SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

30751
• c8? Interviewer Mrs* Bernice Bowden ______
^ • -
> Person interviewed Ky (Hezekiah) Steel
IjJ 5 West Fifth Avenue (rear), Pine Bluff, Arkansas
|$ Age 85 Occupation Yard man
"What is it you want to know? Well, I was born in North Carolina* I
know they brought me here from North Carolina in slavery times* I couldn't
keep no count of it, lady, 'cause I didn't know. I know I was big enough to
walk behind the wagon pickin* up corn, I know that* That was in slavery
times.
"Mr. June Ingraham's father brought me here*
"Oh, that's a long time ago* Mr. June and I was boys together* I was
bom in the Ingraham family.
"They carried me from here to Texas. I stayed there till I was grown
and married. Ihen I come back to Arkansas I got with Mr. June's son and I
been here since*
"Never have gone to school a day* Can't read but I can spell a little*
"I've done most all kinds of work—split rails, cut wood, farm work,
and railroad work on the section*
"Ku Klux cane out there where I was in Texas. Didn't bother me—they
was just around first one place, then another*
"I voted once* I guess it was Republican. I don't remember now who
i vcted for* I didn't take much interest in politics—only just what I'd
tear somebody say*
"Yankees was camped near us in Texas to keep the wild Indians back*
"Chat was after the War* Yes*m, sure was*
220