Special
thanks to Bonnie McMullan of Decatur, MS for the information on
William Jessie McMullan
William
Jessie McMullan (1859-1952) was my great-grandfather. A farmer
in the Midway community, at about 90 years of age he wrote an
account of his life. That account was left in two notebooks. One
of the notebooks was a Budget keeper. I have called it version
1. The other has the word "TOP" written on it. I am
calling that one Version 2. This is a transcription of the materials
contained in these notebooks. WJM's capitalization was random,
and his use of commas and periods was sparse. I have altered those
uses for readability. The text is given entire, with no deletions
or alterations. Editorial clarifications are given in parentheses,
and prefaced with "ed" to distinguish them from WJM's
parentetical comments.
William
Eugene McMullan
June 8, 2001
William
J. McMullan and family. |
When
I am a man a man
I
will be a klu klux if I can
I
will join the crusaders if I can, and I can
I
will resist the despots rule
Vote
for Horace Greely and buy me a mule
I
will go to school often to see Jude Hill
Bring
back reports that will make your hearts thrill
When
I am a man |
Any
old dog will resent alway being kicked around.
(ed.
this is a copy of the cover page for the Version 2 Notebook)
Contents
Chapter
1: "William Jessie McMullan"
Chapter
2: "School Days"
Chapter
3: "Church Activities"
Chapter
4: "As Organized Farmer"
Chatper
5: "Girls Associates"
Chapter
6: "Sarah Jackson Freeman"
Chapter
7: "Sallie Freeman"
Chapter
8: "Letters from Sallie"
Cahpter
9: "Golden Wedding"
Version
2, Chapter 1: “William Jessie McMullan”
William Jessie McMullan was born Sunday 30th of January 1859 in
the McMullan bachelor hall 3-1/2 miles north of Decatur Mississippi
on the north end of the flat field in a pole log house near the
spring on the Decalb road now known as Roy Smoth orchard farm
(in 1950). Moved to the James Dunagin farm 3-1/2 miles south
of Decatur near the center stob of Newton County Miss. This was
the overseers house made of big split logs 18 x 20 feet stick
and dirt chimney in east end of house and a door in each side.
Was an open shelter with dirt floor on north side of the house.
There was a broken down buggy and 3 bales of cotton under this
shed during the entire war. Father grew this cotton in 1861 &
1862. Sold 1 bale of this cotton Nimocks in Decatur before he
went to the war in early 1863. Delivered it to Nimocks in 1865
after he came home from the war. The merchant had forgotten having
this cotton, was glad to get it. Gave father $10 to delivering
and for keeping it for him. Father could have kept this bale
of cotton then worth $200. He sold the 2 bale for 40-1/2 cents
to Masine Watkins in Newton December 1865. He gave $100 of this
money to Mr. Jack Hollingsworth to put up a big 2 room house with
a 11 foot hall between the 2 rooms, the logs big heavy split logs.
Logs hued inside and outside one room. Sealed cracks with split
pine boards. Stick and dirt chimney to one room. We moved into
this 2 weeks before Christmas, 1865. Christmas was on Sunday.
We were father, mother, I and Cornelia (1-1/2 years old), Till
and Ponk. P.S. Till was father slave girl from Ga., Pomp was
Uncle Tom McMullan slave from Ga. Pomp was waiting boy to his
master during the war.
The 1st thing I recollect distinctly is the time I and sister
Sallie then 2 years old was playing under the shelter beside the
house. I was driving pegs in the ground with fathers hammer when
I struck and mashed Sallies finger. It was a real accident.
I did really regret it. Sallie cried. I ran under the house
to avoid mother’s punishment. (mother came to see about it)
Sallie got sick soon afterward with diptheria, did not live but
a few days. She was buried in the Dunagin lot in South West Decater,
corner of the cemetery. My recollection of this is very indistinct.
A boxed cement tomb to her grave. I can’t recollect when father
left going to the Army. I know when he came home on furlow twice.
Once he went to Loringo division of the Army, then camping south
of Newton on the Hilt branch, a fine watering place. He bought
a Sorrell pony horse. He a curly main and tail. His name was
Bob. He lost this horse at Selma Alabama (at the stampede) in
1865. I recollect Mother and I staid alone while father was in
the war 3 years. Mother owned a woman slave named Ann, her boy
Wiley, called him Buck. Father had a girl Till in her teens.
He got Till and $1000 cash from his fathers estate in Georgia.
These 2 wimmin worked with Grandfather Dunagins hands and we got
our living that way during the war. Mother had a fine stock of
hogs. We had two cows named Bet and Puss, a heifer named Rose.
Mother bought a cow Dall (ed. Doll?) for $200 and one from Dee
Blalok, Lady for $250. Fathers slave girl Till would bring her
bed in and make it on the floor in mothers room for company.
In Feb 1864 father came on furlow from Louisville Miss of only
3 days. Got home in the night. One day to stay at home the 3rd
day going right back to camp at Louisville. Uncle George Dunagin
came to see him the day he was at home. Told him of a piece of
land that was for sale. He knew father wanted to buy a home.
Father told him he wanted a home for Willie and his mother, if
you think it a good trade go make the deal, and Medline your sister
will furnish the money, $2000 to pay for it. Said he didn’t know
if would get home again. It was a 360 acre piece of land. Father
told mother to borrow $1000 of Uncle Toms money to pay on the
land then sell Nick the family mare an then replace Toms money.
Mother sold Nick for $900 and replaced the borrowed money. Sold
Nick to Gen. J. C. Blalack. The track of land (fine land) is
where father reared his family.
We had a big black Newfoundland dog that kept watch for us. Once
he taken a negro down. They were all afraid of him. His name
was Dash. When Grandfather was out looking over his farm he would
come by our home to see how things were. He owned a good big
farm. Lots of negros and mules and oxen. Bill drove 6 mules
to the wagon and West drove big ox team. Bill was part Indian
and bossed plow hands. Man West bossed hoe hands, big long black.
Dock was dumpy, was blacksmith and carpenter. Nathan was mule
feeder, locked crib brought key and hung it at head of grandfathers
bed. Came in in the morning got key and fed the mules. Judy,
Bill’s wife (yellow woman), was grand mothers cook and their family
ate their meals in the kitchen. 6 children. Bill was carriage
driver. Had nice clothes and wore calfskin boots, was verry polite.
The other families cooked and ate in their cabins. Their rations
was isued out to them 1 peck of meal, 3-1/2# meet for 1 week.
Grandmother would have pot of potlicker for the litl negro children
in the evening. She would call out potlicker at the kitchen.
The little negros would come running. That was a happy time for
them. Grandfather had a brick oven to cook potatoes in, would
hold enough for all. I recollect at times some negroes would
get impudent and have to be whiped to make them behave. Mothers
Ann got impudent. She sent for the overseer to come & bring
his whip. He tied her to post & put lash on her, not to much.
How she did twist and cry, but that did the trick to have her
behave. Some of them got unruly, had to be treated rough. Some
owners were mean to their slaves, others treated them good, like
one of the family.
These negroes were set free by Lincoln when the confederacy failed
in 1865. The most of them left home overnight. Grand Fathers
Bill staid on that year and the next. G F had 3 boys in their
teens bound to him untill they became of age. Father W M Mcm.
had his slave Till bound to him untill she got 21 years old.
She staid her time was up 21. She lived as one of the family.
Till nursed we children down to Ida. We loved Till next best
to own mother. Mothers Ann left in a few months. She had 1 boy
and 2 girls. In 2 years she came back for a while then wanted
to work for her and childrens upkeep. Father would not do it.
She left, don’t know what became of her. Till married lived nearby
on our farm part time, buried at St Hill colored church. I had
marker to her grave. She was 90 years old. Her father was a
free negro named Jessy in Georgia. The negros were franchised,
allowed to vote in politcle elections. The first election they
voted with the white voters, Democrats. The next election some
yankey carpetbaggers had come south and organized the Radical
party, and got the negroes all against their former masters (the
White Democrats) and considerable trouble followed for years.
The carpetbagers and scalawags was driven from the state in the
1875 & 76. Had a negro Lieutenant Governor Davis once. Newton
County Supervisor Willie Donough one term from beet 4- (Donough
was a Baptist preacher). He acted as waiter for the white members.
Got water got wood and made fires in cold weather. There was
U. S. senator negro and Superintendent of Education. There was
near negro riot in Newton in the 70ties, cooler forethout by some
wise whites prevented it. I was a boy down in early teens, but
I kept up with the times and would hollow horah fo Southern rights
and for Democracy. There was big rally in Newton. Barbecue and
speaking, a torchlight procession at night. I carried a torch
light in the streets and the roads in the town and community.
Version
1, Chapter 1: “William Jessie McMullan”
William Jessie McMullan was born Sunday January 30th 1859 in the
McMullan brothers bachelors hall 4 miles north of Decatur Mississippi,
now the Roy Smith farm. The house was near the spring on the
north end of the flat bason field. Moved to the Dunagin farm
in the overseers house in 1861- 3 miles south of Decatur near
the center stob of Newton County Mississippi. This house was
made of big split logs 18 x 20 feet dirt chimney in east end door
in each side, and open shelter on north side, dirt floor. To
this shed there was 3 bales of cotton, and a buggy stored under
this shed. Father grew this cotton in 1861 & 1862 sold 1
bale to Nimocks in Decatur before he went to the war, delivered
it to him in Decatur in 1865, and sold the 2 bale to Masin Watkins
in Newton for 40-1/2 cents a pound in 1865.
The first thing I recollect is the time I and sister Sallie then
2 years old was playing under the shelter beside the house.
I was driving pegs in the ground with fathers hammer, when I struck
and mashed Sallies finger. It was a real accident. I certainly
did regret it. She cried, and mother came to see about it. I
ran under the house to evade mothers punishment. Sallie got sick
soon after with diptheria, didnt live but few days. She was buried
in the Dunagin lot in Decatur Cemetery in the South West corner,
a boxed tomb to her grave. I cant recollect when father went
to the army. I know when he came home on a furlow twice. Once
he went to t he Loring division of the Army. Then fathers slave
girl Till would bring her bed in our big room and make it down
in the floor of mothers room for company. We had a big black
New Foundlan dog, that kept watch for us. He once taken a negro
down. They were all afraid of him. His name was Dash. When
grandfather was out loking over the farm he would come by our
house to see how everything was. He had a big good farm, lots
of negroes, plenty mules and ox team, a six mule wagon. Bill
was mule driver. 3 yoke ox team, and West was ox driver. Dock
was blacksmith. Nathan was mule feeder, would bring crib key
in and hang it at grandfathers head of bed, and come in and get
it in the morning. Judy, Bills wife, was grandmothers cook and
their family ate in the kitchen. Bill was carriage driver. The
other families cooked and ate in their cabins. Their rations
were issued to them 1 peck of meal, 3-1/2 # meet a week. Grandmother
had a pot of potlicker, and bread in it for the little negro children
in evening. Would call out in the evening potlicker down at the
kitchin. Then the little negros would come running. That was
a real happie time with them. Grandfather had a brick oven made
to cook potatoes in for the croud. It would hold quite a lot
at once. I recollect at times some of the negroes would get impident
and the overseer or driver would have to fasen them up and give
them a lashing to make them behave. I recollect mothers woman
Ann got impident with mother, and she sent Till after her brother
Wm to come and bring the whip. So he tied her Ann to a post,
and put the lash on her not to much, but how she did cry, and
take on, but that did the trick to have her to behave for a time.
Some of them got unruly and had to have rough treatment. Most
of them were abidable, and pleasant. Some owners were real mean
to their slaves, others treated them well, like one of the family.
I cannot recollect when father went to the war. I know when he
came home on furlow twice. Once he went to Loring division of
the Army then camping south of Newton. On the Hilt branch a fine
watering place. He bought a pony horse a Sorral with curly main,
tail. His name was Bob. He lost this horse at Selma Ala in
1865. I recollect mother, and I staid alone while he was in the
war 3 years. Mother owned a slave named Ann, and a boy Wiley
(called him Buck). Father had a girl in her teens got from his
fathers estate in Georgia and $1000 dollars cash. These 2 wimin
worked with grandfather Dunagin hands, and we got our living that
way. Mother had a fine stock of hogs, we had 2 cows named Bet
and Cuss and heifer named Rose. Mother bought cow Dall (ed. Doll?)
for $200 and one from De Blalock named Lady for $250.
Fathers slave girl Till would bring her bed in our room, and make
it down on the floor in mothers room for company. We had a big
black New Foundlan dog that kept watch for us. He once taken
a negro down. They were all afraid of him, his name was Dash.
When grandfather was out looking over his farm he would come by
our home to see how everything was. He owned a big good farm.
Lots of negroes, and plnty mules and oxen. Bill drove 6 mules
to the wagon, and West was ox driver. Bill bossed plow hands
and West bossed hoe hands. Dock was blacksmith and carpenter.
Nathan was mule feeder, would bring crib key in and hang it up
at head of grandfathers bed and get nex morning to feed.
Version
2, Chapter 2: “School Days”
In 1865 in the summer I went to school awhile in Williams school
house. Did not learn a thing. The teacher name was Jake Welch.
He had a club foot. The negroes being free, they left home.
I had to quit school to nurse sister Cornelia then 1-1/2 years
old, while mother wove cloth to cloth the family. While I was
nursing mother had me to studdie my blue back speller. In a short
time I was spelling well. This school house big split open logs
home logs 12 inches thick holes bored in the round side pegs driven
in the holes. Them they turned flat side up for seats. They
extended around the room. Had door in west side with stick and
dirt chimney in north end. Got water from spring near by, good
water. This house was burned, then taught in a vacant residence
nearby. My next school was in 1868 in land section 16, township
6, range 11 east. Was a big split log house about 18 x 20 foot.
Door in side. Dirt chimney to one end. Got good water from spring
1/4 mile under a hill. This teacher was Miss Mat Woodham, a deep
brunette. Everyone loved her. This was for 1 year. They had
pay schools then. Then in 1869 had school in the same house.
This teacher name was Jim Lester. He had a delicate little wife.
They were from Jackson Miss. They didnt suit the community.
He quit here, got school in diferent locality. My nex school
was to Mrs Stephen Riser, a neighbor. She taught in her home.
Had students from families McMullan 1 Gibbs 2 Riser 2 and Hollingsworth
2, total seven. My next school was 2 weeks in December 1871 at
the Riser school house, now known as Pine Bluff church. This
school house was the first school house built in the county with
public money, built by the Republican’s scalawags. Dr Howard
had been made sheriff, had this house put up by his son in law
Stephen Riser. So it was called Riser. It was a plank building,
plank set up. They got fine water from the Dave Riser gum spring.
This teacher an old Scotchman. Father went in to Neshoba county
for his wife and their belongings. That was his part for the
school. B F Eubank was to board them for his part in the school.
School opened 2 weeks before Christmas. School recessed for Christmas.
Teacher got drunk during Christmas. They dismissed him. That
ended that school.
Father started me the 1st Monday of January 1872 to school at
Newton. Walking 4-1/2 miles there and 4-1/2 miles home in the
evening. The school building stood where the school building
now stands 1950. We crossed the RR and crossed a readbrake on
plank walk. This was a muck several feet deep, 12 feet in some
places. This teacher was F H Emerson a fine man with curly hair.
Everyone liked his. Miss Laura Fielder was my teacher a fine
looking young lady. This building belong to Dr Fielder. In this
school I began to studdie Smith grammar, geography, dictionary,
and Davies Arithmetic. Had examination in June. The boys of
my age had a dialog. The professor wrote our parts, what we would
be when we were men. My piece was I will be a Klu Klux if I can,
when I am a man, and I can! I will join the crusaders if I can
and I can. I will go to Jackson often to see Judge Hill and bring
back reports that will make your hearts thrill when I am a man.
The school divided in the fall, Miss Fielder in school house,
Mr. Emerson the Baptist church. This was the best school that
had been in Newton. I attended this school till Christmas. I
walked 4-1/2 miles night and morning to this school 1872.
In 1872 the school examination at end of school the professor
had a number of boys 12 to 14 years old in a dialogue one to be
a farmer, one to be a carpenter, one a blacksmith, one a doctor,
one a merchant, one a lawer, one a Ku Klux. Allen Grey a farmer,
Henry Allen Carpenter, Bob Wilson blacksmith, Henry Watkins doctor,
Will Selby a merchant, Horace Evereritte druggist. Each of these
boys to tell what he would do when he was man and active in his
profession, when he was a man. The professor wrote the speech
for each of them to say. William McMullan to be a Ku Klux and
his speech was:
When
I am a man- a man
I
will be a Ku Klux if I can and I can
I
will join the crusaders rest (ed. resist) the destots (ed. despots’)
rule
Vote
for Horace Greeley and buy me a mule
I
will go to Jackson often to see Judge Hill
And
bring back reports that will make your hearts thrill
When
I am a man
Version
1, Chapter 2: “School Days”
In 1865 I went to school awhile in the summer. Did not learn
a thing. The teachers name was Jake Welch. He had a club foot.
The negro woman that had a child Felder that nursed sister Cornelia
then about a year old, left us. So I had to quit school to nurse
the baby while mother wove cloth to clothe the family. While
I was nursing, mother had me study my blue back speller, in a
short time I was spelling well. This school house was a big log
house, logs a foot thick split open. Holes bored in the round
side and wooden pegs driven in the holes for benches. These benches
extended around the room. The house had a door in west side and
a stick & dirt chimney in north end. We got water from a
spring near by. My next school was 1868 Miss Mat Woodham, a fine
lady, a deep brunett, and a splendid teacher. The studants all
loved her. This for one school year as they had pay schools.
Then in 1869 had school in the same kind of house, got water from
a spring a quarter mile away, under a hill. The teachers name
was Jim Lester. He had a nice delicate little wife. They did
not suit the community. He quit, and got a school in a diferent
community. They were from Jackson, Mississippi.
My next school was two weeks in December 1871 at the Riser school
house, now known as Pine Bluff church. This school house was
the first school house in the county built by the Republicans
at state expense. Dr Howard had joined the Republican scalawags,
was made sheriff. Had this building put up by his son-in-law
Stephen Riser. So it was called Riser school house. This house
was a boxed plank set up & got water from the Riser gum spring,
fine water. This teacher was an old man, Scotch. Fathers part
in the school was he went into Neshoba county and moved his wife,
and their belongings to G. F. Eubank who was to board him for
his part in the school. The school opened two week before Christmas.
School turned out for Christmas. During Christmas teacher, he
got drunk and the patrons dismissed him. That ended the school.
His name was Sibley, old Scotchman. In the summer before this
happened I went to school to Mrs Steven Riser. She taught in
her home. Had students from four families namely McMullan Gibbs
Riser and Hollingsworth. Seven students in all. She was a daughter
of Dr Howard who eloped from state while serving as sheriff.
After Sibleys school failed, father started me the first Monday
in January 1872 to Newton school, and I walked to Newton school
4-1/2 miles in the a.m., 4-1/2 miles in the p.m. The school building
stood where the high school building now 1948 stands. We crossed
the RR & crossed a readbrak on a plank walk. This reedbreak,
a muck, 10-12 feet deep. This teacher principle was prof. F H
Emerson, a fine man with curly hair. Everybody liked him. The
assistant Miss Laura Fielder was my teacher. The building belonged
to Dr Fielder. The school divided in the fall. Miss Fielder
taught in the school building, and profesor Emerson taught in
the Baptist church where the church now 1948 stands. Miss Hattie
Birzel was my teacher. This time we had a fine school, the best
that had ever been in the county & walked to & from home,
morning & night. A total to & from school for the ten
months= eighteen hundred miles.
The year 1873 I worked on the farm. Did my first full hand plowing
for the year. Did not have any hands on the farm this year.
Hired an old McMullan slave Steve McMullan 3 months. He was a
splendid hoe hand, had been a cripple since he was a young man,
gave him $13 and board per month for May-June and July. Furnished
him a home for the year.
In the year 1874 the community where Midway now is, the neighbors
build a pine pole one room house about 18 by 18 feet, door in
the south end and a log cut out in north end for a window. These
poles not peeled had the bark all on and the cracks daubed with
mud to keep the wind out. Cracks in floor could stick finger
in. Had a little stove in the room to give heat in the winter.
They named this Midway, so named by J C Blalack. The builders
were J C Blalack, H G Ledlow, Bill Svoksey, A J Keith, Craig and
S C Ashmore, Gibbs. Miss Betty Atkinson was first teacher in
winter of 1874 and 1875 and the years 76-77 and 1878, and I attended
these years part time. In winter of 78 and 79 the school moved
to near Decatur. Rev A J Freeman was its teacher this year.
The McMullans went to Riser school. Rev H B Cooper was teacher.
Not very well liked. In September 1879 I went to Newton to school,
profes. T H Campbell from Hampton Sidney College Virginia, a fine
teacher but awful ugly. To this Newton school I went to and from
school on mule back. Mrs M E Blalack was assistant teacher, a
very nice lady and fine teacher. During this fall father’s brother
T J, a bachelor, died. Had no family. Father had to gather his
crop, and dispose of cotten and corn, and quite a few stock, and
for that reason I had to leave school, stay at home, and gather
our crop and attend our stock. The summer of 1880 prof. T H Campbell
afterwards Judge Campbell, taught school at Midway. I attended
this school, studied Butlar grammar, and Robinson arithmatick.
I went through to arithmatick. The summer of 1881 I attended
summer school. T J Atkinson was teacher, a fine instructor.
Some patrons did not like him. I thought him just fine.
In 1885 I went to school at Conehatta. The teachers were Denson
of Bay Springs, and Rev McBride. J J Denson was my instructor.
Only taken mathematics. I lost 1 week in April went to the worlds
fair, the cotton exposition in New Orleans the finest fair I have
seen. Fathers hands left the farm so I went home in May and taken
the crops they had left, and so this ended my school career.
Had I known what I later realised I would have finished my education
at all hazards. Wanted to make some money so I hired to the Bethel
Cooperative Association as general clerk & followed that
for 4 years and by that time was ready to get married.
Version
1, Chapter 3: “Church Activities”
(ed.
this chapter does not exist in Version 2)
Joined Midway Regular Baptist church July 16, 1882. Had been
under conviction since a small boy, 8 years. Was baptised by
Rev A J Freeman in Turkey creek above the bridge, the bridge on
Newton and Decatur road. Taken my place on the members seat,
and taken part in all church work. Was made clerk April 18 1885,
and made deacon August 25th 1909. I was mesenger to the Mt Pisgah
association held at Sinai Neshoba county. Parson Freeman asked
me to come over and hitch my mule with his to his hack, and go
with him & Miss Georgia. Went to Crosses got Miss Georgia
Cross & to Dick Russels got Miss Ida Russell, then to Jessie
Paces for dinner. Mr. Pace hitched my mule and his best mule
to his wagon. Had 3 spring seats, Pace and Freeman set set on
front seat, Ida Russell and Georgia Freeman, on middle, and Georgia
Cross, and I set on back seat. A jolly time we did have. We
went to J C Waldens while at the association. The preacher and
wimen staid in the home, and the men went to the ginhouse spread
out cotton seed, and 40 of us slept on the pallet. We came back
to Paces Monday night, got back to Freeman Tuesday noon. I stoped
for dinner, and had a peep eye with little Sallie then 14 years
old. She had wanted to go to Ass. I went to association every
year. In 1885 was delegated to association at Harperville. Rev
A J Freeman was mesenger. I visited Freeman on Wednesday to see
about going to the association. He told me he was starting Friday
morning and taking dinner in Conehatta with Haralson and going
to Harpervill that evening. After he had left the room, I talked
with Miss Sallie a while. She volunteered to tell me that she
would go with her father to association, but would come back with
me, so that was what we did. Coming back we rode in my buggy
to parson L M Murrell, spent the night there. Got back to Freemans
for dinner Tuesday noon. I taken dinner with Freemans Tuesday.
Midway church affiliated with Mt Pisgah association. I attended
nearly all association meetings. Bro. George Clark was the verry
efficient clerk. After some little friction with a preacher Taylor,
about the making and getting out the minutes, bro. Clarke asked
and requested me to be at the next meeting of the association,
that he would advise that I be made clerk of the association.
So at the next years meeting, I was unanimously elected clerk,
which office I served for 20 years, and after the treasurer bro.
Ervin Graham’s death, I also acted as treasurer of the association.
I attended the general association meetings, was 15 years old.
The meeting was held in the church at Newton in 1872. Bro. Jake
Johnson was first missionary to South Miss. I heard his report
to the association. He said he had gone throughout the country
and preached the gospel, and that the work was finished. He gave
a touching discription of the country, and the people. Allthough
a boy I felt the need of the people down there. I recollect seeing
some younger preacher wip tears from their eyes while bro. Johnson
made his report.
After I had been a member for some time I was delegated mesenger
to the General association, and after a few years was a member
of the executive board. This board met quarterly with some church
that would invite their meeting with them. This board had the
responsible dutie to select churches to help finance, to elect
missionaries, to the work in needy places. Sometimes we had several
men in the work and quite often helped new, and week churches
to finance themselves. We did some joint work with the state
convention through their efficient secretary A V Rowe, a venerable
old gentleman. Many were the expierances, and trials of this
work. One of the mission men reported on one accasion that he
baptised a man in a boat by his bedside. He was sick, and wanted
to be baptised. His friends brought a boat to his bed side,
filled it with water, and he baptised him in the boat. I served
on this executive board 38 years strait. The General association
of South East Mississippi was composed of local associations
in South East Mississippi., to fill a neglected part of the state.
The State convention had never come to this part of the State.
It was organized by the efforts of, and the advice of Rev N L
Clarke. He had investigated, and it was ready to be worked.
Landmark: During the time I served on this Executive board one
association held at Sylvarener, the Landmark baptist appeared.
Bro. John Simmons while speaking on mission refered to their churches
not doing any missoin work, when a brother Mayfield challenged
bro. Simmons statement. Got refs and started to bro. Simmons.
Someone stoped him. Simons called for a minet of the association.
Stated he would prove what he was saying. Bro. Mayfield was a
fierce looking man. I never herd of him again. This was the
first time I had known of the Landmark baptist. They objected
to the way the regular missionary Baptist did their mission work.
They wanted to send a man to the mission work, and have the churches
send their money direct to him from the church. Claimed it taken
nearly all of the money to pay the expense to get it to the man
on the mission field. At one of the associations I heard a Landmark
preacher attack bro. D T Chapman personally on this question of
missions. Chapman was treasurer of the association, and was counting
the money just turned over by the finance committee. This preacher
that attacted Chapman, Doctor Boyd (cancer doctor quack). All
had gone out of the house excep Chapman, Boyd, and myself. I
stayed by Chapman, thinking there might be trouble. Boyd said
it taken 90 cents to get one $ to the man on the field. Chapman
told him all money designated for missions every cent of it went
for missions, that there was a special fund paid in to bear all
mission fund expense.
At an association held at Fellowship near Enterprise Miss:
During the association these Landmark Baptist was there and there
was some discussion and brother Thigpen and Marion Walters had
a heated debate. Thigpen was Landmarker, and Walters defending
the regular Baptist. They quieted down with a set day and place
and time to debate the question. Never knew how they finally
settled their diferance. Dont think the question was before the
association again. A number of years later, bro. W T Smith was
moderator of ass. at a board meeting held at Pine Ridge Newton
county. A little fellow that was trying to preach had two Landmark
preachers to be at this Pine Ridge meeting. They never told their
business and bro. Smith never recognised them in any business,
and one of these men was Marion Walters. He had turned Land Marker,
and he was the Walters that once before challenged Thigpen on
the Land Mark question. I understand now 1948 they claim to be
the Missionary Baptist Church, and that the Regular Baptist are
convention Baptist. They are trying to take over everry place
and church possible. They disrupted Luin church, tried to get
the church record, and church funds, but clerk Hall would not
let them get the record. They finally got the house & property.
The Regular Baptist built a house on the oposite side of the road.
From what I hear they are practically taking South Mississippi.
Version
1, Chapter 4: “As Organized Farmer”
(ed.
this chapter does not exist in Version 2)
In September 22nd 1882, I was initiated in the Grange (Patrons
of Husbandry) of Pine Forest. Initiation given by Dr J B Bailey.
Dr J S Parker was master of the local Pine Forest Grange. The
election of annual officers was held on the regular meeting day
Friday before the fourth Sunday in December, at which time all
officers were elected for the ensuing year of 1883, and at this
1882 election I was elected clerk, and served for two years.
I was then elected and hired to work as assistant clerk in the
Bethel Cooperative Store. This store was owned and operated by
Bethel and Pine Forest Local Granges. I worked first year 1884
under J A Lake, an ex merchant, served as Secretary of the Cooperative
Association for awhile. Went to school at Conehata awhile in
1885. Worked second year under A J Rainer manager. In 1886 worked
as assistant to A J Rainer. In 1887 worked a crop at home, and
worked for Buckley and Tim Vessy (ed. name is not clear; possible
readings include “Jim Perry”) in store, a regular retail business.
The Grange had gone down in this section of the state, and the
Farm Alliance made its appearance in 1887. Was organized in
the county. I was president of Midway local one year, the first
county meeting after organization. I was elected county secretary.
Held that office while the organization in the county lasted.
When the Farmers Union was organized in the county at the first
county meeting I was elected secretary, and served as county secretary
while the organization lasted in Newton county. Attended several
state conventions, and attended the cotton convention 1885 in
New Orleans. Met and heard Tom E Watson address the convention.
This was a great get togather meeting. After the Farmers Union
failed in the county it was fourteen years. There was not any
farmers organization in the state.
Later the Truck growers association of Newton was organised.
I had a small acreage the first year of onions and cabbage.
This association lasted for several years. Price for cabbage
raised from 25 cent to $3.50 per hundred pound crate. The last
year that the association operated one shipment had to pay the
freight bill to get rid of the shipment. Then for two years I
hauled yam potatoes to the canning factory at Laurell Miss, paid
$15.00 a truck load to get them hauled. Would take two days to
make the trip and return. Prior to this Laurel deal there was
a caning factory at Newton. I sold cabbage, potatoes, beans,
to this plant for several years. When this plant burned, we went
back to cotton growing. For several years I grew wheet to supply
home use. No mill near to grind wheet. Had to carry it to Nights
mill in Neshoba county. The only mill in reach that had a bolting
chest to seperate the flour from the shorts and bran. I grew
as much as 18 bushels to the acre. Quit growing wheet because
could grow cotton that would by mour (ed. buy more) flour than
the wheet would make to the acre. I grew 2 bales of cotton on
1 acre once, and 75 bushels of corn on one acre, often growing
a crop of cabbage of 100 crates of 100 pounds to the crate on
the same acre all in one year. One year the 100 crates of cabbage
was worth 3.00 per crate= $300.00. Then had planted corn between
the cabbage roes the 1st week in June, taken cabbage off in June
then worked to corn and planted peas in corn middles. The last
year we planted cabbage extensively. The market failed. I plowed
several acres under. Did not cut a cabbage from it. It was Drumhead
late cabbage. I had rather grow cabbage than to grow cotton.
Less work to grow, and less work to gather. Besides could grow
a good crop of corn, and peas after cabbage came off, and the
land was improving after growing the crops cabbage, corn and peas.
Version
2, Chapter 5: “Girl Associates”
At six and a half years in school in August 1865 I was claiming
Ellen Bailiff for my girl. She was a young ladie, nearly grown.
They went to Texas. She married and quit her husband. Then I
claimed another, a little girl larger than myself. Her name was
Sallie Wells. They went to Texas. Then in 1868 in school near
home a girl named Matt Wash claimed me for her sweetheart. She
gave some embaresment. She was to old for me. Later another
girl claimed me on general principles. She wrote me an affectionate
letter. I never let anyone know that I ever got it. It was embarising
to me. Later in 1872 I was 14 years old attending school at Newton
I claimed another girl named Ida Dansby. She thought well of
me. All spring I carried her magnolia blooms. Some of the other
girls envied her with me because I gave her the beautiful magnolia
blooms. And she appreciated me. At that time I had my mother
name my baby sister Ida for her.
The next one seemingly (at 16 years) that was my girl was at Midway
school in the years 1875, 1876, 1877. We were classmates and
was allowed to sitt togather in school in our arithmetic class
which lasted all the afternoon. We did think well of each other.
Everyone said so and afterwards we to thought so. Her name was
Nora Ashmore. They moved away at the end of the year 1877. In
1879 her brother Ellry Ashmore taught school at Riser school house
and they had home for the summer near my home. I visited her
a few times here. Another boy Will Gibbs kept her company continually.
I visited her the last Sunday they were in the Community. When
I left to go home I asked if I might call Monday night. She insisted
saying do come. Monday morning I started to school at Newton
to Judge Campbell. I told my father I was going to Ashmores Monday
night. He told me I had better get my lesson for next day, and
that ended that. The next time I saw her in 1883 she was married
to Dr Oxner and not long afterwards they went to a foreign field
as missionaries. Some time later they both died on mision field.
The last time I saw her she with her husband was attending a meeting
at Midway church. She was a fine looking girl and fine lady.
We did really like each other. Then the Freemans came to Midway,
bought the Ashmore farm. The girls Finnie 16- Georgia 14 years
old, and Sallie then 10 years. I kept company some, not very
much with Finnie. She was a fast girl, had lots of beaus. I
kept company some with Georgia for companys sake. I thought she
would marry Frank Barette, but I kept her company and had a good
time. She appreciated my company. She married Frank Barette
Nov 16, 1882 age 17 years. Finnie married Fred Russell December
10th 1880 at 20 years old.
In about 1880 I met the Chapman girls at my aunt Sarah Ann Wells
home. I often visited my cousins Tilda and Edd Chapman and the
Chapman girls would often be there and we would all walk to church
at Bethel church. Prettie soon Miss Mollie and I were thrown
togather and were fast friends as I thought. We would meet at
the Patrons Union, and be there together for a good time. She
visited in my home with our cousin Tilda Chapman several times.
I nev in her home but twice. She and her sister and Matilda Chapman
and Jim Hardy was at our home on Christmas. When they were leaving
I went with them to Uncle Ben Normans and with them to a party
at Mr Mint Walkers. Staid all night at Normans. I told Mollie
that day as we rode along to Normans that little Sallie Freeman
was my little girl. She and her cousin Jennie Smith had just
come to my home as we were leaving for Normans. So next morning
I went back home because Miss Sallie was there and when she was
ready to go home I had her horse saddled ready for her. I told
her I was going home with her. When we got to her home I went
in with them for awhile. I thought she appreciated my company.
1882 at a later time cousin Matilda told me that Mollie said Mollie
told her to tell me it was time we were getting married. I told
her to tell Mollie I did not want to marry, if she wanted to marry
she would have to get someone else.
In December cousin Tilda and Jim Hardy got married. Had Miss
Mollie Chapman and I for waiters and we really had a fine time.
We accompanied the Bride and Groom to Hardyvill. Miss Mollie
had discarded her sweetheart, a nice man namely Edd Utisler.
He disappeared at once. When Matilda told Molly that she would
have to get someone else if she wanted to marry. Said she ran
to anoth room for a while and when she came back showed to have
been crying, then said she was going to set Blucher Mason a widower
with 1 boy. They married prettie soon and raised a fine set of
children, 2 girls and 4 boys all fine looking. I dont think she
ever got fully over her affection for me. I saw her last time
when she was on her bed some time before her death. We talked.
I wanted to be of interest to her. She said we had alway been
friend. Alway been friend nothing more. I did not say anything
more. I knew diferent. She was blue eyed red hair blond. Verry
fair about 5 feet 10 inches, about 140 pounds, 18 years old.
Real fine looking. Was left a widow for years. Had her family
to rear, educate and start in business. Her father a representative
man for years. She was an albino, white eyes, white brow &
lashes.
In 1882 began to meet Sallie Freeman then 14 years old. She was
verry bashful, and shy. We met at sociable parties and soon
had agreeable social meetings. Miss Sallie was blue eyed, white
hair turned dark prominent nose smooth face slender build 5’6’’
120 # weight. Married at 21 years old Jan. 17th 1889, died at
79, March 1947. Gave birth to 5 boys and 4 girls, all lived to
be grown. All high school graduates. All college graduates except
Jack. All taught school as profession except Jack and Miley (are
good farmers). Medline married a Rail Road man, Mildred a Doctor.
Irene died a spinster. Sallie Freeman baptised by her father
A J Freeman in Turkey Creek into Midway Baptist church August
28th 1887. Lived a consecrated life ever afterwards. Was a leader
in church and Sunday School activities untill death.
Version
1, Chapter 5: “Girl Associates”
At
six and a half years, in school in August 1865 I was claiming
Ellen Bailiff for my girl. She was a young ladie, nearly grown.
They went to Texas and she married and quit her husband. Not
long afterwards, I claimed another a little girl larger than myself.
Her name was Sallie Wells. They went to Texas. Then in 1868
in school near home, a girl named Matt Wash claimed me for her
sweetheart and she gave me some embarisment. She was to old for
me. Later another girl claimed me on general principles. She
wrote me an affectionate letter. I never let any one know that
I ever got it. It was embarising to me. Later in 1872, I was
14 years old, was attending school at Newton. I claimed another
girl named Ida Dansby. She thought well of me, all during spring
I carried her magnolia blooms. Some other girls envied her with
me because I gave her the beautiful magnolia blooms, and she appreciated
me. At that time, I had my mother name my baby sister for her,
Ida. Then the next one seemingly that was my girl, was at Midway
school in the years 1875-1876, & 1877. We were classmates
and was allowed to sit together in school in our arithmetic class,
which lasted all the afternoons, and we did think well of each
other, at least everyone said so, and afterwards we to thought
so. Her name was Norah Ashmore. They moved away at the end of
the year 1877.
In 1879 her brother Ellry Ashmore taught school at Riser school,
and they had home for the summer near my home. I visited her
a few times here. Another boy Will Gibbs kept her company continually.
I visited her the last Sunday they were in the community. When
I left her to go home I asked her if I might call the next night,
Monday, and she insisted saying do come. Monday morning I started
to school at Newton to Judge Campbell. I told my father I was
going over Monday night to Ashmores. Then he told me I had better
get my lesson for next day, and that ended that. The next time
I saw her in 1883 she was married to a Dr Oxner. And not long
after they went to a foreign filed as missionaries, sometime after
they both died in the mission field. The last time I saw her
she with her husband was attending a meeting at Midway church.
She was a fine looking girl, and fine ladie. We did really like
each other. Afterwards the Freemans came to Midway, bought the
Ashmore farm. The girls Finnie 16, Georgia, 14 years old, and
Sallie then ten years old. I kept company with them some not
verry much with Finney. She was a real fast girl, and had lots
of boughs. I kept company some with Georgia for company’s sake.
I knew that she would mary Frank Barrette but I kept her company,
and had a fine time. She appreciated my company. She married
Frank Barrette Nov 16th 1882 age 17. Finnie Married Fred Russel
December 2 1880. She was 20 years old.
In about 1880 I met the Chapman girls at my aunt Sarah Ann Wells
home. I often visited my cousins Tilda and Edd, and my aunt.
And the Chapman girls would often be there, and we would all walk
to church at Bethel church and pretty soon Miss Mollie and I were
throne togather, and were fast friends as I thought. We would
meet at the Patron’s Union, and be there togather there for a
good time. She visited in our home with our cousin Tilda several
times. I was never in her home but twice. She and her sister
Em. Matilda Chapman, and Jim Hardy was at our home one Christmast
1882. When they were leaving I went with them to Uncle Ben Normans,
and with them to a partie at Mr Mint Walkers. Stayed all night
at Normans. I told Mollie that day as we rode to Normans that
little Sallie Freeman, was my little girl.
She and her cousin Jennie Smith had just come to my home as we
were leaving for Normans. So the next morning I went back home
because Miss Sallie was there, and when she was ready to go home
I caught, and saddled her horse, and my mule also. Told her I
was going home with them to keep the buggers from catching them.
When we got to her home I went in with them for a while. I thought
she appreciated my company. Xmas 1882. At a later time cousin
Matilda told me that Mollie C. told her to tell me it was time
we were getting married. I told her to tell her Mollie I did
not want to marry. If she wanted to marry, she would have to
get someone else.
In December cousin Matilda and Jim L Hardy were married and they
had Miss Mollie Chapman & I for their best escorts and we
really had a fine time. We accompanied the Bride and groom to
Hardyvill. Miss Mollie had discarded her sweetheart, a nice man
namely Ed Utesler. I dont know what became of him, but he disappeared
at once. When Matilda told her that I sent her the word that
I did not want to marry, said that she ran of to another room
for sometime, and when she came back she showed to have been crying
and then said that she was going to sett Blucher Mason. Mason
was a widower with one child, a boy named George. They married
prettie soon and they reared four sons and two daughters. All
were large, fine looking men and wimen. I dont think she ever
got fully over her affection for me. I saw her the last time,
when she was on her death bed. We talked. I wanted to be of
interest to her. She said we had always been friends nothing
more. I did not say anything more, but I knew diferent. She
was blue eyed, red hair blond, verry fair about 5 ft 10 inches,
about 140 pounds, about 18 years old, and real fine looking.
Was left a widow for years. Had her family to rear, educate,
and start in business. Her father Hon. D T Chapman, was a representative
man for years.
Version
2, Chapter 6: “Sarah Jackson Freeman”
Sarah
Jackson Freeman born January 7th 1868 in the Bailey Freeman Colonial
mansion 2 miles of Monticello Georgia on the Bethel church road
near Oakmulga river in Jasper county Georgia, the daughter of
Andrew Jackson Freeman and Sarah Jane Phillips, daughter of Judge
Wiley Phillips. Sallie was 7 years old when there home burned
April 17th 1875. Her mother told her to go get Uncle John Phillips
a quarter of mile away. She ran so hard when she got to Uncle
John and being excited she could not speak. Uncle John asked
what she wanted, still she could not speak to him. He looked
and saw their home on fire. He ran to their burning home. He
was plowing in his garden. He left his horse standing in the
garden. Sallies going to school was with her sister Finnie for
company to Bethel school (church) 3 miles away. One day Dr--
came along in a new buggy. They rode with him to school. Sallie
told of a number of things she saw, and did while she was small.
Told of the big poplar tree that stood in the midle of the big
road near their home, of its being hollow at the ground, and a
billy goat staying in the hollow. One day brother pulled the
goat out . When he turned him loose he ran right back into the
hollow tree. There were several graves in their garden. They
were Freeman graves. They had marble slabs over them. She used
to play on these marble slabs. There was an apple tree, late
apples, inside the gate. One day she found an apple had fallen
in the weeds and brush. It was a real treat to her. She told
how she had to fill baskets with cotton to feed the gin one day,
and how the strenous work made her sick. Next day they put her
to drive the team to the gin. Sallie always had to work and do
her part as soon as large enough to work.
Sallies early playmate was her cousin Monroe Phillips. They thrashed
their wheet. Had the straw in high piles. These children turned
bad. (ed. “turned bad” is very difficult to make out and I may
have misread it) They tunneled under through this straw and crawled
through this tunnel. Had a little negro boy to go through first,
then Monroe went next, then Sallie went through next and Willie
went thorugh last.
Sally told of the family going to Bethel church all one day and
sending Georgia and Sallie to neighbor Wilsons to stay while they
were gon to church. They carried their dinner with them. They
had cake for dinner. Sallie showed her cake to the Wilson children.
The Wilsons were poor, but nice people. They had a number of
girls. One of the girls married a wealthy man in Monticello Ga.
There were several graves near Wilson yard fence. One of her
first times to church was with her mother to Bethel church. She
saw her sister Kate and a Mr Piper setting on a front seat singing
I can tarry but a night, and how they did make the song ring.
Sallie new Uncle John Phillip home and family. Monroe was her
first playmate. Uncle John had a fine cherrie orchard across
the road in front of their home. Sallie knew Grandpa Judge Wily
Phillip, a widower for years. He had a negro cook and housekeeper.
He kept his victuals and dishes in his desk drawer, and how glad
she was to have him to open the desk. It did smell good to her.
Sallie could tell all about their home the yard the garden and
of their fields and the branches and about their home burning
and of the large two room cook house. Mother and girls slept
in the cook house and the men sleeping in a negro house untill
the new house was ready to go into. They put up 2 story house
with three brick chimneys to it. They left this place in December
1886, came to Decatur Mississippi. They sent Georgia and Sallie
home with Uncle Green Phillips, was visiting them a few days before
the family started to Mississippi.
Said Uncle Greens wife was a big fat woman ate lots of meat, butter
and fat things. Would butter her bread to eat with meet untill
the butter would run down on her fingers. She went to church
Sunday with Uncle Green, a big old church building, not many people
then to church. She went with negro to the field after. Ones
they cowsed (ed. caused? crossed? ) a big branch in the field.
They stayed at Uncle Greens untill the wagons came. Starting
to Mississippi they had their goods in mule wagon. Kate Finnie
Georgia & Father in doubl seated 2 horse hack. They all went
to Griffin Georgia for the night, the wimmin to hotel and men
to the wagon yard. Next morning the wagons started on road to
Mississippi. Mrs Freeman Sallie & Willie to the depot for
the train. Uncle Green with them. Uncle Green went in the car
with them, told them goodby. And that was the last they saw of
their Georgia kin. They had to change cars in Atlanta, had to
run to catch their train.
They got to Hickory Mississippi Saturday night. Mrs Freeman asked
the agent where she could get lodgin for the night. The agent
sent her to Mrs Meltons for the night. Sunday morning Mrs Freeman
asked Mrs Melton about Mr George Todd. Mrs Freeman knew the Todds.
Mrs Melton sent her daughter with Sallie 9 years old and Willie
to Mr Todd 2 miles away. Mr Todd saddled 2 horses going after
Miss Freeman an Sallie riding behind Mr Todd. He told Sallie
you can tell you ride (ed. rode?) with Mr George Todd 1st in Mississippi.
From here Mrs Freeman wanted conveyance to A J Smiths. There
was a waggon going to Decatur court Monday morning. They got
this wagon to Decatur. When they got in Decatur Mrs Freeman saw
her brother in law and called to brother Flem Huddleston. He
asked them to go to his house from Decatur. They got conveyance
to A J Smith and sister Em. They staid here untill the wagons
came. They were 16 days on the road, then trip to Meridian to
get house furnishings. Then moved into Patsy Jones home 2 story
house 2 miles east of Decatur for year 1877.
Then Sallie went to school to bro. Snediker at Chapel Hill, a
good school, 2 miles away. Her chums at school were Jennie Smith,
Sallie Harris. Sallie told how Ollie Giles would scare a boy
Ed herrington into fits. Would bow his head over, have his long
hair to hang over his face, shak his head at the boy. He did
look scarry. She told of a boy reading Ponto jumped into the
water. He would say Ponto jumped I into the water. Never would
read it correct. Whiped him, still he would say Ponto jumped
I into the water. Sallie attended this school in the spring &
summer of 1877. They lived off the public road this year 1877.
There was a branch near their home. Georgia & Sallie damed
this branch up untill it would float a tub. Sallie got in the
tub to take a boat ride. Georgia turned the tub over, wetting
Sallie all over. Then Sallie stood in the sunshine, trying to
dry her dress. Was afraid to let her mother know of being wett.
They got word to come go to Uncle Jack Smith, then she had a chance
to get dry clothes. Sallie had to hlep to pick cotton crop of
1877. Her father and Georgia worked at cane mill, got several
barrals of syrup to their part of work. The family gathered the
crop. Kate was sick with fevor.
They moved to the Ashmore place at Midway Jan 1st 1878. Their
1st night in their new home Uncle Flem Huddleston stoped to spend
the night. They were out of coffee. They sent Georgia &
Sallie to neighbor Cookies to borrow coffee. Georgia made sallie
ask for the coffee and how she did hate to have to ask for the
coffee the first time to see ther neighbors. Sallies now 10 years
old Jan 7th 1878. She helped to clean up trash on the land, ready
for the plow. Droped corn & cotton seed, hoed and thined
corn, choped and hoed cotton, and did other farm work. Sallie
and Willie had to tear a beaver dam out of the creek once. Sallie
attended school at Midway 4 month in the years in 1878, 1879-1880-1881-1882
& 1883. In March 1883 sent to Finnie Russel to go to Crossroads
school. Untill in June. Sallie was 15 years old. Sallies first
years in Midway school she was leader in her class and leader
in their sports. The boys all claimed her for their girl. She
was a fine student. Everybody loved little Sallie Freeman. She
attended school 4 months Dec Nov and Jan Feb 1883 & 1884 to
F N McMullan. While going to Crossroads school a number
of of boys and young men was wanting to visit her and her teacher
was one of that number to be wanting to make love to her. I was
acknowledged to be her sweetheart when she left home to go to
Crossroads school. The teacher and a student had a man fight
in the school house. The student whiped the teacher. The teacher
asked Miss Sallie to treat the boys nice. The fight was caused
by jealesy over Miss Sallie. She never knew that the fight was
about her.
It was said Willie went to see Sallie on Sunday and Frank went
one Sunday, and it was said Frank tryed to have Sallie to discard
Willie. She dident do it, went to her mother with his proposition.
Her mother told her never never do it. Willie kept visiting her
regularly. Shes now sixteen years old. She went to school at
Midway, 4 months Nov Dec & Jan Feb 83 & 84 to Frank McMullan.
Don’t know if they kept company any of this time. I called in
to see her. Just stoped as I was passing on Jan 6th, her birthday.
I did not appreciate my reception. Did not stay long. Did not
see her again untill May 18. May 17th sent compliments asking
her permission to call Sunday. She accepted my call, greeted
me kindly. In our talk she asked what would you have done if
I had excepted your call. Don’t know what I said in answer to
her question. I did not stay long. In 2 weeks I sent 2nd note.
She accepted my company Sunday eve June 1st. 2 weeks later accepted
my company for June 15th 1884 Sallie Freeman. After this visit
did not see her again untill in August in Midway church. During
the Presbyterian meeeting on Sunday we were setting facing each
other in church. Had not met in 2 months. During the service
our eyes met. We recognized we were caught looking direct at
each other. The look she gave out of them blue eyes and the expression
on her face I never can forget. I recognized to be the look of
love. So it really was. I don’t know how I looked to her. I
never doubted her again.
Early afternoon I went to her home. She met me kindly. We had
a pleasant evening. I asked if I might walk with her to church
tonight. As we returned from church I asked if I might come Tuesday
morning and we would go to picknick at the Walker bridge. It
was agreeable. Thursday morning I drove over to get her for the
picknick. This the 1st time I was out in my buggy. I thought
she looked downcast, worse than I ever saw her. She had on nice
dress, an unbecoming hat. We had a pleasant day & trip.
A number of boys and girls out to picknick from Newton. As we
came home I asked if I could go with her to church tonight. Her
in answer she said I have company, looked at me and said you had
not asked me. I then asked if I could come and we would go to
Wall Bridge picknick Thursday. We had a pleasant day and jolly
time at this picknick. As we returned home I asked if I could
carry her to his sister Kate fish fry Saturday. As we returned
from Normans I asked if I could go with her to the Decatur August
meeting Sunday. Sunday I drove near the gate. She came out to
go. I helped her put on and button her duster. Untied my mule,
turned to get in the buggy. I looked to the house. Mrs Freeman
was standing in the door watching us get off. I wandered if the
thought this will be another son in law. Miss Sallie staid at
Decatur for the meeting, I came home. Meeting to begin at Midway
next Sunday. We would meet at church not specially togather.
We attended a partie togather. We were now better friends than
ever befor. We caught the measzles at this partie. I was visiting
her regularly. I sent her a Christmas present. This ends visits
for 1885, 25 visits. 1884, 17 visits. August 29th with Miss
Sallie to Fred Russells and Crossroads to church for the week.
Mack Russell and I swaped girls, Mac with Miss Sallie, I with
Maud Russell Wednesday. Mc though he would go with Sallie Thursday.
Miss Sallie ran to my buggy got in and told me she would not go
with Mc Russsell again. Came home Friday, visited in Freeman
home Sept 16th. Miss Sallie told me she would ride with Monday,
coming back from associatoin at Harpervill. We got home Tuesday
noon. Taken dinner with her . September 16th excused gone to
Georgia to stay over week, am to start in the morning. She asked
to be excused. I have promised sister Kate to go there tomorrow,
preaching at school house then Sunday. Put flower in this note.
Sallie Freeman. Oct 25 1885.
In November 22nd 1885 we contracted to marry. We had been keeping
company since Christmas 1882, nearly 3 years. We kept company
regularly 3 years and 2 months. She attended school at Decatur
in 1886. Her last school was to Miss Lida Pucket winter of 1886
& 1887. She taught a subscription school at her house school
Midway in 1887, and again at Midway in summer of 1888. We married
January 17th Thursday 1889 at 11 oclock, went to fathers home
for the night. Taken honey moon a few days. Went to our new
home Monday morning January 21 1889. Rev N L Clark the noted
preacher of Newton county and South East Mississippi. Miss Annie
McDowell and W N Wilson were our waiters. Miss Sallies dress
was best material. Shade blue made in the verry best of stile
of that time. My suit was Prince Albert the verry best material
to be had in Meridian at Marks Rothenburg, the best store in
East Mississippi. I was 30 years less 13 days old, and Miss Sallie
21 and 10 days old. We went home in our new house
I had built for her. I led her up the front on the porch and
told her this is your house, I built it for you. Take charge
of the house, I will run the outside. We went to work, each one
in his particular work. We agreed which side of the fire place
we would set. I got up made fire and fire in the stove, went
fed the horse, came back and had breakfast. Miss Sallie milked
the cow. I tended the stock and got the wood. I had buggy, and
good young mule. We went visiting often to see Miss Sallies Aunt
Em, and cousin Jennie and her cousins Smith boys. And to see
my aunts 4 of them, and 2 uncles, Miss Sallies 3 married sisters
and brother, and my married sister. To see her parents and my
parents nearly every week. Sometimes visited our parents a night
during the week. Not long after marriage Miss Salliewent her
mother to sister Finnie to a quilting. They went in a wagon expecting
to return in eve. Had a partie that night. They staid for the
partie & Miss Sallie could not come home. Next morning when
they back Miss Sallie ran on home, came out where I was plowing,
told me why she could not come home alone. She cried becaus she
had failed to come back, it being the first either of us had failed
to be faithful to each other. We had a good living. Started
with a good porker, good milk cow, a barrell of flour, lard,
sugar, rice and coffee. Had a good early garden, plenty of vegatables.
We did our work willingly, did it on time. Miss Sallie tended
the garden. I cleaned up some new land, worked corn and cotten
crop, made 2 bales cotton, corn to supply our needs for our bread,
feed the mule and fatten hogs to make our meet. We did our own
work. No trouble to get a days work when needed. Good hands
at 50 cents, wimen & children for less for day. We had reasenable
health. We grew potatoes, goobers, peas, watermelons to supply
our needs. Also oats for the mule, and sugarcane. Made our syrup.
Version
1, Chapter 6: “Sarah Jackson Freeman”
(ed.
found on loose paper in the back of the Version 1 Notebook)
Sarah
Jackson Freeman born January 7th 1868 in the Baily Freeman mansion
2 miles of Monticello Georgia on the Bethel church road, near
Okmulga river Jasper county Georgia, the daughter of Andrew Jackson
Freeman and Sarah Jane Philipps. Was 7 years old when their home
burned April 17th 1875. She was told to go after Uncle John Phillips.
She ran so hard going the quarter mile, she could not speek when
she got to Uncle John, and being excited she coul not speak, Uncle
John asked what she want. She still could not speak. Uncle John
looked and saw their home on fire. He was plowing in his garden.
He left the horse and ran to their home. Sallies first school
with sister Finnie for company 3 miles to Bethel church. One
day Dr-- came along in a new buggy and they rode with him to school.
She told of a number of things she saw and did whil she was small.
Told of the big poplar tree that stood in the midle of the big
road near their home, of its being hollow at the ground, and a
billy goat staying in the hollow. One day brother pulled the
goat out, when turned him loose he ran right back in the hollow
tree. There were several graves in their garden. They were Freeman
graves. They had marble slabs over them. She used to play on
the slabs. There was a late apple tree stood near the garden
gate. One day she found an apple had fallen in the weeds and
brush. It was out of season, was a real treat to her.
She told how she had to fill baskets with cotton to feed the gin
one day and how the streanous work made her sick. Next day they
put her to drive the team to the leaver to run the gin. Sallie
always had to work and do her part as soon as large enogh to work.
Sallies early playmate was her cousin Monroe Phillipps. They
thrashed their wheat, had the straw piled in large high piles.
They, children, tuneled through under this pile of straw and crawled
through this tunnel. Had a little negro boy. Made him go through
first, then Monroe went next, then Sallie went through and Willie
went through last. She told of the family going to Bethel church
all day once, and sending, but sent Sallie and Georgia to near
by Mr Wilsons today untill they came back. They had their dinner
with them. They had cake for dinner. She showed her cake to
the Wilson children. The Wilsons were poor relations. They had
a number of girls. They were nice folks. One of the girls married
a wealthy man in Monticello. There were several graves near the
Wilson yard fence.
One of her first times to go to church was with her mother to
Bethel. She saw her sister Kate and a Mister Piper setting on
a front seat togather singing I can tarry but a night and how
they did make it (the song) ring. Sallie new Uncle Johns family
and home. Will Monroe was her playmate. Uncle John had a fine
cherry orchard across the road from her home. She knew Grandpa
Judge Wiley Phillips a widower for years. Had negro cook and
housekeeper. Kept his vitual and dishes in his desk, and how
glad she was to have him open the desk. It did smell good to
her. She could tell all about their home, the yard, the garden
and of their fields and the branches, and about home burning and
of the large two roomed cook house, and the men sleeping in negro
house untill the new house was up. They put up 2 story house,
3 chimneys to it. They left this place in Dec 1876, came to Decatur
Miss. They sent Georgia and Sallie home with Uncle Green Philips.
He was visiting them a few days before the family started to Mississippi.
Said Uncle Greens wife was a big fat woman. She ate lots of meet,
butter and fat thing. Would butter her bread untill the butter
would run on her fingers to eat with her meat. She went to church
Sunday with Uncle Green. An old church building, not many there.
She went with negro after the cows across a big branch in the
field. She staid at Uncl Greens untill the wagons came starting
to Mississippi. They had their good in mule wagon. Kate, Finnie,
Georgia and father in two seated two horse hack. They all went
to Griffin Georgia, the wimen to hotel, men to wagon yard. Next
morning the wagon started on road to Mississippi. Mrs Freeman,
Sallie & Willie to the depot for the train. Uncle Green with
them. Uncle Green went in car with them, told them goodby and
thats the last they saw of their Georgia kin. They had to change
cars in Atlanta, had to run to catch their train. They got to
Hickory, Miss, Saturday night. Mrs Freeman asked the agent where
she could get loging. He sent her to Mr Meltons. Next day she
asked about Mr George Todd. Mrs Melton sent her daughter with
Sallie 9 years old & Willie to Mr Todd, who saddled 2 horses,
and to get Mrs Freeman, Sallie riding behind Mr Todd, who told
Sallie you can tell that you rode first in Mississippi with Mr
George Todd. From here Mrs Freeman wanted conveyance to A J Smiths.
There a waggon going to Decatur Monday to court. So they got
this wagon to Decatur. When they got in Decatur Mrs Freeman saw
her brother in law and called to bro. Flem Huddlston from Decatur.
They got conveyance to A J Smiths. There untill the wagon came
to trip to Meridian. Got house furnishings, then moved to Patsy
Jones place for 1877. East of Decatur.
Then Sallie went to Chapel Hill to school to prof. Snediken, 2
miles away. This a good school. Sallie told how Ollie Giles
would scare a boy Ed Herington into fits. He would bow his head
over , have his long hair fall over his face, shake his head at
the boy and he did look scarry. She told of a roten (ed. or Roten)
boy trying to read the sentence Ponto jumped into the water.
He would read Ponto jumped I into the water. The teacher never
could get him to read it correct. He whiped him, still he would
say Ponto jumped I into the water. Her chum at this school was
Jennie Smith and Sallie Harris. She attended this school spring
and fall of 1877. They lived off the public road this year.
There was a branch near their home. Georgia & Sallie damed
this water up untill it would float a tub. Sallie got in the
tub to tak a boat ride. Georgia turned to tub over wetting Sallie
all over. Then she tried to dry her dress by standing in the
sunshine. Was afraid to let her mother know of her being wet.
They got word to come and go to Uncle Jack Smith. Then she had
chance to put on dry clothes. Sallie had to help pick cotton
crop of 1877. Her father & Georgia worked at cane mill.
Got several barrells of syrup to their part the work. The family
gathered the crop. Kate was sick with fevor. They moved to the
Ashmores place at Midway January 1st 1878. Their first night
in their new home Uncle Flem Huddlston stoped to spend the night.
They wer out of coffee. They sent Sallie to neighbor...(ed. illegible)
to borrow some coffee and how she did hate to go to borrow coffee
the first day in the community. Sallie then 10 years old Jan
7 1878. She helped to clean up land, to plow, droped corn and
cotton seed, hoed, and thined corn, choped and hoed cotton &
other farm work. Once she and Willie had to take a beaver dam
out of the creek. She attended school at Midway 4 months a year,
2 in winter and 2 in summer.
Sallie was 15 years old when going to Crossroads. The teacher
Franklin McMullan just from State University. Miss Sallie was
a leading student. A number of the young men trying to keep her
company, and her teacher was one of that number to be making love
to her. She was shy of most of them. Her teacher asked her to
treat them nice. I was acknowledged to be her sweetheart when
she left home to go to Crossroads school. The teacher and a studant
had a mans fight in the schoolhouse, caused from jealousy of
Sallie. The boy whiped the teacher. Sallie never knew that the
fight was about her. It was said that I, Willie, went to see
her one Sunday & Frank went one Sunday and it was said Frank
tried to have her discard Willie. She did not do it. Willie
kept visiting her regularly. She’ now 16 years old. She had
offered to ware my ring for me for 3 years for me. Volunteer
offer. I went to Christmas tree at Crossroads because Miss Sallie
would be there. I put a fancy box of stationary on the tree for
Miss Sallie. It was the nicest present on the tree. She was
shy of me in the hollidays. At least I thought so. I called
to see her on Sunday Jan 6 her birthday 16 years. I dident appreciate
my reception. Did not stay long. Did not see her again untill
May 18th 1884. She went to school to Frank Mc during winter Nov
Dec 1883 & Jan & Feb 1884 at Midway. Dont know if they
kept company during any of this time. May 17 I sent card asking
her permission to call. She accepted my visit. It was pleasnt
visit. She asked me wat I would have done if she had exceped
my visit. Did not stay to long. Compliment 2 weeks later was
will accept of your company Sunday eve & 2 weeks later will
accept you company Sunday June 15 1884 Sallie F.
After the June visits did not meet untill August, when we were
in church at Midway, setting facing each other, when our eyes
met across the church. The look she gave me out of them blue
eyes, and the expression on her face I never can forget. I recognised
it to be the look of love. I dont know how I looked to her.
I visited her early in the afternoon, to church in eve. To picknick
Tuesday, and picknick Thursday. Fish fry Saturday, an to Decatur
church on Sunday. We were now better friends than ever before.
We attended a partie, hand fine time togather. We caught the
measels at this partie. I was visiting her regularly, sent her
Christmas present. This ends 1884. Visits for 1883, 25 times,
for 1884, 17 times. 1885 I went to Conehatta school, came home
once a month to see Miss Sallie. Came home from school to stay.
Visiting Miss Sallie regularly every two weeks. Shes now 17 years.
August 29th with Miss Sallie to Fred Russells and to Crossroads
to church day and night untill Thursday. I and Mack Russell swaped
girls Wednesday to church, Mack with Miss Sallie. Thursday when
went to go Miss Sallie ran and got in my buggy & told me she
would not go with Mack again. We came home Friday, visiting in
the Freeman home. Sept 16 Miss Sallie volenteered to tell me
she would ride with me coming back from the association at Harpervill
Monday, got home Tuesday noon. I taken dinner with her. Sept
17 Sunday excused, gone to Georgias.
Version
2, Chapter 7: “Sallie Freeman”
I will begin at the begining. I first saw little Sallie Freeman
in May, second Sunday 1877. She and her mother was going into
north door of Decatur old Baptis church. She was holding to her
mothers dress, had white hair tied with ribon hanging down on
her back. She was then nine years old just six months from Monticello
Georgia. Nex time I saw her was 1st of January, 1878. I was
visiting Midway school on Friday evening. They had a program
for the evening. Miss Bettie Atkinson the teacher pointed little
Sallie Freeman out to me said Shes the best speller in school.
There was a number of grown studants in school at that time.
The summer following 1878 I attended the Midway school. I noticed
that little Sallie was leader in the sports of her associates
and of her class. One day on the playground we had a little spat.
She nocked my hat off. Otherwise we were always good friends.
I noticed her mentally and physically as the years passed. I
thought her above her classmates and her playmates, for she was
leader in nearly everything they did. It was real noticable to
me. During Christmas 1880 the Freeman family visited in our home.
Sallie was 12 years old January 7th 1880. The family was all
in a waggon except Mrs Freeman was on horseback. When time to
go home I had Mrs. Freeman horse at the horse block. She was
going home before the wagon got ready to go and called Sallie
to come go with her riding on the horse behind her mother. Sallie
wanted to go in the wagon with her sisters. Came grudgingly
when she made the spring to get on the horse. She jumped to far.
Was going over the horse. I caught her by the leg and pulled
her back strait on the horse. Mrs Freeman was scolding Sallie.
I said Mrs Freeman give her to me and let her stay. Mrs Freeman
said alright you may have her. Then Sallie straightened up ready
to go.
When Sallie was 14 years old I was going horseback riding with
her sister Georgia and Sallie was riding on the horse behind Georgia.
In the talk I asked Georgia how old girls had to be before they
were grown. She said they were considered grown at 16 years.
Then I said I would pul my mule back, and go with Sallie. Georgia
said Sallie is prettie two way, prettie ugly and pretty apt to
stay that way. I then told Sallie you are not ugly to me. You
will be a pretieer woman than your sister Georgia. Sallie did
not say anything while this was being talked. Was afraid to say
anything to me. If she had said anything to me Georgia never
would have quit teasing her. If she had said anything to me.
She was verry very bashful.
Another time I was going with Georgia when Georgia began to wear
a hoop skirt. Hoop skirts was something new at that time. Sallie
came out to the horse block to see Georgia get on the horse and
to see what would happen when the hoop struck the saddle. I saw
that something was expected for it was funnie to Sallie. Nothing
happened. Sallie was not catching beaus, but was thinking about
the boys. I staid at Freemans home one Sunday night on account
of rainy night, was visiting Georgia. The next morning before
I got up I heard Sallie calling mama mama, where is my dress to
wear today. I thought it the sweetest toned voice I had heard.
In the fall of September 1882 I was in the Freeman home. From
where I was sitting I could see one end of the dining table.
Sallie was setting the table for dinner as she would pass around
the table she would look in the room at me. And I would be looking
and smiling at her. And she would be blushing and biting her
lip. Biting her lip was common with her while she was in her
early teens. She was now passed 14 years and thinking of the
boys.
On November Thursday 16th 1882 Georgia got married. Then Sallie
came next. At church November 18th 1882 when we on the church
yard Mrs Freeman turned to me and said go home with us Willie
and said I reckon you won’t come now since Georgia is married.
My mother said to her oh, Sallies his girl. Mrs Freeman switched
around and said I didant know that. At this saying Sallie was
hiding behind the other girls. I did not say anything, did not
know what I could say, so I kept quiet. In December 1882 my cousin
Sallie McMullan and Sallie Freeman cousin Jeff Smith got married.
They had a weding supper, and the families on both sides were
invited. We met on equal terms at this wedding. Had some games
and a general talk. On this talk I said the McMullans had lost
their only Sallie and it was now up to me to get another Sallie
in the McMullan family name. At this saying Sallie Freeman was
hiding behind the other girls present, for she understood what
it all really ment. The next day we met casually at the A J Smith
infare dinner.
About this time there were sociable parties being held in our
community. I would meet Miss Sallie at these parties. There
was a candly pulling party at my house. I had Miss Sallie for
my partner to pull candly. She knew how to pull candy. As we
were pulling our candy I was going to tell her or to say something
to her about how I felt towards her. She left me at once, but
came back right quick. I did not say anything more about what
I started to tell her. We finished pulling our candy. She knew
how and was a fine hand at candy pulling. We met at these parties.
We had a real jolly time. She was 14 years old now. She had
a real jolly and bewitching laugh and was continually laughing
to the delight of her associates. I did really delight hearing
her laugh.
In the Christmas 1882 Miss Sallie Freeman and Jennie Smith visited
overnight in our home. When they were going home I had their
horse ready for them. I was goin home with them. This was her
first company to catch a beaugh 1882. I thought she enjoyed it.
Looked to be pleased. January 25 1883 Milt Jones and Janie Cooksey
got married. Miss Delia Cookey and I were their waiters. They
had a wedding supper. Miss Sallie now 15 years was there. I
directed most of my talk to her, expecting to escort her home,
half mile away. Another boy beat me to her. As she ran out the
door going home he said she ran all the way home. We met casually
the next day at Jones infare and party at night. The next we
met at party at Billie Whites. At this party she showed how she
could dance by dancing a jig. It was a delight to the partie.
At a party February 15 1883 she was a leading spirit in the party
plays. I had her company in nearly all of the plays. It rained.
We staid nearly all night. As the party came to a stand still,
we with her girlfriend Fannie Galoway sat on a bench on one side
of the room. She had her friend between us. We talked about
things in common. I told them I loved all the girls but loved
one better than all of the others. Her friend asked if I really
ment it. I was wearing a nice finger ring. They got my ring
was trying it on their fingers and admiring it. When they gave
it back to me Miss Sallie looked at me and said I will wear your
ring for you for three years and. She stoped the sentance on
the word and. Fannie laughed. I laughed and she blushed.
The party began at one. We entered the play at once. Nothing
more said about the ring. I have wandered what the remainder
of her sentance would have been.
February Sunday we met at the Hammon family home on the Freeman
farm. We met visiting here sometimes. A good place to meet
to have a good time. It was just across the Freeman orchard from
her home. March 1st Tuesday met at Mitt Jones party met Miss
Sallie had a fine time. June 24th to Crossroad to church to Fred
Russells to see Miss Sallie. Shes staying at Russells going to
school. July 7th Saturday to Crossroads school in eve & night
with Miss Sallie to Mr Crosses for the night. Sunday July 8th
home with Miss Sallie to Fred Russells. Did not go in. Went
on to Decatur remainder of the day. July 28 1883 to Choctaw Indian
meeting. F N McMullan, home with Miss Sallie. August 1st Sunday
home with Miss Sallie, to Fred Russells. August 16th Decatur
and to church, home with Miss Sallie F. September 9th Sunday
to W B Hammon to church, home with Miss Sallie. September 19th
Wednesday to Presbyterian meeting day and night. Saw Miss Norah
Ashmore. While talking to Nora Ashmore Oxner, Miss Sallie Freeman
came to meet Miss Nora. After our talk I asked Miss Sallie if
I could
escort
her home. I went home with Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 12 1883
To Charlie Smith marriage. Saw Miss Sallie at a distance and
the next day at Smiths infare. December to Crossroads church.
Home with Miss Georgia Cross. Called at Fred Russells. Saw Miss
Sallie.
December 24 1883 To Crossroads Christmas tree. Put nice box of
stationry on tree for Miss Sallie Freeman. December 26th to
Dick Russells party to Fred Russells. Saw Miss Sallie. January
6th Miss Sallies birthday sweet 16. Stoped as I was passing.
Verry cold day. Did not appreciate my reception. Did not stay
to long. Did not see her again for 5 months. Skiped January
Feb March April untill May 18th. I spent some lonely days and
months wandering what I could or what I should do. There was
not any other girl that I wanted to see. So I staid at home most
of the time. I decided to try again on May 17th. I wrote Miss
Sallie my compliments, asking if I might call Sunday evening.
Put negro boy on mule, sent note to her. Told him to wait for
an answer. This was the first scratch of pen between us. I thought
the sweetest note I had ever seen. It simply said compliments
returned, will accept a call from you Sabbath evening. Sallie
Freeman May 17th 1884. This was verry nice indeed, but I wandered
why she put in a call from you, wandered if there was someone
in my way. I saddled my mule going on time, as I went out the
door I told my sister her chum if there was not a change this
would be my last visit to Freemans. I hitched my mule went in.
She greeted me cordially. We had pleasant evening in our talk
she asked what would you have done if I had excepted your call.
Dont know what I said in answer to her question. I did not stay
to long, in two weeks I sent the secon note asking her permission
to call. Answer will accept your company Sabbath eve June 1st
1884. In two weeks I sent 3rd note, answer will accept your company
Sunday evening June 15th 1884 Sallie Freeman. I did not see her
after this visit for two months.
To go back a little, after school was out at Midway in 1883 she
was sent to her sister Finnie Russells to go to school. At Crossroads
walking 3 miles to Crossroads school house, an old Methodis log
church building, the teacher Frank McMullan just back from the
State Universaty. Thought to be a fine teacher. He had a fine
lot of students. He had some grown young men and grown girls.
Miss Sallie Freeman then just 15 years old, when I saw Frank (He
was 2nd cousin). I asked him to take care of my little girl while
in his school. He told me verry bluntley saying you cant have
her. I did not say anything more thinking I had said to much
already. I did not visit her for some time. I soon learned that
the boys and several young men were wanting to visit her, and
her teacher was one of that number.
I was to have attended a concert one Saturday night, but I had
a rising boil where I could not set down. My friend John Hamilton
went and spent the night at Fred Russells. Miss Sallie told him
she kept looking, thought she would see her fellow. I visited
the school soon. They were having a concert that evening, and
a spelling match at night. I had a fine time. The professor
gave out the spelling from a spelling book. The entire class missed
the same word. The professor gave a wrong pronunciation. The
word was souraye (ed. soiree). Miss Sallie refused to try to
spell the word. Her teacher insisted that she try. I noticed
he spoke different kindly to her. Diferent diferently from other
students. I asked Miss Sallie if I could escort her home. She
was to spend the night at Mr Crosses near by. I was spending
the night at Crosses. We were setting on the front galery. Miss
Georgia went to see about sleeping places. Miss Sallie and I
left setting alone. I thought to ask about the offer she made
me the first of the year. She left me at once. I thought I new
why. She was afraid someone would hear it. I never mentioned
it to her again. The next morning I accompanied her home. I
did not go in. I went on to Decatur and joined the Decatur youngster
in their Sunday evening sport.
August 1883 Sunday 5th from church, home with Miss Sallie, and
August 16th called at A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie. September
9th to church at night. Saw Miss Nora Ashmore and went home with
Miss Sallie Freeman. September 23 Sunday to Crossroads. Home
with Miss Georgia Cross for dinner. I told her of her professor
going with Miss Sallie. She said he was continually going to
Fred Russells while she was there going to school to him at Crossroads
school. April Sunday 15th to A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie,
home from school today. October 7 1883 to singing at Midway,
home with Miss Sallie. Oct 20 to church, to W T Dunagin, and
to see Miss Sallie. Oct 28 to A J Smiths and Liberty hill singing
F U McMullan with Miss Sallie. Nov 6 Tuesday set up at Ducketts.
Sick child. Miss Sallie there. A pleasant time. Nov 11th 1883
the Sunday at home. A J Freeman family here. Miss Sallie to.
Nov 22nd to W T Dunagin and to A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie.
Nov 29th to G A Park party in Decatur with Miss Sallie Freeman.
The night spend at Frank Barretts and home with Miss Sallie.
Next morning, she left the party to keep from dancing with Frank
McMullan. He told her he would dance with her next.
Dec 2nd 1883 to church to singing at W B Hammonds. To see Miss
Sallie there and the next day at A J Smith infare. Met casually.
Dec 20 Jim Hardy & Matilda Chapman married. I was best man.
Dec 21 to Crossroads to Christmas tree. Put box of nice stationary
on Christmas tree for Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 25 to Newton to
Crossroads to church & home with Miss Georgia Cross, and to
Fred Russells to see Miss Sallie Freeman. She was shy of me.
Dec 26 to Fred Russells jr to Dick Russell party and to Fred Russel,
nice tim. Started home from Fred Russells. Stoped at Mitt Jones
a while. Dec 28 1883 to B F Normans to a party. Escorted Miss
Melia Plucket to and from the party. January 6 1884 called in
to see Miss Sallie Freeman as I was pasing a verry cold evening.
She had just gotten home from a visit and made a good fire. Shes
now sweet 16 years old. I did not appreciate my reception.
Did not stay to long. I thought she had been shy of me during
the holiday. Posibly it was only me. I did not see her again
untill May 18th as stated elsewhere. May 17th I wrote her a card
asking her permission to call Sunday evening. Her answer to this
card was I will accept a call from you Sabbath eve. Sallie Freeman
in answer to card 2 weeks later will accept of your company Sabbath
eve June 1st Sallie Freeman’s answer to a 3rd call 2 weeks later
will accept of your company Sabbath eve June 15th 1888 Sallie
Freeman. We had a pleasant talk at each and all of these visits.
I did not see her again untill in August 1884.
In August the Presbyterians were having meeting of days at Midway.
We were at the church Sunday. Had not met. We were sitting facing
each other in church during the preaching service. Our eyes met
direct. The look she gave me out of them blue eyes and the expression
on her face I never can forget. I recognised it to be the look
of love, and so it really was. I don’t know how I looked to her.
I never doubted her again. I went over to her home early afternoon.
She met me kindly. We had a pleasant evening. When I should
have been going home I asked if I might walk with her to church
tonight. She gladly accepted. As we came from church I asked
if I might come Tuesday morning & we would go to the Walker
bridge picnick Tuesday. It was agreeable. I drove over to get
her for the picknick & no one knew that I had a buggy. It
was the first time I had her out in it. Was a surprise to her.
I thought she looked downcast or worse than I had seen her. She
had a nice well dun up dress on. But a hat that was unbecoming
to her. It was the color of the hat that spoiled it all. She
was now 16 and I was 25 years old. On our way home from the picnick
I asked if I could take her to church tonight. She said I have
company. Looked at me and said you had not asked me. I then
asked if I might come and we would go to wall bridge picknick
Thursday. I helped her from the buggy. Escorted her to her door
steps. Bid her goodnight. Her escort for the night was Ed Miner,
a little jeweler from Newton. I left her, turned and drove to
Mr Mint Walkers. Got Miss Ida Walker and Miss Mag Thompson, the
2 most talkative girls that had been at the picknick that day.
We went to hcurch and set just behind Miss Sallie and her little
beaugh Ed Miner. And these 2 girls talked and they talked. I
knew Miss Sallie had much rather been with me than with her little
Ed. Thursday morning I was at her home and she was ready to go
to the picknick. We had a fine trip and jolly day. As we returned
to her home I asked if I could carry her to her sister Kate fish
fry Saturday. As we came from Norman I asked if I could come
and we would go to the Decatur big August meeting Sunday. Sunday
morning I drove near the gate. She came out to go. I helped
her feet on & button her duster. Helped her in the buggy.
Unhitched my mule. As I turned to get in the buggy I looked to
the house. Mr. Freeman was standing in the door watching us get
off. I wandered if she thought that this will be another son-in-law.
Miss Sallie staid at Decatur for the weeks meeting. Kame home.
Midway meeting began next week Sunday. We would meet at the church,
not specially togather.
P. S. Some time near when I was sending Miss Sallie cards asking
if I could call to see her and she was accepting my visits punctually,
I was told she got a letter one day and that she dried over this
letter for some time. Later from the same source I had word that
Willie went to see Sallie one Sunday and that Frank went one Sunday,
and at a later date I heard that Frank tried to have her to discard
Willie. She did not do it. Went to her mother with his proposition.
Her mother told her never never do it. Could not afford to do
it. We were family friends, neighbors and in the church togather.
It would cause trouble. When her father heard it he told her
if she married Willie McMullan she would have a home. If she
married Frank she would be pulled from place to place. Miss Sallies
sister in law Mrs Ida Freeman her brother Rosco wife told this.
She was closely and intimately associated with the family, and
a friend of mine. Miss Sallie never told any of this to me.
So when I had quit going with her she had time to reflect and
I afterward believed Frank discarded or just left her off. After
this we became closer friends than ever before. She visited in
our home more. And she and my sisters visited a neighbor with
lots of girls togather. And I escorted her to her home this same
evening. We attended a party togather. Had a fine time. I was
her only beaugh sweetheart now and we knew how to appreciate each
other as never before.
Nov 17 1884 I hired to the Grange store for balance of 1884.
Nov 19th Wednesday to F B Eubanks party. Had a good time with
Miss Sallie. Lots of folks there. All caught the measles. Nov
23 Midway to church. Visited Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 21 Midway
to church. To see Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 24th worked in store.
Sent Miss Sallie Christmas present by W B Hammon, the finest big
orange that I ever saw. Dec 23 Frank McMullan married Fannie
Stamper. Had to run away to marry. This ends 1884. Visits for
1884=25 times 1885=17 times 1885=29=23 times p. year (ed. given
as WJM wrote it).
1885 July 19th Sunday to Decatur to convention to see donee Miss
Sallie Freeman. 1885 July 19th Sunday to see Miss Sallie Freeman
now 17 years old. August Sunday Midway to church to A J Freeman
to see Miss Sallie. August 29th Saturday with Miss Sallie to
Fred Russells and to church at Crossroads, and 30th Sunday to
church at Crossroads. Monday to church to Crossroads with Miss
Sallie Freeman. Sept 1st Tuesday to church today with Miss Sallie
Freeman. Sept 2nd Wednesday to church with Miss Maud Russell.
Was setting by her when she went to join the church. Mack Russell
and I swaped girls today. Mac with Miss Sallie and I with Miss
Maud. Mac thought he would be going with Miss Salllie Thursday
but when we went out to start to church Miss Sallie ran to my
buggy and got in the buggy at once and said to me she would not
go with Mac Russell again. September 3rd to church at Crossroads
with Miss Sallie Freeman. Sept 14th to church to see Miss Sallie
Freeman. Sept 16 Wednesday at home to A J Freemans in eve with
Miss Sallie for awhile. She offered to ride with me on coming
back from the association next Monday from Harpervill. Agreed
to Sept Saturday and Sunday and Monday in the association. Monday
eve Sept 21st from Harperville with Miss Sallie to L. M. Murrells
for the night. We drove along behind the old preacher Clark and
Freeman. We listened to the old preachers yarns untill bedtime.
Tuesday with Miss Sallie to her home. Taken dinner with her.
Sept 17 to P. F. Hamiltons. Miss Sallie gone to Georgia. Oct
11th Sunday at home in a. m. to see Miss Sallie. Oct 16th to
Newton. Hired to Grange store for balance of year. October 16th
Sunday Midway to church to see Miss Sallie.
October 28th Sunday asked to be excused. Gone to sister Kate
Norman stated there will be preaching at the school house down
there Sunday. Put a flower in this letter. Nov 1st Sunday to
Riser to church to see Miss Sallie in eve. November 14th Saturday
to church at Midway saw Miss Sallie. Bought my 1st piece of land
from H G Ledlow 80 acres for $130.00. Nov 15 at home. November
22nd Sunday at home. In the morning to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
Asked her to marry me. We were sitting in her mothers room before
a good fire. She was pulling her hands. She said to me I told
you once. I accepted her answer. She had offered to wear my
ring for me when she was 15 years old & remembered it all
very well. After this agreement we seemed to be content and happy.
The next morning I got a ten dollar gold piece from my father.
He had gotton gold payment for a horse stolen from mother while
he was away in the war 3 years. I melted this gold and made it
into a bar. R. K. Spied a juler & silversmith was rooming
with me in the building where I worked. He made into a ring and
I polished it. I had my name and date carved in the ring. The
next Sunday December 6th I put the ring on Miss Sallies finger.
She was real proud of it. It was the biggest ring I ever saw
on a girls finger. I told her the size of the ring represented
the love I had for her and as the ring had no end my love for
her would never end.
Dec 20 Sunday to church at Midway, to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
1886 Jan 1st Sunday Midway to church. To see Miss Sallie Freeman.
Jan 21 Thursday to W B Hammon party and home with Miss Sallie
F. Jan 31st Sunday to church in a.m. to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
Feb 4th Tuesday at P F Hamilton and to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
Feb 21st Sunday to church to see Miss Sallie Freeman in the eve
and to Decatur with her on her way to school at Decatur. She
attended this school untill it closed in the summer of 1886.
Feb 28 Sunday to Crossroads church, home with Miss Georgia Cross
for dinner then home. March 8th to Newton, hired to Grange store
at $20 per month for balence of the year 1886. March 21st Sunday
Midway to church home with Miss Sallie. 1886 April 10th Sunday
Decatur to church, dined at Frank Barretts. To singing with Miss
Sallie Freeman, nice time. April 25th Sunday Midway to church
to R R Freeman with Miss Sallie and Lula Johnson. May 2 Sunday
R K Speed came home and we went to see Miss Sallie Freeman. Taken
dinner with her. Afternoon went to A L Doolittles to see Miss
Sallie Atkinson, Speeds girl. Speed came had livery team. We
had a fine day. Speed the jeweler was rooming with me in the
building that I worked in.
May 2nd with Miss Sallie my girl to the show the biggest circus
even in Newton. We had a nice lovely time . We slipped away
from her school mates and went in the show togather alone. May
30th Sunday went to see my donee Miss Sallie Freeman. June 1886
did not see Miss Sallie this month. Had a letter on the 10th
and on 25th had a letter from Miss Sallie. July 12th Monday eve
to see Miss Sallie at Dick Norman in Newton. July 16 Friday to
Will Caskies funeral and visited Miss Sallie while she was at
Dick Normans in Newton. July 22 to Patrons union. Met Miss
Sallie Freeman and her school mate chum Miss Lucy Harper. Spent
a pleasant fine day. August 1st 1886 Sunday to church, carried
Miss Sallie Freeman home. Aug. 15 Sunday to church. Carried
Miss Sallie to church and to singing then carried her home. Aug
17th Tuesday Midway to church, home with Miss Sallie.
Aug. 29th Sunday to R R Freeman, in eve home with Miss Sallie.
Sept 5 Sunday Decatur to church with Miss Sallie. Dined with
E Carleton and to church at night and home. Had a nice time.
Sept 12th Sunday to church. Dined at A J Freeman, to church with
Sallie. Sept 19th 1886 Sunday to Oakland to Mt Pisga Association
and met Miss Sallie Freeman. I rode a mule 15 miles there becaus
Miss Sallie Freeman would be there. I then rode home 15 miles
that evening. I enjoyed the day and the 30 mile ride to be with
Miss Sallie having been engaged to marry for 10 months. Oct
3rd Sunday to Riser church to see Miss Sallie in eve. Oct 17th
to church at Midway to see Miss Sallie Freeman in eve. Oct 24th
Sunday to Crossroads to church. Hom with Georgia, came home.
Oct 31st Sunday Decatur to Gen. Association with Miss Sallie Freeman.
Nov 7th 1886 Sunday at home to see my girl Miss Sallie Freeman.
Nov 28 1886 Sunday with Miss Sallie to Crossroads. Dined at Dug
Russells. Miss Laura Herd dined there. Dec 12th Sunday at home
a.m. to see Miss Sallie in the eve. Dec 19 Sunday Midway to
church. Home with Miss Sallie. Dec 26th Sunday Newton to church,
home with Miss Pucket and to Dick Normans for dinner. Miss Sallie
there.
1887 Jan 2nd Sunday with Sallie F and Jennie S. Spent the day.
January 16 Sunday Midway to church to see Miss Sallie F. Jan
30th Sunday my birthday 28 years to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
1887 February I missed visiting Miss Sallie Freeman this month.
March 13 Sunday to Presbyterian meeting to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
April 3 Sunday to Riser to church, to see Miss Sallie Freeman
in eve. April 24th Sunday Newton to church. To see Miss Sallie
Freeman in eve. 1887 May 5th Tuesday to the triplet wedding in
Newton Baptist church. Ebb Blalack to Miss Viola Vale. John
C. McClinton to Miss Jennie Guthrie. Andrew McAlpin to Miss Minnie
Watkins. A fine affair. Things just so. May 8 Sunday Decatur
to church with Miss Sallie. To Caroline McMillen for dinner.
Staid for night preaching. On way home had my first kiss. May 15th Saturday with A J Freeman to Aaron Pierch
(ed. Piesch? name uncertain) for the night on way to Garlanville
to Maj. Tatum to marriage of Miss Sallie Tatum. Then back to
Midway preaching. Home with Miss Sallie Freeman.
June 1887 5th Sunday to George Dunagin. To church. To see Miss
Sallie F. June 12th Sunday to Penington with the girls. Midway,
home with Miss Sallie. June 26th Sunday Newton SS. Church.
To T J Doolittle. To see Miss Sallie Freeman. 1887 July 17th
Sunday Midway to church. To see my girl Miss Sallie in eve.
July 24 Sunday at home in a. m., to church, home with Miss Sallie.
August 12 Friday Newton speeking miday. To Miss Sallie school
house with her. A nice time. Aug 14 Sunday Decatur to church
to A J Smith for dinner to church with Miss Jennie S and Sallie
F and home with Miss Sallie. Aug 25 Thursday visited Miss Sallies
school at Midway. Sept 4th Sunday to church & SS, and home
with Miss Sallie. Sept 18th Sunday to association at Crossroads
church, and with Miss Sallie F. Oct 2nd Sunday to church at Midway,
home with Miss Sallie Freeman. Oct 9th Sunday to church at Midway,
home with Miss Sallie Freeman. November 6th Sunday to church
and SS, home with Miss Sallie Freeman. Nov 13th Sunday Decatur
church with Miss Sallie Freeman, sweet time. December 4th 1857
with Miss Sallie Freeman, sweet time. Dec 25th Sunday to see
Miss Sallie all day, a nice time with Miss Sallie.
January 7th Miss Sallie birthday 20 years. Jan 8th at home,
to see Miss Sallie in eve. Jan 30 Monday my birhtday 29 years.
Feb 5 to SS, home with Miss Sallie F. Feb 14 Thursday to W B
Hammond party with Miss Sallie, little pet. Feb 19 Sunday to
SS, home had company, home with Jennie McClure to Hammond. March
4th Sunday with Miss Sallie to & from SS with. Staid all night nice time. Mar 18th to
church home, had company. J D Norman, Alice. 1st to SS, home
with Miss Sallie. April 15th Sunday to church, home with Miss
Sallie. April 22nd to Grand P Dunagin old place to see Miss Sallie
Freeman. April 28th to A J Smiths to Chapel Hill in buggy with
Jennie S and Sallie F to F. B. and home. May 6th Sunday to Riser,
home, to SS, home with Miss Sallie. May 13th Sunday to Masadonia
with Miss Sallie Freeman & her mother. May 20th Sunday to
church at Midway, home to see Miss Sallie in eve. June 8 Sunday
to SS to church home to see Miss Sallie in the eve. June 12 Sunday
to SS, church to see Miss Sallie. Nice lovely time. July 1st
Sunday to SS, and home to see Miss Sallie Freeman. July 18 Sunday
to church and home to see Miss Sallie. Aug 5th Sunday R S H to
church, to see Miss Sallie. Aug 24th Friday Midway, to Miss Sallie
Freemans School exercises, home with her. September 11 Tuesday
with Miss Sallie Freeman nice time.
Sept 16th Sunday Rock Branch to association, met Miss Sallie.
She was at Abneys home. A boy was waiting for her to come out.
She would not come out for him. He was Jim Greenlee, old neighbor
and schoolmate. I went to find her, then she came out and we
went to preaching, stand. She told me she would not go with that
boy, left the boy standing. We had a fine time untill I had to
leave to go home on mule back 15 miles home. Sept 30 Sunday to
J A William & W T Dunagin, called to see Miss Sallie. Oct
7th Sunday R. S. H. Midway to church & home with Miss Sallie
F. Oct 21st Sunday to church at Midway to A J Freeman after sister
Arrette. Nice time. Oct 25th to Bill McDaniel on Sunday to get
him help frame my house and to Amelia Doolittle funeral. Nov
6th Sunday to church , home with Miss Sallie. Nov 13 Sunday Decatur,
church with Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 2nd Seunday to church Midway,
home with Miss Sallie F. Dec 18th Tuesday did jobs, to see Miss
Sallie at 2 p.m., agreed on time to get married to bee January
17th Thursday 1889. Dec 23rd Sunday to see Anderson Loper negro
to get chimney put up, and to see Miss Sallie. Dec 30th to N
Doolittle & A Q Clay in a.m., they got shot. Jan 6th at home,
SS, home with Miss Sallie. January 9th Wednesday to co. alliance,
to see Miss Sallie, asked her parents consent to marrie Miss Sallie.
Jan 13 Sunday Decatur to church, got the preacher to R R Freeman
home with Miss Sallie. January to A J Freeman, got married 11
a.m. 17th 1889.
Version
1, Chapter 7: “Sallie Freeman”
I will begin at the beginning. I first saw little Sallie Freeman
in May second Sunday 1877. She and her mother was going into
Decatur Baptist old church in north door. She was holding on
to her mothers dress, had white hair hanging down on her back.
She was then nine years old, just six months from Monticello Georgia.
The next time I saw her was January 1878, at Midway school, then
exactly ten years old January 7th, 1878. I was visiting the
Midway school on Friday evening. They had a program for the evening.
Miss Bettie Atkinson the teacher pointed little Sallie out to
me saying shes the best speller in school. There was anumber
of grown studants in school at that time. The summer following
1878 I attended the Midway school. I noticed that little Sallie
was leader in the school sports of her associates. One day on
the play ground she and I had a little spat. She nocked my hat
off, and in the fray she tore the brim of my hat about six inches.
Otherwise we were always good friends. I watched her progress
mentally and physically.
As the years passed, I thought her above her classmates, and of
her playmates, for she was leader in nearly every thing they did.
It was real noticable to me. During Christmas the year 1880 the
Freeman family visited our home. Sallie was 12 years old Jan
7. The family were all in a wagon, except Mrs Freeman was horseback.
When time to go home I had Mrs Freeman horse at the horse block.
She was going on before the waggon got ready to go, and called
Sallie to come go with her on the horse riding behind her mother.
Sallie did not want to go. Wanted to go in the waggon. She came
grudgingly, and made a jump to get behind her mother on the horse.
When she made the spring she jumped to far; was going over the
horse, when I caught her by the leg, and pulled her back strait.
Her mother was lecturing her, when I said Mrs Freeman give her
Sallie to me, and let her stay. Mrs Freeman said all right you
may have her. Then Sallie straitened up ready to go.
When she was 14 years old, I was going horseback riding with her
sister Georgia, and Sallie was riding behind on the same horse.
In the talk as we rode along, I asked Georgia how old girls had
to be before they were grown. She said they were considered to
be grown at 16 years. I then told her I would pull my mule back,
and go with Miss Sallie. Georgia said Sallie was prettie two
ways pretty ugly and prettie apt to stay that way. I then told
Sallie your not ugly to me, and you will be a prettier woman than
your sister Georgia. Sallie did not say anything while this was
talked, was afraid to say anything to me, for Georgia never would
have quit teasing her if she had said anything to me. She was
verry bashful.
Another time I was going with Georgia when Georgia began to wear
a hoop skirt. Hoop skirts was something new at that time. Sallie
came out to horse block to see Georgia get on the horse and to
see what would happen when the hoop struck the saddle. I saw
that something was expected, for it was funnie to Sallie. Nothing
happened. Sallie was not yet catching boughs, but was thinking
about the boys. I stayed at Freemans home one Sunday night on
account of the weather, rain. Was visiting Georgia. The next
morning before I got up, I heard Sallie calling mama, mama where
is my dress to wear today. I thought it was the sweetest toned
voice I had ever heard. In the fall of Sept 1882 I was in the
Freeman home. From where I was sitting I could see one end of
the dining table. Sallie was setting the table for dinner. As
she would pass around the table she would look in the room at
me, and I would be looking, and smiling at her. She would be
blushing, and biting her lip. Biting her lip was common with
her while she was a girl in early teens. She was now passed 14
and thinking of the boys. On November 11th Thursday 1882 Georgia
married, then Sallie came next.
At church Saturday November 18th 1882 when we were on the church
yard, Mrs Freeman turned to me and said go home with us Willie
and said I recken you wont come now, since Georgia is married.
My mother said to her oh Sallies his girl. Then Mrs Freeman switched
around, and said I dident know that. At this saying Sallie was
hiding behind the other girls. I did not say anything, did not
know what I could say, so kept quiet. In December my cousin
Sallie McMullan and Sallie Freemans cousin Jeff Smith got married.
They had a wedding and the families on both side invited so we
met on equal terms at this wedding. Had some games, and a general
talk, and in the talk I said the McMullans had lost their only
Sallie, and it was up to me to get another Sallie in the McMullan
family name. At this saying Sallie Freeman was hiding behind
the other girls present. For she understood what it all really
ment. The next day we met at A J Smith infare (met casually).
About this time there was sociable parties being held in our
community. I would meet Miss Sallie at these parties. There
was a candy pulling partie at my home. I had Miss Sallie for
my partner to pull candy. She knew how to pull candy. As we
were pulling our candy I was going to tell her or to say something
to her about how I felt towards her. She left me at once, but
came back right quick. I did not say anything more about what
I started to tell her. We finished pulling our candy. She knew
how, and was a fine hand at candy pulling. We met at these parties.
We had a real jolly time. She was 14 years old now. She had
a real jolly, and bewitching laugh, and was continually laughing
to the delight of her associates. I did really delight hearing
her laugh.
In the Christmast 1882 Miss Sallie Freeman and Jennie Smith visited
overnight in our home. As they were going home, I had their horse
ready for them. I was going home with them. This was her first
company to catch a beaugh. I thought she enjoyed it, looked to
be pleased. Jan 25 1883 Mitt Jones and Janie Cooksey married.
Miss Delia Cooksey and I were their waiters. They had a supper.
Miss Sallie then just 15 years old was there. I directed most
of my talk at her, expecting to escort her home, half mile away.
Another boy beat me to her as she ran out the door going home
he said she ran all way home. We met casually at Jones infare
next day and party at night. The next week we met at a party
at Billie Whites. At this party she was a leading spirit for
she showed how she could dance by dancing a jig. It was a delight
to the party. At a party February 15th she was a leader in the
party plays. I had her company in nearly all plays. As it rained
we stayed nearly all night. As the party came to a stand still,
we with a girl friend Fannie Galloway set on a bench on one side
of the house. She had her friend between us. We talked about
things in common. When I told them I loved all the girls, but
loved one more than all the others, her friend Fannie asked if
I really ment it. I was wearing a nice finger ring. They got
my ring, was trying it on their fingers, and admiring it. When
they gave it back to me Miss Sallie looked at me and said I will
wear your ring for you for three years and. Stoped the sentence
on the word and. Fannie and I laughed, and she blushed.
I have wandered what the remainder of the sentence would have
been. Nothing more said. As the party started, we entered the
play at once.
1883 Feb Sunday we met at the Hammond family home, on the Freeman
farm. We met visiting here sometimes, a good place to meet to
have a good lively time. It was just across the Freeman orchard
from her home. March 1st Tuesday met at Mit Jones party, met
Miss Sallie had a fine time. June 24 Crossroads to church to
Fred Russells to see Sallie. July 7 Saturday to Crossroads school
to Crosses with Miss Sallie for the night. Sunday home with Miss
Sallie to Fred Russells did not go in. Went on to Decatur remainder
of day. July 28 to Chocktaw meeting, F N Mc, home with Miss
Sallie. Aug 1st Sunday home with Miss Sallie, to Fred Russells.
Aug 16 Decatur and to church, home with Miss Sallie. Sept 9 Sunday
to Hammond, to church, home with Miss Sallie. Sept 19 Wednesday
to Presbyterian meeting day and night. Sept 19th 1883 saw Nora
Ashmore Oxner. Miss Sallie Freeman came to meet Miss Nora.
After our talk I asked Miss Sallie if I could escort her home.
I went home with Miss Sallie Freeman. December 12th to Charlie
Smiths marriage. Saw Miss Sallie at a distance. 13th at Chas
Smith infare saw Miss Sallie at a distance. Dec 23 to Crossroads,
hom with Miss Georgia, call at F R, Sallie saw me. Dec 24th
Crossroad Christmas tree, nice box stationary for Miss Sallie
Freeman. Dec 26th to Dick Russells party, to Fred Russells, saw
Miss Sallie. Jan 6 was Miss Sallies birthday, sweet 16. Stoped
as I was passing, verry cold day. Did not appreciate my reception.
Did not see her again for 5 months untill May 18th. I spent some
lonely days and months, wandering what I could, or what I should
do, then was not any other girl that I wanted to see so I staid
at home most of the time. I decided to try again.
May 17th I wrote Miss Sallie my compliments, asking if I might
call call Sunday evening. Sent this note by negro boy to Miss
Sallie. Told him to wait for her reply. Answer, this was the
first scratch of pen between us. I thought this the sweetest
note I had ever seen. It simply said compliments returned, will
accept a call from you Sabbath evening May 17th 1884 Sallie Freeman.
This was very nice indeed, but I wandered why see put in a
call from you, wandered if there was someone in my way. I
saddled my mule going on time as Iwent out the door my sister
her chum was watching me get off. I turned to my sister and said
if theres not a change, this will be my last visit to Freemans.
I hitched to my regular hitching place, went in. She greeted
me cordially, we had a pleasant time. In our talk during the
evening, she asked me May 18 1884 what would you have done if
I had excepted your call. I don’t know what I said in answer
to her question. I did not stay to long. In just two weeks I
sent the second note asking her permission to call. Her answer
was I will accept of your company Sabbath eve June 1st Sallie
Freeman. I sent the third note in two weeks. Later her answer
I will accept your company Sabbath eve June 15th 1884 yours Sallie
Freeman. After this visit I did not see her again for more than
two month.
To go back a little, after school was out in 1883 at Midway, she
was sent to her sister Fannie Russels to go to school at Crossroads,
walking 3 miles from Russels to school house (an old Methodis
log church building). The teacher, Frank McMullan, just back
from State University, thought to be a fine teacher. He had a
fine lot of students, some grown young men, and grown girls.
Miss Sallie Freeman then just 15 years. When I saw Frank Mc,
he was 2nd cousin, I asked him to take care of my little girl
while in his school. He told me verry bluntley, saying you cant
have her. I did not say anything more, not thinking that I had
said to much already. I did not visit her for some time, knowing
it was not right to visit girls while they were in school. I
soon learned that the boys, and several young me were after her,
visiting continually, and her teacher was one of that number.
I was to have attended a concert at the school one Saturday night,
but I had a rising boil where I could not set down. My friend
John D H went and spent the night at Russells. Miss Sallie told
him I kept looking, thought she would see her fellow. She knew
that John new who she called her fellow.
I visited the school soon. They were having a concert that evening,
and a spelling match at night. I had a fine time. The professor
gave out the spelling from a spelling book. The entire class
missed the same word. The professor gave a rong pronunseation.
The word was souray (ed: soiree). Miss Sallie refused to try
to spell the word. Her teacher insisted that she try. I noticed
he spok diferent kindly to her, diferently from other students.
I asked Miss Sallie if I could escort her home. She was to spend
the night at Mr Crosses near by. I was spending the night at
Crosses. We were sitting in the front galery. Miss Georgia went
to see about sleeping place. Miss Sallie and I left alone. I
thought to ask about the offer she mad me the 1st of the year.
She left me at once. I thought I new why. She was afraid some
one would hear it. I never mentioned it to her again. The next
morning I accompanyed her home. I did not go in with her. I
rode on to Decatur, and joined the Decatur youngsters in their
Sunday evening sports. August 5 Sunday from church, home with
Miss Sallie, and Aug 16 called at A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie.
Sept 9 to church at night, saw Miss Nora Ashmore home, with Miss
Sallie. 1883 Sept 23 Sunday to Crossroads, home with Miss Georgia
for dinner. I told her of her professor going with Miss Sallie.
She said he was continually going to Fred Russells while she was
there going to school to him at Crossroads school. April 15 Sunday
to A J Freemans to see Miss Sallie, home today from school. Oct
7 1883 to singing at Midway, home with Miss Sallie F. Oct 21
to church to W T Dunagin and to A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie.
Nov 29 to G A Parks party Decatur with Miss Sallie Freeman. The
night spent at Frank Barrettes and home with Miss Sallie next
morning. She left the party to keep from dansing with Frank McMullan.
He told her he would dance with her next. 1883 Dec 2nd to church,
to singing at Hammonds, to see Miss Sallie. Dec 12 Wednesday
to Pat McMullan. Charlie Smith and Georgia Adams married. Saw
Miss Sallie there and the next day at the A J Smith infare. Only
met casually.
1883 Dec 20 Jim Hardy and Matilda married. I was best man. Dec
24 Crossroads Christmas tree, put box of nice stationary on Christmas
tree for Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 25 to Newton, to Crossroads,
to church, home with Miss Georgia Cross, and to Fred Russells
to see Miss Sallie. She was shy of me. Dec 26 to Fred Russells
jr, to Dick Russells party, & to Fred Russells. Nice time.
Started home from Fred Russells. Stoped at Mit Jones for a while.
Dec 28 B F Norman to a party. Escorted Miss Melia Pucket to and
from the party. Jan 6 1884 called in to see Miss Sallie as I
was pasing very cold evening. She had just gotten home from a
visit, and mad a good fire. Shes now sweet 16 years. I did not
appreciate my reception, did not stay to long. I thought she
had been shy of me during the hollidays. Possibly it was only
me. I did not see her again untill May 18th as stated elsewhere.
May 17th I wrote her a card asking if I could call Sunday evening.
Her answer to this card was I will accept a call from you Sabbath
eve Sallie F. Answer to a card two weeks later was will accept
of your company Sabbath eve June 15 1884 Sallie Freeman. We
had a pleasant talk at each and all of the visits. I did not
see her again untill in August 3rd 1884. In August the Presbyterians
was having meeting of days at Midway. We were at church Sunday.
Had not met, but during the meeting we were sitting facing each
other in church. During the preaching service our eyes met direct,
and we recognnised that we were caught looking directly at each
other and the look she gave me out of them blue eyes and the expression
on her face I never can forget. It completely gave her away.
I recognised it to be the look of love, and so it really was.
(ed. in the margin “a womans eyes are the windows of her soul”)
I dont know how I looked to her. I never doubted her again.
I went over to her home early afternoon. She met me kindly.
We had a pleasant evening, and when I should have ben going home
I asked her if I might stay, and walk with her to church tonight.
She gladly time 8 accepted the offer. As we were returning from
church I asked her if I might come Tuesday morning, and we would
go to picknick at the Walker Bridge. It was agreeable so I drove
over to get her for the picknick. No one new that I had a buggy.
It was the first time I had been out in it. It was possibly a
surprise to her. Aug 1884 I thought she looked downcast or worse
than I had ever seen her. She had a nice well dun up dress on
and a hat that was verry unbecoming to her. It was the color
of the hat, a well made hat but yellow material that spoiled it
all. She was now 16 and I was 25, but we never talked about that.
On our way home from picknick I asked if I could escort her to
church tonight. She said I have company, and looking at me said
said you had not asked me. I then asked her if I could come,
and we would go to Wall Bridge picknick Thursday. I helped her
from the buggy, and escorted her to her door step, bid her good
night. Her escort for the night to church was a little jeweler
from Newton named Ed Miner. When I left her I turned, and drove
to Mr Mint Walkers, and got Miss Ida Walker, and Miss Mag Thompson,
the two most talkative girls that had been at the picknick. We
went to church at Midway and set just behind Miss Sallie and her
beaugh and these two girls talked and they talked. I new Miss
Sallie had much rather been with me than with her little Ed.
Thursday morning I was at her home, and she was ready to go to
picnick. We had a fine trip, and a jolly day. As we returned
to her home, I asked if I might go with her to Decatur Sunday
to the big August meeting. Sunday, I drove near the gate. She
came out to go. I helped her put on, and button her duster, helped
her in the buggy. Unhitched my mule as I turned to get in the
buggy. I looked to the house. Mrs Freeman was standing in the
door watching us get off. I wandered if she thought this will
be another son in law. Miss Sallie staid at Decatur for the weeks
meeting. I came home. Midway meeting began the next Sunday,
and we would meet at the church during the week, not specially
togather.
P. S. Sometime near when I was sending Miss Sallie cards asking
if I could call to see her, and she was accepting my visits punctually,
I was told she got a letter one day, and that she cried over this
letter for some time. Later, from the same source I had word
that Willie went to see Sallie one Sunday and Frank went one Sunday,
and at a later date I heard that Frank tried to have her to discard
me to get me out of the way. She didnt do it, went to her mother
with his proposition, and her mother told her never never do it,
could not afford to do it. We were family neighbors, friends,
and in the church togather. Would cause trouble. When her father
new about it he told her if she married Willie McMullan she would
have a home, if she married Frank she would be pulled from place
to place. Miss Sallies sister in law Mrs Ida Freeman her brother
Roscoe wife, told this. She was closely and intimately associated
with the family, and was a friend of mine. Miss Sallie never
told any of this to me, so when I had quit going to see her she
had time to reflect and I afterwards believed F discarded her
or just left her off. After this we became closer friends than
ever before.
She visited in our home more and we all visited a neighbor with
lots of girls togather and I went home with her, Miss Sallie.
This same evening, we attended a partie at Eubanks togather ,
had a fine time, lots of folks there. All caught the measles.
I was her only beaugh (sweetheart) now, and we new how to appreciate
each other as never before. Nov 17 1884 I hired to the Newton
Cooperative store for balance of 1884. Nov 19 Wednesday to Eubank
partie, had a good time with Miss Sallie. A big croud all caught
the measels. Nov 23 Sunday Midway to church, visited Miss Sallie
Freeman.. 1884 Dec 21 Sunday Midway to church and saw Miss Sallie
F. Dec 24 worked in store, sent Miss Sallie a present by W B
Hammon. Dec (ed. date unclear) Frank McMullan married Fannie
Stamper. Had to runaway to marry. This ends 1884. Visits for
the year 1883=25 times, 1884=17 times, 1885=29 times, total=71
times=23-2/3 per year.
1885 Feb 13 Sunday Midway saw Miss Sallie, Conehatta to school.
March 29 came home Sunday, went to see Miss Sallie F. April 19
Sunday Midway to church, to see Miss Sallie my girl. May 17 Sunday
Midway to church, set Miss Sallie Freeman. May 31 Sunday to W
B Hammond to see Miss Sallie Freeman. June 21 Sunday Decatur
to convention, to see donee Miss Sallie Freeman. 1885 July 19
Sunday to see Miss Sallie now 17 year old. Aug 27 Midway to church
Sunday, to Freemans to see Miss Sallie. 1885 Aug 29 Saturday
with Miss Sallie to Fred Russels and to church. Aug 30 Sunday
Crossroad to church with Miss Sallie. Monday Crossroads, to church
with Miss Sallie. Sept 1st Tuesday Crossroads to church with
Miss Sallie Freeman. Sept 2 Wenesday Crossroads to church with
Maud Russell, was sitting by her when she went to join the church.
Mac Russell and I swaped girls today, Mac with Miss Sallie and
I with Miss Maud. Mac thought he woul be going with Miss Sallie
Thursday but when we went out to go Miss Sallie ran and got in
my buggy and told me she would not go with Mac Russell again.
Sep 3 Friday to church at Crossroad with Miss Sallie Freeman.
Sep 14 Sunday to church, to see Miss Sallie Freeman. Sept 16
Wednes at home, to A J Freeman in eve, and with Miss Sallie for
awhile. She offered to ride with me on coming back from the association
next Monday. Agreed to. Sept (ed. no date given) Saturday and
Sunday in Mt Pisgah Ass. at Harperville. Sept 21 Monday from
Harperville with Miss Sallie to L M Murrells for the night. We
drove along behind bro.’s Clark and Freeman, and listened to the
old preachers yarns till bed time. Sept 22 Tuesday with Miss
Sallie to her home & taken dinner there. Sept 27 Sunday to
P F Hamiltons. Miss Sallie excused, gone to Georgias. 1885
Oct 11 Sunday at home in morning to see Miss Sallie in eve. Oct
16 Thursday to Newton hired to Grange store balance of year.
Oct 18 Sunday Midway to church to see Miss Sallie Freeman. Oct
28 Sunday asked to be excused, gone to sister Kate Normans. Stated
there would be preaching at school house down there. Put flowers
in this letter. Sallie Freeman.
1885 Nov 1st Sunday to church at Riser, to see Miss Sallie in
eve. Nov 14th Saturday to church at Midway. Saw Miss Sallie
F. Bought my 1st pice land from H G Ledlow 80 acres for $130.00.
Nov 15 Sunday at home. Nov 22 1883 Sunday at home in a.m., to
see Miss Sallie Freeman. Asked her if she would marry me. We
were setting in her mothers room before a good fire, she was pulling
her hands. I accepted her answer. She had offered to wear my
ring for me, 3 years for me, when she was just 15 years old.
I remembered it all well. After this agreement, we seemed to
be content and happy. The next morning I got a $10.00 gold piece
from my father. He had gotten gold payment on a horse stolen
from mother while he was in the war. I melted it , ran it into
a mold bar. Speed, a jeweler, made it into a ring and I polished
it real nice, had my name and date carved in it. The next Sunday
Dec 6 1885 I put it on Miss Sallies finger. She was real proud
of it. It was the biggest ring I ever saw on a girls finer.
I told her the size of the ring represented the love I had for
her, and as the ring had no end, my love for her would have no
end. Dec 20 Sunday to church at Midway, to see Miss Sallie Freeman.
1886 Jan 1st Sunday Midway to church, to see Miss Sallie Freeman
eve. Jan 21 Thursday W B Hammond party, home with little pet
Miss Sallie F. Jan 31 Sunday to church in a.m., to see Miss Sallie
Freeman eve. Feb 14 Tuesday at P F Hamilton and to see Miss Sallie
Freeman in eve. Feb 21 Sunday to church to see Miss Sallie Freeman
in eve and to Decatur with her on her way to school. She attended
this Decatur school untill it closed in the summer 1886. Feb
28 Sunday Crossroads, home with Georgia for dinner. Mar 8th Monday
to Newton, hired to Grange store at $20.00 for year. March 21st
Sunday Midway to church, home with little pet Miss Sallie. 1886
April 10 Sunday Decatur to church dinner at Frank Barrette and
to singing with Miss Sallie Freeman, nice time. April 25 Sunday
Midway to church, to R R Freeman with Miss Sallie & Lula Johnson.
May 2 Sunday R K Speed came home and we went to see Miss Sallie
Freeman and taken dinner with her. Afternoon we went to G L Doolittles
to see Miss Sallie Atkin, Speeds girl. Speed came, had livery
team. We had a fine day. Speed the jeweler was rooming with
me in the building that I worked in. May 7 Friday with Miss Sallie
my girl to the show, the biggest circus ever in Newton. We had
a nice lively time. We sliped away from her classmates, went
in the show by ourselves. May 30 Sunday went to see my donee
Miss Sallie Freeman.
June 1886 did not see Miss Salllie this month. Had letter on
the 10th and on 25 had letter from Miss Sallie. July 12th Monday
eve to see Miss Sallie at Dick Norman in Newton. July 16 Friday
to Will Caskey funderal and visited Miss Sallie Freeman while
she was at Norman in Newton. July 22 Thursday to Patrons Union.
Met Miss Sallie Freeman and her schoolmate chum Lucy Harper, spent
a plesant fine day. Aug 1 1886 Sunday to church, carried my pet
Miss Sallie F home. Aug 15 Sunday to church, carried Miss Sallie
to church and to singing then carried her home. Aug 17 Tuesday
Midway to church, home with my girl Miss Sallie. Aug 29 Sunday
to R R Freeman in eve, home with little one Sallie. Sept 5 Sunday
Decatur to church with Miss Sallie, dined with E Carleton adn
to church at night and home a nice time. Sep 22nd Sunday to church,
dined at A J F, to church with Miss Sallie. Sept 19 1886 Sunday
to Oakland to Mt Pisgah association, and met Miss Sallie Freeman.
I rode a mule 15 miles there becas Miss Sallie Freeman would be
there. I then rode back home 15 miles that evening. I enjoyed
the day and the 30 mile ride to be with Miss Sallie, having been
engaged 10 months. October 1886 Sunday 3 Riser church, to see
Miss Sallie in eve. Oct 17 Sunday to church at Midway to see
Miss Sallie in eve. Oct 24 Sunday Crossroad to church, home with
Georgia Crosses & home. Oct 31 Sunday Decatur to Gen Association
with little girl Miss Sallie, nice time. Nov 7 1886 Sunday at
home, to see my donee in eve Miss Sallie. Nov 28 Sunday with
Miss Sallie to Crossroads to church, dined at Dug Russell. Miss
Laura Hurd dined there. Dec 12 Sunday at home in a.m. to see
donee Miss Sallie in eve. Dec 19 Sunday Midway to church, home
with donee Miss Sallie, nice time. Dec 26 Sunday Newton to church,
home with Miss Pucket, Norman for dinner, donee.
1887 Jan 2nd Sunday home with Miss Sallie F & Jennie S, spent
the day. Jan 16 Sunday Midway to church, home, to see Miss Sallie
Freeman. Jan 30 Sunday my birthday 28 years, to see my pet Miss
Sallie Freeman. February 1887 I missed visiting Miss Sallie
this month. Mar 13 Sunday to Presbyterian preaching at Midway,
to see Miss Sallie F. April 3. Sunday Riser to church, to see
Miss Sallie Freeman in eve. April 24 Sunday Newton to church,
to see my pet Miss Sallie F. 1887 May 5 Tuesday to the triplet
wedding in Newton Baptist church. Ebb Blalack to Miss Viola Vail.
John C McClinton to Miss Jennie Guthrie. Andrew McAlpin to Miss
Minnie Watkins. A fine affair, everything fine and just up date
(ed. up to date?) just so. May 8th Sunday Decatur church with
Miss Sallie to Caroline McMullan for dinner. A nice time. Staid
for night preaching. On the way home from night preaching, had
my 1st kill. (ed. that’s definitely what he wrote; did he mean
to write “kiss”?) May 15 Saturday with A J Freeman to Jason Pierce
all night on way to Garlanville to major Tatum to Miss Sallie
Tatum marriage to... 16 Sunday direct back to Midway preaching,
home with Miss Sallie, nice time.
June 1887. June 5 Sunday to George Dunagin, to church, home,
to see Miss Sallie little pet. June 12 Sunday to Pennington with
the girls, to Midway with Miss Sallie pet. Nice time. 2nd time.
June 26 Sunday Newton SS, to church, to T J Doolittle, to see
Miss Sallie little pet. July 1887. July 17 Sunday Midway to
church, to see my girl in eve, Miss Sallie F. Nice time. July
24 Sunday at home, in a.m. to church, home with Miss Sallie, nice
time. August 1887. Aug 12 Friday Newton speaking, Midway Miss
Sallie school, home with Miss Sallie. Aug 14 Sunday Decatur to
church to A J Smith for dinner, church with Miss Jennie and Sallie
and home with my pet Miss Sallie. Aug 25 Thursday night. Visited
Miss Sallie Freemans school. September 1887. Sept 4 Sunday to
church & SS, and home, little pet Miss Sallie Freeman. Sept
18 Sunday to association at Crossroads, to church with Miss Sallie
Freeman. October 1887 Oct 2nd Sunday to church, & home with
Miss Sallie Freeman pet. Oct 9 Sunday Midway to church, home
with Miss Sallie, nice time. November 1887 Nov 6 Sunday to church,
SS, home with Miss Sallie Freeman my pet. Nov 13 Sunday Decatur
church with Miss Sallie sweet time. December 1887 Dec 4 Sunday
with my pet Miss Sallie Freeman sweet time. Dec 11 Sunday Decatur
to church with Miss Sallie Freeman, a nice time. Dec 25 Sunday
to see my little pet all day. A nice time with Miss Sallie Freeman.
January 1888. Jan 7 Miss Sallie birthday 20 years. Jan 8 Sunday
at home in a.m., to see Miss Sallie F in eve. Little pet, nice
time. Jan 30 Monday my birthday 29 years. February 1888. Feb
5 Sunday to SS, home with Miss Sallie Freeman little pet. Feb
14 Tuesday W B Hammond party with little pet Miss Sallie Freeman.
Feb 19 Sunday to SS, home, had company, home with Jennie McCune
to Hammonds. March 1888. March 4 Sunday to see Miss Sallie to
& from SS with her. Staid all night. Nice time. March 18
Sunday to church, home, had company J D Norman. April 1888.
April 1st Sunday to SS, in eve home with Miss Sallie little pet
sweet time. April 15 Sunday to church, home with Miss Sallie
F in eve, nice time. April 22 Sunday at home to Grandpa D. old
place to see Miss Sallie F, sweet time. Apr 28 Sunday to A J
Smiths to Chapel Hill in buggy with Jennie S & Sallie F to
F. B. & home. May 1888. May 6 Sunday to Riser church, to
SS, home with Miss Sallie F, nice time. May 13 Sunday to Masadonia
with Miss Sallie & home with Miss Sallie & home with her.
Nice, sweet time. May 20 Sunday to church SS, to see Miss Sallie
F little pet. Nice, lovely time.
July 1888. July 1 Sunday to SS, and home with Miss Sallie. Nice,
sweet time. July 18 Sunday to church & home to see Miss Sallie
in eve. Nice time. Aug 5 Sunday R. S. H. to church, to see Miss
Sallie little pet. Sweet time. Aug 24 Friday Midway to close
of Miss Sallie Freeman school exercises, and home with little
pet. Nice, sweet time. September 1888. Sept 11 Tuesday with
Miss Sallie F, sweet time. Sept 16 Sunday Rock Branch association,
set Miss Sallie Freeman. She was at Abneys home, and a boy was
waiting for her to come out. She would not come out for him.
He was Jim Greenlee, an old neighbor and schoolmate. I learned
where she was and went to find her. Then she came out, and we
went to the preaching stand. She left the boy standing. She
said to me she would not go with that boy. We had a fine time
untill I had to leave to go home, on mule back 15 miles home.
Sept 30 Sunday to J A William & W T Dunagin, called to see
Miss Sallie, my girl. Oct 1888. Oct 7 Sunday to R. S. H. Midway
to church, home with Miss Sallie F. Oct 21 Sunday Midway SS church
to A J F for sister Arrette with Miss Sallie F. Oct 28 Sunday
to Bill McDaniels to get him frame my house, to Amelia Doolittle
burial. November 1888. Nov 6 Sunday to church, home with little
pet Miss Sallie Freeman, to Frank Barretts for dinner & home.
December 1888. Dec 2 Sunday R. S. H. Midway home with Miss Sallie,
to cookies with little pet, nice sweet time. Dec 16 Sunday to
church, home with Miss Sallie, little pet, sweet time. 1888 Dec
18 Tuesday did jobs to see Miss Sallie at 2 p.m., agreed on the
time to marry, sweet time. Dec 23 Sunday to see to get chimney
put up, to see Miss Sallie, sweet time u bet. Dec 30 Sunday to
see Doolittle & Clay. They got a hot a.m., to see Miss Sallie
in eve. Jan 6 Sunday at home to SS, home with Miss Sallie, sweet
little pet ten times. Jan 9 Wedner to co. alliance to see Miss
Sallie. Asked her parents consent. Jan 13 Sunday Decatur to
church, got the preacher to R R F, home with Miss Sallie.
January 17th Thursday to A J Freeman, married Miss Sallie at 11
a.m., Elder N L Clark said the words that mad us one. When we
joined arms and started to the alter Miss Sallie gave a shudder
and said oh. I said to her if you ever expect to quit now is
the time. I am doing this for keeps. We had a real nice dinner.
We went to my fathers home for supper, and for the night. Next
morning I carried my belongings to newly erected home. That night
(Friday) we went to her home and the next morning we carried her
things home. She had good bed and nice beadstead, a bureau and
organ trunk and rocking chair. We did not go home to stay untill
Monday morning January 21st. Was our first night at home. We
did not feel lonely. Had a fine time, a real feast the first
day and night. Miss Anna McDowell and W N Wilson were our escort.
Version
1b, Chapter 7: “Sallie Freeman”
(ed.
this version was found clipped together, resting in the front
of the Version 1 notebook)
I will begin at the beginning. I first saw little Sallie Freeman
in June, second Sunday 1877. She and her mother was going into
Decatur Baptist church and she was holding on to her mothers dress.
She was then nine years old, and just six months from Monticello
Georgia. The next time I saw her was January 1888 at Midway school,
then exactly ten years old Jan 7. I was visiting the Midway school
on Friday evening. They had a program for the evening. Miss
Bettie Atkinson the teacher pointed her, little Sallie, out to
me saying shes the best speller in school. There was a number
of grown students in school at that time. The summer following
I attended the Midway school. I noticed that little Sallie was
leader in the school sports of her associates. One day on the
playgrounds she and I had a little spat. She nocked my hat off,
and in the fray she tore the brim on my hat about six inches.
Otherwise we were allways good friends. I watched her progress
mentally, and physically, as the years passed. I thought her
above her classmates, and of her playmates, for she was leader
in nearly everything they did. It was real noticable to me.
During Christmas holliday in 1880 the Freeman family visited our
home. She was twelve years old January 7. They were all in
a wagon except Mrs Freeman. She was horse back. When Mrs Freeman
came to go home, I had Mrs Freeman horse at the horse block.
She was going on before the wagon got ready and called Sallie
to come go with her on the horse behind her mother. Sallie did
not want to go, wanted to go in the wagon. She came grudgingly,
and made a jump to get behind her mother on the horse. When she
made the spring, she jumped to far, wsa going over the horse.
When I caught her by the leg, and pulled her back strait, her
mother was lecturing her for the act. When I said Mrs Freeman
give her to me, and let her stay, she said alright you may have
her. Then she straitened up ready to go.
When she was in her 14th year I was going horseback riding with
Miss Georgia, her sister, and Miss Sallie was riding behind Georgia.
In the talk as we were going along, I ask Georgia how old girls
had to be before they were grown. She said they were considered
grown at 16 years. I told her that I was going to pull my mule
back, and go with Miss Sallie. Georgia said Sallie was prettie
two ways, prettie ugly, and prettie apt to stay that way. I then
told Sallie she was not ugly to me and that you will make a prettier
woman than your sister Georgia. Sallie did not say anything while
this was talked. Was afraid to say anything to me, for Georgia
never would have quit teasing her if she should have said anything
to me. Another time I was going with Georgia when Georgia started
to wear a hoop skirt. It was something new. Sallie came out
to see what the hoop would do when Georgia got on the saddle.
I saw there was something expected. It was funnie to Sallie watching
to see if the hoopskirt would fly up. Nothing happened. I stayed
at Freemans one knight on account of the weather. Was visiting
Georgia. The next morning before I got up, I heard Sallie calling
mama, mama where is my dress to put on today. I thought it was
the sweetest toned voice I had ever heard.
In the fall September 1882 I was in the Freeman home and from
where I was sitting I could see one end of the dining table.
Sallie was setting the table for dinner. As she would pass around
the table she would look in at me, and I would always be looking
and smiling at her, and she would be blushing, and biting her
lip. Biting her lip was common with her. She was now passed
14, and thinking of the boys. On November 16th 1882 Thursday
Georgia married. Then Sallie was next. At church Saturday November
the 18th when we came out on the church yard, Mrs Freeman turned
to me and said go home with us Willie. I reckon you wont come
now since Georgias married. My mother said to her oh, Sallies
his girl. Then Mrs Freeman switched around, said I didnt know
that. At this saying Sallie was hiding behind the other girls.
I did not say anything. Dident know what I could say, so kept
silent.
In December my cousin Sallie McMullan and Sallie Freeman cousin
Jeff Smith married. They had a wedding, and the families on each
side was invited. So we met on equal terms at this wedding, had
some games, and a general talk, and in the talk I said the McMullans
had lost their only Sallie, now it was up to me to get another
Sallie in the McMullan family name. At this saying Sallie Freeman
hid behind the other girls present. She understood what it really
ment. The next day we met at the A J Smiths infare dinner (met
casually). About this time there were sociable parties being
held in our community. We would meet at these parties. There
was a candy pulling partie at my home, and I had Miss Sallie for
my partner to pull candy. She new how to pull candy. As we were
pulling our candy I was going to say something to her about how
I felt towards her. She left me at once, but came back right
quick. I did not say anything more about what I started to tell
her. We finished pulling our candy. She knew how, and was a
fine hand at candy pulling. We met at these parties, and we had
a jolly time. She was now about 14 years. She had a real jolly
and bewitching laugh, and was continually laughing to the delight
of her associates. I did really enjoy her laugh. January 25th
1883 Mitt Jones and Janie Cooksey was married. Miss Delie Cooksy,
and I were their waiters. They had a supper. Miss Sallie then
15 years old was there, and I directed most of my talk at her,
expecting to escort her home 1/2 mile away, but another boy, Jim
Park, beat me to her as she ran out the door starting home. He
said she almost ran all the way home. We met the next day at
Jones family infare, just a casual meeting, and a partie that
night at Joneses. The next week met at a partie at Mr Billie
Whites. At this party she was a leading spirit, for she showed
how she could dance, by dancing a jig for Freem (ed. name uncertain)
Jones. It was a delight to the party.
At a partie in February 15th she was a leader in the party plays.
I had her company in nearly all plays, and it rained. We had
to stay nearly all night, as the party came to a standstill.
We with her girl chum Fannie G. sat on a bench on one side of
the room. She had her friend between us. And talked about things.
When I told them that I loved all of the girls, but loved one
more than all the others, her friend Fannie Galloway asked if
I really ment it. I was wearing a nice ring. They got my ring,
and was trying it on their fingers and admiring it. After they
gave it back to me Miss Sallie looked around the girl between
us and said I will wear your ring for you for three years and...
stoped on the word and. Then Fannie and I laughed and
she blushed. Nothing more said. As the party began again we
entered the play at once.
February (ed. no date given) Sunday we met at Hammond on the Freeman
farm. March 1st Tuesday met Jones partie, saw Miss Sallie, a
good time. June 24th Crossroads to church, to Fred Russells,
saw Miss Sallie. July 7 Saturday to Crossroads school, to Crosses
with little one. Sunday home with little one Sallie, to Fred
Russells & to Decatur the day. July 28 Sunday to Choctaw
meeting F N Mc, home with Miss Sallie F. August 1st Sunday home
with Miss Sallie F, to Fred R, to church at Midway, called at
F. B., to church and home. Aug 16 Decatur to church A J F home
with little one S J F. Sept 9th Sunday to Hammond home, to church
and home with S J F. Sept 19 Wednesday to Presbyterian meeting
day & night, saw Nora Ashmore, home with Sallie F. Dec 12
to Charlie Smith weding, saw little Sallie at distance, Dec 22
to Charlie Smith infare at A J Smiths, saw little Sallie at distance.
Dec 23 Crossroads, home with Miss Georgia. Called at F R. Saw
Miss Sallie. Dec 24 Crossroads to Christmas tree, put nice box
stationary on for Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 26 to Dick Russells
party & F Russells saw Miss Sallie F.
January 1884 Jan 6 was Miss Sallies sweet 16th birthday. Stoped
as I was passing late , verry cold evening. Did not appreciate
the reception. Did not stay long. Did not see her again for
5 months. Skip January 25, days February March April, and until
18th of May. P. S. I spent some verry lonely days and month
wandering what I could or what I should do. There was not any
other girl that I wanted to see, so I stayed at home most of the
time.
May 17th 1884 I decided to try again so on May 17 I wrote her
my compliment, asking if I might call Sunday eve. I put negro
boy on my pacing mule I had been riding for some time, years.
Told him to wait for an answer. This was the first writing between
us, and I thought it the sweetest answer note I had ever seen.
It simply said compliments returned, will accept a call from you
Sabbath evening May 17th 1884 Sallie Freeman. This was verry
nice indeed, but I wandered why she put in call from you,
wandered if there was someone in my way. I saddled my mule going
on time. As I went out the door my sister, her chum was watching
me get off. I turned to my sister, said if there was not a change,
this would be my last visit to Freemans. I hitched to my regular
hitching place, went in. She greeted me cordially. We had nice
pleasant evening. In our talk during the evening she asked what
would you have done if I had excepted your call. I dont know
what, I said. I did not stay to long. In just two weeks I sent
the second note, asking her permission to call. Her answer was
I will accept of your company Sabbath eve June 1st Sallie Freeman.
I sent the 3rd note in two week, answer, will accep your company
Sabbath eve June 15th 1884 your Sallie Freeman. Again I did not
see her in more than 2 months.
To go back a little, after school was out 1883 at Midway she was
sent to her sister Finnie Russells to go to school at Crossroads,
walking 3 miles from Russells. The school house an old time log
Methodist meeting house. The teacher Frank McMullan, just back
from State University, thought to be a fine teacher. He had a
fine lot of students. Some grown young men, and grown girls.
When I saw Frank Mc, he was 1st cousin 1st removed, I asked him
to take care of my little girl while in his school. He told me
verry bluntley saying you cant have her. I dident say anything
more, not thinking that I had said to much already. I did not
visit her for some time, knowing it was not right to visit girls
while in school. I soon learned that the boys and several young
men were after her continually and her teacher was one of the
number. I was to have visited a concert one Saturday night, but
had a bad risin boil where I could not set down. My friend John
D went, and spent the night at Russells, and she told him she
kept looking for her fellow, saw him. She new that John new who
she called her fellow.
I visited the school soon. They were having a spelling match
and concert. I had a verry god time. The professor gave out
the spelling. They all failed on spelling one and the same word.
The word was souray (ed: soiree). He gave a rong pronunciation.
Miss Sallie wouldent try to spell the word. He tried, insisted
she try. I noticed he spoke kindly to her, diferent to the others.
I asked if I could go with her home. She was going to Mr Crosses
to spend the night, so I was staying at Crosses for the night.
We were setting in the front gallery when Miss Georgia went to
see about room to sleep. We were left alone. As I was going
to mention what she told me the 1st of the year she got up, and
left me. I thought I knew why. She was afraid some one would
hear it. The next morning I accompanied her home. I did not
go in. Rode on to Decatur and joined the Decatur youngsters in
their Sunday evening sport.
August 15 1883 Sunday home with Miss Sallie F from church and
on 16th called at Freemans to see Miss Sallie. September 9th
to church, to church at night with Miss Sallie F and September
19 to church at night. Saw Miss Nora Ashmore, home with Miss
Sallie. Sept 23rd Sunday to Crossroads, home with Miss Georgia
for dinner. I told her of her professor going with Miss Sallie.
She said he was continually going down to Russells while she was
there going to school to him. Sunday April 15th 1883 to A J Freemans.
Miss Sallie at home from school for the day. October 7 1883 to
singing and home with Miss Sallie Freeman. October 21st to church
to W T Dunagin, back to A J Freeman to see Miss Sallie. Oct 28th
to A J Smith to Liberty Hill singing F N Mc with Miss Sallie F.
November 6th Tuesday set up at Ducketts. Sick child. Miss Sallie
there, had pleasant time. November 11 Sunday at home, the A J
Freeman family here, Miss Sallie. Nov 22 to W T Dunagin &
to Freemans. Nov 29 to party at G A Park in Decatur with Miss
Sallie Freeman. 1883 spent the night at Frank Burretts and home
with Miss Sallie 30th the next morning. She left the party to
keep from dancing with Frank McMullan. He told her he dance with
her next.
December 2nd 1883 to church, to singing at Ham, to see Sallie
F. Dec 12th 1883 Wednesday to Pat McMullan. Charlie Smith married
to Georgia Adams. Saw Sallie there, and saw her at infare. Dec
20 to Jim Hardy and Matilda Chapman weding, I was best man. Dec
23 to Christmast tree. Put box fancy stationary on for Miss Sallie
F. Dec 25 to Newton Crossroads to church, home with Miss Georgia,
to Russels to see Miss Sallie. Dec 26th to Fred R jr, to Dick
Russels party, to Fred Russels, nice time. Started home from
Fred Russells, stoped at Mitt Jones a while. Dec 28 to B F Norman
to party at night. Escorted Miss Melia Puckett to & from
party. 1884 Jan 6th called in as passing to see Miss Sallie F.
It verry cold eve. She had just gotten home from a visit. Had
a good fire. I did not appreciate the reception. Dident stay
to long. I thought she had ben shy of me during the holiday.
Possibly it was only me. Did not see her again untill May 18th
as I stated elsewhere. May 17th I wrote her a card asking if
I could call Sunday eve. Answer was yes, will accept a call from
you Sabbath eve Sallie F. Answer to a card 2 weeks later was
will accept of your company Sabbath eve June 15 1884 Sallie Freeman.
We had a pleasant talk at each and all of these visits. Did not
see her again untill in August 3rd 1884.
In August 1st the Presbyterian was having meeting of days. We
were at church Sunday, had not met, but during the meeting we
were setting facing each other in church. During the preaching
service our eyes met direct and we recognised that we were caught
looking at each other and the look out of them blue eyes and the
expression on her face, I never can forget. It completely gave
her away. I recognized it. The look of love. And so it really
was. I never doubted her again. I went over to her home early
afternoon. She met me kindly. We had a pleasant evening, and
when I should have been going home I asked if I might stay and
walk with her to church tonight. She glady accepted the offer.
As we were returning from church I asked if I might come Tuesday
morning and we would go to picknick at Walker Bridge. It was
agreeable so I drove over to get her for the picknick. No one
knew that I had a buggy. This was the first time I had ever gone
out in it. It was possibly a surprise to her. I thought she
looked downcast, worse than I had ever seen her. She had on a
nice done up dress, a hat that was very unbecoming to her. It
was the coler of the hat that spoiled it all. She was just 16
years now, and I was 25. We never talked about that. On our
way home I asked if I could escort her to church tonight. She
said I have company, look (ed. looked) at me and said you had
not asked me. I then asked if I could come and we would go to
Walls Bridge Picknick Thursday. I helped her out of buggy and
escorted her to her door step, her escort for the night to chruch.
Was a little jeweler from Newton named Ed Miner. When I left
her I turned and drove to Mr Mint Walkers, got Miss Ida Walkers
and Miss Maud (ed. WJM may have written over the name to indicate
“Mag”) Thompson, two of the talkative girls that had been at the
picknick. We went in the church at Midway. Sat just behind Miss
Sallie & her beau. And these two girls talked and talked.
I knew Miss Sallie had much rather been with me than her Ed.
Thursday a.m. I was thare at her home and she was ready to go,
and we had a real good day. As we returned to her home I asked
if I could carry her to her sister Normans fish fry Saturday.
And as we came home from Normans I asked if I might go with her
to the big August meeting at Decatur church Sunday. Sunday I
drove near the gate. She came out to go. I helped her to put
on her duster, and to get in the buggy. I taken the mule from
the hitch, turned to get in the buggy. I looked back to the house.
Mrs Freeman was standing in the door seeing us get off, and I
thought do you now think this will be another son in law. She
staid at Decatur for the weeks meeting. Midway meeting began
the next Sunday, and we would meet at the church during the meeting
week. Not specially togather.
Sometime near when I was sending Miss Sallie cards asking if I
could call to see her, and she was accepting my visits punctually,
I was told she got a letter one day, and that she cried over this
letter for some time. From the same source I had word that Willie
went to see Sallie one Sunday and Frank went one Sunday, and at
a later date I herd that he Frank tried to have her to discard
me to get me out of his way. She dident do it, went to her mother
with his proposal, and her mother told her never, never do it,
could not afford to do it. The families were neighbors, friends,
and in the church. It would cause trouble. When her father new
about about it, he told her if she married Willie McMullan she
would always have a home. If she married Frank, she would be
pulled from place to place. Miss Sallies sister in law Ida Freeman
I learned told this. She was verry intimate with the family.
My friend Miss Sallie never did tell me any of this, so when I
had quit going to see her she had time to reflect, and I afterwards
believed Frank discarded her, or just left her off.
After this we became closer friends than ever before. She visited
in our home and we all visited a neighbor family with lot of
girls. I went home with her in the evening this same day. We
attended a party at Eubank. He was going to Texas. A big crowd.
We all caught the measels at this party. I was the only bough
she had now. We new how to appreciate each other now, as not
before. November 17th 1884 I hired to Grange store. To Eubank
party Wednesday Nov 19th. Had a grand time with Miss Sallie.
A big croud. We all caught the measels at that party. Nov 23
Sunday Midway to church, visited Miss Sallie F. Dec 21 1884 Sunday
Midway to church, saw Miss Sallie F. Dec 24th working in store,
sent Miss Sallie nice present by W B Hammond. Dec 23rd Frank
McMullan married Fannie Stamper, had to run away to get married.
This ends 1884 visits. Visited total for the year 1884= 17 times.
Visits for year 1883, 25 times. Visits for year 1885, 27 times.
Total number of visits for years 1883-1884 & 1885 equal 69
visits.
February 13 1885 Sunday Midway to church, saw Miss Sallie F, to
Conehatta school. March 29th Sunday came home, went to see Miss
Sallie Freeman. April 19th Sunday Midway to church, to see my
girl Miss Sallie F. May 17th Sunday Midway to church. Set Miss
Sallie Freeman. May 31st Sunday to W B Hammond and to see my
donee, Sallie Freeman. June 21st Sunday to Decatur to convention
and to see donee, Miss Sallie Freeman. July 19 Sunday Midway
to church, called to see donee, Miss Sallie Freeman. August 10th
1885. Sallie now 17 years. Aug 18th Midway church and to Freemans.
Aug 29 Saturday with Miss Sallie to Fred Russells and to church.
Aug 30 Sunday with Miss Sallie to church at Crossroads. Aug 31
Monday with Miss Sallie to church at Crossroads. September 2nd
to church at Crossroads with Maud Russell. P. S. Mac Russel and
I swaped girls this day. Miss Sallie went with Mac, and I went
with Maud. The next morning Mac thought he would be going with
Miss Sallie again. When Tom to start, Miss Sallie ran and got
in my buggy.
Sept 3rd Thursday to church at Crossroads with little pet Sallie
Freeman. Sept 14 Sunday to church, to see Miss Sallie F. Sept
16th Wednesday at home to A J Freeman in eve to see Sallie. Sept
21st Monday from Harpervill association with Sallie to Murrells
for the night. Sept 22 Tuesday with Miss Sallie Freeman, home.
Taken dinner there. Sept 27th Sunday to P F Hamilton. Miss Sallie
excused, gone to Georgia. October 11 1885 at home in morning,
to see Miss Sallie Freeman. October 1st Thursday to Newton, hired
to Grange store balance of year. October 18th Sunday Midway to
church to see Miss Sallie Freeman. October 25th Sunday asked
to be excused, gone to sister Kates. Stated there would be preaching
at school house down there.
November 1885. November 1st to church at Riser school house,
to see Miss Sallie F. November 14 Saturday to church. Bought
my first piece of land $130 for 80 acres. Nov 22nd 1885 Sunday
at home in morning, to see Miss Sallie Freeman. Got her promise
to be my wife. After three years we was in her mothers room by
the fire. I asked her if she would be my wife. Her answer was
I told you once, as she was pulling her hands. I accepted her
answer. I remembered what she told, or the offer she made to
me to wear my ring for me. The next morning I got a $10 gold
piece from father. It was a piece he got on a stolen horse.
I was rooming with a jeweler. He worked in the same building
I did. I melted the gold $10.00 and ran it into a bar. R K Speed
the jeweler made the piece into a ring. Welded it, and I polished
it up. It was bigest plain ring I ever saw. I wore this ring
untill I saw Miss Sallie two weeks later.
December 6 1885 Sunday with Miss Sallie Freeman, my little pet.
Gave her my ring. The bigest ring I ever saw on a girls finger.
She was verry proud of this ring. I told her the size of the
ring represented my love for her, and as it had no end, my love
would have no end for her. December 20 Sunday to church, to see
my girl Miss Sallie Freeman. 1886 January 17th Sunday Midway
to church, to see Miss Sallie Freeman in eve. Jan 21st Thursday
to W B H party, home with little pet Miss Sallie Freeman. Jan
31 Sunday at home a.m., to see Miss Sallie Freeman in eve. February
14th Tuesday at P F Hamilton, to see Miss Sallie F in eve. Feb
21st Sunday to church in a.m., to see Miss Sallie Freeman in eve,
and to Decatur with her on her way to school. She attended this
Decatur school untill it closed in summer 1886. Feb 28 1886 Sunday
Crossroads to church, diner with Georgia Cross, stoped at F R.
March 8th Monday to Newton, hired to Grange store for year at
$20.00 month. March 21st Sunday Midway to church, home with my
pet Miss Sallie F. 1886 April 10th Sunday Decatur church dinner
with Frank Barrette & to singing with Miss Sallie Freeman,
nice time. April 25 Sunday Midway to church to R R Freeman, with
Sallie F. May 1886 May 2 Sunday R K Speed came, we went to see
Miss Sallie F for dinner. Afterwards to G L Doolittle to see
Sallie Atkinson, Speed girl. Speed brought livery team. We had
a fine time this day. Speed the jeweler was rooming with me in
store where I worked.
May 2nd 1886 Friday with Miss Sallie F, my girl, to the show.
A big circus, the biggest ever in Newton. We enjoyed fine time.
May 30 Sunday, went to see my donee Miss Sallie Freeman, nice
time. June 1886. Did not see Miss Sallie this month. Had on
the 10th a letter, on 25- had letter from Miss Sallie. 1886 July
12th Monday to see Miss Sallie F at Dick Normans. July 16th Friday
to Willie Caskies funeral, and visited Miss Sallie Freeman, while
at Normans in Newton. July 22 Thursday to the Patrons Union.
Met Miss Sallie Freeman and Miss Lucy Harper, her school friend,
a verry nice time. August 1st 1886 church, carried Miss Sallie
Freeman home, nice time. Aug 15 Sunday to church, carried my
pet to church and to singing then home with Miss Sallie Freeman.
August 17 Tuesday Midway to church, home with my girl Miss Sallie
F. August 29th Sunday to R R Freeman in eve, home with little
donee Sallie. September 1886 5th Sunday Decatur to church with
pet Sallie F, dined with Eugene Carleton, and to church at night
and home, a nice time. Sept 12th Sunday to church, dined at A
J F, to church with Miss Sallie. Sept 19th Sunday Oakland association,
met Miss Sallie Freeman. Rode a mule there because Miss Sallie
would be there. I then rode back home 15 miles that evening.
Enjoyed the day, and the 30 miles ride to be with Miss Sallie,
having been engaged 10 months.
October 1886 Sunday 3rd Riser church to see Miss Sallie in eve.
Oct 17th Sunday to church at MIdway to see Miss Sallie in eve.
Oct 24th Sunday church at Crossroads, home with Georgia, &
home. Oct 31st Sunday Decatur to Gen Ass. with my little girl
Miss Sallie F. November 1886. Nov 7th Sunday at home to see
my donee in eve Miss Sallie Freeman. November 1886. Nov 7th
Sunday at home, to see my donee in eve Miss Sallie Freeman. Nov
28th Sunday with Miss Sallie to Crossroads to church, dined with
Dug Russell. Laura Hurd was there to. A nice time. December
1886. December 12 Sunday at home in a.m. to see donee in eve.
Miss Sallie Freeman. Dec 19th Sunday Midway to church, home with
donee Miss Sallie Freeman, nice time. Dec 26 Sunday Newton to
church, home with Miss Puckett to Norman for dinner, see donee.
January 1887. January 2nd Sunday home with Miss Sallie F &
Jennie Smith, spent the day. Jan 16th Sunday to church at Midway,
home. To see my donee & honey Miss Sallie Freeman. Jan 30
Sunday my birthday 28 years, to see my pet Miss Sallie Freeman.
February 1887. I missed visiting Miss Sallie this month. March
1887. March 13th Sunday to Presbyterian preeching at Midway to
see Sallie F. April 1887. April 3 Sunday Riser to church, to
see Miss Sallie Freeman donee. April 24 Sunday Newton to church,
to see my pet Miss Sallie Freeman in eve. May 1887. May 5 Thursday
to the triplet wedding Newton Baptist church at night. E B Blalack
to Viola Vale, John McClinton to Jennie Guthrie, Andrew McAlpin
to Minnie Watkins. A real fine affair. May 8th Sunday Decatur
church with Miss Sallie F to Catline McMullan for dinner, a nice
time. On the way home from church, had 1st kiss. May 15th Saturday
with A J Freeman to Aron Pierce all night on way to Garlanville.
May 16th Garlansville to major Tatums to marriage of (ed. illegible)
and directly back to Midway preaching, home with Miss Sallie F,
good time.
June 1887. June 5 Sunday to George Dunagin & church &
home to see Miss Sallie Freeman little pet. June 12 Sunday to
Peningtons with the girls and to Midway with Miss Sallie pet,
nice time. June 26th Sunday Newton to SS & church, to T D
and to see Miss Sallie little pet. July 1887. July 17 Sunday
Midway church to see my girl in eve nice time Miss Sallie F.
July 24 Sunday at home in a.m. church, home with Miss Sallie nice
time. August 1887. Aug 12 Friday Newton speaking Midway school,
home with Miss Sallie Freeman. Aug 14th Sunday to church at
Decatur to A J Smiths for dinner, church with Miss Jennie and
Sallie F and home with my pet Miss Sallie F, nice time. Aug 25
Thursday to church day & night. Visited Miss Sallie Freemans
school. Aug 26 Friday to Midway church baptism, to Miss Sallie
F school & home. September 1887. Sept 4th Sunday to church
and home with Miss Sallie Freeman little pet nice time. Oct 9
Sunday Midway to church, home with Miss Sallie F little pet, nice
time. November 6 Sunday to church, SS, home with Miss Sallie
Freeman my pet. Nov 13 Sunday Decatur to church with Miss Sallie
Freeman little pet sweet time.
December 1887. December 4 Sunday with my pet Miss Sallie Freeman
sweet time. December 11 Sunday Decatur to church with Miss Sallie
Freeman a nice time. Dec 25 Sunday to see my little pet all day
a nice time Miss Sallie Freeman. January 1888= visits for 1887=
26 times. Jan 7 Miss Sallie Freeman birthday 20 years. Jan 8th
Sunday at hom in a.m. to see Miss Sallie F in eve. Little pet,
nice time. Jan 30 Monday my birthday 29th year. February 1888.
Feb 5 Sunday to SS, and home with Miss Sallie Freeman little pet.
Feb 14 Tuesday, W B Hammond to party, with little pet Miss Sallie
Freeman. Feb 19 Sunday to SS & home, had company. Home with
Jennie McCune at Hammonds. March 1888. March 4 Sunday to see
Miss Sallie to & from SS with her, stayed all night, nice time. March 18 Sunday to church and home,
had company Jeff Norman. April 1888. April 1st Sunday to SS,
in eve home with Miss Sallie little pet sweet time. April 15
Sunday to church home to see Miss Sallie F in eve, a nice time.
April 22 Sunday at home to Grandpa D.’s old place, to see Mis
Sallie F sweet time. April 28 to A J Smiths to Chapel Hill in
buggy with Jennie S & Sallie F to F. B., home by myself, a
nice time.
May 1888. May 6 Sunday to Riser church to SS, home with Miss
Sallie F nice time. May 13 Sunday to Masadonie with my girl &
hom Miss Sallie F nice sweet time. May 20 Sunday to church, home.
To see Miss Sallie Freeman little pet nice time. June 3 Sunday
home to SS, to see Miss Sallie Freeman pet sweet time. June 12
Sunday to church & SS, to see Miss Sallie F, little pet, nice
lovely time. July 1888. July 1 Sunday to Sunday school, home
with Miss Sallie F, a nice sweet time. July 18 Sunday to church,
home to see Miss Sallie F little pet in eve, a nice time. August
1888. August 5 Sunday R. S. H. to church, to see Miss Sallie,
little pet, sweet time. Aug 24 Friday to Midway to close of Miss
Sallie Freemans school exercises, home with little pet, nice sweet
time.
Sept 11 Tuesday Midway to baptism with Miss Sallie F, weet time.
Sept 16 Sunday Rock Branch to Mt Pisga association, set Miss Sallie
F. She was at Abneys and the old boy was there waiting to go
with her. She would not come out for him. He was Jim Green,
an old neighbor and school mate. I learned where she was, and
went to find her, then she came out. She said she would not go
with that boy. And we went out to the preaching stand, so she
left the boy standing. We had a fine time untill I had to leave
for home, 15 miles. Sept 30 Sunday to J A William, W T Dunagin,
called to see Miss Sallie F. Oct 1888. Oct 7 Sunday to R. S.
H., Midway to church, home with Miss Sallie F little pet, sweet
time. Oct 21 Sunday Midway SS church to A. J. F. for sister Anette
with Sallie F. Oct 28 Sunday to Bill McDaniels to get him to
frame my home, to Amelia D. burial. November 1888. Nov 6 Sunday
to church, home with my little pet Miss Sallie F, sweet time.
Nov 13 Sunday Decatur to church with my little pet Sallie F sweet
time, to Frank Barretts for dinner & home. December 1888.
December 2 Sunday R S H church, Midway Sunday School, home with
Miss Sallie F little pet, to Cooksey with pet, nice time sweet
time. Dec 16 Sunday, to church, home with Miss Sallie little
pet sweet time. Dec 18 Tuesday did jobs, to see little pet Miss
Sallie F at 2 p. m., agreed on times, sweet time. Dec 23 Sunday
to see to get chimney put up, to see Miss Sallie F sweet time
u bet. Dec 30 Sunday to see Doolittle Clay in a. m. & to
see Miss Sallie F pet nice time.
1889 January 6 Sunday at home, to SS, home with Miss Sallie F
sweet little pet, a sweet time, about to times over. Jan 9 Wednesday
to County Alliance, to see Miss Sallie little pet, asked old folks
consent. Jan 13 Sunday to Decatur got the preacher to R. R.
F., home with Miss Sallie F, sweet little pet nice sweet time
thrice. Jan 17 Thursday to A. J. F. married Miss Sallie had nice
dinner. Elder N L Clarke said the words that made us one. When
we joined arms, and started to the alter Miss Sallie gave a shiver
said oh. I said to her if you ever expect to quit now is the
time. I am doing this not for quits. We went to my home fathers,
for supper and the night. Next morning I carried my belongings
to my newly erected home. We then went back to her former home.
We moved her things home. She had good bed & nice stead,
a beauroe, an organ trunk and rocking chair. We did not go home
to stay untill Monday, Jan 21st. Monday was our first night at
home. We did not feel lonely, had a fine time, a real feast the
first night. Miss Annie McDowell and Bud Wilson was our escort.
Combined
from Versions 1 & 2, Chapter 8: “Letters from Miss Sallie”
Compliments
to W J McMullan. Compliments returned. Will accept a call from
you tomorrow afternoon, May 17th 1884. Sallie Freeman
(ed.
alternate version of above note reads “Compliments received.
Will accept a call from you tomorrow afternoon. May 17th 1884,
Sallie Freeman.”)
Compliments
of S J Freeman, in return to Mr Willie McMullan, and accepts of
your company Sabbath eve, June 1st 1884.
Return
compliments of Sallie Freeman to Mr Willie McMullan, and will
accept his company Sunday eve, June 15th 1884.
September
15th 1884.
Compliments
of Sallie Freeman in return to Mr Willie McMullan, and ask to
be excused as I am compeled to go to Georgias and remain over
week, am to start in the morning.
October
25th 1885
Compliments
of Sallie Freeman in return to Mr McMullan, and will have to ask
to be excused, as I have promised sister Kate to go there tomorrow.
There will be preaching at the school house down there Sabbath.
(put
flowers in this note)
Jan
10th 1886.
My
dear Mr Willie. I guess you know the reason of my not answering
your note last week. There was not any school Friday and I had
no way to send a reply. I have thawed a little today for the
first time since Friday. I believe it was the coldest weather
I ever saw. I will quit. I am most frozen. I remain Sallie.
February
15th 1886
Mr
Willie McMullan. My dear sir, When I came home yesterday from
school I found Uncle Jack Smiths family here. Jennie came with
them and therefore I decline going to Decatur today, provided
you will excuse me. You know I feel a delicacy in going, and
leaving Jennie. I hope it will not debar you from going. Go
by all means. I know you will see lots of prettie girls. If
you do not go, you may call this evening if you wish to. Verry
respectfully and truly yours, Sallie Freeman.
Dec
Miss, March 3 1886 Wednesday.
Mr
McMullan. Many thanks to you for the candy you sent me. I divided
it with my friends, especially with Jennie. Profesor Corbet,
and daughter Miss Emma are our teachers names. I think prof.
Corbet an exclent teacher. We had in attendance today 86 scholars.
Prof Corbet hasent made any ruls abot us talking to the boys.
We talk when we wish to. He has not much if any rules but behave,
and get your lesson. We study at night, and recite nearly all
day. If we dont know them, he is sure to let us know it before
we leave the class. Jennie does not stay at Georgias. I go with
Lula Johnson. It is nearly eleven oclock. I will quit for tonight
as I am getting cold. Sallie.
March
6th.
It
is raining today. Did not attend school. I forgot to tell you
who was my deskmate. Jennie, of course. We took seat togather
the first morning and Lula J. and Florance Clark in front of us,
and Lucy Harper, and Bettie McCune back of us. We dont have much
time for laughing. Dr Hinton came home last Saturday. Someone
said he was coming to at Decatur. Fred Russell and Jim Mann are
coming to school. Lucy Harper and Bettie McCune sends their best
regards to you. I divided candy with them. Excuse bad writing
and spelling. I am in an awful hurry. I remain, Sallie.
Decatur
April 11 1886.
Mr
McMullan. I believe I am in somewhat better spirits than when
I last wrote. I guess I learn slowly. I am quite shure I do
not learn fast. You asked me where I would be Sabbath. I guess
I will be at Georgias. I don’t expect I will attend church Sabbath.
If you wish to you can go to church, and come home with who ever
goes to church. You may call if you wish to. The people talking
are organizing a Sabbath school Sunday eve. If they do I shall
certainly go. You may go to if you wish to. I will quit. It
is nearly eleven oclock and I dont quite know my lesson yet.
Last night I went to sleep studding and let the lamp burn nearly
all night. Good night. Yours, Sallie Freeman
Thursday
April 29 1886
Willie.
We will not have our picknick tomorrow. The swamp will be to
wet. We were all sadly disappointed. I believe they have put
it off untill it dries off. I am staying at home this week, or
part of the week. We started home Monday evening but could not
cross the creek above D., so we came back to D. and stayed at
Dr. Penington part of the time. Lula and myself stayed at her
maws both nights. I came home yesterday morning with Walter Coursey.
I dont expect I will go home untill Sabbath eve. I have not been
to school this week. I heard in D. that Jennie sick, but I hope
not seriously. I f you see any of sisters folks tell them we
will not have the picknic. I hope you have a nice time this week.
It has been gloomy to me. I will close. I remain yours as ever,
Sallie.
May
13th 1886 Decatur Miss.
Mr
McMullan. I received your letter last week. I feared Mr Speed
did not enjoy himself. Lula said she wished he had seen her fore
he saw Sallie (untill he had seen her). I had a nice time last
Sunday. Went to Sabbath School at half past nine. Staid untill
after preaching. Maud and Mr Thomas went home with us. Anna
and Virginia Carleton came in the eve. Lula and Madison came
also. We all walked to High Hill Sunday night, except Maud and
Mr Thomas. We will have our picknick Friday if not raining.
We all expect a nice time. How could we expect anything else.
We solisit you to come Mr Speed, to be certain to bring Mr Speed!
Lucy puts in her solisitude also. I remain yours, Sallie.
N.B.
I dont know what you mean by that card, therefore I will keep
it untill I see you. I will go home Saturday if not hindered.
Thursday you had better come if you like beef. I expect it will
be all we have for dinner. If you see any of sisters folks tell
them abot the picknick. They may want to come. I will close.
I have been verry lengthy as ever, Sallie Freeman.
May
23 1886 Decatur Miss.
Dear
Willie, I am just back from Sabbath School, had a tolerable large
croud. I am in bible class, and some of the answers are no little
trouble to find. You asked me to tell you about the picknick.
It has been so long since then, I have nearly forgotten about
it. We had a verry nice time. I think I had a nice enough time
for you and myself to. We had one swing, two jumping ropes, and
we jumped a vine, too. We had one croquet set. I know I started
half dozen games, but did not finish but one. Two young men were
up from Hickory. Mr McDonal and Mr Joe Todd. Mr Ralf Adams was
my escort most of the day. We had a nice party at Mr Carletons
at night. We are going to have another picknick Saturday before
the third Sabbath. It will be a Sabbath School picknick. We
have a nice time swinging everry day. The boys swing us part
of the time. School is decreasing. I would like to quit, but
have no excuse only I am tired of going. I will be glad when
school is out so I can go when I get ready. I started yesterday,
but was interfered by Mr William coming. Brother and family came
Saturday. I think its time I am quiting. I have been so dull.
I
anticipate going to the show if I can get enough to go on my bond.
Several of us said we would play negro, go and see the street
parade. We thought some one would take pity on us and take us
in. If you will go on my bond let me know. I remain yours as
ever, Sallie Freeman.
(P.
S. we went in the show togather)
Decatur
Miss May 31st 1886.
Willie
I guess you think I never intended to answer your letter. It
was almost impossible for me to write last week, and I went out
to sister Finnies Saturday, and did not get back untill this evening
(Monday). Many thanks for the box of envelopes and paper pencil,
especially the box, I think it prettie. I hope you have a pleasant
time at Newton. I think sometimes I had better quit school.
I dont think I learn a thing.
I
think I shall quit latin. I did not go to the negro exibition.
I thought awhile I woud go. I guess you heard of the death of
Mrs McAlpin. She died last Wednesday. Prof. let us school children
out a little after nine to go to burial. The corps did not come
untill nearly twelve. We all staid untill after the funeral and
we lacked to caught it when we got back. Sallie.
It
rained terrible hard last night. I thought the wind would blow
the house away. The creek is so high I could not get to school
today, and I fear will not get to go tomorrow. You asked me about
my cold. It is better. It seems like a month since I received
your letter. I have waited so long. Hear you think I did not
appreciate your present, but you may rest assured I do. I think
I will have to quit myself. Pen and ink wont write. I think
it is myself. Sallie
Wednesday.
Mr
Barrette brought us to school this morning. The creek was still
high. I guess it will run down as it has quit raining. I guess
the mail comes up today, and I will try to mail my letter today.
I will close. I have made a real diary of this letter.
Excuse
this I am writing during school. If he sees me I expect he will
read it to the school. I remain as ever, Sallie Freeman.
Decatur
Miss, June 16 1886.
Mr
McMullan. I received your letter today and am answering it tonight
so I can send it by mail tomorrow. School ends tomorrow, and
you may rest assured I am glad of it. The weather is getting
to hot. They thought best to quit. Mr McMullan, I suppose I
will have to inform you about the picknick. It has rained so
much the people have decided not to have it. It will be to wet
down on the creek. I hope you will not be disappointed much.
I was invited to attend a party at Mr Martins tomorrow night.
I dont know whether I go or not. The school closes at Union Friday.
Examination in the day, exibition at night. We are verry anxious
to go, but dont expect we can get a way to go.
I
will come home Saturday to stay, I guess. I expect to sleep a
week or two before I get my right senses. Georgia says she believes
I am crazy. This week, I expect some of the D. girls will be
at Midway Sunday, Lula Johnson, Miss Emma and Miss Mary.
It
has rained terable hard today. The wind liked to blew all of
the corn down. Bro F I am sure will carrie us to school this
evening. I know most the creek is up. I think I will have to
call in all the neighbors when I get home to help me rejoice.
As I have written all I know, I guess it is best to quit. Sallie
Freeman.
N.B.
Excuse all mistakes, and those beauty spots, as I have already
told you, I was crazy this week. You can account for it. I
left out part of sentences also.
June
25th 1886.
Willie,
I believe I have quite recovered from my ailments, tho I dont
know wether I have my right senses yet or not. I hope I will
soon. You asked when you might call. I cannot set any definite
time. You said you was going to Newton Sabbath. I intend going
to Crossroads if I can get off. Mr Pope insisted much on my coming
the first. I do not know where I will be untill the time comes.
I may go down to sisters if I do I will (ed: a word seems to be
missing here) a week or two. You may call while I am there, provided
I get there. I would have gone last Sabbath, but I thought I
had company that would spend the night with me, but was mistaken.
Now that school is out, I dont know what to be at. I dont know
how to work. I sleep a little, work a lttle and run about and
eat green fruit more than a little. Pleas to excuse my wandering
talk. Pleas to excuse my paper. I remain yours, Sallie.
July
5th 1886.
Dear
Mr McMullan, Please to excuse my delay in not answering yours
of the 3rd instant. We have had company nearly all the time I
have been at home. Since then Jennie spent the night with me.
I carried her to Decatur yesterday morning. I saw Callie while
I was there, and asked her about taking lessons. Her price is
$4.00. She gives one lesson everry day. Pleas tell me what you
think about it Sunday. I will be at home Sunday all day. Without
it is to church at Midway. You can come anytime you wish to.
You may come in the morning, and go with us to church or any time
that suits you. Excuse such writing. I have not written any
since I quit school. Yours, Sallie Freeman.
July
17th 1886.
Dear
Willie, You must have thought I was at Decatur by sending your
letter up there. I got out of staying with Georgia this time.
I am verry sorry you did not enjoy the Union. I was really sorry
I had to leave. I appreciate your kind offer very much, but alas
I had to decline it. You know I could not leave Jennie. I dont
know whether I can go to church Sunday or not. If I dont go
to church, you may come in the evening, and I pray you not to
forget to bring that grand picture. I know I am a perfect scare
crow. Dont kiss the picture all away by that time. I dont think
I would like to kiss pictures much. I will quit, my old pen wont
write. Lovingly, Sallie F.
August
1st Sunday 1886.
Dear
Mr McMullan, I accept your company Sabbath evening with pleasure.
Preaching broke last night. I think the preachers thought us
bad cases. I will tell you how I got into it when you come.
As ever, Sallie Freeman.
N.B.
Pleas to excuse pencil, Sallie Freeman. (a flower in this note)
Nov
6th 1886.
Dear
Willie, I received your letter in due time, and read it all with
perfect ease. I think the children carried the night at the party.
I did not have a verry lively time. There was not any of my fellows
there. I went to see Jennie Sunday and to church. If you had
come you would not have found me at home. I guess I will be at
home from now on on the first Sunday. Miss Lida has not said
anything about us going with the boys. Therefore you may call
the first Sunday if I dont forget it before the time comes. I
must be verry sweet if I am as sweet as you say I am, but you
are the only one (provided these are your sentiments) that thinks
that. Everryone else think to the reverse. I remain as ever,
Sarah Jane Freeman.
December
9th 1886.
Mr
McMullan. Dear sir, I received yours of the 5th, and of course
I will forgive you for not calling. I did not look for you.
It was to cold to go anywhare. I will accept your company to
Decatur if it is a prettie day. If you think it not fit to go
to church, you may call in the eve. I have the blues today.
There are so many weddings tonight, and I cannot go to any. I
think Ida treated me real mean. I think I missed the fun in not
going to the partie. Willie said there were ever so many boys
there, Mr Guss, to. Papa married Ida. I will close as ever,
Sallie J Freeman
N.B.
Please to excuse me for waiting so long to answer. It was Wednesday
before I got yours and the mail rider did not stop to get mine
as he promised. I will go to Decatur if it is a fit day. If
you do come, come as early as you can, so we wont be late. Yours,
Sallie Freeman.
Dec
1886.
Mr
McMullan. I received your note late yesterday eve, and did not
have time to answer. I started down to sisters. It rained so
hard I stoped at Cornelia Doolittles. Will stay here untill Willie
returns. I thought I would go to Christmas tree if the weather
was suitable. I started this morning. Come tomorrow and spend
the day with us. I will spend the day at home. They are hurrying
me to death. Lovingly, Sallie Freeman.
1887.
Dear
Mr McMullan, I accept your company tomorrow eve with the greatest
felicity and also to church, but you know I detest walking, altho
I will walk if there is no other way. Yours sincerely, Sallie
Freeman.
1887.
Dear
Willie, I give you permission to call tomorrow evening Sabbath.
You know you have my permission anytime. As ever, Sallie Freeman.
October
21st 1887.
Dear
Mr McMullan, I would be verry glad to go to Crossroads. Willie
is looking for company Saturday night. If he does not come I
will go. If I dont go, by all means you go yourself, and carry
Arrette. I will go if I posibly can. Perhaps I can get Willie
and Velps (ed: name not clear) both to go. Very respectfully,
Sallie Freeman.
November
13th 1887.
Mr
McMullan. I will accept your company to church Sabbath at D.
with pleasure, provided the waeather is not to bad. Verry truly
and respectfully, Sallie Freeman.
December
11th 1887.
Dear
Willie, I will go to Decatur Sabbath if the weather is prettie.
If to bad I will not go. If you do come, come early so that we
will not be to late, provided I am ready when you come. I will
be at home in the eve. Come if not in the morning. Do bring
all of your life with you. I have the blues so bad I am afraid
I shall expire soon. As ever yours, Sallie Freeman.
N.B.
Frank Cross married this eve to Callie Thames.
November
13 1888.
Mr
McMullan. I will accept your company to church Sabbath at D.
with pleasure, provided the weather is not to bad. Verry truly
and respectfully, Sallie Freeman.
Dec
1888.
Mr
McMullan. I received your note late yesterday eve and did not
have time to answer. I started down to sisters. It rained so
hard I stoped at Cornelia Doolittles. Will stay here untill Willie
returns. I thought I would go to Christmas tree if the weather
was suitable. I started this morning. Come tomorrow and spend
the day with us. I will spend the day at home. They are hurrying
me to death. Lovingly, Sallie Freeman.
This
is a facsimile of Mrs McMullans last note to me while in Canida
at Niagra falls July 24th 1939:
I
am at Niagara falls having a grand time. Will be home this week,
Sallie.
When
we started to the marriage alter when Miss Sallie taken my arm
she gave a shudder, in an undertone said oh. Then I said if you
ever expect to quit, now is the time. I am doing this for keeps.
In 1945 while in hospital she said to Dr Simmons there stands
a good looking man pointing to me, then laughed heartily. She
was in the hospital 66 days. After coming home as I was standing
by her bed entertaining her she said to me, you used to have prettie
teeth, bright sparklin brown eyes, and nice smooth face. You
know I never did go back on you.
Version
2, Chapter 9: “Golden Wedding”
January
17th 11 oclock 1889 Mr and Mrs McMullan Golden Wedding Day January
17th 1939 had open house from 2 to 4 oclock in afternoon. 170
people registered. Mildred came from Detroit, Mich. Sister Ida
Jones from Goree Texas came. There were 64 men and 114 wimin
and girls present. It was a bad or rainy evening that kept several
away, several from Jackson Miss expected to come. Bernice stood
at the door and introduced the visitors as they came in. Mrs
Mac was first in line and set under a cluster of flowers and evergreen
smilax and lighted candles. I was second, then the other members
of the family was in the receiving line. We were wearing our
wedding suits. Mine was a Prince Albert suit, the verry best
material. Mrs Mc’s dress was verry fine wolen material and made
in the verry best of style of that day. It was something wonderful
to all present. Mrs Mc was not verry well. Was just recovering
from enfluenza. She was verry quiet, then 71 years, and I was
nearing 80 years. And to amuse the croud I jumped up in the middle
of the floor, cracked my heels togather twice before I hit the
floor. That was a surprise to all present, to think I was so
supple at 80 years old.
Version
1, Chapter 9: “Golden Wedding”
January
17th 1889 Mr and Mrs McMullans Golden Wedding day on January 17th
1939. Had open house from 2 to 4 oclock in afternoon. 178 people
registered. Mildred came home, and sister Ida Jones from Texas
came. There was 64 men and 114 wimin and girls present. It was
a bad or rainey evening. That kept a number away. Some was expecting
to come from Jackson Miss. Bernice stood at the door, and introduced
the visiters as they came in. Mrs Mc was first in line. We set
under a cluster of flowers and evergreen smilax, and lighted candles.
I was second , then the other members of the family was in the
receiving line. I kissed the wimin and girls as they passed.
We were wearing our weding suits. Mine was a Prince Albert coat
of the verry best material, Mrs Mc’s dress was verry fine wolen
material, and made in the best of style of that day. It was something
wanderful to all present. Mrs Mc was not verry well, was just
recovering from enfluenza. She was verry quiet. Was then 71
years and I was nearing 80, and to amuse the company I jumped
up in the middle of the room and cracked my heels togather twice
befor I hit the floor and that was the surprise to all present,
to think I was so suple at 80 years old.
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