The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-08-30

en- Henderson, s5-year-cld head Of fve.gensra,n
whose thrilling accounts OF slavery days the telling
She stands between two generations, faith bele c
BY SAMUEL p. BILLS .
Eghty-hye years ago born 1856 in slavery
century agoand today lives to tell the tale head Of
generation family. "e
story America Bright Henderson o,o,..
ho lives with daughters Antoine and rb %
anybody that Belief God" her through shes M
a long ago, way in Madison County Miss. 49,
Bright Henderson the light 1t 1856. said bu %
quite
In those days the darkies as they were called STAYED
dens home. II Alexandria Va you've seen c
washnstons home and the slave quarters ME bach %
such the homo OF America Henderson. Lamb nnv m
marster Lemmie was the young masa Tcesnd Miss
Mug "missus'
those days Old linn p,
part Of the coonrv n
rckens would it that he the ambasns in his M
History has is recorded that in Ao. a
good work-many Negro VA. M !.
spring of clandestine affair
No CoIored Minister
Preaching Lawdy there wasn't such hinS Nar.
"darkies about stealing chickens and @
iut certainly he said nothing about equality and
duclng today was used for clothes IN tho. %
The condition of depended Of his master
Slaves the big House. Maybe they us
lighter of complexion they got special approval
from the
Beating Negro considered crime After al
hey nothing hut chatel made cotton fan
me Mes from MS Neladen table that
comfortable From TO they to stop
Those who did risk dsapproal the Ng
who ovcrburdened with they cry out
They were beaten in their tracks Mrs Henderson
sepfathor whipped ground under ne
cruel last-and she could nothing.
II slave Usually The slave
headed for the swampand and il the un
deeround railroad finally the
unto him he caught.
Wanted TO Taste Wanes
Mrs Henderson said she often wanted a
The big But 10
the food of the slave quarters.
Americas mother religious She that
her children would be spared the suncrngs she had
Sic PRAYED that death would come to her for she that
slave she would always suffer To of those
Jordan" was reality and privilege
One Of the big fine old lady was On
which she joined church That day and
has been following in that path ever
Perhaps the biggest EMANCIPATION PRoCLl
NATION announced Something White E
for several days prior said Mrs Henderson
big but calm voice Peace When
made the slaves didn't know what do Some were plain danb
ed Some who couldn't understand joined
FUSED TO leave their masters What this thing called Freedom
No Wedding Ceremony
II two slaves those days get nd
ceremony II fine big simply ordered
by the rich pantationr to live with the he liked More than
likely she healthy The general idea yo
sec to have fine children do tic masters
Kidding.
Usually kept Of their masters
en- her first name by mistress few more
privileges
everything they few colored Whit nV
couldn't eat they destroyed Mrs. family lived plan
ton on which stacked Of the sad
When peace declared at Vicksburg these moved
Slaves TO animals. familiar The auc0a
block which in the trading yard The slaves were TRIM
ed up said Mrs Henderson, washed ready for sale the r
est bidder. big sAfoo n prize poly Homan
brought high price Mrs Hendersons mother me woman '
~ NANNY to the Doty children Families broken up mo
ser one children another Fathers another Slave o"
didn't care about family ties those would have had compas"
said nothing
Fhe.Cenera0n Home
Mrs Hendrsons husband died years Mississippi sn
That time she has stayed with her daughters and until becoming ~
1usy affected by rheumatism, she little time with en wv
Now she lives with Mrs. Hattie Of her daughters n
Go years old and looking much younger
In this house at 60l5 ST. generations MIS- oa
der is the mother of i6 children them living Three sons
here as well daughters Of great .
children for Mrs Henderson oaled g. Another daughter %
Sanders in Mississippi has 10 children them two sci
These fine people have Detroit only few years % ~
heir lives was spent Mississippi either in the larger towns
plantations.
Mrs Henderson loves talk She remarkably good ,
p"rty with round pleasant which itself study IL IA
patience she tired that to live to H
age with fair health strength believe in God
Is Adored BY Family -.
Mother Henderson Is able and down tn s.,
much as she would like these daughters are go
10 lacks for nothing A'e