3.  Family—­

4.  Places lived in, with dates—­reared in Monticello.  Lived in Pine Bluff thirty-two years, then moved to Little Rock and has lived here thirty-two years.

5.  Education, with dates—­

6.  Occupations and accomplishments, with dates—­Hostler

7.  Special skills and interests—­

8.  Community and religious activities—­

9.  Description of informant—­

10.  Other points gained in interview—­

Text of Interview (Unedited)

State—­Arkansas

Name of worker—­Samuel S. Taylor

Address—­Little Rock, Arkansas

Date—­December, 1938

Subject-Ex-slave

Name and address of informant—­Jeff Bailey, 713 W. Ninth Street, Little
Rock.

[HW:  A Hostler’s Story]

“I was born in Monticello.  I was raised there.  Then I came up to Pine Bluff and stayed there thirty-two years.  Then I came up here and been here thirty-two years.  That is the reason the white folks so good to me now.  I been here so long, I been a hostler all my life.  I am the best hostler in this State.  I go down to the post office they give me money.  These white folks here is good to me.

“What you writing down?  Yes, that’s what I said.  These white folks like me and they good to me.  They give me anything I want.  You want a drink?  That’s the best bonded whiskey money can buy.  They gives it to me.  Well, if you don’t want it now, come in when you do.

“I lost my wife right there in that corner.  I was married just once.  Lived with her forty-three years.  She died here five months ago.  Josie Bailey!  The white folks thought the world and all of her.  That is another reason they give me so much.  She was one of the best women I ever seen.

“I gits ten dollars a month.  The check comes right up to the house.  I used to work with all them money men.  Used to handle all them horses at the post office.  They ought to give me sixty-five dollars but they don’t.  But I gits along.  God is likely to lemme live ten years longer.  I worked at the post office twenty-two years and don’t git but ten dollars a month.  They ought to gimme more.

“My father’s name was Jeff Wells.  My mother’s name was Tilda Bailey.  She was married twice.  I took her master’s name.  Jeff Wells was my father’s name.  Governor Bailey ought to give me somethin’.  I got the same name he has.  I know him.

“My father’s master was Stanley—­Jeff Stanley.  That was in slavery time.  That was my slave time people.  I was just a little bit of a boy.  I am glad you are gittin’ that to help the colored people out.  Are they goin’ to give the old slaves a pension?  What they want to ask all these questions for then?  Well, I guess there’s somethin’ else besides money that’s worth while.