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[AL-2-A]

Atmore, Alabama
Mary Hines and Family (Negroes)
Annie L. Bowman

THE HINES

Mary Hines is the mother of nine children, four of whom are dead. Leona, the oldest, is married and lives in Dothan, where she now teaches. Her other four daughters are also teaching. Blona, Myrtice and Pauline teach nearby and stay at home while Dorothy teaches in Columbia, Alabama. The youngest child, John Wesley, is still in high school.

Since the girls are professionally employed, Mary's family lives somewhat better than the average colored family. Each of the girls makes $30 a month and Mary makes some on the side with her washing. They are now trying to redeem their home which they lost during the depression. To do this they will have to pay $5 a month to the government for the next seven years. This is much better than paying rent.

Down the highway through the Atmore Negro quarters, this house stands — somewhat better looking than the other makeshift structures which the Negroes call their homes.

A gate gives access to a neatly trimmed and freshly swept front yard. An old half-blind Negro was in the back yard cutting wood when we arrived.

To the question, "Is Mary at home?", came the reply.

"Yes Ma'am, she were in there an hour ago," as he shuffled into the house to find her.

Mary came to the door with an invitation into the parlor. This room

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