115
88.

was ~ivon a kind of bag that ~as ctuffed with cotton and rags into a very compact mass. ~then so stuffed, the bags woulc. weigh on an average of 10 pounds, and was used by the contestants i~u ~r~.king t~ioir antagonist. Each cornl)atant picked whichever opponent he dosired and attempted to subdue him by pounding him over the head w~th the baC, which he used as his weapon of defense. And which was used as an of.~ending wo~pori. The contest was con.tinued in this manner till every combatant was counted out, and a hero of the contest proc1~ür~ed. Some times two contestants were adjudged heroes, and it wa~ necessary to run a contest b~tween thefr~o ccxn~‘atants before a final hero could be proclaimed. Then tho two anta~onist would stage a battle royal and would continue in the conJ~lict till one was procla~nod victorious.

	Sometimes these Froe-.For-.Al1 battles vrere carr:~.ed on vrith a kind of improvised hoxin~ ~1oves, and the contests were carried on in the same manner as previously described. Very often, as many as 30 darkies of the most husky type were engaged in these battles, and the contests were generally attended by large audiences. Being sta~od during the period of facorable ;‘reather, aiid mostly on Saturday afternoon; these physical exhibitions were the seenes of much controversial conflict, gambling, oxcessive inebriation and hilarity.

	Banjo and guitar playing were practiced by the many darkios of the ~ slavery period also. These were on the order of concerts; and many darkies although they had no scientific training, became rather accomplished musicians in this respeot. Melodious music might be heard at these old fashion contests,

.	as most darkies, who acquired knowledge in the playing of these instruments werefamiliar with nearly all the melodies and folks songs tha‘b were oomiuon to the period.

.	(The foregoing is copied verbatim from conversation with Tinie Force,