The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 127, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 6, 1974 Page: 1 of 14
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The Cherokeean
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper, Established As The Pioneer July 5, 1647
VOL. 127
SERVING RUSK
WITH DISTINCTION
FOR 126 TEARS
THURSDAY. JUNE 6. 1974
11 PAGES
NUMBER 1
CAMPSITE DEDICATION-Attorney General John Hill will be
the guest speaker Thursday at the decication of the Fredrick M.
Hedge Therapy and Wilderness Campsite at Rusk State
Hospital. The dedication ceremonies will be held at 1 ::t« p.m. at
John Hill To Dedicate
Sartain,
Watson
RSH Facilities Today Elected
John Hill
John M. Hill, Texas attorney
general, will render the
dedicatory address at formal
dedication ceremonies of the
Frederick M. Hedge Therapy
and Wilderness Campsite of
Rusk State Hospital this
afternoon.
The dedication will be at the
campsite therapy unit, one
mile from the campsite
entrance directly across from
the state hospital. Both the
'Round
TOWN
With Mrs. Roundabout;
If it hasn't already occurred
to you, this reminder. We're in
the sixth month of 1974, and
with the end of June, the year
will be half gone. Just
mentioned this in case you
began the new 12 month
calendar with specific goals or
resolutions. In short, time is
flying!
Better start now with plans
to enjoy the big Independence
Day celebration in Rusk the'
last weekend of this month.
Chamber committees includ-
ing Special Activities, Tourist
and Retail and Trade are
seeking as much individual
involvement as possible be-
cause a whole bunch of super
events will be happening. It
isn't every day that we can see
a chunk of the moon, and
certainly a historic moment
will be recorded with the first
display of a moon rock in Rusk.
And that's just one of the
highlights of the Independence
Day fete. A wide variety of
entertainment is scheduled-
the moon rock display with
slide show and narration from
a NASA official, carnival for
the young-at-heart. a military
parade, helicopter exercise
over the courthouse, and to top
it off. a Bluegrass Music
Concert. Note, please, friends
and relatives out of Cherokee
County: This would be n good
weekend to visit Rusk!
Plans for our historic train's
restoration are steaming right
«long, and with its develop
menl, wt>, as Individuals.
should be making plans, too.
An estimated 100.000 visitors
per season are expected to ride
the steam locomotive when full
operation begins. Is Rusk
ready for such an influx of
people? Something to think
about.
Faith has paid off for
proponents of the Big Thicket's
preservation. Thursday, the
U.S. Senate approved a bill to
create a 100,000 acre Big
Thicket National Preserve.
This area of Southeast Texas
has been called a unique
biological crossroads. As citi-
zens of Texas, those of us who
share concern for the Thicket's
preservation, should be grate-
ful to our two senators, John
Tower and Lloyd Bentsen, for
their support of the senate bill.
The House of Representatives
had approved a measure
earlier setting aside 85,000
acres of the area. The two
pieces of legislation will now be
negotiated in Joint Conference
Committee. In the interest of
generations, yet unborn, we
hope that our officials will
approve the 100,000 acre
designation. None of us can
live long enough for another
Big Thicket to evolve. We need
to protect it now!
In conclusion, this para-
phrased proberb for consider-
ation: "Nature has given us
two ears, two eyes and one
tongue...a gentle suggestion
that we should Jienr and see
twice as much a* we speak!"
dedication and reception are
open to the public.
Royce Wisenbaker of Tyler,
chairman of the Volunteer
Services Council of the
hospital, will give a history of
the campsite and introduce
Hill.
Guests will be welcomed by
Lex T. Neill, M. D„ RSH
superintendent. Dr. Neill will
also make some recognitions
during the ceremony. Invoca-
tion and benediction will be
given by The Reverend James
jones, Th.D., pastor of First
Presbyterian Church of Tyler
and The Reverend Carl Case,
Th.D.. RSH chaplain.
The therapy and wilderness
campsite will provide over-
night camping facilities for
therapy and recreation for
patients of RSH. Funds for the
project were provided by
$25,000 from the Moody
Foundation, according to Dr.
Hall.
Five lodges which sleep five
people each, two rest rooms
with showers, a kitchen and
therapy building are built on
the campsite. Dr. Hall said
that RSH is unique in that it
has space for such a facility.
Sheriff's Department Draws Fire
County Commissioners Wrestle
With Employee Problems, Wages
the campsite location across fron^llighway 6 from the hospital
campus. The campsite is a project of the Volunteer Service
Council and includes five cabins, a dining hall and rest room and
shower facility. --staff photo
O. B. "Toby" Sartain was
elected commissioner, Pre-
cinct Two and H. H. "Mack"
Watson was elected constable,
Precinct One in Saturday's
runoff election.
Sartain polled 713 votes to
Dalford Stewart's 615 to secure
the Democratic nomination to
the Commissioners Court from
Precinct Two. Pete James,
present commissioner from
that precinct, did not seek
re-election and a runoff
between Sartain and Stewart
was a result of the May
primary. In the May vote
Stewart received 39 votes more
than Sartains in a five man
race.
Watson received 214 over his
runoff opponent Billy L.
Lovelady for Constable, Pre-
cinct One. Lovelady received
146 votes in the Saturday
election.
In Box 3, Southeast Jackson-
ville, Shelly Cleaver was
elected Precinct Chairman
with 13 votes over Willie B.
Payne who received six votes.
Richard Roper was elected
Precinct Chairman in Box 5,
East Mt. Selman with 15 votes.
His opponent was Brenda
Chandler who polled seven
votes.
Cherokee County Sheriff
John B. Slover, recently
discharged from Mother Fran-
ces Hospital in Tyler, was to
appear Wednesday before the
Commissioners Court to dis-
cuss problems in his depart-
ment. Sheriff Slover was to
discuss action taken by the
commissioners at their meet-
ing last Wednesday.
Discussion in County Commis-
sioners Court which met at 10
a.m., Wednesday, May 29
largely concerned county em-
ployee problems.
The commission called in
chief deputyBillGriffith, acting
as head of the Sheriff's
Department in Sheriff John
Bill Slover's absence. "By
Saturday, we must have a
reshuffling of schedules to cut
down overtime," Judge Orvan
Jones told Griffith.
The department has two
dispatchers who work alter-
nate weeks of 45 and 51 hours.
Together, the dispatchers put
in 96 hours each week. A
dispatcher must be on duty at
least 123 hours each week,
including 15 hours each
weekday and 24 hours on
Saturday and Sunday. Griffith
is presently taking up the
slack.
Deputy James Spurgers ap-
peared at the meeting to
request a new radio for his car.
He reported that he had
difficulty getting help last
weekend with his old radio. He
has recently been stationed in
Wells, which makes him the
furthest deputy from Rusk.
The court agreed to try to find
a radio and suggested some
maneuvering of equipment to
give the less powerful radio to
someone stationed closer than
Spurgers. A Motorola radio has
been priced at $1142 and a less
powerful General Electric has
been priced for $400less. Some
of the commissioners suggest-
ed selling the mobile units in
the county to help alleviate the
cost of the new unit.
The court approved depart-
mental participation in the
county Summer Youth Em-
ployment program. Wages for
program employees during the
interim period between the end
of the spring program on May
25 until the beginning of the
summer program on June 10
will be 'paid out of office
expense or miscellaneous
funds of the departments.
Commissioners decided to
wait until the budget renewal
to act on a request by Melvin
Moore of the Veterans County
Service Office to employ his
secretary full time. "I want
veterans to have the best
services available," said Joe
Henderson, Precinct 3 com-
missioner. But commissioners
were not optimistic concerning
raises in pay. "The budget is
not going to be any more this
year," said Judge Jones,
"Maybe a little less."
Riding Club
Horse Show
Is June 15
Several hundred entries
from area riding clubs are
expected to participate in the
Cherokee County Riders Club
All Trophy Open Horse Show
here Saturday, June 15. The
show will begin at 9 a.m. at the
club's arena located on the left
side of the Atoy Highway, one
mileoff U.S. Highway 69 south.
Halter classes will begin at 9
a.m.
A novice speed race for ages
nine and under will be a new
addition to the show.
Performance classes begin
at 1 p.m. They include Pony
WEstern Pleasure; Western
Pleasure, 12 and under, 13-17
and 18 and over; Reining, 12
and under, 13-17 and 18 and
over; Western Saddle Horse;
Keyhole, 12 and under, 13-17
andl8and over; Pole Bending,
12 and under, 13-17 and 18 and
over; Flag Exchange, 12 and
under, 13-17 and 18 and over;
Egg Race; Rescue Race;
Straight-Away Barrels, 10 and
under, 12 and under, 13-17 and
18 and over; Cloverleaf
Barrels, 12 and under, 13-17
and 18 and over and Ribbon
Roping.
High point trophies will be
awarded in each age group.
Trophies will also be presented
to the first six places in each
event. The trophies were
sponsored by local merchants
and businessmen, according to
George Robert Holcomb, club
president.
Leroy Bahner of Whorton
will be judge for the show.
We hope everyone will bring
their lawn chairs and come out
and enjoy the day's activities."
says Holcomb. "Our conces-
sion stands will be open and
rest room facilities are
completed. We want everyone
to enjoy the day and the show."
Bluegrass Music Jamboree
Draws Top Names To Show
Johnny Dallas
Two well known names in
country and Bluegrass music
circles will alternate as master
of ceremonies at the East
Texas Bluegrass Jamboree in
Rusk Saturday, June 29.
"Hoss" Higghins, program
director for KZAK AM-FM in
Tyler and Johnny Dallas,
seasoned radio personality
from Dallas will share the
honors during the music show
which will begin at 1 p.m. in
Musick Stadium.
Hugghins is well known in
the music industry as a back
up for recordings. He is also
the lead singer and organizer
of the "Hoss and The
Cartwrightf" country music
band.
Johnny Dallas is a native of
Dallas and has been perform-
ing in this area since he was
eight years old. At that time he
was a regular on the original
Big D Jamboree.
He has appeared on various
radio stations throughout Cen-
tral Texas and has done many
television shows in and around
Dallas and Nashville. The
country music personality has
written over 50 songs which
have been recorded by many
national artists including
George Jones, Johnny Pay-
check and Bobby Helms.
Dallas also has had his own
records released on various
labels.
As an MC Dallas has handled
many festivals and stage
shows including all the
mini-Bluegrass festivals. He is
currently appearing at a large
Country and Western club for a
one month appearance in
Killeen. Johnn.: Dallas' list of
appearances include "The
Western Place," "Panther
Hall," "Big D Jamboree" and
many others.
The two MC's will be
introducing well known bands
at the festival including "Stone
Mountain Boys," "Silver
Moone Bluegrass Band,"
Shady Grove Ramblers" and
"Changin' Tymes."
The concert will climax four
days of celebration in Rusk
during the Independence Days
Festival, sponsored by the
Special Activities and Tourist
Committees of the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce.
The court allowed Tax
Assessor-Col lee tor Linda
Beard $250 to hire a temporary
employee. Mrs. Beard was also
given permission to look into a
compuer service which would
list and assess all automobiles
in the county. The service
would cost about $50 per
thousand for 25,000 county
vehicles, but, according to
Mrs. Bead, would provide a
more fair means for lax
evaluation for all citizens.
Lester Patterson, a Mt.
Selman citizen, met with the
commission to complain about
a citizen's use of a county road
on which he lives He reported
that the woman involved
throws refuse into the ditch
alongside the road. She has
indicated that she intends to
build a fence near or in the
ditch which would enclose
several feet of county road
property, according to Patter-
son.
Judge Jones pointed out that,
so far, the woman has violated
no law, since the road is
probably a prescriptive road
which allows the county to
possess only the amount of
space actually being used for
the road. Building a fence
which would interfere with
use of the road or littering the
ditch, however, might be
classified as u criminal
offense. Judge Jones sug
gested that the county attorney
be consulted.
Patterson also notified Terry
Perkins, Precinct -l commis-
sioner, that a road in his
territory needed attention
Perkins replied that he could
not stripe the road since the
county does not own a marking
machine. Patterson pointed
out that a rock wall and poles,
plus overhanging trees, made
I lie road dangerous.
"II may be bad," Perkins
replied, "But it's the best road
I've got I just wish I had more
like it Perkins did say hi
would "try to cut the brush
back" and "trim the curves.'
Commissioner Joe Hender
son of Precinct 3 complement
ed the court and all who haw
been involved on the lakt
project for their cooperation
The court set the next Board
of Equalization meeting foi i>
a.m. today.
Judge Jones reported that an
outline, survey and profile h..s
been completed on the airport
Also Grayson Gill, architect
involved in plans for enovation
of the jail, has submitted a
final plan.
Present at the meeting were
Judge Jones; Commissioners
Joe Henderson, Precinct 3,
Terry, Perkins, Precinct i
Pete James, Precinct 2; Bertis
Watson, Precinct 1; and Mis
Fulton, county clerk.
Slover To Ask Court
For More Money, Help
Appearing at the county commissioner's court in session at
press time. Sheriff John Bill Slover said privutely that he
"Intends to get very serious" with commissioners. He
intends to ask for salary increases and additional help for the
sheriff's Department.
Slover said that he has the three lowest paid county
employees in any department. "The next lowest paid
employee is in the tax office," Slover complained. The tax
office employee makes $350 per month while a deputy, Max
Thomason and two dispatchers, Bill t'ribbs and George
Frazier, make only $282.50 per month for 45-50 hour of work
each week. Thomason drives his own car and has his own
radio. He and seven of the other eight employees in the
Sheriff's office arc Certified Peace Officers. The one who is
not will be at the end of the year.
Slover Said he would like to see each employee cut to 40
hours a week. But since it is necessary to keep at least one
person in the office 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he will
need at least twice as many men.
Slover has just been released from a Tyler hospital
following treatment for a pinched nerve in his shoulder.
Taxpayers present to discuss their taxation with
commissioner's court at !i .m. Wednesday were left with
representatives from Pritchett-Abbott, the appraisal firm
which serves the county. County Judge Orvan Jones
informed those desiring to appear before the court that they
could discuss their problems with the appraisers whil he
and commissioners Joe Henderson of Precinct three and
Terry Perkins of Precinct four "retire to my office."
Judge Jones promised to see Slover following the business
of tax equalization.
Hoss Hugghins
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 127, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 6, 1974, newspaper, June 6, 1974; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151073/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.