Salt Lake Herald-Republican | 1900-07-25 | Page 4 | Trials of One Census Taker

Ta of One Census Taker Washington Wahington Str Star This census business Is 15 all right when al i it is al all over and done with and we look with pride at the wih figures showing the wonderful increase of our great and glorious republic said Major Bowen of Kentucky but I had a Job of enumerating in my state and th tb 2 cents a name I got a a drop fn th the bucket to the tho amount of trouble I 1 experienced In getting the ignorant and timid colored people to anSWer my questions They had alt sort of queer notions about what the census was S some ome thinking i it was for taing taxing purposes some somo for the themen themen men Into the army and some thinking they were to be put into slavery again lan Many could not be made to answer until the they were cornered and compelled to do doso doso so and some gave very queer answers Were you br born In I as asked ed edOne One oe colored woman No sah she answered readily nouh I was bawn Ia Louisville Can yOU read Oh yes salt sa U Ya Yes salt sah 4 Do English The uThe stagger staggered her much to tom tomy m my surprise an l I 1 rel It more for forthe forthe the fun than for else No sh mh she hesitated I 1 reckon I 1 doan know dat dat sh sah Another woman read the names of her children from the family Bible and H Annie I put it bor born down Apri April 15 1 1195 she sad said bor born AprI April 1 15 s1 site read Hold old on I sid said that cant be Youve got theta them on the same day Vel I reckon dats right boss slip d deyS twins And tos those two instances said the maor major wih with a si sigh h of relief ae are only two of a a thousand or more