SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

3074G
** Interviewer Mrs. Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed Jim Rioke
51? X« 22a£ Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age 79
"I was born in slavery times* I f member runnin 1 from the Yankees when
they wanted to carry me off* Juat devilin* me, you know, Tou know how
little chillun was 9 bout white folks in them days*
work*
whipped*
n I went to school three weeks and my daddy stopped me and put me to
"Old master was named Jimmle Ricks* They named me after him, I think*
"My mother said he was a mighty good master* Didn't f low his niggers
"Yes'm, I was born and raised in Arkansas, down here in Calhoun County*
"1 had a chance to learn but I was a rowdy* I wanted to hunt* I was a
mighty huntsman*
"I was a good worker too* White folks was all stuck on me 'cause I was
a good worker*
"I did farm work and then did public work after the crops was laid by*
But now I got too old to work*
"I seen the Ku Kluz once or twice when they was Kii ELukin 1 around*
Soma of f em would holler f ELuk, kluk, kluk** I was quite small, but I could
remember f em f cause I was scared of 'em*
t00o
*I farmed all my life till year before last* I was a good farmer
"I used to vote years ago* I voted Republican* Tea ma f aa*
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