Rufus and Arnold: The Mountain Boys

By Ronnie Deaton

Rufus and Arnold are brothers who grew up in Breathitt County, Kentucky in the early 1900s. Their lives were a complete struggle from the time they were born until their deaths. This novel tracks the happenings from their early childhood until their deaths. The subtitle of the book comes from the fact that Breathitt county is the mountain area o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ronnie Deaton
• Release date: Jan 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781087920634

Ronnie Deaton

Ron Deaton was born a twin in the family of nine children in 1945 in Laurel County, Kentucky in a log home overlooking the Little Laurel River. These pioneer beginnings are rooted in his ancestry to the point that he must continue to write about his Appalachian heritage. A lifetime of exloring and hunting the hills of kentucky are added to his years of research of his Appalachian family to give him qualifications for becoming the expert in the fields of which he now writes. A reader with interest in Appalachian family life and its connection with the true pioneers and woodsmen of Kentucky will definately want to include the writings of Ron Deaton in their libraries.

Book preview

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December 1, 2021 Ronnie N Deaton 2141 Old Whitley Road London, Kentucky 40744 Rondeatonbooks.com

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Preface

Copyright © 2021 by

Ronnie Deaton

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by the USA copyright law.

Although written as a novel, this book contains facts infused with details and names which are products of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual names and incidents are entirely coincidental.

This book is dedicated to one of the sons of Arnold Deaton and a brother to the author. Arnold Barry Deaton was next to the oldest son of Arnold Deaton, one of the two main characters who are memorialized in this book. He loved all the stories about his father and his mild manner and love of life made him a true copy of his dad. Barry loved the outdoors and was a hunter from the time he was about ten years old to the time of his passing.

We lost both Barry and his wife Carolyn in September of 2021 while this book was being written. The COVID pandemic took Barry and Carolyn much before they should have gone, and we will miss them greatly.

Barry made many trips to the forest on hunting trips with both Rufus and Arnold. It would take a book by itself to characterize the special qualities of this brother.

Barry, each family member has a special place for you in their heart, and no one will ever forget what a giant of a man you are in the eyes of your eight siblings.

The account of the life of Arnold Deaton and his younger brother Rufus Deaton is fictionalized in detail but based on the facts as told by both Arnold and his brother as well as many members of their families.

Arnold and Rufus grew up in Breathitt County, Kentucky in the early 1900s at a time when the daily routine of their lives was based on the needs to survive.

Seldom were there any times set aside for recreational purposes other than those times where hunting and fishing for food was such a necessity for survival that it grew into an enjoyable recreational activity for the members of the family.

Arnold and Rufus passed down to their children that love of nature and the use of the outdoors in such a way that their story must be remembered by all.

The humor as well as the tragedies of their lives have a place in the hearts of all of us who to this day still enjoy nature in a way that is so appreciated by each of us.

Having lived a greater portion of my life in the company of both of these pioneers gave me an insight into why these men were who they were.

The facts of their lives have been infused with detail that is meant to connect the reader with the daily activities of these two individuals as young boys, then later as adults trying to provide for their families.

This book tells the story of two brothers who were nearly the same age, raised in the same family with values that were handed to each in a similar manner but seemed to be received by the two with completely different understandings.

The path taken by each of the two brothers had far reaching effects on each of them and tragically resulted in completely different outcomes in their lives.

I am so blessed to have lived in that time period which connects me with these pioneers and our modern times. It is with great appreciation for the lives of these two men that I am telling their story for all to read.

This book tells true stories of their early lives and gives the reader a true appreciation of their struggle from childhood to old age.

Chapter 1

The Birth of Rufus

Come here and hold my hand. Let’s go for a walk; we’ll go to the store and get you a Strawberry soda. Frank said to his little six-year-old brother, Arnold. Your sisters and your mother have some business with the visiting lady in the house.

Frank Dayton was next to the oldest son in the Dayton family. He had been through this routine several times before with the birth of the other brothers and sisters.

Ned and Martha Jane Dayton had several children, and this was more than likely the last of a long list of 10, now expected

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A New Beginning

to be 11, in the Dayton household. Martha was now 47 years old and having some complications from this delivery.

The midwife, Sarah Livingston, was with Martha and some of the older sisters. Sarah believed that Martha would be having twins this time. There was a long line of twins in the Dayton family, and this was just a continuation of this seemingly family tradition.

It had been a long hard winter in Breathitt County, Kentucky. A lot of snow and ice had kept the Dayton family inside, and that was rather difficult on a large family with several children, but today was a rather pleasant day. Lots of sunshine with broken clouds and a warm breeze gently blowing from the south gave a pleasant all around feeling to everyone in the Dayton household, but this special April morning had much in store for the entire family.

Their house wasn’t very large, but room was always made to accommodate everyone’s sleeping needs. The daytime hours were the most difficult; seems as though only so many chores could be found to keep everyone busy, but Ned and Martha Jane managed.

The boys always could chop wood and carry in coal while the girls had the house chores and cooking needs. Today was a little more special. Martha was expecting another child, and the symptoms were that today might be the day. Frank, one of the older sons had been given the chore of keeping little Arnold busy and out of the house.

He didn’t want Arnold to hear any of the birthing sounds from his mother, so he took Arnold by the hand and walked him toward the general store in the War Creek community of Breathitt County, Kentucky.

Frank, what’s going on up at the house? Is mom sick or what? She sounded a little like she was crying.

No Arnold, Frank said, mom is going to have you a baby brother or sister, and I thought maybe we should let the ladies have their time together. We will enjoy a big strawberry soda while they finish their business. You got any problems with that?

Goodness no, I aint got no money and beside that; dad won’t let me come down here by myself. It’s hard for me to decide whether I want the Strawberry or the Orange. Matt sometimes brings me here and I like to choose.

Matt was the younger brother of Frank but still older than Arnold; he was in Jackson on this particular day, or he would have been escorting young Arnold to the store. Frank seemed to always have an extra dollar or two in his pocket.

Arnold looked up at Frank and said. Why is it that I never have any money? You and Matt could give me a little ever now and then.

Well son, money aint that easy to come by, and besides, what would you do with it? You’re too young to go to the store by yourself. Tell you what, here is 15 cents; put that in your pocket and when we get to the store, you can pay for the soda yourself. Now, how is that?

Arnold looked up at Frank and smiled, Do I get to keep the change?

Ok this time, but when we come the next time, I expect you to have the extra money in your pocket.

You got a deal. Arnold slipped the 15 cents into his right front pocket and his left hand went into his left pocket. He straightened up his shoulders and proudly continued his walk beside his brother, Frank.

What other six- year-old boy living around him could walk to the store with a pocket full of money? Arnold thought.

Down the old road they walked and up over the railroad tracks. The railroad tracks ran across the road between the Dayton house and the store. It was only about a 20-minute walk to the store and young Arnold was loving every step of the journey. In a house with several other siblings, he wasn’t used to so much individual attention.

Frank was working in the oil fields in Breathitt County and had only been married for a couple of years. He had a little money from his work. Matt was the brother that Arnold would usually go to the store with, so this trip with a different brother was kinda special. Frank was here with his wife Mollie but had left her at the house with the rest of the ladies.

On the right side of the little road was a huge mountain and on the other side was the main road. The small road that went up into the War Creek community joined the main road about a quarter mile ahead. That is where the little country store was located.

It was now April, and the snakes were beginning to come out. The mountain to their right-hand side had a cliff line near the top, and it was a winter haven for snakes. They would hibernate in the caves and crevices in the cliffs and would begin moving down to the valleys as warmer weather came.

Frank was glad they were walking on the left side of the road away from the hillside of the mountain for that exact reason. The rocks and gravel on the road would heat up quickly and an old snake would just lie there and sun himself for a few moments before moving on.

There were plenty of snakes in Breathitt County and many of them were Copperheads or Timber Rattlers. An early morning or a late evening walk up this road was taken seriously and done with care. Many of the old timers had encounters with huge rattlesnakes on these roads, and one could not be too careful.

There was an old mountain saying among the men that they should never walk in a line of threes because of the snakes.

It was said, The first person wakes up the snake, the second person makes it mad, and the third one it bites.

Now it’s just an old saying but, most of the men always kept it in mind when there were several of them walking together. Someone would always say, groups of two only, and you know why.

A bite from a huge Timber Rattler where there was little transportation to get someone to a doctor could certainly be life threatening.

Frank and Arnold walked up the steps, onto the porch, and in the front door of the store. On the right-hand side as you entered the store was exactly what little Arnold was looking for. A huge ice box filled with chipped ice and every kind of soda you could think of.

There was strawberry, orange, lime, grape and of course Coca Cola, and there was the old standby, Root Beer. Arnold was right; it was a tough decision for any young man.

Arnold looked over at Bob Miller, the store owner, What do they cost? He said.

Son they all cost the same, three cents a bottle.

Arnold reached into the cooler and pulled out that big red Strawberry soda. He reached into his pocket and took out the nickel Frank had given him and handed it to Bob Miller. Bob handed Arnold his two pennies in change and opened the bottle for him.

That first drink of that ice cold soda by Arnold would have made the greatest advertising picture ever taken. A smile went over Arnold’s face as he looked up at his brother Frank.

Thank you, Arnold said.

Frank had just been rewarded for that fifteen-cent investment he had made.

Frank looked down at Arnold. You need to drink that while we’re here. I think Mr. Miller gets a little money back when he returns the bottles. I know it aint much, but every penny counts.

Frank, looking over at Bob Miller said, Any tales about big Rattlers this Spring, Bob?

Yep, there was one story from over at Crawford. It was horrible. Seems as though there was a young fellow picking Dew Berries on the side of a bank next to an old haul road. He leaned over to get berries off a bush and came face to face with a huge rattler.

From the evidence, he was struck in the face and grabbed the Rattler with both hands by the neck as it bit him. The Sheriff said he was found dead with both hands around the dead snake’s neck. He evidently used up all his strength to kill the snake then died right there from the bite.

The Sheriff told me the rattler was near seven feet long and had 14 rattlers. He said the fangs on that snake were big as number 16 nails and it was fourteen and half inches around at the back of its head.

A man from Berea named Larry Gergen came all the way over here and paid the family ten dollars for the hide from that rascal.

Larry was familiar with many of the folks in the area. He would visit here at least every couple of weeks to do some gun trading and folks here knew him quite well. It didn’t take long for word to reach him about this huge snake.

Now, Larry was a man of honor and was willing to overpay for that snakeskin just to help the family. That’s just the way he was, and that’s the reason folks in these parts liked him so much.

I guess that ten dollars helped a little on the burial, but what a way to die for that young fellow. You two need to be careful on your way home.

Oh, we will. We’ll walk in the middle of the road. Not taking any chances this time of the year.

Frank glanced at Arnold and said, Finished with that drink, son?

Yep, ‘I’m through .Arnold replied. I’m ready to go."

Out the door and back up the road they headed. Frank seemed concerned about his mother and was in a hurry to head back.

When Frank and Arnold reached home, Frank told Arnold to wait on the porch until he went inside and checked with the women folk. Things were much quieter now and Frank suspected all was over and the good news would be a new sibling or maybe two.

How is everyone? Frank asked as he entered the living room.

Lillie, Frank’s sister, met him there and explained.

Mom is ok but there were some real problems. She’s resting now. She had twins, a boy, and a girl. The boy is doing fine, although his chest seems to be pushed out a little. The little girl is not doing well at all. Both of them are quite small, but the little girl is really very small.

I don’t know if she can make it. Mom had a very bad time and I’m not sure if there will be any lasting effects. She and dad have decided to name them Rufus and Ruthie. You can tell Arnold he will have a little brother and sister to play with.

Matt and your dad are in Jackson. I told him this morning that he might want to put this little trip off, but he insisted that he needed to go. I guess he figured it was another false alarm. He’s really going to be surprised when he gets home.

Frank turned and walked back out the door toward Arnold. He was thinking of the exact words to explain things. A six-year-old boy doesn’t make the perfect audience for a good explanation of this sort.

Hey Arnold, come over here and let’s talk for a minute. I just need to tell you about what’s been going on while we were at the store. Looks like you got a little brother and a sister in there.

Your mom is taking a nap. We’ll let you go in and see them in a bit. In the meantime, we can walk out to the barn and check on Jethro.

Jethro was the family mule and had been kept up in the barn most of the winter. It was now April and wouldn’t be long before Jethro would be pulling the plow almost every day.

Winters seemed long and hard in these mountains. There was little to do on most winter days except gathering wood and coal. A lot of time was spent in the winter just making sure everyone was warm.

Wood chopping was a daily chore along with a trip to the back side of the mountain to gather some coal. There was a seam of coal that had been exposed by a small landslide and the coal was there for the taking.

Everyone in the community used that slide during the cold winter days. A couple of coal buckets would hold enough coal along with chopped wood to supply the heating needs each day.

This was mostly Matt’s job right now, since Arnold wasn’t big enough to carry a heavy bucket. Arnold did enjoy walking with one of the older family members to gather coal or wood. He was just now getting to the age where he could be a little help to them.

Frank watched carefully as they walked along. It was only a few years ago they had lost a little brother from Tetanus. Brant, the little brother, had stepped on a rusty nail and contracted the disease.

He only lasted a couple of weeks before he passed. It was a hard lesson for all the family, and all of them were much more careful around the barn.

Arnold, I guess you get to go to school this year, Frank said and smiled at Arnold as they walked down the path to the barn. That old pair of shoes you have on are almost worn out. School will be starting around May the first, and none of the kids wear shoes to school anyway.

Mom said she was going to let you go this year, and that’s actually a year early since most of the kids around here don’t start until they are seven. You are a smart young man and I think you will really like it.

"I talked to mom about some school clothes for you and told her Molly and I were going to buy you a few