Recorded on October 11, 2009, interview conducted by Dr. James Conrad ideo interview 1.03 hour. Video production made by CLiC (Converging Literacies Center), a part of Texas A&M University-Commerce.
East Caney Community, land ownership, cotton picking, elementary school, grocery store, gardening, segregation, Baptist church, congregation, Sunday bible study, Revival program, transportation, factory in Fort Worth, Vietnam war, radio program, newspaper, toy, cowboy stars, movie theater, June 19th cerebration, Black community,
Description
Harold Askew was born on February 3, 1929 in the East Caney Community, located near Sulphur Springs, Texas. His grandfather, Nathan Pannel, owned most of the land and gave it to his children. His father’s name is Quincy Askew or “Big Jack.” He was a World War I veteran and died from tuberculosis in 1937. He was a farmer and a mortician. Askew worked on a cotton plantation picking cotton for 50 cents per day or 1 dollar per day for chopping cotton. Children usually worked the fields in the Fall. They brought pork ‘n’ beans, salmon croquettes, and canned sardines for lunch. The East Caney School ran through the 9th grade and students pursued their high school education in Sulphur Springs. Segregation was made aware to students through school division but the racial relationship was normal. There was a grocery store called “Shaky” which was the main purchasing center. People did gardening for domestic consumption.
East Caney Baptist was the only church in the community. The building was made of bricks with double entrances. Sunday congregation ran all day long from Bible study, service, Baptist Training Union (BTU), and night service. In the Summer, a revival program ran a week through. Special events such as marriage ceremonies and funeral service were not done at the church.
Askew bought his first car at the age of sixteen for $150. There were about 5 cars in the community. Most people used wagons and kids walked to school. He went to the Douglas High School in Sulphur Springs. He worked for a factory in Fort Worth for 32 years until he retired at the age of 52. Then he moved to Nebraska for 12 years and finally came back to live close to his mother in Texas for the last 22 years. He is 86 years old (2010).
When he was young, people entertained themselves by listening to the radio, reading newspapers, and going to the movies. The Radio was called dry cell battery. His favorite programs were Gang Buster and Twelve O’ Clock. The Newspaper came once a week on Friday. He recalled some famous cowboy stars such as Buck Jones, Johnny Mc Brown, Bob Steel. He also enjoyed The Three Musketeers. There were three movie theaters in Sulphur Springs but only one allowed Blacks. They never went through the front entrance but had to use the alley by the side to go upstairs. African Americans had a big cerebration on June 19th every year where they picnicked together. There are several Black communities in Hopkins County namely East Caney, North Caney, St. Luke, Bus Creek, and Sycamore.
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