Interviewer’s Comment

If you have read this interview hastily and have missed the patroller joke on page three, turn back and read it now.  The interviewer considers it the choicest thing in the story.

That and the story of an unpensioned Union veteran and the insistence on the word “son” seemed to me to set this story off as a little out of the ordinary.

Interviewer:  Mrs. Annie L. LaCotts
Person interviewed:  Jonas Boone, St, Charles.  Arkansas
Age:  86

Most any day in St. Charles you can see an old Negro man coming down the street with a small sack made of bed ticking hanging shot-pouch fashion from his shoulder.  This is old Uncle Jonas Boone who by the aid of his heavy cane walks to town and makes the round of his white folks homes to be given some old shoes, clothes, or possibly a mess of greens or some sweet potatoes—­in fact whatever he may find.

“Jonas, can you remember anything about the war or slavery time?”

“Yes mam I was a great big boy when the slaves were sot free.”

“Do you know how old you are?”

“Yes mam I will be 87 years old on March 15th.  I was born in Mississippi at Cornerville.  My mother belonged to Mr. L.D.  Hewitt’s wife.  She didn’t have many slaves—­just my parents and my two uncles and their families.  My daddy and two uncles went to the war but our mistress’ husband Mr. Hewitt was too old to go.  I guess my daddy was killed in de war, for he never come home when my uncles did.  We lived here in Arkansas close to St. Charles.  Our mistress was good to her slaves but when they were free her husband had got himself drowned in big LaGrue when de water was high all over the bottoms and low ground; he was trying to cross in a boat, what you call a dug out.  You know it’s a big log scooped out till it floats like a boat.  Then after that our mistress wanted to go back to her old home in Mississippi and couldn’t take us with her cause she didn’t have any money, so we stayed here.  My mammy cried days and nights when she knew her mistress was going to leave her here in Arkansas.  We moved down on de Schute and worked for Mr. Mack Price.  You know he was Mr. Arthur’s and Miss Joe’s father.”

“Jonas, if your owners were Hewitts why is your name Boone?”

“Well you see, miss, my daddy’s daddy belonged to Mr. Daniel Boone, Mr. John Boone’s and Miss Mary Black’s grandpa, and I was named Boone for him, my granddaddy.  I been married twice.  My last wife owns her home out close to de church west of St. Charles.  I haven’t been able to work any for over two years but my wife makes us a living.  She’s 42 or 43 years old and a good worker and a good woman.  I’ve been all de time wanting some of this help other folks been getting but dey won’t give me nothing.  The woman what goes to your house to see if you needs relief told me I was better off den most folks an’ of course I know I’d rather have my wife and home than have to be like lots of dese niggers who’s old and can’t work and got nothing but what de Government give ’em.”