Booker T. Washington: “In my childhood I had suffered for want of a place to sleep, for lack of food, clothing, and shelter.”

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

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.

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

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