My father had been a Mason. Therefore his Masonic brothers were our natural protectors. So when the epidemic was over, they held a meeting at our house to decide what to do with us. One Sunday evening, after a long discussion, they had decided on provisions for all of us except Eugenia and myself.

Two of the Masons' wives wanted a little girl. So my sisters were to go with them. There were two men who wanted to apprentice my brothers to learn our fathers trade. One of them was a white man who knew my father's work. He felt that his sons had inherited his ability.

No one wanted Eugenia, so she was to go to the poorhouse. And they all felt I was old enough to make it on my own.