The Bastrop County Times (Smithville, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 1, 1976 Page: 2 of 24
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cPAGE 2
THEB ./ROP COUNTY TIMES. SMITHVILLE, TEXAS 78957
THURSDAY. JULY 1.1976
llur^
Spirit of '76
I'm not really sure that any of as, having grown up and
; lived in what has for ao long been the greatest nation on
; earth, can appreciate what audacity, what sheer gall, it
; took for the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence
> to do what they did.
There they were, citkens of just one of a number of
£Britiah colonies, telling one of the mightiest powers oo
^ earth, oid mother England, that she had absolutely no right
J to govern this colony just as she saw fit. "
k King George and his councillors took treason pretty
seriously, and the signers knew that once they had taken
that first audacious step, there would be no turning back.
As Franklin reminded his fellows, "We must, indeed, J
■ hang together or most assuredly we shall aH hang sepa-
■ rately."
V But pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
>'honor in support of that Declaration, sign they did. And in
^support of the young nation they had lathered, more than
'.one signer gave both his wealth and Us Mood.
| The celebration ——tii^g that occasion certainly
■ calls for fireworks and noble speeches and pledges of
j rededication to the ideals that spawned that nation.
,1 But more importantly it calls for action, action in the
:<spirit of those audacioua founding fathers, who dared not
:'-only to dream big dreams, but then dared to take action to
'•realize those dreams that aalonndod the wotid.
Talk is cheap, and any present-day US citizen can spend
.' quite some time enumerating how the infernal government
j.has abridged his rights. But what I hope the Bicentennial
-:will inspire in each of us is the determination to take
,/urtion when and if we fed our unalienable rights are
* threatened,
;• Only when we have the courage to speak out and to take
. action to safeguard our rights will we be able to assure
'.;that those with money or high position or favors to grant
Otren't "more equal" than the rest of us.
\ If each one of us can join in that pledge made by the
^signers of the Declaration - dedicating our fives, our
•fortunes, and our honor to die principles of that document -
>nd then back that pledge with the courage to take action,
£hen this nation's third century will really be a celebration
f-——
-A--*:
fTIEWPtlll
HOW ABE YOU GOING TO CELEBRATE
THE-tTH?
Phyllis Collum. housewife, expectant
mother - I'm just going to stay home and
hopefully have a baby.
Marie McCloud,
maker - I'm going to the
courthouse. They're having
some .^nd of thing over
there. Then I may go out to Tahitian Village
and have supper.
Thelma Dabney — Well, my grandson is
here to stay with me for awhile and we'll
probably do a lot of things. He wants to go
swimming and of course pop firecrackers.
My sister from San Antonio may come for
a visit and I plan to make Homemade ice
cream.
Mel Reaves, piano store
owner — Stay home. I don't
shoot any fireworks. 1 see
where everybody heads for
the country . I stay in the country. These
highways are not for me on the holidays.
SOCIETY MEMBERS •• Gordon Trousdale, Dora Bran, Myrtle Trousdale, Frances Weis-
huhn, Renee Blaschke, Cindy Sherrell, Chester Shirocky, Leona Shirocky, Betty Cook,
Walter Cash, and Valasta Kempel attended the Smithville Heritage Society meeting June
21. Times Photo
Smithville Heritage Society
Museum Site Needed
Bar-Six Wagon OK'ed
"I wish it were possible for
us to have a little cube that
we could just pour water on
and a museum would spring
up," said Mrs. Cindy
Sherrell, Director of Muse-
um Service for the Texas
Historical Commission.
"Unfortunately, that isn't
the case, so we have to have
patience and determina-
tion."
,Mrs. Sherrell was
guest speaker at the
the
first
{Round Top Marks 4th
The tiny town of Round
Top, Texas (pop. 76) will
tpke the Bicentennial of
American Independence in
gride on July 4 when it
holds its 12th annual Fourth
of July celebration-one of
the oldest continuous
celebrations in Texas. The
little community in eastern
Fayette County, known
during the pait ten years as a
center for historic preserva-
tion and the tine arts, has
been locally famous since the
1850's for the "splendor of
its feasts." as a Fayette
County historian writing
around the turn of the
century put it. The upcom-
ing Fourth will be no excep-
tion. Hundreds of trail
riders and horse-drawn
wfgyps filLbfgjn Overg-
-_*/• ing on the town eanySunday
morning, arriving in time to
participate in a parade
through the town's two main
streets and around the town
square at 10:30 a.m.
Following the parade the
crowd will gather at the
Round Top Rifle Hall for an
afternoon of refreshment,
barbecue, visiting, games,
and' old-fashioned music,
provided by the Round Top
Brass Band. A special
Bicentennial Concert of
American Music will be
presented in the evening by
the International Festival-
Institute at Festival Hill, a
mile northeast of the town
square.
The Fourti of July has
always provided a traditional
homecoming celebration for
former Round Top residents,
friends, and visitors, and this
year-will-he no exception.
annual meeting of the Smith-
ville Heritage Society which'
was held at the home of Dr.
and Mrs. Francine 7 J.
Weishuhn on ^ Monday
evening, June 21. i Forty-
nine members and guests,
one of the largest groups to
attend the local heritage
Society meetings, gathered
on the lawn of the Weishuhn
home, the former Rabb
house—which is in line for an
Historical ; Medallion—
to learn from Mrs. Sherrell
the pitfalls to be expected
and the precautions neces-
sary to take in planning the
proposed museum for
Smithville.
One of the outstanding
points stressed was the
selection of the type of
museum to work toward and
apply for in our town, and
the discretion needed in
procuring and accepting
items for exhibit once the
museum is established.
, Foremost- concern of^ the
- Smithville meaibersf^is- still
the lack of suitable site and/
or building for a museum,
and anyone who might know
of such a location or struc-
ture that hasn't been con-
sidered is urged to contact
Mrs. Weishuhn. Heritage
Society president, or any
member of the Heritage
Society.
Mrs. Kenneth L. Blasch-
ke, Director of the Smithville
Bicentennial Commission,
presented the Smithville
Heritage Society with a
Citation from President of
the United States Gerald
Ford which was just received
by the local ARBC for its
outstanding efforts in
observance of the Nation's
200th Birthday. Mrs.
Blaschke also presented the
Commission's official
token -the railroad spike-
to Mrs. Sherrell, and a
certificate to the local
Heritage Society for its
organization during the
Bicentennial period.
Mrs. Weishuhn issued
several awards during the
program to various people
outside the membership who
have contributed in some
way to the organization
during the year, and extend-
ed the perpetual invitation
to all citizens in Smithville
and surrounding communi-
ties who care about the
preservation of our history
and heritage to join the
Heritage Society by paying
the annual fee of $5 to John
Shirocky or a member.
After the program refresh-
ments were served in the
cool twilight.
City Pool
To Close
On Mondays
The Smithville City Pool
will be closed on Mondays
instead of on Sundays as was
announced last weeks.
Savings Bonds
Sales Reported
Mr. Yerger Hill. County
Chairman for the Savings
Bonds Program in Bastrop
county, reported sales of
Series E*and H United States
livings Bonds in the amount
of S6.759 for April 1976.
Sales for the first four
months of the year totaled
S26.630 which represents
17% of their assigned dollar
goal.
Sales in Texas during the
month amounted to $21,912.-
800 while sales for the four-
month period totaled $95,-
165,176 with 35% of the
yearly sales goal of $272.4
million achieved.
WASHINGTON - U.S.
Rep. J. J. "Jake" Pickle
announced last week that the
Texas-Bar-Six Wagon Train
from Lexington had reached
an agreement with the Bi-
centennial Commission of
Pennsylvania and the Texans
will participate in the Valley
Forge Bicentennial Celebra-
tion. i f
"I am very pleased that
both sides have been able to
work out their differences,"
Pickle said, "and I am
especially pleased because I
wasn't looking forward to
getting on a horse and
leading a charge into Valley
Forge."
Pickle cautioned that the
Lexington group had not
cleared up all of its pro-
blems, , however, because
part of the agreement with
the Pennsylvania Bicenten-
nial Commission states that
the Bar-Six Wagon Train
cannot accept public contri-
butions while it is in Pennsyl-
vania. The group of Texans,
which is independent, is
supporting the wagon drive
almost entirely by donations
that it receives along the
way.
"Everywhere this group
has gone there have been
crowds of friendly people
contributing food, supplies,
horse feed and small
amounts of money," Pickle
said.
"In Pennsylvania, the law
states that this is 'soliciting'
and they will not be able to
hang out their contribution
bucket."
Wagon Master Lawrence
Watson of Lexington said
that the only way the group
can support itself in Pennsyl-
vania is to use the money it
had been saving to hire
trucks for the return trip to
Texas.
"I told Mr. Watson that I
did not think the people of
Texas would leave his group
stranded in Pennsylvania,
especially after the reception
that they received there,"
Pickle said.
"I would hope that some
group wouid organize a small
fond drive to help bring them
back to the safe side of the
Mason-Dixon Line." the
Austin Congressman said.
Watson has always
rejected offers from large
corporations and donations
from official bicentennial
groups. "We have always
depended upon plain folks
like us to keep us going and
we haven't had any problems
yet," he said.
Watson added that if his
group did not have enough
money to hire trucks, he
hopes to find a trucking
company that would provide
a ride back to Houston.
Premiums Raised
Monthly premiums on
the medical insurance part
of the Medicare will go up
starting July 1. The bask
premium rate will go from
$6:70 to $7.20 a month,
according to Ed Bowers,
Social Security District
Manager in Austin.
Medicare medical insur-
ance helps pay doctor bills
and other medical expenses
and is funded by individual
premiums and Federal
general revenues. The pro-
tection is offered to people
reaching 65 and over who are
eligible for social security or
railroad retirement benefits.
Mayor Asks
Residents To
Display Flag
SMITHVILLE — Mayor.
Skelley has asked that all
businesses and residences of
Smithville display their
American flag this bicenten-
nial week.
Many people have become
lax about displaying the flag
and Mayor Skelley has asked
that we show our participa-
tion during this- week of our
nation's 200th birthday by
proudly flying the American
flag for everyone to see and
enjoy.
to disabled people under 65
who have been entitled to
social security or similar
railroad retirement disability
benefits for 24 consecutive
months or more, and to
many people under 65 with
permanent kidnev failure.
Briscoe
Approves
Grants
AUSTIN — Governor
Dolp* Briscoe has approved
two criminal justice grants —
one for $61,934 for Bastrop
County, and a second for
$19,435 for the Central
Texas Council of Govern-
ments.
The Bastrop County
project will provide adult
probation services for the
21st Judicial District.
The $19,435 allotted the
Central Texas Council of
Governments is to provide
funding for eleven law
enforcement agencies
throughout the region.
The two grants were
among 130 approved by
Governor Briscoe statewide
from Law Enforcement
Assistance Administration
(LEAA) funds under the
Crime Control Act of 1973.
FOLK FESTIVAL PLANNERS - The search is on for an
authentic, old, and small Texas schoolhouse to be restored
on the ground of the Institute of Texas Cultures during the
Texas Folklife Festival Aug. 5-8. Heading up the search are
O. T. Baker, manager of the Festival (left); Bartlett Cocke,
chairman of the board of Bartlett Cocke Associates, inc..
Architects; and Jack R. Maguire, executive director of the
Institute. The Institute is part of The University of Texas at
San Antonio.
CPSC Makes Firecracker Ruling
—OFF
Tnr
BECOBD
WASHINGTON. TJX. -
The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission has
issued a final order affirming
its earlier decision lowering
♦h* permissable explosive
H ,. .i,
Bastrop
(flolnitp-
Ernies
VOL. 85. NO. 27
The Bastrop County Times Is published every Thursday in Smithville. Texas,
by Tex-Print Corporation. 205 East Third Street, owned by Todd Publications. Inc .
William K. Todd. President. Second Class postage paid at Smithville. Texas 78957
PUBLISHER William K Todd
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
MANAGING EDITOR _
NEWS EDITOR
STAFF WRITERS
Nancv Catherman
Paul hi. Prentiss
Demi Prentiss
_r Richard Moree
Beckv Schef fet
COMPOSITION
Sudel Angers
Glynn Wilkinson
| CORRESPONDENTS
| SVBSRIPTION RATES.
-In-County i6 00 per yaar *3.25 6
_____________ Eriene Goertz
Martha Tuck
Mrs. W. R Umer
Gentude hrrtiea
Out-of-County *7.00 per year $3.75 6 mas
charge in firecrackers. The
decision also establishes
performance standards and
labeling requirements for
other fireworks devices sold
or distributed for consumer
use.
The Commission voted to
allow its March 4, 1976.
decision permitting the sale
of firecrackers containing a
maximum of 50 milligrams of
powder to stand as its final
decision. Present Federal
regulations allow sale of
firecrackers of up to 130
milligrams of powder. The
50-milligram limitation
would only permit the sale of
the small firecrackers
commonly known as lady-
fingers.
The decision also provides
for performance specifica-
tions for common fireworks
devices including s require-
ment that fuses burn at least
three seconds but no longer
than six seconds.
This decision will have no
effect on existing state bans injuries
on firecrackers currently in hospital
tive decision, which stem-
med from a regulatory
proceeding begun in 1973.
The regulation was issued
because of numerous
injuries resulting from the
use of firecrackers and fire-
works devices. The initially
proposed regulation would
have totally banned all
firecrackers. Objections to
the proposed regulations
were raised by the fireworks
industry and the State of
Hawaii which, on behalf of
its residents of Chinese
descent, claimed that fire-
crackers are used in religious
ceremonies which are
Constitutionally protected by
the First Amendment.
Extensive hearings involv-
ing some 25 parties including
industry, consumer groups.
Commission it- ffers and the *
State of Hawai . followed this
action.
During the 1974 Fourth of
July season, an estimated
3.300 fireworks-related
e treated in
emergency
effect la thirty-two states. More than 60 percent of
and generally has no effect these injuries were related to
ao fireworks used for organ- firecrackers, although few
ized public displays. verified injuries for smaller
The current decision waa, firecrackers such as lady-
rendered niter parties had fingers had been reported,
been given an opportunity to The Commission rejected
comment oo the Coauaus- a total ban on firecrackers
sion's March 4, 1976. tenta- because of the probability
that such action would
increase illegal trafficking
and bootlegging of larger,
more dangerous firecrack-
ers. It further determined
that a possible religious
exemption of Americans of
Chinese descent could not be
feasibly administered and
could result in widespread
unlawful distribution.
This action will become
effective 180 days after the
publication of the final
order. The Commission said
that because of the complex
legal i procedures under
whiefv the regulation was
issued in time for the current
Fourt.i of July season. The
Commission's earlier deci-
sion noted that a great
number of manufacturers
were already in substantial
compliance with the require-
ments. The Commission had
also urged the public during
the forthcoming Bicentennial
celebration to carefoDy
select fireworks to be used
and to provide dose super-
vision to children using the
devices to prevent usuries.
*97b
BY Paul M Prentiss JSP
The men that founded this country were fiery men of
energy and commitment. Men that fought tyranny and
strived to obtain the freedoms that we hold so dear. Yet,
even though they were united in the cause and the ideals to
be obtained, they did not always agree on the means nor
were they polite about their disagreements.
Here is what some of them have to say about each other.
Jefferson on Adams (1787):
He is vain, irritable, and a bad calculator of the force and
probable effect of the motives which govern men....He is as
disinterested as the being who made him: he is profound in
his views, and accurate in his judgment, except where
knowledge of the world is necessary to form a judgment.
Hamilton on Jefferson:
I admit that his politics are tinctured with fanaticism; that
he is too much in earnest in his democracy; that he has been
a mischievous enemy to the principal measures of our past
administration;....that he is not scrupulous about the
means of success, nor very mindful of truth, and that he is a
contemptible hypocrite.
Adams on Hamilton: ;
Although I have long since forgiven this Arch Enemy, yet
yfee. Folly and Villanv are not to be forgotten, because the
guilty wretch repented, in his dying moments....Nor am I
obliged by any Principles or Morality or Religion to suffer
my Character to lie under infamous Calumnies, because the
Author of them, with a Pistol Bullet through his Spinal
Marrow died penitent.
Marshall on Washington:
Though prizing popular favor as highly as it ought to be
prized, he never yielded principle to obtain it. or sacrificed
judgment on its altar. This firmness of character added to
his acknowledged virtue enabled him to stem a torrent
which would have overwhelmed almost any other man and
did. I believe, save his country.
From the principles and ideajs of these fiery and out-
spoken individuals emerged a nation fiercely dedicated to
independence and freedom. We spring from a womb of
blessed controversy.
Happy Birthday. America.
God Bless. .
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Prentiss, Paul M. The Bastrop County Times (Smithville, Tex.), Vol. 85, No. 27, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 1, 1976, newspaper, July 1, 1976; Smithville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth390913/m1/2/?q=music: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bastrop Public Library.