The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 133, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 12, 1982 Page: 1 of 34
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P. 0. BOX 4 5 436
DALLAS, TX. 75245
15c
per Issue
The Cherokeean
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper
Kstahlished as the Cherokee Sentinel. February 27. 1850
> Home of the
Texas State Railroad
'
Vol. 133, No. 26
Rusk, Texas, 75785 — Thursday, August 12,1982
14 Pages
r
i
Aug. 26 Is Proclaimed
\'Johnnie McKay Day'
RUSK HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS prepare for their final year with the Fighting Eagles. Equipment was issued
earlier this week and these four — Deron Koontz, Bobby Thrash, Kevin Dewbre and Kelly Gray inspect their
assigned equipment.
by GLORIA JENNINGS
Johnnie McKay, a man who has
given Cherokee County hundreds of
years of service during the some 20
years that he has lived in the area will
be honored Aug. 26.
County Judge Orvan B. Jones and
members of the commissioners court
have declared the day Johnnie McKay
Day and a special barbeque is set for 7
p.m. at the Jacksonville High School
cafeteria.
Sponsoring the barbecue are:
Cherokee County Building Commit-
tee, Cherokee County Livestock Show
Inc., Cherokee County Livestock-
man's Association, Cherokee County
Extension Service Homemaking
Division, Cherokee County Farm
Bureau, Cherokee County Forestry
Committee, Jacksonville and Rusk
Chambers of Commerce Agriculture
Committee, all county banks, 4-H
Adult leaders, FFA teachers,
Cherokee County Extension agents,
Agricultural Stabilization Conser-
vation Service (ASCS) Soil Conser-
vation Service and Overton Research
Center. Cecil Skaggs is chairman of
the event and Clyde Small serves as
co-chairman.
The $5 tickets to the barbeque can
be purchased at Citizens Bank, First
State Bank, Ike's Feed Mill, B&B
Farm Supply, Rusk Federal Savings
and Loan Association, Ocker's
Buckhorn Grocery and Farm Bureau
in Rusk; Continental State Bank and
Hick's Feed Mill in Alto; First State
Bank, Cravens and McCarty Feed
Store at Wells; Horton General Store
Eagle Practice Gets Underway
The first day of football practice
began for Rusk's Fighting Eagles
Monday with around 80 young men on
hand. Coach Lewis Caveness'
Feathered Flock will have two prac-
tices a day through Friday without
pads.
Contact work and scrimmages
began Monday. The Eagles will have
picture day Saturday at 10 a.m.
The first scrimmage will be August
19 when the Flock goes against Class
AAAA Belton at Mexia. Local fans
will see the Eagles scrimmage with
'Round Town
©
with Mrs. Roundabout
Lonely and lost people have their
share of space on the planet earth,
too. Confused souls without a pillow
and a bed, a roof overhead. Strangers
in their own native land. Alone.
How is it that people, like Janie,
wander so far from their beginnings?
Sprawled on the courthouse lawn,
face downward in a resting-sleeping
position, she poured out her misery.
A 39-year-old runaway. From her
husband and children. She had
married at 16. Her only skills were
prostitution, babysitting, cooking and
cleaning house. She had come to Rusk
to visit her boyfriend at Maximum
Security Unit, Rusk State Hospital.
Money? Yes, she had a little. Ear-
ned from prostitution. A room to
sleep? No. Unless some man came
along and took her for the night. She
expressed disgust with prostitution
and men.
Janie complained of pain from
sexual abuse. The night before she
had taken on seven men. Maybe it was
eight. She wasn't sure. And when the
owner of the house began to "get
serious" on her, threatening, saying
she was to be his now, she ran away.
Again. Hitchhiked to Rusk.
Who are the people that take advan-
tage of the lonely and unloved Janies
of the world? A compassionate person
helps with her need for transpor-
tation. But her needs, like all the
world's lost, are much greater than
simple movement from one place to
another.
A check with authorities in other
places indicated she has been in-
stitutionalized off and on since the age
of 19. And she had been recently
released from a state hospital.
She admitted that she was supposed
to be taking some medicine for her
"nerves," but the prescription had
run out. And It hadn't been refilled.
She wished the police "would arrest
me and then I could get a good night's
sleep. I am so tired."
She had called them earlier repor-
ting her presence in town, she said. "I
told them I was a hitchhiker, a
panhandler, a prostitute, but they told
me, 'why are you confessing this to us
because we can't help you.' "
Reaching out for some-thing or some-
body to take control of her life, even
the police were preferred to her own
state of inability to function.
But the police did help Janie. They
learned that she had been released
from a mental Institution. To be
treated, she needed to get back to her
original home. (She was not a resident
of the catchment area served by Rusk
State Hospital and therefore, by
policy, could not be admitted here.)
And her husband declined to come for
her. He said he had gone through this
too many times in the past.
So, she was assisted to a motel for a
night's rest, which she had the money
to pay for — according to her, money
earned the night before. And she
promised she would catch the bus
back to her home the next day.
Did she do as she promised? Or did
she return to the house where she
found temporary shelter In Jackson-
ville? And again to the mercy, or lack
of, from the house's owner?
Janie is just one person. Multiply
her story by thousands and hear the
misery of lost souls caught up in a
symphony of sad sounds. To whom
can such people look for help? There
are institutions and agencies. There
are the individuals themselves ... to
whom they must look for their own in-
ner strength and resources. Helping
hands, helping people can change bad
to glad. If somebody cares enough.
Did Janie care enough to respond to
the helping hands extended her by the
staff of the sheriff's office? Only time
will tell.
Until next week? -mw
Whitehouse here August 27.
Coach Caveness says the offense
will run from the power I and slot I
formations.
"Right now, we have Brian Town-
send as starting quarterback," com-
mented the coach.
Robert Grimes and Charles Boyd
have a spirited contest going for the
starting fullback position.
Donald Hubbard, tackle and Shawn
Walker, offensive end, began practice
looking good. David Parsons, a senior
strong side guard, looked very sharp.
Kelly Gray looks like he'll start at
quick side guard. Randy Carter and
Calvin Henderson are having another
close contest for half back. Both are
senior lettermen.
Other Eagles showing up well in
early practice are Bobby Thrash, split
end, and Allen Gilchrest, center. Ken-
ny McClure, who suffered an injury
last season, is back as defensive
noseman.
The Eagles first game of the season
is slated in Rusk Sept. 3 when Troup's
Tigers come to town.
Changes in the rules will allow both
first and second place teams in the
district to enter the play-offs. Coach
Caveness explains that the winner of
District 17AAA will play the second
place team in 18AAAA, and the second
place 17AAA team will play the win-
ner of 16AAAA.
"An early season upset will not keep
a real good team out of the playoffs,"
he said.
Coaches for the Eagles are Doug
Jordan, Brian Nation, Glenn Wilson,
Larry Johnston and Larry Walker.
"Our coaches are working hard,
and I am confident they will do a great
job this season," concluded Head
Coach Caveness.
Chamber Will Host
Open House Aug. 19
Open house to show off the recently
renovated Chamber of Commerce of-
fices have been set for 2-5 p.m. Thur-
sday, Aug. 19, according to Chamber
President Fred Gaines.
Directors of the Rusk chamber met
Tuesday morning to formulate plans
for the event. Ken Smith is chairman
of the endeavor. Assisting him on the
open house committee are Joe
Rozelle, Will Cumbee, Charles
Hassell, Houston White and Linda
Rogers.
Visitors will be invited to tour the
newly renovated office and conferen-
ce room. Board members will be on
hand to greet those who attend. The
chamber will give four tickets to ride
on the Texas State Railroad and local
merchants will contribute gift cer-
tificates for door prize drawings.
Photos and other items of by-gone
days will be on display.
In other matters planned at the
Tuesday morning directors' meeting
was sponsorship of a teachers ap-
preciation coffee at mid-morning on
Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Board members planned to sponsor
an auction in the Hines building at a
day to be designated later. Persons
having items to be donated can con-
tact Miss Rogers at the chamber of-
fice. Proceeds from the sale will go
toward purchase of furniture for the
chamber facility.
Additional Casting
For Play Released
Zula Pearson, director for the
Cherokee Civic Theatre production of
"The King and I" announces children
rehearsals have been set for 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday at the high school cafeteria
Cast in the children parts are John-
ny Glen Patterson, Fantasy Ogletree,
Brandi Byers, Sally Boyett, David
Crysup, Robin Berry, John Barlow,
Michel) Clay, Katie Crysup, Stephanie
Stovall, Christy Corley, Charlotte
Boyett and Jessica Crysup.
Mrs. Pearson says casting of five or
six additional male adult parts will be
announced later
Rehearsals have already begun for
the principle parts in the production
set for Sept 31, Oct. 1-3
at Ponta; and Ferguson Grocery and
Market at New Summerfield.
Also at Allied Texas Bank, First
National Bank, Lone Star Feed Store,
Feed Depot, Bridgefarmer Feed,
Cherokee Feed Mill, Jacksonville
Feed and Garden and Jacksonville
Savings and Loan Association at
Jacksonville; and Murphy Feed Store
and Troup Bank and Trust at Troup.
Tickets are available at any of the
listed locations through Aug. 23.
McKay, a modest sort of man, who
works well with others had either
coordinated or been a part of all
agriculture endeavors in the county
since he came here as county agent in
1962. And, he was just as much a part
of the community during the time he
served as associate county agent for
Pilot County days in 1955 and 1956.
Just a farm boy, McKay was born in
the Pruett community mid-way bet-
Johnnie McKay
ween Van and Grand Saline. He at-
tended a three teacher, eight grade-
elementary school called Wentworth
and then on to Grand Saline for high
school where he graduated.
He has two years of military service
with an infantry medical unit. He says
he served during the last portion of
World War II and then in a general
hospital operating room in Austria
Modestly speaking, McKay tells of his
two battle stars and a Bronze star. It
took some time for him to finally ad-
mit he received the Bronze Star for
rendering first aid to fallen soldiers
on the front lines. "I only did my job,"
he reported, but one just wonders.
Johnnie McKay has always been a
man who only'did his job' (he says),
but sometimes what he considered his
job, he gave much more than the call
of duty demanded.
He had met Marie on a blind date.
She was living with an uncle at Canton
to complete her high school studies.
They married before he left for the
armed services.
After his tour of duty with the
military, Marie and Johnnie McKay
took up residence at Arlington, where
he enrolled at North Texas Agricultu-
ral College, now called Arlington Sta-
te. Following two years there, they
moved to College Station, where he
received his Bachelor of Science
degree in a ruma i husbandry
A member of the school's honor
society McKay remained for a master
of science degree in animal science
with a minor in bio-chemistry and
nutrition. He has some 40 additional
hours at Colorado State University
and A&M,
•See McKAY, p. 2
Council Will Fill
Vacancy Monday
The District II position on the Rusk
City Council was declared vacant at
Tuesday evening's meeting of the
council. Members agreed to meet
again at 5 p.m. Monday to appoint a
successor for Councilman Donald
Dickerson who has moved out of the
city.
Dickerson promised a letter of
resignation, but one had not been
received by the council at the time of
the meeting. The post was declared
vacant and plans were made to Ap-
point a successor.
Members of the council are asking
for public opinion concerning a
possible 75 cent cable company rate
hike to allow for the addition of Ch. 13,
Dallas, a PBS station, and ESPN, a
24-hour all sports station.
Emmett H. Whitehead, owner of E-
Z Vision Cable, met with the council
Tuesday to discuss the possible ad-
dition.
He said that he has had people to
contact him asking for both of the
stations. 'We've put the pencil to it,"
he said in reporting that the two
stations can be provided for the 75
cents per customer increase.
The PBS station would be provided
via microwave. In addition to the cost
of purchasing another microwave
dish, it will cost the cable company an
extra $375 per month for the channel.
The sports station will cost 10 cents
per customer, or around $100 mon-
thly, Whitehead said.
He told the council at the beginning
of the meeting that he was not there to
request a rate increase. But he said he
would provide the extra service, "if
the public wants it."
Whitehead said in order to provide
the two channels to Rusk customers,
Ch. 9, Lufkin, will be eliminated to
allow for the sports station and Dallas
Ch 13 will be substituted for Ch. 24
Shreveport on Dial Position 5.
In another matter, the council also
requested public support to the city's
request for county assistanc e in rural
fire protection Mayor James V.
Fisher, speaking for other members
of the council, asked that rural
residents, who want the continued
services from Rusk's Volunteer Fire
Department, to express their views
with their county commissioners.
At the meeting, the council agreed
to advertise for bids for garbage
collections and disposal. Three bids
will be advertised-one for total
collections and disposal, another for
commercial collections and disposal
and the third for disposal only
The city landfill has about six mon
ths life left, the council was advised
Immediate solutions were deemed
necessary last month by the council
To go through the permitting pro-
cedure, a year and a half is needed to
provide a landfill site for city use, City
Manager Cindy Evar.s reported last
month.
In another matter, the council ap-
proved a special use permit for the
Rev. A. D Munsinger to locate a
mobile home on a 20-acre tract owned
by him on Crockett Street
Councilman Jimmy Thompson was
authorized to meet with James Polk
Richards and Fred Gaines of the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce and depart-
ment heads of the Cherokee County
Courthouse to discuss the parking
situation around the square in Rusk.
Reserve Seat
Tickets Ready
Reserve seat tickets for the ap-
proaching Rusk Eagle football
season will go on sale Monday,
Aug. 16, according to High School
Principal Allen Gilchrest.
Tickets may be secured at the
high school office for the same
price as last year's season —112.50
for five home games.
"We ask that those season ticket
holders who wish to exercise their
option of keeping the same seat,
contact our office immediately,"
states the principal.
The Eagles will play their first
full season of games in a new
stadium which was completed last
fall
This year's action begins with
Troup here at 8 p.m. Sept. 3.
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 133, No. 26, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 12, 1982, newspaper, August 12, 1982; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151552/m1/1/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.