Burkeville, TX, United States
Shankleville Community. Named for Jim and Winnie Shankle, known as first Newton County blacks to buy land and become local leaders after gaining freedom by emancipation. Both were born in slavery: Jim in 1811, Winnie in 1814. After Winnie and her three children were sold to a Texan, Jim ran away fro
m his Mississippi owner. He traveled by night, foraged for food, swam streams (including the Mississippi River), walking out of sight the 400 miles to East Texas. At dusk one day he found Winnie besid
Listen to the audio guide for Black plaque № 23254 Free on WIP — starts by itself when you arrive, even with the screen off