The Horns

Book excerpt: The Horn family is a poor family, but proud of their heritage; descending from some of the early settlers who helped carve out homes in the dense forest of the Big Thicket area of East Texas. The Horns live a very primitive lifestyle, which is hard, but good. Lonnie and Martha Horn are not educated people by most standards; however, they are self-educated far beyond their formal education. This proves to be an enigma to the people in the nearby town of Pine Hill. Their six children are smart and industrious. Martha and Lonnie give each child responsibilities at a very early age and require them to accept and execute those responsibilities in an adult manner. This invokes the wrath of many in the town of Pine Hill and the Foggy Bottom community where they live. Rex Horn, their oldest child has finished high school and is leaving home to attend college. Beth and Mark assume his responsibilities. Rex continues his long range courtship with Mary Ann Anderson who is now a student at Rice University. Rex is at Stephen F. Austin State College in Nacogdoches, Texas 160 miles away. . Since WWII has ended, progress is rapidly encroaching on the Foggy Bottom community. Modern civilization is about to come to that area. Lonnie and Martha are encouraging each of their children to plan toward a college education and they are struggling to position them financially to make that possible. This is very difficult on a poor dirt farm and requires all of the family’s effort.