Country frolics (dances) were quite often attended by Indians, whose main reason for going was to obtain whiskey, for which they had a very strong fondness.  Berry describes an intoxicated Indian as a “tornado mad man” and recalls a hair raising incident that ended in tragedy for the offender.

A group of Indians were attending one of these frolics at Fort Myers and everything went well until one of the number became intoxicated, terrorizing the Negroes with bullying, and fighting anyone with whom he could “pick” a quarrel.  “Big Charlie” an uncle of the narrator was present and when the red man challenged him to a fight made a quick end of him by breaking his neck at one blow.

For two years he was hounded by revengeful Indians, who had an uncanny way of ferreting out his whereabouts no matter where he went.  Often he sighted them while working in the fields and would be forced to flee to some other place.  This continued with many hairbreadth escapes, until he was forced to move several states away.

Berry recalls the old days of black aristocracy when Negroes held high political offices in the state of Florida, when Negro tradesmen and professionals competed successfully and unmolested with the whites.  Many fortunes were made by men who are now little more than beggars.  To this group belongs the man who in spite of reduced circumstances manages still to make one think of top hats and state affairs.  Although small of stature and almost disabled by rheumatism, he has the fiery dignity and straight back that we associate with men who have ruled others.  At the same time he might also be characterized as a sweet old person, with all the tender reminiscences of the old days and the and childish prejudices against all things new.  As might be expected, he lives in the past and always is delighted whenever he is asked to tell about the only life that he has ever really lived.  Together with his aged wife he lives with his children and is known to local relief agencies who supplement the very small income he now derives from what is left of what was at one time a considerable fortune.

REFERENCE

Personal interview with subject, Frank Berry, 1614 West Twenty-Second Street, Jacksonville, Florida

FLORIDA FOLKLORE SLAVE CUSTOMS AND ANECDOTES

MARY MINUS BIDDIE

Mary Minus Biddie, age one hundred five was born in Pensacola, Florida, 1833, and raised in Columbia County.  She is married, and has several children.  For her age she is exceptionally active, being able to wash and do her house work.  With optimism she looks forward to many more years of life.  Her health is excellent.

Having spent thirty-two years of her life as a slave she relates vividly some of her experiences.