Document text
October, 11, 1939
Beide watts (White)
Hnntersville, N. C.
Mary P. Wilson, Writer
Dudly W. Crawfort, Revisor
OriAinal Names Changed Names
Essie Watts EV* Wane
Pitty Watts Peg Wane
Ethel Mable
Barney Watts Bon Wane
She was a small woman and the tired droop of her
shoulders gave her a Midgist--like appearenee. The long
cotton sack, with a shoulder strap made from a flour sack,
was empty. An old strew hat, with the brim turned up all
round, made a frame for the straggly, mouse colored hair
and weather --beaten face.
"I told Jewel, I bet that was you soon as I seen you
coming." When Fmk Wane smiled, ono had to see her tooth-
less gums, but there was something in her smile that 0114
her a young and care --fro. appearance. "You ain't never
told as a lie and when you said you'd come I knowed you'd
be here."
"Where's the other children?" I asked. "Don't they
help you pick cotton?"
"No --you know leg ain't going to do nothing if she
can get out of it. I've got several children at home now.
could make right much in a day if they would all help me
but I can't hardly get more than one to come I'll smoke
one of your cigarettes, if you don't care"--ahe reached for
the pack with a nervous hand; chapped and calloused.
",in't I a pretty thing? running around in this old
dirty pink dress, wearing gables old blue shirt to keep
the sun off. I'm as bleak as an Indian now but the sun
still blisters me.
I'm much happier than When I was selling whiskey. If
you ain't never done it, you don't know what it means. I
was scared all the time. I didn't dare keep none in my
house but I Was worried every time I heard a car motor. I
admit I lived good but I'd rather be like I am now, hungry
most of the time; I can sleep when I go to bed.
"I reckon you beard about the officers putting my
tauter Izable in the Industrial Home for two years. You
see, all of us have to take shots to syphilis every Tuesday
and 1,4able Wad so busy running around with the men she didn't
go regular. The Doctor reported her and the welfare people
came after her. They let her off the first time because she
promised to take her shots. The last time she got two years.
But do you know what she did? she locked a nurse in a closet
down there at the school yesterday and come home.
%Ammo like my family likes to be behind bars. 4 old
man is in ttlanta now serving his third term and my oldest
boy i;ot ninety days for cutting off the air on a freight
train so he could get off. He was luckey at that for the
other boy with him got a two year suspended sentence.
"I'm trying every way 1 know to 1:ve right now. It's
a hard road. Tht welfare 'help! me sccLe tut if it wuan't
for the work I do myself, we'd fare worse that et do. I've
been trying to get someone to let me pick their peas for
part of them; it seems like everyone wants all they have
for themselves. I'm determined to de something so I can
stay away from selling liquor.
3
"You know how them gals of wins run around with men.
They make good money but thet ain't doing a thing but ruin-
ing their health and spreading disease. I don't know where
we got it, even my small children have to take shots, same
as do. I ain't never run around with men but some says
do thines just as bed. I Just don't know, when my child-
ren get to crying for something to oat, I ain't responsible
for how I Felt it.
I hitch —hike to Charlotte every two weeks after those
supplies the welfare gives ma --then I have to hitch —hike
back with them. It ain't much I got but I couldn't gat along
without it. abs I could do better when my baby gets old
enough to go to school. Like it is now, I have to take in
washing and work out in the field for someone who lives close
by.
"I know I ain't lived right and I've dons a poor job
of roaming my children. I've dot on girl married. Syphilis
4.6 the cause of her losing one of her children last year.
She's got two more and they seem to be strong and healthy.
"I tried to make a complete change for the bettor when
I moved out here in tho country. As 1,..,ng as I lived right
in town I couldn't keep my children at tows. They are afraid
to go now. That Chain gang camp makes them stay at home.
It's supposed to be against the law to go on the camp premises
but we walk through because it is so much nearer than going
around the road.
"1 should oe picking cotton right now instead of stand-
ing here running my tongue. iy back fools like it is going
to break. Some days it don't bother ma much' then again,
can't hardly go, it hurts so bad. I ought not to mind works
Lag since I've had it to lo all my life but any woman who
has nine children as fast as I did ain't able to do much
hard work.
"I ain't heard a word from Ban since he %Wit to Atlanta
this time. Re always wrote whim ha was in the von Wore.
I wrote to his one time and after he didn't answer my letter,
I didn't bother to wrote no more. If be feels that way about
ale after all these years I ain't going to worry about it.
"Mat I'm worrying about is who is going to leo our next
President. I aim to vote for Roosevelt and I do hope he will
&et back in. chat will become of poor pooplo, if he don't,
is mystery to as.