, the collard don't touch I make this statement. I never has forgot sience 5 year old, every thing I ever done. Kept all in my brains. First deed I ever done was when 5. While a growing up boy I go all Through Adams County, State of Miss. Bieing (buying) up Moss. You don't see nothing like it in this here Co. I has seen no raily moss sience I been in Ark. You hafto cut down trees 5 to 6 feet ercrost the stump and pull the moss off end hall (haul) it Inn. Start in first part of fall, after laying the Craps by. They give 11/2 cts for lb. Black Moss. Shop to New Orleans to make buggy cushin and Chair bodums. It was great demand years ago. I shipper one time 14 Bale at one shipping. Got from 41/2 to 5¢ Per lb. After laying you Crap bye, always something to get At to get you money. I has had a Good time, but not for myself on1y. I never couldd do near to much for my dear mama. Jesus has give me long life. 160 schollairs went to same schoal as me. All now dead and gone to they judgement. Old ugly Chas. is around here yet, something to look at, all right. My mama's 7 boy child, she took pains to raise me. She didn't kick me up like some chilren is brung up. One thing, you is got to have Good Blood. Blood is the index of Life. The first Year I begin to make sale over Adams Co. working for Uncle Sam, I told Mama and Dady: "I wants you all to work now, and keep the crap out of Debts." Mama had some money. but I did not want her to spend her money. Why are she, when I making fore dolar per day? I was not make it for myself only, but for my mother and dady. my angel and my sister. The first year I started sale over Adams County, I place under my mother Shed 17 B.C. (bales of cotton). and her rent was paid which was 3 B/C (bales of cotton). Did not owe no own (one) one coppery. Now, before I ever start to Collectioning Tax, or even before I married I had more than one way to made Money. Was not I ship loger head turtle to New Orleans? What about Moss growing on timer (timber). And lisen, When high Water is up making Shingle, I am first class Shingle Maker. Paid a colurd men $5 to learn me all erbout making Shingle. They as plenty shingle makers in Adams Co. but it was given up that this one I hire was the fasest (fastest) shingle maker in Adams Co. He learn me it a long-arm man to Pull shingle. That Negro could pull 8 hundred to C One Thousand per day. He a naturally born shingle getter. Gentlemen, here is a matter. I does have no rembrance of staying out from my mother house all night. I never did shot no craps end played no cards. Two jobs of not my liking. I never did like no sporting life. Always some thing what was money in it. Never had but 2 flogging in my whole life. No, gentlemens, I toed the mark and kept the faith. I em the father of 5 chilren, only 2 live. I had one boy live to 26. Fine workker, bit I keep him in schoal always. Never work for me nor for no one else. Jest went to schoal. I Never ded go there, but what brains I got, mighty few ever had. All what is writen in this History of My Life I has been kept in my brains and have forgot nothing that every I did. My boy could talk 3 Difference Langure. I could to, ef I heden Get marry to quick. I was 25, turning 26, I think I wait good while. This Negro of mine could tie me and whip me jest liken I was child. But, gentlemens at large, know that oncet I was a man ermong men. You know, when I taken the horns of from that Hiss. Bully. Ef I had dolar for every time I seen him Bully whup men inside 25 year, I be rich man. I enjoyed married life in every inst. Me and my Angel live together 40 year and never did had no acrost word between uses. She was a fine cook and find seamster. Sure Jesus did give me that Black Jew Pretty Woman. All white ladies and gents did declair she had raily Jew Immege. Quickly to ketch on. Ef thare be a Woman passing her Gate all dress up, she look at her suit, and goes in and make up the same undentified (identical) outfit. Mrs. Green Leaf never did know How it was my Angel wood not give up her secrecks (secrets) about cooking. She never half to go and peep a cooker book. She had her Deplumer (diploma) . She was head in largest Hotel in Natches. Got her $25.00 per month. Had privlige to get what all she want to cook. She carried more border en (than) any Hotel in Natches. I stop my Angel from that cooking for many Jest Come cook for me. Now listen, Gentlemens at large. My Angel had no need to work for no one but me. Then my mother move 7 mile from me. When we married 3 year, she stay with us. I was, and Angel was, always going to see her and Dolly, my sister. I had close out of my Tax collect. I could not stand to be alone away from my Angel. Some Strange Things I have seen I see Squrl in 1869 come all through you homes. They was immegrading (emigrating). Going in every Directtion. Come in you house, pay you no mind atall. You could put you hand all over them & they wouldn get out you way. People cought enough squrl to fill Up a barl (barrel). Inside of 2 day you did not see one single squirl left no where. I never see so many squirl in my whole life. * * * They was a panic one year. It last one year, 6 Mo. Times begin to get a little better. People had to eat lie hominy with black molusus (molasses). Gentlemen, that a turible diet. One blessing thing, My mother was cooking for her owner. I seen people take one coffee seed and make cofe and glad to drink it. * * * I have seen the Culary (cholera). So numerous people die so fast you raily couldn dig grave faster nuff. * * * One old blacksmith usto live down home years ago. I was bye & he said: "Come here, boy, quick." I said: "What is you want?" I had herd tell that old man cut teeth every month. I never herd tell such a thing before in my life. "I am getting sick," he say, "I want you stay here little while, till I feels better." He say he feel so mighty sick, and started to heave, and when started heaven (heaving), here come teeth jest falling out his mouth. He friten me. After 4 Or 5 minute he feel all OK. He pick up those teeth and Put in the fire. Time Roll around. * * * A old man was sick, like nigh onto death. Greatell (Great deal) of Church members to Hold Prayer meeting over Him. He now Verry low; too low to get up. Every buddy was down on they Knees. Some one was watching this old Sick Negro. Suddent he retch and got hold his shot gunn. That made the crowd of prayers scat. He made one Shot and that one got en old lady in the leg. He broke up that norse going on about him. It was jest a flesh woond. So that give me anoff of going about singing and prayering over a sick person. If they going to hell, let them go. He curse everybody out and run them off, so I quit fooling eround. He curse out that crowd, even when Death was on Him. That grate Monster. Ef you put on yourself the hold (whole) armie of Faith and been wash in Jesuses blood, you don't half to carry out in Disposion. * * * They was 2 more old men selbrat (celebrate) they birthday. They was drinking whisky and having a Good time, as they thought. So much of this good time bring on sorry time. There house was not so far from my house. Own that Friday night- the wind was pertickerler blowing. Steamboat was coming, and it blowed and blowed, so I got up to See what would happen. The burning of there house give big lite through my window. Worse ever I witnes in my whole life. Next morning I went to join the awful crowd gather around look at the awful site. The main building in where man and wife live had cought from a little room attach. The man woke up and grab wife and trow her through the window. Him & wife went to my sister what live nearby and they give them some close (clothes). These 2 selbrating men got burnt. One was jest brown, like a sweet potato when you put in the stove to bake. The other was about 21/2 feet burnt to the body. You could look up in him & see his Heart jest Leaping & Pitching. They tell me it is a matter of impposbility (impossibility) to burn up a human Person Heart. * * * A Nother site I seen was not So Far from my House. I watch that white Man. He went to the river bank & Look eround first up and down. I don't Know what He was alooking for. I watch him Verry clost. He step back. Jest before he get to bank, he turn summer set into the river. I told some naburs eround, so we gather and start a grabing. They grab after him 11/2 day. Venuary (eventually) we got him. You raily couldn't see his flesh for the swimps. Swimps is a great demand in Miss. River. I usto love swimps, but after I seen that, it give me anuff of wanting any swimps to eat every again. * * * There was another old man, when Death struck him, got his shotgun and went after evvery buddy he seen and shot after them. Him and Death had a rounce for quite while, but the great Old Monster overpower him. Gentlemen, it awful to die without you dieing soul be saved. My dieing Soul had peace spoke to it 44 year ago. Sience I ent shot no craps, ent indulge in intosincating (intoxicating) licker. My biggest sin, when young, was being a Ball Room man. I more rather to call figgers & to eat. Soon cut that out. When I was a child I acct. as a child. When I became man, I acct. a man; put down child ways. * * * It was the Writer's exaperence in His Boyhood to Board around in a family where the Farther, in His Old Age had had Bequeathted his Entirely property to his children. When same was divided Between them, there aged farther then Became a burden. He got sent from Daughter to Son, as all had obligation therselves to care in turn for aged farther. But he never come into the home of enny son or Daughter where he was welcome guest into the Family. Remember, this writer board where aged farther was at. Then, if cup of coffe was short in morning, was old man cup that was not fill. Ef meals & food was short, was old mans plate what indicate the shortage. Ef the pie was somewhat Difficient, it was the old mans peace what was cut in two. He was compel to step in cold Garriet At Night. When brokened hearted old man pass away no Doubt every child felt instead of Sorry in they hearts, they felt a amen. * * * 50 year ago- & I cin witness this fact - there was culard man he had so much property didn know what to do. The necessaries of life & love & devotion of you children will never grow cold as long as there is something in store for them. That old man share up his all property betwixt his heires. Had 4 girl & 2 boy. Well when them all got to be his owners, left him out to pitty. His coffe cup was often short & hison plate skimp down of food. Venuary old man stricken down & died a Porpus. All OK to will some to you children, but more better to hold back something for to surport own old febble days. Of all my mothers children I love my self the Best. Nothing wrong in this matter, but it a pretty hard broblin (problem) to infold. If you mother was in a ditch at One Place & you wife was in another Place, calling you for Help, which one would you make it to first & you love both of them? Both Near & Dear to you. I know what one I would grab for, but I keeping this to myself & God. It only natual for a Man to cleave from his Mother & Cleave to Wife. Nothing is greater than love. Love is turrible thing. More Memories In 1870 over 500 Hundred people Col. & White a standing own the Bank of Miss. Steamer Leather and Steamer Robt. E. Lee running a race from New Orleans to Memphis. Did burn no wood. Did burn nothing but Big Hunkky of Meat. Jest keep on throwing in Middlings of Meat. Gentlemen, meat was a Coming out the Smoke Stack, all roast, as large as I am. The R.E. Lee was in the front of Steamer Natches. Capptain Tom Leather I know. He was the first man every to put Little Boat - a little steamer boat- in Miss. Took him 27 day to make a round Trip. Not so long, 2 more White men Put in 2 Steamer Boats. Wons (once) Capt. Tom Leathers, - I seen him take he Cow Hide and go own the Boat and whip them men jest like you would whip a chile. Capt. Tom was much built of a man. He weigh in at 210 lbs. and woe (Wore) number 14 shoes. He had 1 son. I knowed Paul Leather jest like I know myself, simple because I caught mandy (many) Possum for him & his wife. Paul Leather wife, she Capttain own his Boat. First Capt. woman ever I seen. Paul, he only head clerk. Here is a nother object I never Has seen in My life. I has Master alligator, but in a deference way from this Negro boy do I master those skonk. This Negro, he not had but one eye. He staid on south side of Gilyard Lake. Crall 25 or 40 feet, old gater come to lay in sun. This Negro come acrost this alligator several time, always with his mouth open. When it get full flies, then he champ down. That the way he ketch his flies what come and go in he mouth till he champ. You must believe that fact, because I is telling you. That own-eye (one-eyed) Negro, he keep on at sum men to Go With Him. He going mount old gaiter and ride him acrost lake. He made a sharp piece at both end. 25 men want to see that site. He told us: "You men jest stand here ontil I go see Wheather He is in the same Place where he has been Customerry laying." Next he come back to us, say: "Now you all men going see some fun. from here all way acrost to other Side Lake." His sperle (spear) was sharp at two ends - both ends sharp and Keen. He told 2 men to bring skiff, "because I mount this alligator," he tells them, "and the minute I mounts, he going throw his mouth oppen wide, that jest what I want," he say. We got clost enuff to see him Mount him. Minute he straddle Him, put sperle in his mouth and old gaiter, he champ down. It went deeper en deeper in he mouth. When Negro mount, alligator was sleeping head towards the water, and he start there. Ever now and then Him and that gaiter come up own top of water and mediate (immediately) dart down. When every they come up, boy he hollow: "Boys, I got Him." He had moss all over the heed. That Negro carry that Gator own the side and was not long doing it. Boy said when they got where they was, alligator Was Dead and the Negro a sitting own a log. That beat all alligator trick ever I seen, and as I aforesaid, I had been alligator master myself. That old gaiter was 18 feet long. His head bigest (big as) a Keg of Nails. That Alligator sure carry that Negro Boy a trip. Every time the Monster Rise up the Boy hollow: "I having a sweet wride." Every time they go down and come up, he hollow: "This Rise I got him." Old she alligator, they more Danger then the hees. Nothing like that all in any job of Mine. I give farther evidunce. Gentlemen, I remember every Sunday Morning after Breakfast, 80 or 90 Slave Had to go around for the owner Master & make 4 rounce (rounds) singing something. Master a-setting on front Porch with a old Cow Hide in his Hand. Ever one what did not toe the mark and sing to the top of his voise, he call to him and whip 4 tears deep, all time him a-setting jest Drunk as he cin Be. Bottle Whisky setting Right Bie his Side. Ever now & then reach down get Him a Drink. I seen this. I know what I talking erbout. This was done on ever Sunday morning Breakfast. Gone was Holy Sabbath Day in folly. Jesus Christ fround upond such act. Mrs. Clarrie Baker was my Mistress and after he done that dirty act toward his slave. He did not allowed them to have no church to exercise they gift what Jesus alowed for them toward service and worship as He demand of them they do. One Right Old Lady was little crippel. She raily could not keep up with the Gang on them Sunday morning after Breakfast parades before Master. But him, he call that little old crippel lady and Give her 3 rapteses (raps) and send her back in Gang. I could see no differently in result. Old lady not keep up with gang any better then before them rapteses. My dear mother not in Gang. She always stay in house to cook and help Mistress. Now I talking ours owner, Lewis Baker & Mrs. Jane Baker. Noland Baker was then there son. Onliest Boy they had and he got shot Down liken a Beef. His Brother law shot him. I am talking bout something I knows for myself. The Way it Come Up. Mrs. Nonie Baker Had a babie. Noland Baker come in Drunk, took that Babie & Carry it to go a-riding in a dug-out Boat in Miss River. Mrs. Nonie was taking on severry (severely) about her little babie, afeard it would possible get drowned. At that time her Bro. Came in and seen her crying. Tom Rodgers, when he come up, he ask his sister what the matter was. She pointed down towards the Boat. Hee take time to run in House & get gun & raise it & shot. I raily could not see how come he did not Shot the Babie. But he didn't. Instead, he took a dead aim when fied gun, and killed Noland Baker jest as dead as a mackrel fish when he is put down in Brian to keep. You knows how dead they is then. Gentlemen, I seen this for myself; no buddy aint told me no vishun. All time before shooting come off, Noland Baker go off and come back & run ever buddy outen the House. Some go one way, some nother. Some come to our house, it was not so far. Nolan Wife end mother law come to my Mama House in they night cloth. It was a dirty shame for any man to carry out in such away. He allway drunk. My mother, she suckle Him and see after him when he was infand (infant). Every sience, he always lisen to what my mother say. Atter (after) while, here he come, that old Horse reeling and rocking, half drunk. He never would bring his gun with Him. He come on up to Gate and call for my Mother to asks her: "Is some People stay here last night?" My Mama, she tell him yes. Then she open up, and she Give him Hail Columbus erbout those White Ladies, and she shamme him at the Same Time. His Decession (claim) was, he did not run them out. Mama said to him "Oh yes you did." I was allways Comfordence (confident) that he would get kill in that family. Anny one cin go To Far in any matter, if they carry any Matter to a extreame. Noland allways lisen to Mama and what she said. Lewis Baker jest found one boy & he was The Devil, but I never had no trouble towards Him. All he Pappa Nigroes took own (on) most misterous erbout Him got killed. I was in a store own Saturday nite. Store Crowdet & Noland Baker shot a Negro in the throat & it caused this Negro to had to eat Gruel through a quill for 3 week by the Docttor Orders, but venually he got all 0 K. Gentlemen, in them times, Negroes and White men was Cruelty. You know that when the High Sheriff and the Deputy Sheriff never would come down in Dead Man Bend. That what they call the place - Dead Man Bend because it was outlawed. I never did get in that ruff gang. Not askeered (afraid) no own do nothing to me, only I jest cared not for ruff gang. Same today. Down at the Bend they usto kill 4 to 5 men per week but Crowner (coroner) jest didn't trouble to go. My greatest trouble was that Miss. bully. For 20 year he Ruler over All Men, but jest haden met His Man. When God pick up hand full dust & perform a Man, He did not perform only one & let it go at that. He perform a worl full of mans. There is good, and there is batter. So this Miss, bully once in his time he thought that he had Dead Man Bend with a Down-the-Hill-Pull. All time I was punching that 250 sack of sand and preparing for Bully, it was for any time them 2 lions may meet. Gentlemen, I was prepare for war in times of peace. Gentlemen, in them days of training where I put my mints, my feets going there, too, jest the same, and at same time I Butt him. But at same time, I allowed him a esquare deal. Every time crook for him ef he could not stand on his feet I allowed him a chancet to Get Up. I punch him 6 times, but the 7 rounce he layed and growned. Could not come to my call. He utterly fail to answer to my call. He Give up the Ghost, but did not die. But he is dead now. Been so for a good long while. I will now advise farther. Them 3 year I sailing Adams Co. for High Sheriff they was trials. I was eating jest what I Could get. Sum tine it where I stay at. I say to Lady of the House: "Jest get me biscuit cup coffe". I hardly ever et no breakfast. So when I finish up that I throw her a quarter. She say to me: "Mr. Williams, I could charge you 25¢ for that". I say to her: "Go on; that all right, I got to make my report; I get to spend so much per day (for) my Room & bords and my Horse Feed; everything has be charge own a little book to itself". Same time I saying to myself; "Watch yourself. You aint up to no careless business in my afaires." Everything rock erlong for good while, till those bale coton come erlong to borther. I didn't want nothing to do with shipping thoe 17 bale. I told Mame I make out Bill of Lading. All they do was carry Both Bill Lading. Leave the Boat own (one) and bring one to have it signed by the Clerk, and the other goes to Hugh Allison & Co. Either My Angel or my Mother could done that much, after make out Bill Lading myself. Has make out over a one thousand of them, shipping first one thing and a nother. Make out my own Bill Lading when ship loggerheaded turtle to French in New Orleans. Make out for Moss and alligator Hides. But erbout them 17 bale, I had to lay off my job and go to it, when they could of did it jest as well as I could of, when the Bill Lading was already made out. It made me a little crost in this matter, with then 3 or 4 day lost. I ship them bale on a Thursday. Own a Friday I saddle my horse and throw old saddlebag ercrost and all my emplement (equipment) aboard. Fixeing to mount readdy for saleing, here come my good looking Jew Girl, throw her arms around me. "Sweet when you be back. You write to me now, same place where you has been writing. Every day I go to my post office." Not so fast did they have knowledgement they had made me a little crost about them bale cotton. When you be back to see me", she ask. "I tell her: I don't have the simpil idea, but I drap you a letter when I make my arival." Then Angel say: "Hold down and let me kiss you, maybe for last time. "Don't you talk that a way" I told her, "Jesus Christ is my guider". Then I camm to Mama: "Come and kiss you loving son." She come down steps to kiss me. "Chas., take care you self. I prays allers for you that you will overcome." I mounts my horse and is gone for 5 weeks. Angel ask me in her letter: "Will you come home to see me." I answer her letter: "Meet me Saturday for show (sure). Boat allers (always) come down before night; ort (ought) to be home before sundown." When boat come up by landding, there come I down from cabbin and go walking up the bank. My angel had the buggy and she sitting up in it. I kiss her before I get in the buggy. I ask her can I drive home "No, sweet, it no burden for me to drive when you with me, she say. In driving erlong, talking tak place. Her is Angel: "I want you to cut out long staying away from Home. So long away from me I believe you forget you married me; coming to think you got no wife." I, Chas. Williams speak: No, Angel, I raily think, I raily know I am married. You must consider, my darling, I raily half to go to my job and work for you and Mama." "Charles", she say, "you stay too long for me." So then I know I been stay too raily long from my Angel. Mama, she got to buise (abuse) me erbout same thing. I look through the matter for myself, so I cut out that long staying Away. I come to a conclusion. At end of 3 week I wrote to my Angel: "I will be home Friday is nothing don't prevail (prevent). I been staying away to much to long. I have now cut it out." She talk so pius, tell me what right, so I yeel (Yield) to her decasion. A man will some times yeel to his wife. I love my little wife simple because she was my angel and so nice to me. I was the same to her inside those 40 year we live Together without a blemish toward such others. There is no more Wife for Me and am not Particular erbout those shaddow what going around. I like femail kind in a way. My mother was a woman. All ways like to run my afaires myself, simple because I cin run it better any any buddy. I am got difference idea upond some matters. Sum people do not look from the nose to the lips. When God pick hand full of dust to make a man, give him sense and so many ounce of brains. Brains is what keeps you head from being a hat rack. Expounds The Scriptures. Callification (qualification), Gentlemen, is Great Thing toward Humality (humanity). Christ says Look & Live. The meaning of this word is this: "If you is sindfuld & sick, come into Me & Live. I will drive out that Dead Man which you pulls around everywhere you go & I will give you eternald life. If you will make one step to me, I will make 3 towards you; I will meet you the best part of the ground. If you sin is mountain big, my Blood surfishion (sufficient) to wash all erway. Ever huming being is got his race to Run. Some run It to Extream & till too late. Christ say in His Devine Word that he jest as please at our Dam Nation as he is at our Sal Vation. He died on Crosst that we have Right to Tree of Life. When Here Below he carried out many miracle to Convience thay of the world what Did Not Believe nothing. But one thing he did convience of. He went on a journey But he knew Laziores was Deed the minnet He died. Mary & Marthie wisht Christ was present at the time. The news went like wildfire all over the Land. Them sisters carried on tremenious about their Bro. They went to Meet the Savior coming back. "Ef you had been here Our Bro. not died. Now we cant not see Him no more till Day of Isralrecttion (Resurrection) Christ said: "I am the Isrelerecttion. You will see your Broergain." Great Multitude of People Gang around jest thicke es the Haire own you head. Most urenous (numerous) Gang to see Christ Call Lazious from the Grave. Great multitude Gathering around to see Wheathar he come from the grave. So Christ say: "Move that stone erway from there." Then he call Lazious with all powerful. Venualy the body come on forth with all his grave ramon (raiment) own. "Turn him loose" Jesus tell them. Every person that was standing around fell victom showtie, showtie (shouting) "This Must Be the Son of God." That the onliest thing what convince that multitude of people. "No man cin do such onless He Son of God." So, sinner man, God pick up handful dust and perform you like a Man. You ourt to know that Christ didn make you to jest lay down like a hog or a Dog and be no more to you. It is a grand mistake on you side. Jest Keep the gate to you Mind open & see more better into the future. You ourt to know that God didn intend for His Son to go through all what he did without the Good Spirit come to visit every man & Woman. Ef you carry the 9 Commands & leave the 10 undun, you havent done nothing atall. Now, when God pick up dust for to perform a man, thay was a council held. Everything went erlong all OK ontel they get to where "Lets make Him in our immige." Making him was saved for the last thing to do by Council. He couldnt be made like a cow or Horse or a Mule. Them has no soulds (souls) to save. Man had to had a sould to save. Either you serve Christ here on this weekit (wicked) World or serve him in Hell. They ent but them two Places, except Heaven. Christ will Save His Hearts Delight. I been serveing him for 44 year & ant tired yet. Wish to God I could go back 50 year jest to see my shcoal mates. It would be a conserlation to do so. But oppurtunitie wont surmit (permit). Them 160 has all gone to sleep, & left me erlone in this proud world. The will of God must be done. Some day we going to shake the Glad Hand & Give God Highest Praise. Live Wright & You will Dye Wright. Dont expect that you can walk tangle legged, get excuse from His command, and get any place. Jesus didn Give us his Grace to get around telling fibs and funny stories. You rally get to have callifications. I recon (reckon) you dont know what that call for, but ef you every been to schoal you ourt to know that much. It mean to do by you nabor as you want them to do by you. To carry a young Man through schoal, he got to be able to answer 18 word out of 36 & tell dafernition if he going to pass. When Christ was a traveling man on airth he Had occashun to Go visit the Hall of Fame & Wise men who was up there making the Law. There own Law. Christ was but 12 year, but smart enough to know what they was doing in thare. First question he put to them was "Have you all Got any Bans of Gaylord (Balm of Gilled) to cure the Sin Sick Sold with," Answer was: "We have not." Next quest: "Then how cin you all redeem man sould from Hell?" Answer: "No, we cant, cin you?" "Well," next put Jesus, "cin you all Heal the sick & raise the Dead?" "No. Cin You?" He trying them out. "Cin you give site unto the blin?" "No. Cin You?" Jesus say: "Cin you hew down a mountain of Sin & set Prisons free?" Jesus was standing up. Had not set down. They could not answer his quest. "Cin you turn water into wine? Cin you tred the wine press erlone?" When Jesus ask all them & they not answer none, he soon depart, whent own his own jurney. Furthermore he told a croud that it was not the rich Was he come to call, but Sinners to recompenance. He tred the wine press without no assistance. Ha konker of Death Hell & Grave. I am full of thanks to my redemmer that every individually got to stand before his Maker. Old Saton was once thought: "Now I Big Boss of Heaven. Once in a time he start a War on up Thare. In old time he Got to High in his Merrits. Jest exacly like some people gets now days get too big for they pantloons. Saton theo (theory) was, he take Jesus Place. It was onresemble (unreasonable) to do so. They had a Swift angel up there, but happen to be away for a little while. But this Mical got the news what going on at a moment & Girdle his self together & made one Million Miles a seccond getting back. Him & old Saton held right Good fight for a while, but no good for Saton. They turn loose thunder Bolt & Lighten own Him. They capture his Stinger & Pulls out by the Root & thrust Him outta God Kingdom. He was three days in fallen & brought erlong 3 part with him. Christ being allwise & knowing of all Thing, knew very time he due to arived at home. Verry minute Saton land there, Christ right on the spot to Buckle & tie him Down. We read in Bible - least I does - Christ went down in Hell but didn stay verry long. But he seen what it was like. When he come back he say we either come at His command or we depart for Hell & he jest as please with our Dam Nation is at our Salvation. Sometime it seem like old Devvil is got loose ergain. No sucha thing. Its jest His imps going arround to do they duty. Ha send them out for to devour people what is getting wossar every day. I read & know what I am talking erbout. The other day a storm went through & Destroy 2000 People. Clean up one town slick. I disremembers where, but in a Northern State. That was a sudently judgement Day for them people. Jesus got heap of suddently ways to bring His judgement against his own. I will now leave this off. I cin say a greatell on this matter, but said anuff alreddy to save the world, ef people will take heed., & read & studdy the Way from Dark to Light. Now I come down to another thing. I Hope this does some good in future. Its bout minsters whet tries to preach Christ Gospel. They should learn something before they gets up in pulpit. We get some Noble Baptiss preachers, but when they gets up in the stand, they ourt to be able to learn us something from that high place. Of lately now, these young coons don't know they alferbits. Cant say them back words (backwards), mebbe not forwards, even. Not so well equip. I am got huming (human) nature down find. Heap people says negro ent got no brains. Jest got a arangement. I surpose this is because they ent never carried out no Bizziness. Some negro don't know what it take to carry out bizziness. Mighty few knows the Lord Prayers. Thay go to bed like a hog & get up like a Dog. Gentleman it ent the culard what make a man, it the callification. What all I has put in my brains in lifetime, it still stick there like musaga (muscilage) . My Mind is what you may call Broad. It take to ecomardate my intelleck. You aurt to know that when a Negro boy remember every act he done sience he 5 year old till of 80, he is a man among men. My ways is allers been quite in diference from the Most of Negro. Jesus say Look & Live. I want to put my History of My Life in 3 State. At my Native Home which Adams County, where I em wall knowing, and also in Helena, Ark. I wrote to Heading Leader of Natchez erbout it. They wrote me "It will be accepted". But I don't think I cin get readdy before this Coming spring. I may cin get it off. Ef I go south, I will Make Out my History Before I left Natchez. When I do go home, I am well knowing there, among White & Col. My White People in Miss, is all O.K. Ise alway carried myself right.
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