The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 132, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 28, 1982 Page: 1 of 20
twenty pages : illus. ; page 23 x 15 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
MICROFILM CENTER, INC,
P o. BOX 43436
DALLAS. TX 75235
15°
per Issue
The Cherokeean
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper Established as the Cherokee Sentinel, February 27,1850
Home of the
Texas State Railroad
Vol. 132 No. 50
Rusk, Texas-75785 Thursday, January 28,1982
16 Pages
* > •
*>
¿-5 '
R usk Coach Announces
Plans To Resign Post
EXHIBIT GOES UP~Mary Buchanan, John Allen Templeton and Sandra Sanders are setting up the Texas
Heroes display at the Singletary Memorial Library. The pictorial display features the lives and careers of 18
Texans prominent in the state's first 100 years of development. The public is invited to view the exhibit this week
in Rusk. Next Monday it will move to the Alto library and the following week it will be shown at the Wells library.
-staff photo
TSR Prepares for 1982
The Texas State Railroad's 1982
season will kick off with a roar here
and at Palestine with 50-mile long
round-trips after two seasons of
operations on a curtailed basis.
Superintendent Curtis Pruett today
announced that plans call for round-
trips to be operated from both
stations. Both trains will depart at 11
a.m. and return at 3 p.m.
The ancient trains, pulled by old-
fashioned steam locomotives, will
meet at the railroad's Mewshaw
Switch and travel on to the opposite
station for a one-hour layover at lun-
chtime. The trains will return to their
original station at 1:30 p.m. and
arrive about 3 p.m.
Fares for 1982 will be $6 for adults
and $4 for children, 3-12 years of age.
One-way tickets will be $4 and $2.50.
The old-fashioned trains operate
only on Saturdays and Sundays during
the spring, Mar. 20 through May 23,
and in the fall, Sept. 11 through Oct.
31. Five-day schedules, Thursday
through Mondays, are observed May
29 through Labor Day, Sept. 6.
"Reservations are recommended,"
according to Pruett, "because we
sometimes are unable to seat un-
scheduled visitors who arrive on
operating days." He urged visitors to
call 1-800-442-8951 (in Texas) or 214-
683-2561 at least two weeks in advan-
ce. Additional time should be allowed
during spring runs and near holidays.
'Round Town
with Mrs. Roundabout
Bookings for the 1982 season will be
accepted, beginning in February,
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays
through Fridays. Reservations will be
handled seven days a week after the
season gets under wav.
Three 'Moonlight Rides' scheduled
in May, July and September, will
depart the Rusk Depot at 6 p.m. and
return at 10 p.m. Pruett noted that
this will allow riders to enjoy the
sights along the railroad in late
evening sunlight and at night.
Passengers should pick up their
tickets at least one hour prior to all
departures. Pre-paid reservations
may be secured anytime prior to
departure time, said the superinten-
dent, but all other seats are subject to
saleat 10:00a.m.
Information and reservations may
be secured by calling 1-800-442-8951 (in
Texas) or 214-683-2561.
Coach Rick Largent, the man who
built one of the most successful
athletic programs in the history of
Rusk, will present his resignation to
the school board when it meets Feb.
15.
He was named "Outstanding
Coach" in District 18AAA for his ac-
complishments last year.
Open criticism of Coach Largent
surfaced this school year when Mike
Sullivan, a local attorney, wrote The
Cherokeean a public statement in a
"Letter to the Editor." Sullivan cited
lack of discipline following Rusk's
loss to Alto, a team that went on to win
district, bi-district and regional
championships before losing to state
finalists Garrison in the quarter-
finals.
The coach's contract was renewed
last year by a 4-3 vote of the school
board.
Coach Largent said he contacted
Rusk School Superintendent Tony
Murray prior to the board meeting
this month and asked that his contract
be discussed.
Supporters of the athletic program
expressed surprise when told of the
resignation.
"A look at Coach Largent's record
makes it hard to understand why he
faced so many problems," commen-
ted Ike Daniel, co-chairman of the
Quarterback Club's membership
committee that secured 823 members
this year.
"He gave our young people good,
Christian leadership, and he was a
fine coach," Daniel continued.
Largent was hired to coach July 17,
1077 with only two lettermen and one
starter returning. To make his job
even harder, three assistant coaches
had to be found and hired with less
than a month before fall football prac-
tice. Only 49 youngsters were involved
in the program in 1977. Today, more
than 100 young men take part.
In his second year, 71 boys became
involved, and the Junior Varsity won
the district championship. The
Eagles' record improved.
Eagle Power came to the forefront
in Largent's third year, and the
Feathered Flock won the district
championship in football. Also, Rusk
won championships in Junior High,
ninth grade and Junior Varsity com-
OK. You asked for it! You're getting
it. All two of you. Round 'Town is back
on the front page! This makes me
think of Sen. Roy Blake who recently
said that he'd had two friends ask him
"if" he was going to run again for of-
fice. He said he considered that a
mandate from the people and that,
"yes, he was running again!"
So, we'll consider both complaints
about this column appearing on page
two as a "mandate" to return it to
page one! Well, seriously, there were
more than two complaints! And since
we're thin skinned, eager to please
and all that, we'll Just cooperate with
all of you who find it too much trouble
to turn this page over and find us on
the inside!
If you didn't like reading what is
noted here, then our labor would be
totally in vain. Let us not waste
labor! What you want is what you get!
And that's more than IRS can offer.
With them, it's just the other way
around. What "they" want, is what
"they" get...and they manage to get
just about anything left over at the
end of the year!
Changing the subject here, recall
last week's words in this column
about one of our employees losing
some money. And I was fortunate
enough to find 940 of it lying on the
ground at our back door! Bless the
good souls who read this space! One of
Rusk Federal's employees, Gail
Moore, noted the event reported and
before you could turn around twice,
she had rounded up the balance of
Debbie Chandler's money!
Three of Rusk Federal's personnel-
Janet Munsinger, Lyda Massingill
and Bruce Stovall-had also picked up
money in the area behind our
building. Debbie now has all her
money returned and because she is
such a sweet person, she rewarded all
of her finders-of-money with a box of
candy! As some say, you just can't
beat small communities for having
the nicest folks! Debbie will vouch for
that, and that it pays to tiring public
••entlo* ' >m'
Speaking of Rusk Federal, its
president Bruce Stovall, says that
equipment is being moved in at their
Alto Branch Office this week. Official
opening of the operation will begin
when their computer equipment
arrives. He hopes it will be soon!
Other happenings around town that
I would be remiss in not making
comment on was the planting of a tree
by the Rusk Garden Club to honor the
late Esther Mae Durrett. It was nice
to be asked to photograph this act of
tribute to a dear lady, but it was made
even nicer by another dear lady. Ruby
Burchfield, a garden club member,
got carried away with her offer to do
something nice for us, because of our
cooperation with publicity and wound
up cooking a banana pudding which
she delivered to the office Monday. It
was hot and ever so good!
If I could get a banana pudding for
each picture we are asked to take, I
wouldn't let anyone else touch the
camera! There's a childhood
weakness within me that craves the
stuff!
Shifting gears again, the camera
was busy last week helping the
citizens of Gallatin announce the
opening of their new city hall-fire
station facility. This community also
got a new Postmistress this week. She
is Mrs. Dolly Jackson of Cushing. She
was administered the oath of office
Tuesday.
Moving on to other news of this
week, we urge you to remember that
Friday night is the time period set
aside for the Mother's March of
Dimes. There Is a note of that on this
page, this issue, and we hope that you
will join to help make these volun-
teers' efforts result in a smashing
success.
And finally, to keep us all on our
toes about small communities, this
definition of what a small town is:
"Where people read the local
newspaper to see if the reporter got
the facts right." We do have a way of
keeping up with what's happening,
don't we" Until next week" mw
Court Denies
Exemption 4-1
Cherokee County Commissioners
held a routine regular session Jan. 25
in the County Courtroom, with the ex-
ception of a debate over an item not on
the agenda.
Candidates
Now Filing
Only two county offices are con-
tested to date, according to Cherokee
County Democratic Chairman Bob
Adamson.
Incumbent commissioner Toby Sar-
tain of Precinct 2 announced that he
would seek re-election and paid his
filing fee. Sartain is opposed by C.B.
Daniels.
Justice of the Peace of Pet. one, Abner
Webb, has indicated that he will not
seek re-election to this job. J.P.
Acker III, Jay Pickett and George
Boynoff have signed up with the
Democratic Chairman.
Justice of the Peace of Pet. 3, Buddy
Lacy is the only candidate to file, and
so isC.L. (Cliff) England in Pet. 4.
Only Robert R. McNatt has announ-
ced for the position of County Judge, a
position that incumbent Orvan B.
Jones stated he would not seek again.
Incumbent Mavis Parrot is the only
person to seek the District Clerk's
position
County Clerk Fairy Upshaw is the
only candidate for this job.
Dianne Banks Norton, recently ap-
pointed County Treasurer, is the only
candidate to file for this office
Deadline to file for public office is
next Monday, Feb 1 at 6 p m . the
Democratic Chairman slated
The commissioners voted 4-1 not to
approve a homestead exemption tax.
Homeowners could have alloted up to
40 percent property tax exemptions
under a new state law but the com-
missioners felt they would create ad-
ditional burdens in other areas by ap-
proving the homestead exemption
In other action the commissioners
approved bonds for the tax assessor-
collector and reserve deputy sheriff
and right of way easements were ap-
proved for General Telephone in
precincts three and four and the
Valero Energy Corporation in precin-
ct two.
Also approved were tax refunds to
county citizens who were found to
have overpaid taxes, the City of Rusk
was allotted $13,650 for ambulance ser
Also approved were tax refunds to
county citizens who were found to
have overpaid taxes, the City of Rusk
was allotted $13,650 for ambulance
service and the East Texas Council of
Governments was re-approved to
represent the county with the CETA
program.
A lengthy debate occured after
Commissioner Toby Sartain of
precinct two asked the commissioners
to reconsider the abolition of justice of
the peace in Wells
Sartain said he had been receiving
complaints from people in Wells that
said they didn't realize they would not
have a justice in Wells or Alto when
the commissioners trimmed the num
ber of justices from eight to four
County Judge Orvan Jones said that
the new districting plan had not been
approved by the Justice Department
and that since the item was not on the
agenda no action could be taken at the
current time
Other commissioners present in-
cluded Terry Perkins, Joe Mender
son and Hubert Underwood
petition. The Eagles tied for the
baseball championship, and the girls
basketball teams were strong conten-
ders.
RHS Coach Rick Largent
"My wife and I love Rusk, and it is
with a great deal of regret that my
resignation is being submitted," said
Coach Largent. "I feel that the young
men and women who take part in the
athletic program deserve every op-
portunity. I certainly do not want
another coach coming here and facing
the same problems that confronted
me three and a half years ago."
"It (Largent's resignation) sur-
prised me. I don't know enough to
even comment," said Sullivan.
"He worked well with the Rusk
Quarterback Club I believe most of
our members liked him," commented
Arlis Corley, QB club president
"Our coach was paid less than
Cushing, Grapeland or Alto. This is
bad. We should pay on the level with
Crockett, Fairfield and other teams in
our district," said Daniel.
Supt Murray was out of the city,
and could not be reached for com-
ment.
Turn on Lights,
Leash Dogs, Give!
Area residents are asked to turn on their porch lights between 6 and 8
p.m. Friday night. Volunteer mothers will be out, working door to door
to help raise funds for the March of Dimes.
Mrs. Marilyn Taylor is serving as chairman of the project, suppor-
ted by many other women of the community
Last year the drive netted $900 tor the MOD and volunteers hope that
this year's effort will be even more.
Several of the women met last Thursday They were Glendale Pate,
Martha Bailes, Sandra Sanders, Lile Jean Murray and Mrs Taylor
They all agreed in asking residents "to turn on porch lights, leash any
watch dogs and please give generously'''
Gallatin Dedicates
New City Facility
Citizens of Gallatin dedicated a new
city hall fire station facility last
Saturday. The project is the
culmination of many months of volun-
teer planning.
Open house was held from Ha rn to
6 p.m. and followed by a hamburger
supper.
The slab for the structure was
poured by volunteers of the com-
munity. Athens Metal Building Co
put up the steel building The inside
work was also done by volunteers
The department has a three quarter
ton pickup which was purchased with
the cooperation of the Texas Forest
Service.
They are also renovating another
pickup to be used as a tanker truck
They have radio equipment and a
resuscitator
The facility will also be adorned
with a rather unique flag It is ;i han
dmade silk flag, made by the Hitli
Division Association, secured by
Mack Tidwell A resident of Gallatin
he was decorated in World War I!. as
one of the original G I Joes He was
with the T-Patches. Texas boys,
whose valor was reported by the late
Ernie Pyle A movie of their actions
was made and Robert Mitcham
played the part which Tidwell ac
tually lived
The fire department uas organized
in February last year Members
cooperate with the Texas Forestry
Service in answering area calls
The organization of the community
stems from its residents opposition to
the placement of a county landfill in
that area The fire fighting facilities
were deemed as the most urgent in
city services. City officials include
Mayor Chester Odom and Council
members Jim Harper. Johnny
Grimes, Pat Baggett. Ella Wallace
and Lem Derrington.
Inside This Ifmue:
Ser WHAT
HI Sh FOLKS
iHh /><>/;
/«•««• •'<
James Morris is fire chief and
William Blankinship is the first
assistant Grimes is second assistant
Bomer Says
'It Doesn't
Matter'
Redisricting is back in the news af-
ter a federal court tossed out a plan
for the Texas Senate and House of
Representatives districts which was
approved last fall
This latest action has stirred up the
entire political scene in Texas
State Rep Elton Bomer of Ander-
son County, who was scheduled to
seek reelection in Cherokee, Anderson
and Freestone counties, was quoted in
the Tyler Morning Telegraph Wed-
nesday as follows:
"I'll take part of Smith County,
Freestone, or part of Cherokee, it
really doesn't matter I have my
home county and that's the thing that
counts "
Hopefully, prompt action by the
courts to develop a new plan will allow
elections to be held on schedule in
Texas.
Heritage
Meet Set
The Cherokee County Heritage
Association will hear a talk by Truett
Lattimer when they meet Monday,
Feb l at the New Southern
Restaurant.
Lattimer is the former executive
director of the Texas Historical
Association.
He will speak on the construction of
the State Capitol which was begun 100
years ago
The executive committee will meet
at 6 p m and dinner will bWerved at
8:30 p m The program is to begin at 7
P m
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 132, No. 50, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 28, 1982, newspaper, January 28, 1982; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151524/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.