Slave Interview ~	 Page	5 ~	78
Viola B. Muse	~ ~
Jacksonville, Florida.		j



	The master had. ahed~e built at intervals on the plantation. These acoomodated. a goodly number; if no shed was available the Blaves stood under treeB. Ifneither waa handy and. the slavea got wet, they could not ~o to the cabine to change clothes for fear of losing time from work. This was often t~ie case; she aays that slaves wère more neglected tha~~ the cattle.

	Another custom which impreseed. the child—mind of Irene was the tieing o~ slaves by their thtnibs to a tree limb and whipping t hem • Women and young gir I a we ri treated the ea~ne as we re men.

	After the Bedells took Irene to live in their home they traveled a deal. After bringing her to Jacksonville, when Jackson-‘ ville was only a small port, they then went ‚ to Camden County, Georgia.

	Irene married while in Georgia and caine back to Jacksonville with her husband Charles, the year ofthe !i~~ke at Charleston, South Carolina, about 1888.

	Irene arid~ Charles Coates have lived in Jacksonville since that time. She relates many tales of happenings during the time that this city grew from a town of about four acres to its present status.

	Irene is the mother of five children. She has nine grand— children and eight great—grandchildren. ~ Her health is fair, but her eyesight is poor. It is her delight to entertain visitors and, is conversant upon matters pertaining to slavery and reconstruction days,