In Jasper, Texas, a woman named Tempie Cummins described what happened to her and her mother: Mother was workin’ in the house, and she cooked too. She say she used to hide in the chimney corner and listen to what the white folks say. When freedom was ’clared, marster wouldn’ tell ’em, but mother she hear him tellin’ mistus that the slaves was free but they didn’ know it and he’s not gwineter tell ’em till he makes another crop or two. Cummins said she and her mother escaped soon after. She remembered their master getting his gun and shooting at her mother as they fled. What Cummins would make
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