Subject:Fingerprints
Entries
Entry 8872
Dey take yore han'writin' an' run yo' completely crazy, an' git chure fingahprints from de lettah dat chew wrote, an' jes' mess yo' all up in yore han's lak it be's a kin' of a stroke.
(What would they do with that?)
A woman tole me dey take it [letter] an' dress it. [Thinking informant had ended, I stopped recording machine but had to restart for an addition.]
(After they dress it, they stop it up in a green tree?)
Dress it an' den stop it up in a green tree.
Entry 8802
Take that... (This letter.) Yes, an' wet it in vinegar an' cayenne peppah. Wet it in vin- egar an' sprinkle cayenne peppah on it an' put it undah a press [heavy weight]. An' aftah it stay under dat press nine days, say they go dere an' life dat press up an' yuh fingerprints are plain on it.
(I see. What is that supposed to do to you?)
Den dey takes dat an' some way or anothah dey burn it an' fix it, an' say dat it draws yuh hands up.
(Draws your hands up. I see.)