yo'

“A woman ’s down stairs to see yo’, ma’am.” “Well, what’s her name?” “Don’t know; sald never min’ the name; jus’ tell yo’ she was here.” “But I told you always to inquire people’s business.” “Yes, ’m, but she wouldn’t tell me that, either; said she’d tell yo’ herself."

1901 July 7, Catherine Thayer, “On the Trail of the Mushroom”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC

“I don't see how dat kin be,” mused the old man. “You inquired for Moses Whitbeck, did yo’?” “Yep.” “And did de Postmaster dun look or only shake his head?” “He dun looked.” “And he said dar was no letters or papers?” “Dat’s what he said, Uncle.” “Wall, I can’t make it out. Did yo’ call me Mose or Moses?”

1904 December 31, The Chicago News, “Why He Got No Letters”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC

“Excuse me, ladies,” he exclaimed yesterday, when Jeanne and Lucy seemed to be not as affectionate as they should, standing quite apart from each other. “Jeanne, yo’ put yo’ arms around Lucy’s waist; Lucy, yo’ let yo’ left arm protectingly on Jeanne’s neck. Remember, yo’ are lookin’ at a Yankee Captain, and yo’ don't know yet that he has a heart of gold.[…]”

1908 September 26, “Judge Kittrell, Suh, Oversees His Play […]”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC