SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

"There are quite a few old persons around Woodson that can give you
information* But that is in Saline County, I think* Sweet Home, Wrights-
villa, Toltec—all of them have a few old colored persons on the farm that
was here in slavery times**
Interviewer f s Comment
Reeves 9 story was taken because of his clear memories of his parents
and grandparents* He described to me an old log house still standing in
Union County.
I got all agog with excitement* I asked him for the exact
location. He gave it* Then I suggested that maybe he would go down with
me sometime to visit it* He agreed* Then at the last moment caution
began to assert itself f and I said, "When was the last time you saw the
cabin? 1 *
He reflected a moment; then he said, "Waal, I guess it was a little
more f an fifty years ago."
I lost my enthusiasm*
Reeves told the Fhill-le-me-york story which was told by Austin Pen
Darnell* You will find it in his story* The only difference between his
story and Parnell f s is that Reeves had the conclusion* He claimed that the
old master got in a fight with one of the slaves present and yelled out his
identity when he was getting badly beaten* The story sounds like it came
from the Arkansas folklore collection or from someone who contributed it to
that collection*
9. 31