Bolivar County MS

Slave Narrative of Berry Smith

Berry Smith, a centenarian born into slavery in Alabama, recounts his life as a house servant and laborer across several plantations in Mississippi. He shares memories of both hardships and small joys, detailing his experiences with overseers, family, and community, alongside moments of play and resistance against oppression. After the Civil War, Smith navigated freedom while working various jobs, including cooking for soldiers. Now living independently, he reflects on a lifetime of labor, the changing dynamics of youth today, and his hope for a peaceful afterlife.

Quapaw Indians

The Quapaw Tribe, meaning “downstream people,” is historically linked to various names from neighboring tribes and early explorers. Initially residing near the Ohio River, they moved to the Arkansas River region by the late 17th century, where they became allies of the French. Over time, population decline due to disease and subsequent treaties led to their displacement across states, resulting in their eventual resettlement in Oklahoma. The tribe’s historical significance is reflected in their name’s influence on the Arkansas River and the state of Arkansas.