18


 the Coca Cola people over there had a fountain and there
 was some mosquitoes in there and they had to dry that
 up. The inspector had to do something with that. I
 remember they used to go all over town with a cup, and
 things like that, and inspect the water that was standing
 still.

M: Did anyone in your family have malaria?

P: No.

M: Do you recall any other major diseases in the town?

P: I can't remember any in Gainesville. The main thing was
 colds and things like that, a bad cold. But Ican't
 remember malaria and diseases like the flu.

M: Did you ever know any black members of the community,
 such as Charles Chestnut or A. Quinn Jones?

P: Charlie Chesnut was one of the best customers Ihad
 when I had the ice cream and hamburger shop.

M: Was he allowed into your restaurant to eat?

P: Well, in those days, we had a separate place.

M: A separate room?

P: Uh huh. A separate room.

M: They were allowed in, as long as they sat in the separate
 room?

P: That's right.

M: Charles Chesnut, Sr. would come in frequently and eat?

P: Yes. There was Dr. [Robert B.] Ayer and several of
 his brothers and his family. I knew them all. I knew
 quite a few black people in those days. I forgot their
 names, but I remember the Chesnuts and White. I used
 to know a-lot of preachers too. You know, black preachers.