A Long Row to Hoe: The Life of a Kentucky Riverboy - Softcover

Clark, Billy C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1931672040 ISBN 13: 9781931672047

Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation, 2002

Synopsis

Billy C. Clark was a member of a sprawling, ragged family. His father was an intelligent, fiddle-playing shoemaker with little formal education. His mother often took in washing to help rovide food for the family. Billy grew up in a derelict house, "The Leaning Tower," on the banks of the Ohio. Always hungry, often dirty, and without sufficient clothing, he led an adventurous life on the two rivers, swimming, fishing, and salvaging flotsam from the frequent floods. He set trotlines for fish and trap lines for mink and muskrats, and he walked fourteen miles before school to clear his traps. He learned laughter from his magnificent mother and wisdom from his father, who taught him that "poor folks have a long row to hoe..." Billy was the only one of his family to seek an education, and through his traps, his river salvage, and odd jobs, he earned money to put himself through school. The book ends with a powerful account of his parents' pride at his graduation.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1931672040
• ISBN 13: 9781931672047
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 285