Mr. Wallen is a lawyer in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, a member of the James and Wallen Law Firm, located in the Lane Bldg., on Court St. He was born at Goodlow, Kentucky in Floyd County, March 15, 1866.  He taught school in Floyd County thirteen years, took his L.L.B. at Law School in Valpariso, Ind., in 1910, and later served as representative to the Kentucky General Assembly from the 93rd District, the 1922-24 and 26 Sessions.

The List of People who owned Slaves in Floyd County include: 

  Sophia Lane, Lanesville.

  Jim Lane, Lanesville

  Gilbert Higgins, Wilson’s Creek

  George May, Maytown

  Hi Morgan, Prestonsburg

  Penny J. Sizemore, Prestonsburg

  Samuel P. Davidson, Prestonsburg

  I. Richmond, Prestonsburg

  Valentine Mayo, Prestonsburg

  ——­ Lanes, Prestonsburg

  Kennie Hatcher, Lanesville

  Morgan Clark, John’s Creek

  Daniel Hager, Hager Shoals near what is Auxier, Ky.

  Adam Gayheart, Prestonsburg

  John P. Martin, Prestonsburg

  Jacob Mayo, Sr., Prestonsburg

  Wm. Mayo, Jr., Prestonsburg

  Johnny Martin, Wayland, Kentucky

  Thomas Johns, Dwale, Ky.

  Isom Slone, Beaver Creek

  John Bud Harris, Emma, Kentucky

  Billy Slone, Caney Fork, Right Beaver, Kentucky.

This list is as remembered by the oldest citizens, and one T.J.  “Uncle” Jeff Sizemore, 94 years old Civil War Veteran and citizen of Prestonsburg, Kentucky, dictated then to the writer in just this order.

The nearest auction blocks were Mt.  Sterling, Kentucky and Gladdville, Virginia.  Most slaves from the present Floyd County Territory were bought and sold through auction in southwest Virginia.  Other auction blocks were at Abington and Bristol, Virginia.

The negro dialect of this county is a combination of the dialect white folk use plus that of the negro of the South.  The colored population is continually moving back and forth from Alabama, Georgia and North and South Carolinas.  They visit a lot.  Colored teachers so far have all been from Ohio.  Most visiting colored preachers come from Alabama and the Carolinas.  The negroes leave out their R’s use an’t han’t gwin, su’ for sir, yea for yes, dah for there and such expressions as, “I’s Ye?”

The wealthiest families o’ white folk still retain colored servants.  In Prestonsburg, Kentucky one may see on the streets neat looking colored gals leading or wheeling young white children along.  Folk say this is why so many southerners leave out their R’s and hold on to the old superstitions, they’ve had a colored mama for a nurse-maid.