SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

No, madams I do not recall that we had any inconvenience from
the Kn Klux KLan* If they made trouble in Little Rock I do not now
remember it. I did hear that out in the country they drove people
from their homes. Yes, madam, I do remember, quite distinctly, the
times when colored men were voted into public offices. John C.
Corbin was State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Phillips
county sent two colored men to the legislature; they were W. H. Gray
and H. H. White, both from Helena. J. E. Bush of this city followed
M. W. Gibbs as Police Judge. After reconstruction when all colored
people were eliminated from public life all these people returned to
their trade.
I was 22 when I married. My husband was a teacher but knew the
carpenter trade. During the time that Negroes served in public office
he served as deputy sheriff and deputy constable. He was with me for
41 years before his death; we raised a family of six children and gave
each one a college education.
Kow, you have asked my opinion of present conditions of the
younger generation. It seems to me they are living in an age of
confusion; they seem to be all at sea as to what they should get
for themselves. I do know this. In some respects the modern frank-
ness is an improvement over the old suppression and repression in the
presence of their elders# At the same time, I think the young people
of today lack the proper reverence and respect for age and the expe-
rience it brings as a guide for them. During my long years of teaching
I have had opportunity to study this question. I am still making a
study of the many phases of modern life as it affects the young people.
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