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usually tothe accompaniment of a Jew‘s harp and fiddle, or bar~jo. In summer the slaves went without shoes and wore three-quarter che~kered baggy pants, some wearing only a long shirt to cover their body. We wore ox-hide shoes, much too large. In winter time the shoes were stuffed with paper to keep out the cold. We called them ‘Pro~rarn‘ shoes. We had no money to spend, in fact did not know the value of money.

	“Our food consisted of bread, hominy, black strap i~olasses and a red herring a day. Sometimes, by special permission from ourmaster or overseer, we would j~o hunting and catch a coon or possum and a pot pie would be a real treat. ‚

	“We all thought of running off to Canada or to Washington, but feared the patroilers. As a rule most slaves were la~,r.“

	Si.mins‘ work~ at Contee waz to saddle the horses, cut wood, and make fires and sometimes work in the field.

	He voted for President Lincoln and witnessed the second inaugura-‘ tion of Lincoln,after he was set free.