Biographies: Martha Howard, 1977, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: September 14, 1977 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Aunt Martha Howard Of Dodson Is 114 Years Old Good Folks Live A Long Time by Russell Terry "Aunt" Martha Howard has good evidence to substantiate her claim to being 114 years old. Her birth date is listed as June 28, 1863, two years before the end of the Civil War, while Abraham Lincoln was President of the United States and Jefferson Davis was President of the Confederacy. Aunt Martha is a black woman who lives in Dodson with her son, Henry Howard. She is well known in the Dodson area and in Ward 4, where she was born. "I am a good woman. Good folks live a long time," was her response when asked why she had lived so long. The twinkle of laughter in her eye as she spoke made her reply expressive. She says that she and Mrs. Ida (Mrs. J. C.) Higgs, deceased, were born the same year and the record of the birth of Mrs. Higgs is in the family Bible. This is confirmed by Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Cockerham of the Gansville Community in Ward 4. Mr. Cockerham said that he recalled having seen Aunt Martha, with her dogs, out squirrel hunting "just a few years ago. She could kill squirrels, too." "Yes, I liked to hunt squirrels but I don't do that no more," she said. "I liked to dance, too, but I don't like what these young folks are doing these days. That ain't dancing." "No Lord. I don't like their way. I danced. I loved to dance. The white folks used to give suppers just to see us dance." "I just about raised most of the white folks up here. I worked at the Milams and helped raise their children. I used to work for Mr. P. K. Abel's family. They were fine folks." "I can remember pickin' blackberries and selling them to the folks in the Hotel. I have been living around Dodson and Ward 4 all my life. I ain't hardly ever been out of Winn Parish much less the state. Seems like we went over near Texas one time but I can't remember. Everything's been such a long time ago." Aunt Martha raised seven children, "till they were grown" by her first husband by the name of Howard. After his death she married Will Harris. Since his death she has gone back to the name of Howard. Three of the children are still living: Henry Howard, Nettie Williams, and Rosie Bonner. She has always attended church regularly. Asked why, she replied almost indignantly, "For religion, I go to praise God. I love him." "I never lie. I don't steal. I have worked hard all my life. If I were a few years younger, I would be out there in that field plowing behind a horse. I eat anything I want. They did tell me to cut down on salt a little bit. I have used tobacco all my life and still do. I was sick one time and they kept me in the hospital for about a week. I still go to see Dr. (Clyde) Meyers ever now and then for a hurting in my head. Other than that I am all right," Aunt Martha said. Reubin Simpkins, who was helping with the interview, asked, "Aunt Martha, you watch television, did you see those fellows land on the moon? Did you believe that?" Almost harshly, she replied quickly, "No, they didn't go nowhere." It is an experience to talk with Aunt Martha. At first she was a little reluctant to talk to a stranger but as time passed she relaxed and would have talked on and on if she had some one to listen. The reporter felt that people should be listening to Aunt Martha. She has a wonderful sense of humor and still enjoys life.