Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 50, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 4, 2004 Page: 2 of 20
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COLUMNS
Page 2
Wednesday, February 4, 2004
EDITORIAL BOARD
Whitehead Enterprises Inc.
publisher
Marie Whitehead
editor
Terrie W. Gonzalez
managing editor
Texas' Oldest Continuously
Published Weekly Newspaper
Established as the
Cherokee Sentinel, Feb. 27,1850
Consolidation ofThe Cherokeean,
The Alto Herald and
the Wells News & Views
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Rates payable in advance:
Cherokee County $18 per year
Outside Cherokee County $21 per year
Outside Texas $25 per year
Cberokeeai) Herald
USPS 102-520
POSTMASTER:Send address changes to: CHEROKEEAN HERALD • P.O. BOX 475 • RUSK, TX 75785
Periodicals Postage Paid at Rusk, Texas 75785
Published weekly on Wednesday by
Whitehead Enterprises, Inc.
618 N. Main • Rusk. Texas • 75785
903-683-2257 • 903-586-7771 • herald@mediactr.com • FAX 903-683-5104
Jim Hogg
Historical Park,
Rusk
Caddoan Mounds
State Historical Site,
Alto
m
Texas State Railroad
State Historical Park,
Rusk
Scene In Passing
F
eb. 1, 2004. What a
mix of emotion this clay
brings.
One year ago our East
Texas area was stunned by
the break-up of the Colum-
bia Shuttle. Will those of us
who were here ever forget
where we were, what we were
doing on that historic day?
No, we'll always remember
the price paid for possess-
ing an inquiring mind. The
seven who gave their lives
in search of knowledge are
to be remembered, praised,
revered throughout all time.
In looking at other historic
moments, it has never been
easy to serve in the role of a
pioneer. All people to come
must always look to the past,
to appreciate the present
and plan for the future^ And
never forget the pioneers who
blazed new trails, opening up
new territory for us today.
The emotional mix today
stems from the joy of Super
Bowl Sunday activities in
Houston. It is difficult to
laugh and cry at the same
time.
This week's words are a
collection of thoughts from
those who have contributed,
for which your writer is most
grateful.
For instance, Eddie B.
Vining (Mrs. W. M.) has
shared with us a copy of the
St. Aignan Windmill, which
appeared in print just as
the forces were preparing to
return home after World War
I. For history buffs of that
period, it is "must'' reading.
The date is May 21, 1919.
President Wilson's daughter,
Margaret, had paid a visit to
the AEF (American Expedi-
tionary Forces) to dedicate
a newly constructed theater.
She entertained with musi-
cal selections on May 17, that
was two days prior to the
publication of the Windmill.
And the building had been
MARIE WHITEHEAD
editor@mediactr.com
named in her honor. I am
sure Mrs. Yining will want
this returned, or she will
place it in the Norman Memo-
rial Museum. It was only two
pages, front and back, but I
smiled to see that businesses
in the area of St. Aignan had
purchased space for adver-
tisements. Obviously, they
wanted to make visiting
troops feel at home.
Shortly after receiving the
paper, another rare piece of
paper was shared with us.
The reader's name is Sylvia
Lachowitzer at Maydelle, She
showed me a casual, personal
note written and signed by
Woodrow Wilson. It was a
sheet from a tablet with the
start of a date, 191-, with the
writer to fill in the year. He
didn't, but this is what he
wrote:
"Let it be your pride to
show all men everywhere not
only what good soldiers you
are but also what good men
you are, keeping yourselves
fit and straight in everything
and pure and clean through
and through. Let us set for
ourselves a standard so high
that it will be a glory to live
up to it and then let us live
up to it and add a new laurel
to the crown of America. My
affectionate confidence goes
with you in every battle and
every test. God keep you and
guide you."
Curiousity not being in
short supply with me, I
researched until I found a
reproduction of President
Woodrow Wilson's signa-
ture. Sadly, it doesn't look
very much like the one on
the piece of paper shared by
Sylvia. She says they had
browsed two estate sales and
it came from one of them.
The sales were at the home
of Jerry Barker and Dudley
and Eloise Willingliam. Now,
if anybody compares to me
with the keeping of all things,
it would be our friend Eloise.
I can believe she would have
had personal correspondence
written by President Wilson.
Anyway, I only have a copy.
The original went home with
Sylvia.
Here are notes from others.
Mrs. Otto Guenther (Jewel)
writes how much she enjoys
this publication. She says it
helps her to keep in touch
with her home town folks.
(Makes our work worth-
while.)
Remember Inez Spears?
You will when I tell you that
Virgil down at Alto is her
brother. She finds out more
about him from Chris Davis'
column than if she called him
every day.
By accident, through our
friend Irene Womack Todd,
I heard from another friend
last week. She is Ogreta
Huttash, who, according
to Irene, continues a hvely
pursuit of all historical infor-
mation. She compiled a book
citing names, etc. of people;
buried in every cemetery in
this county, known to her,
several years ago. I think
that's the way she explained
it. I stood in absolute awe of
her commitment to do this.
This info by phone call from
the mother of two sons. They
are Branden P. Richardson
who has been in Hawaii for
several years and is being
moved to South Korea soon.
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Rusk High School
He is in the U. S. Marines
and a graduate of Alto, class
of 2000.
The other son is William
Shane Richardson, Alto, class
of 1998. He has been in the
Marines for five years. He
will leave Camp Pendleton
soon for assignment in Iraq.
She said how much she would
appreciate all prayers for
her boys, considering their
destinations.
Others whose names have
been on prayer lists include
our Sam Florian's wife, Clau-
dia. She had surgery Friday
morning and within 48 hours
she was swinging on the
phone and changing channels
on the TV. When a female can
do that, you know to watch
out. She will be out of the bed
in no time. This is the kind of
news we like.
Also, Jeanette Kennedy
(Mrs. William) had a seri-
ous appointment last week
for health problems. Melba
Darrow's daughter, Debra
Wesley, had surgery last week
in Houston. Carol Stovall's
mom, Justine Carrington, is
improving, now at home. Joel
Cummins continues to main-
tain the best possible attitude
during treatments, also his
spouse Maxine, who hke all
wives, feels her husband's
pain.
Jim Mehner is reported to
be at home and improving
after recent tests. Through Jo
Abernathy I learned Sunday
of the death of Terrell Marie
Fisher. She grew up here,
graduating in 1957. Her
husband is Robert Berkovsky.
He suggested memorials to
animal shelters. A service for
Terrell Marie is scheduled
later. They live in Fort Wash-
ington, MD.
Another close to home
death is that of Robert Elton
Shattuck's wife, Betty. She
left Jan. 17 after an extended
bout with cancer. She is well
known to many Rusk exes
through her attendance at
our reunions. Jimmy Persons
came by the office and told
me this sad news.
Here's another error. When
will I stop this? Remember
the baseball team photo of
1907? The second from left,
middle row student, is not
who I said. He is the father of
who I said. His name? Floyd
Raymond Vermillion, the
grandfather of our Raymond
Ross Vermillion. It is great to
have Mildred (Mini) Vermil-
lion to help untangle some of
my twisted words.
I asked her to look care-
fully at the Rusk High
School pic slated for this
issue, this space, courtesy of
John Nickle. If the structure
revives any memories, please
A.S. Moore
let me hear. I kind of beheve
the tower type entrance
would have housed a bell? To
the far right, barely visible,
is what appears to be a high
above the ground, water
tower: It makes sense that
one would be needed, don't
you think?
And from the Norman
Memorial Library another
sketch by B. E. Lannom. It
is the late A. S. Moore. This
gentleman was retired as
Rusk ISD superintendent,
when we
moved here.
And yet, he
refused to
sit down and
do nothing.
His wife
was retired
and had
been highly
regarded as
a teacher. But Mr. Moore
found an outlet for his energy
in buying/selling real estate.
Their home was the corner
house on Sycamore and
Fourth Streets. They were
the parents of at least one
daughter we met, Gracie Lee,
I think? I should stop writing
from memory. But some of
this stuff can't be found any-
where else. Museum hours
are 3-5 Saturday and Sunday
or by special appointment by
calling 903/683-2366.
We have been holding, for
several weeks now, copies
of early issues of this paper,
shared with me by Glenn
Miller's wife Mamie! Soon, I
promise to review them.
Did you know that Frank
and Katie Gillespie had a
wedding anniversary last
week? Jan. 29. And Frank
thinks they have been mar-
ried 29 years. He has all
kinds of humor, most of it
borrowed, he just wants to
pass it on.
Here's a smile for you and
for me: "Everyone has a pho-
tographic memory. Some just
don't have film. I really hke
that one. Keep smiling?
High Points From El Camino Real
Sunday afternoon
along El Camino Real
reminded me of Christ-
mas when I looked around
and not a creature was
stirring not even a mouse.
Everyone was curled up in
their easy chairs at home
watching the big Super Bowl
game between the Patriots
and the Panthers.
I'm thankful that the
majority of my readers chose
to watch the game at home
because some of the tickets
sold for more than $5,000.
That much money makes
the four bits you spend on
this paper look hke chicken
feed.
Our Alto youth performed
exceptionally well at the Fort
Worth Junior Livestock Show.
Margo Kahla came in second
with her Brahma heifer
named "Martha."
Lance Low also took home
a second place ribbon for his
Beefmaster heifer named
"April." Ben Johnson placed
eighth for his Beefmaster
heifer named "Aggie.''
Our youth really shined in
the calf scramble and man-
aged to catch five calves.
Margo Kahla, Lance Low,
Michael Parker, Ronnie Rose
and Adam Hicks all caught
calves.
f 1
CHRIS DAVIS
ELCAMINOREAL@TXUCOM.NET
Each of these scramblers
were given a check for $500
to purchase a calf, raise it
and bring it back next year
to show in the Fort Worth
Junior Livestock Show. Ste-
phen Graham won a brand
new pair of Justin boots
for participating in the calf
scramble.
Of course Judy Johnson had
ah kinds of difficulties at the
show. Randy Low had cut
his leg with a Skil saw the
day before the show and Judy
decided that he didn't need
to park and walk the long
distance to the barn.
They got him some kind
of handicap parking sticker
from the livestock office, but
they got a parking ticket
anyway.
Of course Judy had to
argue it out with the police
and everyone else that would
listen to her at the livestock
show. Judy finally won the
battle, after agreeing to be
tested for mad cow disease.
Some girl's heifer kept
bumping her son Ben's heifer
while they were hned up to
show. This aggravated Judy
tremendously and she blamed
the girl and her heifer for
keeping Ben out of the top
during the judging. After
Judy's ruffled feathers were
smoothed the group returned
to Alto very proud of their
accomplishments in Fort
Worth.
Congratulations to this fine
bunch of young people and
to all the parents who work
hard to make these shows a
success.
Our friend Martha Warner
Elbert who left Alto and
moved to Durango, Colorado
proved she didn't leave her
Alto smarts at home when
she left. Every year the city
of Durango has a "Snow
Down'' carnival to raise
money for various charities.
This year Martha and a
couple of her friends entered
a spelhng contest in the
carnival. A hst of words were
given out and teams were
eliminated as the contestants
progressed and words were
spelled wrong. The contest
was finally down to Martha's
team and one other and the
word hst had been exhausted.
Ajudge opened a dictionary
and placed his finger on the
final word to be spelled. The
word was "Caddoan."
Martha, being the good
Alto girl she is and growing
up just a few miles from the
Caddoan Indian Mounds,
quickly raised her hand and
announced the correct spell-
ing of the word.
She won the contest for her
team by spelhng a word that
is almost synonymous with
her hometown.
We may not have the great
Rocky Mountains to look at
here in Alto, but our httle
Indian Mounds certainly won
the spelling prize in Durango
this year.
Congratulations to Martha
on her big win in Colorado.
Those Colorado people
couldn't have known too
much about our mound build-
ers because Alto was as far
west as any mound builders
ever went to build mounds.
I ran into Jim Bice the
other day and found out that
he has a brand new grandson
courtesy of his daughter Kim.
Samuel Lee Schlemmer was
born Jan. 21 and weighed 7
pounds and 6 ounces. His
mom and dad are Kim and
Lee Schlemmer.
The new Altonian resides
next door to Howard Tyer and
I'm sure with a new baby boy
in the neighborhood, How-
ard's peaceful retirement is
about to come to a screeching
halt. The new baby's great
grandmother, Verdón Bice
was blessed with two new
great grandsons in two days,
with little Samuel having a
cousin born in Kentucky the
same week.
Don't forget the big Chili
Cook Off hosted by the MYF
at A. Frank Smith United
Methodist Church on Satur-
day night between 5 and 7
p.m.. Everyone had a great
time last year and this year
looks to be just as spicy.
I think I cooked a prize-win-
ning pot last weekend, but
the judges will never know,
because I ate it all. That pot
was just practice for the big
contest Saturday night. If
you're hungry for some great
chili, come hungry and help
out a great bunch of kids.
My neighbor, Virgil
Schochler, was getting ready
for the Super Bowl to start
when I went over there on
Sunday.
He had finally broken down
and ordered new tires for his
handicap scooter and is wait-
ing for them to come in. A big
knot has already came up on
one of his back tires and I'm
afraid we are in for a blow
out before the new tires ever
arrive.
I told Virgil that a blowout
could throw him out of the
driver's seat, but he said
he wasn't worried about it.
When that big knot on his
tire does blow, I'm afraid
the noise is going to cause
some exciting times in the
Schochler household. He
didn't have a favorite for the
Super Bowl, but after living
in South Carolina for 10
years, I was drawn to root
for the Panthers. The way
the game wound up, I'm glad
I'm not a gambling man. The
half time show was probably
the most jjathetic I've ever
seen on television. I don't
know which was worse, the
singing or Janet Jackson's
flashing of body parts. What
a family!
I know it seems that I've
run a httle short this week,
but it is terribly hard to write
an article between plays of
the Super Bowl. I think I
pretty much covered ah the
important goings on around
town and if I missed anything
I can pick it up later. I'll see
ya next week!
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 154, No. 50, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 4, 2004, newspaper, February 4, 2004; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152609/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.