about during the Civil War but it was not the reason that the war was fought, was the unusual opinion of this Negro.  “Uncle Billy’s” father joined the Union army at the Taylor Barracks, near Louisville, Ky., which was the Camp Taylor during the World War.  Uncle Billy’s father and mother and their children who were not married were given freedom.  The old slave has kept the papers that were drawn up for this act.

The old darkey explained that the Negro soldiers never fought in any decisive battles.  There must always be someone to clean and polish the harness, care for the horses, dig ditches, and construct parapets.  This slave’s father was at Memphis during the battle there.

The Slaughter family migrated to Jeffersonville in ’65.  Billy was then seven years old.  At that time there was only one depot here—­a freight and passenger depot at Court and Wall Streets.  What is now known as Eleventh St. was then a hickory grove—­a paradise for squirrel hunters.  On the ridge beginning at 7th and Mechanic Sts. were persimmon trees.  This was a splendid hunting haven for the Negroes for their favorite wild animal—­the o’possum.  The ridge is known today as ’Possum Ridge.  The section east of St. Anthony’s Cemetery was covered in woods.  Since there were a number of Beechnuts, pigeons frequented this place and were sought here.  One could catch them faster than he could shoot them.

At this time there were two shipyards in Jeffersonville—­Barmore’s and Howard’s.  Barmore’s shipyard location was first the location of a big meat-packing company.  The old darkey called it a “pork house”.

The old slave had seen several boats launched from these yards.  Great crowds would gather for this event.  After the hull was completed in the docks the boat was ready to launch.  The blocks that served as props were knocked down one at a time.  One man would knock down each prop.  There were several men employed in this work on the appointed day of the launching of the boat.  The boat would be christened with a bottle of champagne on its way to the river.

“Uncle Billy” worked on a steamboat in his earlier days.  This boat traveled from Louisville to New Orleans.  People traveled on the river for there were few railroads.  The first work the old darkey did was to clean the decks.  Later he cleaned up inside the boat, mopped up the floors and made the berths.  The next job he held was ladies’ cabin man.  Later he took care of the quarters where the officials of the boat slept.  The darkey also worked as a second pantry man.  This work consisted of waiting on the tables in the dining room.  The men’s clothes had to be spotless.  Sometimes it would become necessary for him to change his shirt three times a day.

The meats on the menu would include pigeon, duck, turkey, chicken, quail, beef, pork, and mutton.  Vegetables of the season were served, as well as desserts.  It was nothing unusual for a half dollar to be left under a plate as a tip for the waiter.  Those who worked in the cabins never set a price for a shoe shine.  Fifteen cents was the lowest they ever received.