The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1986 Page: 2 of 16
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PAGE TWO — THE CHEROKEEAN OF RUSK. TEXAS — THURSDAY, FEBRUARY . IMC
Point of View
Oil, Gas Drops Hurt
Lower prices at the gas pumps can
mean a poorer economy for Texans and
their state government. Most of us
delight when we drive up to the pumps
and see cost of fuel going down.
Bob Bullock, Texas Comptroller of
Public Accounts, says the brunt of the
state's tax burden has always been
carried by the oil and gas industry . As we
know, this is declining. Texans will have
to come up with additional tax revenue
from some other sources to meet our
state needs.
The Texas tax structure just isn't
keeping up with Texans government's
costs. Bullock says.
The tax structure doesn't mirror the
state's diversifying economy, Bullock
reported in his Research and Revenue
Estimating Divisions' January issue.
Economic forces, that continue to draw
people to Texas and that create needs for
more roads, schools and state services,
aren't creating tax revenues to pay for
these services. Cost of providing services
is rising along with the state's inflation.
Bullock has said the oil and gas in-
dustry has protected the state from an in-
flation that plagued the rest of the nation
in the 1970s and early 1980s. Texas didn't
have to make the governmental decisions
that other states faced. We were able to
increase our spending, without increased
taxes. We kept up with our population
growth.
Some 62 percent of the state's total
revenue comes from taxes. The other 38
percent comes from various sources in-
cluding federal funds, state land income,
interest earnings and a variety of fees.
We all know that the federal gover-
nment is cutting back in federal funds to
the states, counties, cities and school
districts.
Bullock says taxes under the present
structure will not pay for the slack
created in the oil and gas slump and the
federal cut-backs.
Some two thirds of the state's tax
receipts grow at the same rate as the
economy. These include the sales tax,
motor vehicle sales tax, franchise tax, in-
surance tax, utility taxes and other
miscellaneous taxes.
The population growth taxes include
the gasoline tax and the cigarette and
alcoholic beverage taxes. With recent
emphasis on good health, the sin taxes
have gone down considerably.
The remaining 20 percent of the state's
taxes are the severance taxes on oil and
natural gas. These taxes are not affected
by inflation and population growth. The
state had 10 years of unparalleled
economic and fiscal growth after the
Legislature passed a major tax bill in
1971. Oil prices rose from an average of {3
per barrel to more than $32 per barrel.
Bullock said oil and gas production
declined. Rising prices off set the decline
and taxes from this source continued to
rise.
From 1972 to 1982. tax collections from
oil and gas rose more than 700 percent,
from just over $300 million to almost S2 4
billion-an annual growth of 22.7 percent.
Oil and gas tax collections were the
fastest growing major revenue source
over that period. The state was able to
lower some taxes and still provide the
greatest level of services. Residential
utility bills were exempted from the tax
systems and the citizens continued to
benefit from a good state tax structure.
The oil and gas industry also paid sales
and corporate taxes as well as the
severance tax.
Had oil and gas prices stayed at the
1981 level, the state would have collected
an additional $3 billion over the past four
years. If prices rose even further, the
gain would have been larger. But,
Bullock says falling prices are only part
of the oil story-production also is off. The
state is producing a third less oil and gas
than it did in 1972. Oil as late as 1984 was
the state's second leading source of
revenue will be the sixth largest producer
of tax revenue in 1986--behind the sales
tax, natural gas tax, motor vehicle sales
tax and corporate franchise tax.
Increases in inflation and population
call for increases in state spending to
keep services where they are today.
This creates something that will have
to be faced soon. We knew it was ap-
parent in the 1960s.We hid it in the 1970s
with rising oil prices. Now it is under-
scored by falling oil prices today. What
will we do and how we will take care of
this need is something we all need to con-
sider. gloria jennings
eating Around The Bush
A young woman told me the other
day that she really is burdened
about the large teenage suicides
across our country. She only wishes
that she could put her arms around
young people everywhere and tell
them that life really is worth living;
that everything is going to be just
fine.
She went on to say that when she
was a teenager, she seriously con-
sidered killing herself. She ex-
plained that it seemed like her
mother and older sister were con-
stantly fighting; that her household
was in an unrelenting state of
chaos. Her only escape was to sit in
front of the television set and
become totally enmeshed with the
lives of those wonderful fictional
families in "Father Knows Best,"
"Leave It To Beaver," "The Donna
In
Reed Show" and "The Dick Van
Dyke Show."
She said that for some strange
reason, she blamed herself for all of
the trouble that her family was
having. She felt like that if it were
not for her, then her family would
be happy and content like they
should be...just like all other
families in the world were as
manifested on television programs.
When she was a teenager, her
family did not attend church. Her
father was engrossed in the pursuit
of material wealth during long
working hours; then, he spent most
of his leisure hours in pursuit of a
hobby. Her mother was occupied
with running a household and trying
to teach her older sister all about
the social graces and the importan-
ce of dating only boys from the right
of Crisis:
° Supposition* Offered
. BEAR,
County Extension Agent-HE
«unge , Crisis and Loss: In the
life ot every person and every
family, there are times of trouble. A
person's jobfeiogt, a couple loses a
baby, a beloved relative or friend
dies, or a national disaster like the
recent fatal space shuttle accident
happens. For days or even weeks,
the well-being and happiness of the
family hang in balance. It is a Ume
of crisis.
Crisis results when a person or
family is found with an important
problem or task which cannot be
easily handled by the family's nor-
mal problem-solving approaches. A
crisis includes both the problem or
circumstances and the individual or
family's reaction to that trouble.
Because of a crisis, neither people
nor the situation will ever be quite
the name again-not necessarily
worse, perhaps even better, but
<1« r¡ 'f<*v
Kit .... ugli before ac-
cepting a loas The first stage is
aemal (it can't be true; it can't be
happening to me); then anger (why
me?); third is bargaining ("If you
will only, I promise..."); fourth is
depression and stage five is accep-
tance (the struggle is over, but
you're almost void of feelings) . This
is the time a family needs lots of
help and understanding.
Overcoming grief is a process.
The more attached to a person or
event, the more painful the grief.
Behavior during grief may be affec-
ted; outbursts t>f anger, crying
jags, withdrwal, disinterest, blame
and guilt, stuffing or starving, too
much or no sleep. Children and
adulta, alike experience grief as sad
and lonely times.
In every life crisis, there is
danger and opportunity, threat and
promise, and the hope of growth
and enrichment. At any given point
in life, no one is entirely a master of
his fate. But, neither is he bound by
•n unchangeable personality. When
threatened or saddened by a loss of
change, use your personal
'•ti'-ngUw .o overcome the ei. u
*nd learn to deal with life's ob
•lacles,
families... those which would most
likely graduate from college to
become lawyers or doctors.
Together, her parents were absor-
bed with ostentatiousness
Somehow, if they appeared to be
rich, they would become rich. As a
teenager, she felt that all of the at-
tention was directed toward her
sister, leaving her feeling unloved
and abandoned
She said that the thoughts of
suicide became more and more at-
tractive to her. She even started
thinking about ways she could kill
herself. She thought that the
ultimate escape would be death.
Life through her eyes was so harsh
and hopeless, things would be much
better if she would just end it. Upon
expressing these feelings to her
mother, she was told that she was
reading too many mystery and
suspense magazines *
She was in the depths of despair
when some friends invited her to at-
tend church. At church, she found
an uplifting world of loving, caring
people. She continued to go to chur-
ch and before long, she surrendered
her life to Jesus Christ and trusted
Him as her personal Saviour. He
immediately took her burdens
away, spiritually wrapped her in
his tender, loving arms and told her
and everything was going to be just
fine.
In her relationship with Jesus
Christ, she learned that the conten-
tment and beauty of life comes
from within; that Jesus Christ is
life ...all of the external things are
meaningless without him. The
problems of life don't necessarily
go away and things don't always get
better, but inward peace and joy
allow you to live and to love.
She said that she wished she could
pass this marvelous good news to
teenagers everywhere. She said
that she wished every young person
would read and believe Philiipians
4:13;
"I can do all things through
Christ which strengthened me."
It's been almost 20 years now and
Jesus has lived up to his promise to
her. Regardless of the problems,
disappointments and heartaches
this young woman has had to face,
her rehtit tk' faith in Jesus
Christ i.u ausutuicd hw und she
has learned that life really is worth
living
From The
ii Lion's Den
By E.B. Mustek, Jr.
Muggers demand your money or
your life Wives oemar.d both B...
Baila nee
•And from Ro> Ha:ten My neigh-
bor, Buford Hunnicu* quit
smoking, drinking and chasing
girls He now has an ungodly
amount of spare nrr.e
Our guest las' Thursday was Mr
Ronnney D Oberg from T y ier Then
we have a new Lior. Duane Sher-
bondy. Director of Finance a* Rusk
Memorial Hospital It is wonderful
to have this fine young man join us
and will be looking forward to
working w ith him on our many Lion
Club projects
We had singing by the Singing
Baptist" last meeting Actually
Lion President Elmer Beckworth
asked Lion George Dodd to lead the
Lions in singing He immediately
was joined by Lions Jack White. Ike
Daniel and Richard Johnson all
four leading the singing Jus! one
comment - it just takes one
Methodist
A meeting of all Lions will be next
Thursday night Please be present
at the noon meeting for the time,
place, etc
This could be the most important
meeting in many years and all
Lions need to be present Lion Jack
White called the meeting and you
are expected to be there if at all
possible
Lion J;rr. Cromwell reported on
some spn. .ai projec'. to raise a lit -
'.<* n i>:ie\ : >r our activities - more
at a later date li you nave any
ideas please contact Lion J;m Lion
George Dudd aiso reported on some
work that he has going regarding
our Rusk Lions Sw tmmtng Pool
Lion Morris Elliott presented Bo
Se a lion as our speaker He grew up
n Poota is now a teacher ot English
in our schools He says that his
students call * Anguish 1 Scallon
talked to us about our Rusk Lions
Swimming P' l and Little League
Program He urged us to go ahead
with the many repairs
replacements, etc even though
much money is involved He knew
we had been investigating many
things and just w anted to encourage
us and also give us some of his
ideas He gave many things that
could be done to make more money
in order to make these needed im-
provements We will not go into
them at this time because the
swimming pool committee and the
board of directors need to do much
study before being made public
He reminded us that we have an
outstanding product and that
because of this we should be able to
do the things that we must want to
do The key is not money but
determination The youth of our
community need the things the
Rusk Lions have to offer, many
times getting them away from in
front oí the TV into the sun
This was a very timely talk and
one that we need to think about as
we begin to make our plans for this
next summer We appreciate Mr
Scallon visiting with us and sharing
his many outstanding suggestions
We would like to remind Mr
Scallon that the Rusk Lions are like
the American people after one war
and the beginning of another "We
did it once and we can do it again "
This one Lion believes that we can
do anything that we make up our
minds to do Nothing impossible
with the Rusk Lions
Would you like to join me in the
bar for a drink''
No. thank you." the Englishman
said "I tried drinking once, and I
didn't like it
Well, how about a game of
billiards1" the American said
No. the Englishman said "I
tried that once too. and 1 didn't like
it "
As the American started to turn
away, the Englishman relented
My son will be here in a few
minutes." he said, "and I'm sure
he d enjoy a billiards game with
you
The American turned back,
"Your son?" he said "And only
child. I presume "
See You Thursday Noon Southern
Motor Inn.
Kissin' Kuzzins
Search for Kin
CAROLYN ERICSON
1614 Red bud Street
Nacogdoches, Texas *5961
If you have been doing research
for several years, and don't know
what to do with it. I have a
suggestion Genealogical
Publishing Company has just prin-
ted an album for you entitled My
Family Heritage. This book is
bound in a beautiful white gilt
cover. There are 140 pages,
illustrated in color, for you to
record Your research findings
There are spaces for family
pictures, as well as pedigree charts
There are spaces for events like
weddings, school, graduations,
cherished traditions, etc A book like
this would make a wounderful
graduation present to a young per-
son They may not truly appreciate
all the work that went into locating
all of the data, but it is a way that
you can present them w ith all of the
information you have collected in
an organized manner
This book is only $10 95 plus II 25
for postage and handling Order
your copy today from Genealogical
Publishing Company, 1001 N
Calvert Street. Baltimore,
Maryland 21202
County. Texas They were the
parents of ten children The oldest
girl was my mother. Ida Olivia
Hart, born 15 August 1890
1 will be happy to exchange in-
formation on the Hart. White. Stan-
dley, or Morgan families -Juanita
Gandy. 106 Glass Street. Lufkin.
Texas 75901
I am a Choate descendant and I
am trying to locate information on a
Mollie Choate. Would like to
correspond with anyone having in-
formation on the Choate family
Any help will be appreciated
Jayle M Jourdan, Route 5. Box 88.
Jasper. Texas 75951
February Is Black
History Month
If you have received a post card
recently offering you a "Family
Heritage Book" on your family
from Beatrice Bayley, you will be
interested to know that action has
been taken by the State of Wiscon-
sin against her
Currently Beatrice Bayley is the
subject of two administrative
proceedings within the U. S Postal
Service.
In October 1985 the Consumer
Protection Division of the Postal
Service filed a complaint against
Beatrice Bayley, Inc. In a separate
proceeding, the Postal Service
alleges that Beatrice Bayley, Inc.,
is in violation of a consent
agreement entered into with the
Postal Service in 1980. As a result of
the filing of this breach proceeding
mail addressed to Beatrice Bayley,
Inc. is now being held by the Postal
Service, and such mail will continue
to be held until the Judicial Officer
reaches a decision in this matter. If
you have fallen prey to this scam,
you will wait a long time for your
"Heritage Book."
Would like to correspond with
anyone working on the Morgan
family. My great-grandfather,
Samuel Merridas Morgan, was
born 20 August 1822 in Goochland,
Virginia. He married Mary Etta
Christian 18 November 1849. They
were the parents of one child, Mary
Etta Jewell Morgan, my gran-
dmother.
I am also working on the Hart
family. John N. Hart, b. 1792 North
Carolina, married Salina or Sarah
Elizabeth Hall, daughter of Josiah
Hall. Their son, John Albert Hart,
b. 1829 Lexington, Tennessee, was
my great-grandfather. John Albert
Hart married Arminter Dorma
White, born about 1830 This couple
moved to LaGrange, Texas They
were the parents of six children
Their son, George L lian, t>orii 4
January 1861, married Ollle Stan-
dley n December 1887 in Trinity
The history of the black man is
the oldest but the least know n of ail
mankind, according to an article on
Out African Heritage," appearing
on a calendar for "People Believing
In People" provided by the Univer-
sal Life Insurance Co
Barbara Cnner of the Rusk Head
Start provided the information to us
and we are using it in its entirety in
recognition of February' as Black
History Month
"The history of the black man is
the oldest but the least known of all
mankind The continuing study of
the past by anthropologists,
historians ans sociologists indicates
that Central Africa bears evidence
of being the land of the first human
life It is on the continent of Africa
that the oldest human-like fossils
have been found
"In the northeastern part of
Tanganyika, archaeologists have
unearthed human remains nearly
two million years old. and have
been able to trace the evolution of
man from the begimng of the Old
Stone Age of Africa Other evidence
of man has been uncovered in North
Rhodesia, where hand axes, picks
and even anvils at least fifty
thousand years old have been
discovered In Central Nigeria,
stone tools at least 39,000 years old
have been dug from the earth. In
the Congo crude calculating devices
dating back six thousand years
have been retrieved. On the fringe
of the Sahara Desert exist rock
paintings of and by black men. The
sensitive and realistic works have
survived three thousand years of
time
"Egypt is the first land with a
recorded history. It is an African
country. All the Pharoahs were
African. The Sphinx and many
other sculptured monuments have
the broad nose and full lipe of the
Africans, who supplied much of the
skill and architectural design of
these structures.
"The black of Africa did more
than construct tombs and
monuments. They pioneered, along
with the Hittites. in making of iron,
the working of glod and silver, and
the use of oil-beanng plants for
medicinal and dietary purposes
They developed basic cereals, in-
cluding several kinds of millet and
rice From wild plant, they made
the worlds first cotton cloth, and
from the fibers developed the art of
weaving The blacks of Africa
are believed to have been the
world's first farmers
"Recorded history is rich with the
culture of African states Rush, one
of the earliest and best known
became a province qf Rome in the
4th Century' B C Ethiopia began its
growth nearly 500 years before
Christ When Europe entered the
Dark Ages, several major African
states rose to prominence:Ghana,
Ancient Mali, Songhay and what is
now South Rhodesia
"Trade and explorations followed
the waterways, and flourished
along the coasts The millions of
slaves that Africa afforded the
Europeans were generally taken
from areas near the oceans They
brought with them to America their
skills, knowledge and cultures
Though their skills and knowledge
were exploited and their cultures
repressed, the African influence
stands today in the art, buildings -
especially iron work and other ar-
tistic complements of structures in
the United State's older cities, and
in the black man's culture.
"Today efforts are being made by
many who believe that history
should be complete, honest and
just, to make the historical record
of the African past the common
knowldge of mankind."
History Fact
John Sevier, who became the first
governor of the State of Tennessee
in 1796, had assisted in the victory
against the British at the Battle of
King's Mountain in 1780. For this
battle he had raised 480 men and
was appointed their colonel.
The ChemJieean
(USPS 102520)
IMM Oldest Waakly Newspaper
Established as the Cherokee Sentinel
Fab 27 1890
Issiad class postage paM el test.
Tasas 78781. PwbMsharf waafcty an
Thursday byi
C. H. Inlrrprlses
618 N. Main M.
Ill
Ph. (214) 683-2237
SUBSCRIPTION RATE*
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 137, No. 2, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 20, 1986, newspaper, February 20, 1986; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151736/m1/2/?q=Lamar+University: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.