Booker T. Washington: “Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.”

When freedom came, the slaves were almost as well fitted to begin life anew as the master, except in the matter of book-learning and ownership of property.

But taking place at the time it did, and for the reason that it did, no one could ever make me believe that my mother was guilty of thieving.

These discussions showed that they understood the situation, and that they kept themselves informed of events by what was termed the “grape-vine” telegraph.

Even to this day I can recall accurately the tortures that I underwent when putting on one of these garments.