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Fort Scott National Historic SitePhotograph of Powder Magazine and Officers Quarters at Fort Scott
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Fort Scott National Historic Site
Camptown Races

CAMPTOWN RACES

De Camptown ladies sing this song,
Doo-da, Doo-da
De Camptown racetrack's two miles long
Oh, de doo-da day.

Chorus:
G'wine to run all night
G'wine to run all day
I bet my money on a bob-tailed nag
Somebody bet on the gray.

Oh, de long tailed filly and de big black horse,
Doo-da, Doo-da
Come to a mud hole and dey all cut across,
Oh, de doo-da day.

Chorus

I went down South with my hat caved in,
Doo-da, Doo-da
I came back North with a pocket full of tin.
Oh, de doo-da day.

Return to Post Recreation - Music

Park volunteer, Anatika Timmons-Lee (now deceased) portrays Anna in a dramatic presentation.  

Did You Know?
Many officers at Fort Scott in the 1840s owned slaves. One particular slave, Anna, was rented to Hiero Wilson, post sutler. Born free and educated, she was kidnapped into slavery in 1820, In 1849, she regained her freedom, married, operated a hotel in Eastern Kansas, and later became a pioneer.

Last Updated: July 29, 2009 at 11:31 EST