| The majority of the original interview focuses on Henry Long’s work history as an adult after the Civil War. In the excerpt below, the interviewer recounts in the first person Henry Long’s view of slavery in Kentucky and how he does not know his birthdate. |
Excerpt:
…Where was I born–it was in Kentucky, Russellville it was, just a few miles from Bowling Green. Yes, Kentucky was a regular slave state – a genuine slave state. Lots of them there.
…No, I didn’t rightly know how old I was. I was working along, not thinking much about what I was doing. Then the men down at the office (Hot Springs National Park) started asking me how old I was. I couldn’t tell them. But I thought I was born the year the slaves was freed. They said I ought to be retired. So they wrote back–or somebody stopped over while he was on his vacation–can’t quite remember which. Anyhow they found I was old enough to retire–ought to have retired several years ago…
| Interviewee Formerly enslaved person | Birth Year (Age) | Interviewer WPA Volunteer | Enslaver’s Name |
| Henry Long | Year (approx. 71) | Mary D. Hudgins | Gabe Long |
| Interview Location | Residence State | Birth Location |
| AR | AR | Russellville, KY |
| Themes & Keywords | Additional Tags: |
| Logan County, First Person |
Long_H_1