Life as a teenager at the Mount
God directs my path
Life in Mt Zion as a teenager was filled with meaningful activities. Whether at home at school or at church, there was always something to do. At home, I began to assume responsibilities that were previously performed solely by my older brother and my father. The reason for this was that my brother had grown older and had begun working outside the home, and my father frequently worked in other locations during the week. So doing chores at home became naturally mine to assume. My father had installed a broiler house that held 3,000 baby chicks that had to be fed and watered daily until they were old enough to be sold as broilers, about 14-16 weeks. Naturally there was a need for some type of feeder and waterer so little baby chicks could feed and water themselves whenever they chose.
There were heaters also that kept the building at a comfortable temperature. Daddy built a platform for a 55 gallon drum with water lines that went to each of the numerus feeding places and feed was placed in each feeder for the growing flock. In addition, careful attention had to given to each little chick to spot those that might have a disease so they could be removed before the disease would spread. Also there were those little chicks that other, stronger chicks would attack, pecking them until they had to be removed or they would eventually die. Once our chickens contracted Newcastle disease, which attacked their breathing so you could actually hear the rattle when they breathed. These had to be removed, but we could not watch each one, so many would die. In order to prevent the disease from spreading, we used another 55 gallon drum and burned the carcases of the ones that died from the disease. It was a very unpleasant task, but was necessary in order to save the rest of the brood.
As a project for 4H, I needed something that I could do at home. My brother had a Jersey cow that had just delivered a baby calf. He gave it to me to raise as my project. When the calf had grown, he helped me take it to market, where I earned $40. Since it was near Christmas, I had a wonderful time shopping for gifts for my family. Below you can see a picture of me with my calf.
In addition to tending to the chickens, I began milking our cow and my grandmother's cow early in the morning before school. It was not an onerous task for me, as it as a testament to my sense of achievement as a growing youth assuming home responsibilities.
At school, I did fairly well in my classwork, and even attempted to participate in the band. The french horn was my instrument of choice, and I enjoyed hearing the sound of the band as we played John Phillip Sousa marches, such as Under the Double Eagle. When the band director heard me play, he realized I had no idea what I was doing and had me join the Jr band that practiced at 5th period. It did not occur to me that I had a Science class at 5th period, until grades came out severall weeks later. I was so surprised to see an F on my report card. Then I realized my error in judgment and quit the band to return to the classroom I passed Science with a very good grade, thanks to the understanding of Mrs. Leopold.
Of course, I enjoyed participating in sports that the school offered, which included football, basketball and baseball. My first experience with football was not as satisfying as I had hoped. It began with the equipment, and as a newbie and sophomore I only got what was left over. The shoes (cleats) were at least three sizes too big, and they bent in the middle when I walked. But I was a part of the team. My junior year was much better, and I had a much improved experience. Raymond was my friend from our community and my guide on the football field. I never got instructions on the plays that were called, and as we lined up in the backfield, I had to ask him each time what I was supposed to do. It was an interesting year. However, the next year, my senior year, was a highlight year for me. I was able to get shoes that actually fit and equipment suitable for my size. However, the next day after donning the equipment I could hardly walk. The coach was very knowledgeable and after looking at my feet, said that I had high arches and needed arch supports. After purchasing a pair and inserting them in my shoes, I had no more trouble walking and running. The main running back had suffered an injury and was out for the season, so I became the primary back that carried the ball on most plays, Surprisingly enough, we won enough games to qualify for the division playoffs. Great! We got to face Ferriday, a powerhouse that had one of the best running backs in the state. I remember the score was 40-0. A picture of me in my uniform is shown below
I tried out for the basketball team and had to play on the B team as I joined the team too late. Baseball became my sport of choice, and I was very good at it. While I was growing up, the road in front of our house was covered with gravel, and I amused myself by using a board (slat) to hit rocks. I believe this was a good method of preparing me for hitting a baseball, I usually played center field and made an outstanding running catch in our game with San Augustine, TX. During the summer, I joined an American Legion Youth Baseball team and had a great time with some new friends from surrounding towns and communities. Unfortunately, the city had moved the school which the blacks attended onto the public baseball field, so there was no place to play. Therefore, no high school baseball. But my father organized a baseball team in our community, and I was the pitcher. Below you can see our team. We had some really good games with teams our age from Many, Belmont, Fisher, etc.
I was finally able to graduate from Many High School and spent the summer working in Fort Worth, Texas. But that is another story.
