Booker T. Washington: “Do not buy those worthless things, which, when they come in contact with water, will shrivel up because they are made of…”

I can scarcely imagine any torture, except, perhaps, the pulling of a tooth, that is equal to that caused by putting on a new flax shirt for the first time.

Despite this disappointment, however, I determined that I would learn something, anyway.

As soon as it was learned that he was not an American Negro, all the signs of indignation disappeared.

I cannot remember having slept in a bed until after our family was declared free by the Emancipation Proclamation.