A Journey to the Mountain Top

On a cold winter day in January, Henry Rhone, Sr. was born to Mr. Phillip Rhone, Sr. and Mrs. Clara Rhone.  His father’s death, two months prior to his birth, presented many obstacles during Henry’s childhood days, which he survived.

The economic conditions were extremely poor, and it was difficult for his mother to operate a farm and support six children.  Welfare was not provided for those who needed it at that time.  Therefore, his mother distributed the children with relatives and went to New Orleans to find employment.

Henry lived with his grandparents and was reared on a farm near Jonesville, Louisiana.  He learned to plow the fields when he was about eight years old.  His early school years were limited to three months per year in a segregated school for African Americans.  Space in a church building was provided for the school.  During the months when school was not in session, Henry worked on the farm.

When Henry was seven years old, his grandfather died, and his life changed again.  He had to live with another relative, an aunt.  He had two aunts.  One was very kind and generous to him.  She and his uncle treated him with kindness and respect.  However, he was placed with the aunt of whom Henry felt was just the opposite of the other one.  He recalls the sadness he felt during those days.  His aunt got him a job working for other people.  She received his paycheck; however, he was glad to work for others because he would get plenty to eat at mealtime.  Their farm was near a White family’s farm.  The White family was very kind.  They observed what was happening to Henry just as a next-door neighbor would do.

One day Henry climbed over a fence to get some plums of which he had not been given permission to get.  He fell and stuck a nail in his foot.  As he yelled in agony, the white neighbor, who owned the plum orchard, came to his rescue.  He took Henry into his house and had his wife put medication on his foot and wrapped it.  The owner of the plum orchard said, “Son, you don’t have to steal plums, whenever you are hungry, come and my wife’s maid, Dolly, will give you something to eat.”  Henry learned that you don’t have to be of the same race to be treated with kindness and respect.  Therefore, he spent much time at the White family’s place, doing little jobs, and Dolly would give him food to eat.

When Henry was about 14 years old, his uncle, who worked in the woods cutting logs, was run over by a log truck.  He was injured severely and he was unable to finish the crop that he had started.  Henry told his uncle that he was leaving, but he would be back to gather the crop.  After gathering the crop, they sold the cotton and received $25.00 per bale.

Henry went to work at the River Front.  He was paid a dollar per day.  His first paycheck was given to him.  He knew better than to keep all the money.  He kept a dollar for himself and he gave five dollars to his aunt.  His boss observed what was happening and said, “Henry, I can’t tell you what to do, but can’t you find somewhere else to stay?”

His older brother, Phillip, who was nine years older, had moved into their father’s house.  Therefore, Henry moved in with him.  For the first time in his life, he was able to receive his whole check every week.

Most of the transportation at that time was by steamboat.  There were dredge boats to clear the river.  The channels had to be kept free of the sand for the steamboats.  The workers on the dredge boats had to pump the sand out of the river so that the steamboats could continue on to their destination.  Dredge boat workers were paid $50.00 per month.  His brother Phillip continued to work on the boat and Henry was called to the CCC camp.