Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-03-21
Negroes In Florida.
GRANDIN, FLA.

OhaNOAN, TIA
Editor Democrat:
Perhaps the readers of the Democrat
might be interested in the Negroes Of
this place, and II so, will try to tell a
little about them as observed by Us.
The Negroes as whole, look fairly
prosperous, and will compare well with
the native whites or Crackers" There
are none living in this settlement, but a
little way out there are prosperous
looking places occupied by Negroes.
Then north beside the railroad is a
place with several cabins, called the
"Quarters." They are all built alike, no
windows, only door to admit light,
with cracks enough for ventilation.
The county supports schools for the
blacks, but white teacher would not
be permitted to teach II.
very often see Negro going by read
ing letter or paper. "Uncle Sam" al
lows them the same accommodation at
the post Office, aud the whites and they
patronize the same store, but they are
not allowed to ride in the same railroad
coach, q car being provided for each
race.
There are several churches supported
by the Negroes in the surrounding coun-
try, but we have not seen one yet. Every
Sunday one can see mapy darkies dress
ed in their best, starting for church.
Many strange costumes are seen, but
much good taste Is shown in dress.
One old darkie woman, called by every
one "Aunt Emma" is the only one I've
had any conversation with. She told
me the story of her life, and as well as
can will give it here, though IL loses
much OF it's interest when written in
Yankee" language.
She was born a slave In South Carolina
about sixty-eight years ago, but she is
not sure about her age. She 10 typical
Negress, broad, fiat nose, full, large
mouth, dark eyes, and is above medium
height. She always wears red bandan-
ma tied over her head, mans old bat
tered felt hat over that. A skirt OF some
dark material and q mans ragged old
coat complete the costume. She always
carries basket, and though she doesn't
beg, expects odds and ends from the
whites when she visits the place. Though
somewhat crippled with rheumatism,
she washes for some of the whites every
Monday and helps out in other ways.
Her childhood was a happy one com
pared with many at that time, as she
had only light duties to perform. She
said she had kind "massa," was whip
ped only once and that was because she
was told to wash her dress so as to have
IL clean for Sunday, but instead of doing
rs she was hidden, ran away and went
fishing.
When she was nine years old her
"massa" died, and she with the rest of
the blacks was sent to the auction block.
Her father and bis wife, (not her moth
cry were sold together from her, and she
never saw her father again until after
the war, then he told her she was eight
cen years old. She went to the auction
block with q boy and they were sold to
come to Florida.
At the outbreak of the war her
''missus" thought II she could get her
slaves to South Carolina she might save
them, 80 she started with teams taking
eighteen slaves with her, leaving four 10
care for the plantation here. They were
four weeks on the road, and after endur-
ing many hardships the journey Was In
vain as later events proved. When ask
cd how she felt when she heard she was
free, she said, II glad, so glad be freer'
But when asked what they did when
they were free, said, they "didn't know
what to do" "One man, good man, tell
rs get hoes, plant corn" ''other man,
bad man, say he shoot any Negro on
sight, we's call him wheeler man."
"Aunt Emma" and her husband now
own . little place about two miles out,
and with what she earns and what 10
given 10 them manage to live 10 CON-
Iarative comfort.
She is the mother Of twelve children;
One was burned to death; she said she
had never got over that.
When the time comes when they are
unable to take care Of themselves, there
10 county poorhouse provided for such.
"Aunt Rmma" 10 only one OF many Of
the old ''annties' left, and could their
life stories be written, they would ill
large volume. g. =. T.