SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson
Person interviewed William Henry Rooks
Baptist preacher; Brinkley, Arkansas
Age 84
The slaves didn't spect nothing hut freedom. Jes freedom! In
Africa they was free as wild animal a and then they was so restricted.
Jes put in bondage for no reason at all.
No plantations was divided. I was born a slave and I remembers
right smart how it was*
My master was John Freeman and his wife's name was Fannie. I
went to Como, Mississippi twice a week to get the mail all durin the
war. It was eight miles. I rode a pony.
If you go to church you have to have a pass from the master* The
pattyrollers see you and you have to show it to them* It was just a
note. If you didn't have it they take or send you home. If they catch
you any more without a pass they whip you. They come to the church and
in all public places like the police stands around now. They rode
around mostly* Sometimes they went in droves*
They would let you go visiting sometimes and exchange work. Some
masters was good and some was mean jess like they are now and some
sieves good and some bad* That is the way they are now*
Some of the white men had a hundred slaves and had plenty money*
The war broke nearly all of thenu The very worse thing I ever knowed
about it was some white men raised hands to sell like they raise stock now*