Biography of Mrs.
Richard K. Boney (Rena Cox Boney), Tallulah, Louisiana, State President and
General Federation Director of Women's Federated Clubs of Louisiana
Written about 1931 by
Helen Spann Murphy
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MADISON COORDINATOR'S NOTE: Rena Cox
Boney's father, Owen B. Cox, was in business with Jefferson Davis, and most of Davis’
personal papers were stored in the attic of the Cox "big house". The
papers were never found. They were either burned or stolen by the yankees. Rena
Cox Boney was my grandmother. RPS
The oldest child, a
little girl of nine had died during the war. It was my Mother's habit to read to
her children and at one time she read an old novel, long since out of print by
Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz, "Rena or the Snow-bird", and the little
sister had said: "Mamma, if I ever have a little sister, let's name
her 'Rena'. And so I found my name and
place waiting for me! After years
of happy childhood with my two brothers, never realizing the hard time of
adjustment through which my parents were passing, we moved into the little town
of Clinton, Mississippi, for school advantages. The old home, "Clover
Blossom Plantation" being four miles away. My father engaged in the
mercantile business and the family soon adjusted themselves to new
surroundings.
When I grew up I
attended "Central Female Institute" with Dr. and Mrs. Walter Hillman
as teachers. This was a fine old college, and boasted the additional
distinction of being the only girl's school in the south, which pursued its
regular routine all through the war. I was graduated in June 1883,
valedictorian of my class, at the age of seventeen. I taught one year in the
college, but upon the death of my father we moved back to the plantation and I
felt that I was needed at home.
Romance begins early
in a college town. When I was eight years old, a tall, serious Mississippi College
student decided he would marry me when I grew up. Through the years he kept an
eye on me, coming back every summer, an intriguing figure to girlish eyes, in
his cadet grey and brass buttons from V. M. I.; later as a law student in the
University of Virginia; still later a student of Louisiana law in New Orleans
at the University of Louisiana. An uninterrupted correspondence through all
these years and an unmistakable faithfulness were finally rewarded and the slip
of a girl and the tall young man were married in April 1896. At that time Mr.
Boney was practicing law in the state of Washington and our bridal trip was in
the nature of a revelation to the country girl from Mississippi. There were
stops in Chicago, St. Paul, Spokane, and Tacoma, arriving at South Bend at the
end of thirteen days of travel.
I became an object of
interest to our friends-- a new specimen, a real southern girl, drawl and all--
particularly since Mr. Boney had been regarded a confirmed old bachelor! I followed up my advantage and became quite a
raconteur of stories of the south and the old-time darkies. I recall a night on
the Pacific sea-shore; the booming of the breakers and the musical lapping of
the little waves at our backs as we sat around a great log fire of drift wood
and ate fruit and told ghost stories. I told one about my favorite hero,
"Old Jim Blue", and felt quite flattered when one of the party leaned
forward and cried, "Oh, tell it again!" Naturally, at times I taxed
my powers and my imagination! As I think
back on this part of my life it seems but a dream or something I have read
about.
We moved to Spokane
when Mr. Boney became associated with Mr. Harry M. Hoyt, afterward U. S. District
Attorney of Porto Rico. I recall going to a Knights of Pythias Ball in Seattle
when one of the party was the Honorable James Hamilton Lewis of the pink
whiskers and debonair manner.
My introduction to
Federation was a big reception in Spokane, when the Spokane women entertained the
State Federation.
Fate, in the illness
of Father Boney, called us back to Louisiana, where we came with our little daughter,
quite expecting to return to the west, but new purposes, interests and
obligations held us, and --- here we are!
I am grateful that my
children have had the advantage of being born In the south and on a plantation,
with the companionship of birds and animals and many growing things, and with
the loving care of "Mammy Jo", of blessed memory. They will never
lose the influence of the happy days in the big house behind the levee. We lived at Duckport until 1922. I was
happily occupied with my children, my home and the duties of hospitality
incident to life on a southern plantation. It was at this time that I reviewed
with satisfaction an incident of my girlhood.
My graduation essay
had for its subject "A Graduate --- Then What?" Now, the tall young
man of romance sent me about that time a sermon by Dr. Talmadge In which he
said "A woman is not thoroughly accomplished until she has taken lessons
in dough." So, in order to meet the situation, I set about learning to
cook, and to this good day am proud of that accomplishment. On the plantation,
Wednesday and Saturday were set apart for baking, and such was the reputation of
my rolls and salt-rising bread that on those evenings many of the came to call!
We had governesses for thirteen years until the older girl and boy could go off
to school, and these young women added much to the entertainment of the family
and guests.
Mr. Boney being a
progressive farmer, many of the young Agriculturists of the state visited us and
many friends from the west came to us. In 1921 Mr. Boney resumed the practice
of law in Tallulah and we again become town people. I was a member of the
Tallulah Book Club and upon living here, served as Librarian one and one half
years. I was then elected President of the club and served three years, after
which I was First Vice-President of the Fifth District, becoming actual
president when Mrs. McCranie's health failed. At Alexandria in 1928, I was elected
first Vice-President of the State Federation and in 1929 I was unanimously
elected President and ratified as General Federation Director in Washington in
1930. My term will expire in November of this year and I have enjoyed the
fellowship of the clubwomen and the contacts with the women of General
Federation. My term as Director does not end until 1932, and Mr. Boney
and I are planning to
fly to Seattle to attend the Biennial and to revisit the scenes of our honeymoon!
I do appreciate the positions with which the women of Louisiana have honored me
and I have tried to live up to their faith in me, feeling that they have
understood that I am just one of them. I am a member of the Presbyterian Church
and of the Eastern Star. I have always remembered some of my Mother's precepts
-"kind hearts are more than coronets", "be polite to all, hurt
no one and reverence the aged."
Addenda:
It has been my
pleasure to transcribe the notes as dictated by Mrs. Boney, well knowing that I
could not improve upon her charming way of telling her life's story, but I
shall make bold to add a few remarks on my own responsibility. Mrs. Boney has
dealt with herself fairly but far too modestly.
From the first moment when she was presented, a dainty and adorable
valentine to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owen B. Cox, of Hinds County,
Mississippi, a life of singular charm, beauty and activity was added to this
homely old world. The lovely little child, delight of the home, grew into a
lovelier young girl, popular at school with both teachers and fellow students and
whose ability was attested by the fact that she was offered the Principalship
of staid "C.F.I." at the age of nineteen. Two years ago when I went
back to my Alma Mata and listened to an address given at the Alumnae Banquet by
"Miss Rena"; I appreciated her more and understood what she meant to
the school. Her own story gives one a glimpse of the charm of her home life; her
gentleness and understanding of both husband and children. As her fellow
townswoman I can speak with authority of her generous hospitality, her
generosity, her indefatigable interest and labor in her church, and the
community at large.
The Tallulah Book
Club was most fortunate in such a President and grew and throve under her wise
and kindly management. In the larger scope afforded her by Federation she has
done her part faithfully and well, and I feel I but voice the sentiment of the
state when I say we regret to see her term of office draw to a close, and with
a right good will, in all future activities we wish her "God Speed".
Signed Helen Spann
Murphy
MADISON COORDINATOR'S NOTE: Mrs. Boney
died July 13, 1941 and is buried in Silver Cross Cemetery in Tallulah. RPS