Scales, Kiser

Description

To accompany Reel 413 Kiser Charley Monsalus Deurallas Esido Scales, pictured on the opposite page, was born in Furs, Mississippi, around the year 1880 in Ponotock County. He lived with his mother and father on a sharecrooper's farm. He is one of twelve children, six boys and six girls. The farm on which they lived was given to his father and mother when they were released from slavery after the Civil War ended. When he was ten years old, he went to West Memphis, Arkansas, and started to work for Z.T. Bragg. Mr. Bragg took him in and gave him the name "Kiser" because it was much easier for him to remember. Kiser drove lumber trucks for Mr. Bragg, and continued to work for him until his employer retired. Then Kiser worked for my father, A.J. Thomas, doing odd jobs. At that time we were living in Clarkedale, Arkansas, and, in 194-7, we moved to West Memphis. My mother would hire Kiser to cut the yard and help around the house. This is where I first heard the tales and stories from Kiser. Late in the afternoons, He and I would sit around and he would begin to tell stories. I would sit there bug-eyed; some of his stories were very exciting! They were mostly about little boys and girls. Kiser played a big role in my life. He helped to raise me, from the time I was seven years old, until I was fifteen. These years are important ones...

From Collection

Ozark Folksong Collection

Record Contributed By

University of Arkansas