Interviewer~	Mi88I3~eRQbertSOfl
	Person iuterviewed	William Henry Rooks
Baptiat preachsr; Brinkley, Arkanaaa
	Age  ~





	The slaves didn‘t spect nothing but freedom. Jes freedom! In Africa they was free as wild animals and then they was so restricted. les put in bondage for no reason at all.

	No plantations was divided. I was born a slave and, I reniembere right smart how lt waa.

	My master was J‘ohn Freeman and his wife‘s name was Fannie. I

	to Como, Miseissippi twice a week to get the mail all dunn the

	It was eight miles. I rcde a pony.

	If you go to church you have to have a pas8 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 co~ie to the church and in all public places like the police stands around now. They rode around mostly. Sometimes they went in drovea.

	They would let you go visiting sonietimes and exchange work. Some masters was good and some was mean jess like they are now and some Slaveg 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 thflL The very worse thing I ever knowed aboi.~t it was some white men raised hande to sell like they raise stock now.