The Seminole Sentinel (Seminole, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 19, 1956 Page: 1 of 16
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This Week's Weather
DATE High Low
April 12 89 40
" 13 . 87 50
" 14 82 51
" 15 70 40
" 16 81 39
" 17 59 39
" 18 54 39
" 19 35
VOLUME 49 SIXTEEN PAGES
License Fee Plan
Not Applicable
Here, Judge Says
A plan endorsed by tije West
Texas County Judges and Com-
missioners Association which
would boost license plate fees for
road right of way purposes is not
applicable in Gaines County, in-
sofar as County Judge Charles
Lawrence is concerned.
The judge said Thursday that
he favored the plan, strictly on
a local option basis and for coun-
ties that wanted to adopt it, but
that he didn't believe the plan
was necessary in Gaines County.
The county officials' associa-
tion, meeting in Mineral Wells,
endorsed proposed legislation
which would allow counties to
levy a local vehicle registration
fee of not more than $5, the
money to be used for road right
of way purchases.
"We have a 30-cent ad valorem
tax for farm-to-market road right
of ways, and for state highways,
we would finance the right of
way from bond issues," said
Judge Lawrence. "So, insofar as
I am concerned, the license fee
plan is not applicable here."
The state organization also
went on record as strongly en-
dorsing a proposed constitutional
amendment which would allow
annual re-allocation of moneys
within the four county fiscal
funds prescribed by law.
Present regulations are that
the money within the Jury, Road
and Bridge, Permanent Improve-
ment and General Funds of coun-
ties can be re-allocated only once
every six years.
Annual reallocations, as dic-
tated by local needs and lack of
needs, would provide a more bus-
iness-like coonty government,
Judge LawrAtUs said. At pfesent,
county officials have to antici-
pate needs six years in advance
■when allocating the money with-
in the four funds.
SEMINOLE, GAINES COUNTY, TEXAS
THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 1956 PRICE 10c
NUMBER 21
A-COAXIN' AND A SHOOIN''— 4-H Club Members Jerry Bowlett and Ann LockrWge probab-
ly reflect the viewpoint of many a cotton farmer when it oomes to the boll weevil. They're try-
ing to get rid of the pest, which, in their case, Is somewhat overgrown. It's part of rehearsal
for the county's first 4-H Club Share-the-Fun Festival slated for 8 pjn. Monday at Seagraves
Community Bldg. Jerry, 17, Is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Bowlett. Ann, 16, is the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. O. J Lockridge. — Photo by Roberts Studio
Seagraves Seniors
To Present Comedy
The Seagraves High School an-
nual senior play will be present-
ed at 8 p.m. Friday night at the
high school auditorium.
A three-act comedy, the play is
entitled "Shy Guy."
Starring in the presentation
are Ralph Hulsey, Barbara
Mings, Dickie Wiliingham, Tifld
ley Moseley, Bobby Ssiiipthcnnai^n
Betty Sue Moody, JJancy Hib-
bitts, Betty Bailey,' Mary Lois
Petty, Don Berry ihd Lawrence
Barber.
Seminole Baseball Definite;
School Chief Bares Schedule
"Dog Days" Things
Of Past, But Pets
Still Need Vaccine
Seminole Population Increase
Set at 100 Persons per Month
The population of Seminole were for the Shamrock Oil Co.
has reached — probably past —
the 6,000 mark according to
Chamber of Commerce estimates
Thursday.
The increase in population has
been estimated at 100 persons
j per month since the beginning
| of 1956.
With the trend on the part of
oil companies to close some of
it their oil camps, the population
I of Seminole is expected to in-
crease even more rapidly in the
I next several months.
City Secretary Ruby Heath re-
J ported that 35 building permits
for residential construction have
| been issued since Jan. 1.
Estimated value of the residen-
i ttal construction is $250,000.
There were two major business
I building permits issued. They
Shoppers' Festival
[May Turn on "Airs"
:or Town Customers
Seminole merchants Thurs-
day were planning on "puttin'
on airs" In May to show their
appreciation for their custom-
ers.
And the Chamber of Com-
merce will be In there pitching
to see that Seminole shoppers
| and visitors get their money's
worth.
j Directors of the C of C nam-
ed a committee headed by
Merchant Dink Aryain to plan
a gala two-day shoppers' festi-
val program.
For Seminole visitors and
homefolk on those days, mer-
chants and businessmen are ex-
pected to sponsor such events
as drawings for free prizes,
special sales, entertain-
ment, farm equipment dis-
plays, possibly a home show,
and other customer incentive
programs.
A good-will tour of Gaines
County probably will herald
shoppers' festival. <
The shoppers' festival com-
mittee wiii meet soon to map
Its plans. Mr. Aryain's commit-
teemen are Allison Gainey, J.
R. Hartis, Nick Melone, Jim
Walker Dearing, Joe
Virgil Briggs and
service station on Hobbs High-
way, estimated value of which is
$30,000, and the new building on
Lubbock Highway which houses
Paul's TV and Judy's Beauty Sa-
lon, estimated value of which is
$8,000.
At Jan. 1, the city had 1,520
water customers. Now the total is
1,560.
Pioneer Natural Gas Ob. re-
ported installation of 35 gas me
ters since Jan. 1 to give a'present
total of 1,553.
Since Jan. 1 there have been
35 electric meters installed for
a total of 1,629.
Telephones increased by four
since Jan. 1 to total 1,599 for to-
day.
The estimated population of
Seminole on Jan. 1 was 5,600 per
sons. The official census of 1950
set the population at 3,480, only
slightly more than half of the
Spring estimate of 1956.
H. C. Kyle, manager of the
Seminole Chamber^ of Commerce,
said that his organization's es-
timates show that Seminole "eas-
ily has 6,000 persons."
A partially-compjeted survey
by churches, conducted solely
within the city limits of Semin-
ole, counted 5,117 persons, and
the census-takers estimated that
the total would have reached ap
proximately 6,000 had the cen-
sus been completed.
Mr. Kyle attributed the in-
crease in population to stepped-
up oil production in the Seminole
area.
Manufacture Delay
Slowing Sewer Job
A manufacturer's delay in
completing a heavy-duty sewage
lift pump is causing a tempora-
ry delay in work on an $11,951
city sanitary sewer line exten-
sion, city officials said Thursday.
However, they were optimistic
that the project will be complet-
ed by a May deadline.
The project will provide city
sewage disposal service for ap-
proximately 35 homes not now
served. They are located in a sev-
en-block area of southwest Sem-
inole.
The sewage lift station, or
pump station, will be located at
13th and Ave. A SW.
Sports-conscious Seminole wilty
have another team to follow,
starting in May, School Superin-
tendent Joe Young announced
Thursday .
"We definitely will play base-.
ball," said Mr. Young.
It will be the first orajwizgd
fepseball for the Seminole school,
lie said. *
Play will begin about mid-May
and last until late July. It will
not be Interscholastic League
play, but will be an independent
league play, the official explain-
ed.
Seminole school will have a
baseball coach to train the team.
The teacher also will assist in
basketball and football coaching.
"The baseball schedule will not
interfere with track and other
Interscholastic League activities,"
said Mr. Young. He explained
that the baseball activity will be
1" Seminole, guilty of unlawful
LrJhSfv P gI transportation of liquor and
for su table play | hand£ him a $100 fln£ A motion
Athletic Director Metz Lai ol-1 for a new trial is expected to be
lette said that definitely in the j however. Testimony
independent < -gue with Semin-1 brought out that Wimams was a
ole will be kermit and Andrews.; passenger in an
County Court Set
To Resume After
Hearing 4 Cases
County Misdemeanor Court
was scheduled to resume Thurs-
day following a recess of three
days. Three cases were set on
the docket.
Meanwhile, during the past
week, County Judge Charles Law-
rence disposed of four cases.
Alice Faye Green, Lubbock,
was tried before the court for
the shop-lift theft of two wo-
men's dresses from Singleton's
in Seminole. Found guilty, she
was assessed a $100 fine.
A jury found Robert Williams
The league probably will em-
brace several other schools, in-
cluding Crane, Winters, Pecos
and Monahans and possibly
Brownfielc and Denver City,
Mr. LaFollene said.
The Indian team will play two
games each week, under present, ... ... . .. .
baseball plans. The games will be ! Potation of liquor and received
at night, one at home and one • a $250 fin and a 30-day jail sen-
away from home each week. ' tence.
in an automobile in
which were found 13 %-plnt bot-
tles of whisky.
A $150 fine and three-days in
jail was the sentence for John L.
Moisan who pleaded guilty to
driving while intoxicated. West
Contree pleaded guilty to trans-
"Dog days" for Seminole
have barked themselves out
and wagged into history. •
But that's no excuse for the
letting the pooch run around
without a rabies vaccination
and current innoculation tag
around his neck, city officials
warned.
Authorities served notice
Thursday that a dog without
the vaccination tag showing he
has been vaccinated for rabies
within the past year, is a ripe
subject for the dog-catcher's
net, and is subject to extermi-
nation.
The city used to import a
veterinarian one day a year to
vaccinate the pets. Now that
Seminole has • a veterinarian,
Dr. A. J. Mabry on Lamesa
Highway, "dog days" have
been discontinued.
Dogs must be vaccinated
once each year, officials said.
Cancer War Chest
Fund Drive Set
Monday, Tuesday
The Gaines County Chapter of
the American Cancet, Society
Monday will launch a county-
wide drive for funds for the can-
cer war chest.
Mrs. Ray Irvin, president, an-
nounced that the fund drive
would be a two-day affair. Help
of Gaines County's service clubs
and organizations will be sought
for the Monday and Tuesday
campaign, she said.
Fund quota for the county is
$1,300.
The drive will be the baptismal
effort of the Gaines County chap-
ter of the national organization.
The local chapter was formed
only about two weeks ago.
Horace Taylor of Seagraves is
vice president. Lorna Barker of
Seminole is secretary and Harold
Elder of Seagraves is treasurer.
Elminia Winn is Crusade Com-
mittee chairman and Pauline An-
cgll publicity chairman.
More Men than Women Die
With an official proclamation,
Mayor W. E. Denton declared
Monday and Tuesday Cancer
Control Days in Seminole and
urged citizens to support the
fight against cancer with every
means possible.
Mrs. Irvin and Mrs. Winn ask-
ed public aid in soliciting funds.
Volunteers can contact Mrs. Winn
by telephone by dialing 2132, and
Mrs. Irvin by dealing 2223.
"Cancer kills approximately
685 Americans every day," said
Mrs. Irvin, "Cancer kills a man,
woman or child every two min-
utes in this country. And the un-
controlled cell growth will strike
one in every four Americans, at
its present rate," she warned.
More men than women have
— See CANCER, page 4
Voting Slated Tuesday
On School Bond Issue
Growth in Seminole Economy
Reflected in Bank's Figures
A steady growth in Seminoje
economy was reflected Thurs-
day in the April bank call state-
ment of the Semintjle State
Bank.
Deposits were up $259,911 over
the same date last year. Total re-
sources were $233,396 greater
than at the same time last year.
Assets were lower, however,
than at the January bank call.
That is due, said bank Vice Pres-
TOM LONG
Announces for Office
★ * *>
Tom Long Enters
Democratic Race
For Commissioner
Seminole Cattleman Tom
Long, an 18-year resident of
Gaines County, Thursday an-
nounced his candidacy in the
July 28 Democratic primary
election for the office of Coun-
ty Commissioner of Precinct
One.
The post is now held by
Commissioner E. T. Cornett
who has announced for re-elec-
tion.
Mr. Long, 52, who lives at
501 Ave. E. NW, is the third
candidate to announce opposi-
tion to the incumbent. Others
are R. M. Gentry and Roy Ru-
therford. Commissioner Dis-
trict 1 includes the northeast
portion of Gaines County. Mr.
Long resides outside Seminole
limits in District One.
TEXAS MAY GRAB POLITICAL SPOTLIGHT
Precinct Convention Starts Ball Rolling
By BARNEY THOMPSON
In 1952, the eyes of Texas, and,
Indeed, the nation were focused
upon the presidential nominating
conventions of the Lone Star
State.
And 1956 undoubtedly will
bring a repeat performance.
The part Texas played in the
national arena In Chicago was
formidable—in both the Repub-
lican and Democratic conventions
where Dwlght Eisenhower and
Adlai Stevenson were chosen to
oppose each other In November,
1952.
There probably are few things
outside of war that have the ex-
citement, intrigue and emotion
of a national political convention.
But the national convention is
just the turning of a big wheel
set into motion by the revolu-
tions of a lot of little wheels—the
precinct, county and state con-
ventions. 0
The precinct conventions of
1952 attracted unusual attention,
particularly the Republican con-
ventions. The county conventions
were even more notable. Then,
at Mineral Wells, at the state
convention, nationally known
newspapers and magazines ga-
thered their writers to see hoW
a new crop of Republicans, as-
sisted by Eisenhower Democrats,
fared in attempt to oust from
Texas party control the hide-
bound "country club set" GOP.
It was a virile" tempestuous
battle which did not end Until the
young GOP finally beat out the
Old Guard at the national con-
vention.
In 1956. there is little UkeM-
hood of a real Republican fight.
Democrats, with their party
split, will take the headlines —
headlines that begin with the
precinct conventions May 5. ■
Young and enthusiastic novices
together with seasoned veterans
will take part in the Democratic
conclaves — conservatives on one
hand, liberal-Loyalists on the
other; pro-Allen Shivers forces
versus pro-Lyndon Johnson-Sam
Rayburn forces.
Gaines County's Side
What side Gaines County will
take, how she will vote at the
state convention to have her voice
echoed at the August Chicago na-
tional convention, will be decid;
ed by voters who take time to at-
tend their May 5 precinct con-
ventions in their home communi-
ty.
For it is at the precinct con-
vention where the citizen has his
only — repeat, only — say in
picking a party presidential nom-
inee and forming a party plat-
form.
The precinct conventions will
be called at 2 p.m. May 5 in
Gaines County.
Probably no aspect of politics
needs more attention, planning
and coordination than the pre-
cinct convention because It can
be won or lost In mere minutes.
This year, the Democratic pre-
cinct conventions may be fast and
furious because v.' such issues
at state's rights, ^re^ation,
FEPC, tidelands. foreign policy,
Adding fire will be the person-
ality question of a leader for the
state's delegation to Chicago, and
whether delegates will be in-
structed precisely how to vote at
the national parley or uninstruct-
ed so they may act as on-the-spot
developments Indicate.
Conventions can be explosive.
Decisions begin at the precinct
convention with the
voter.
The voter must attend the pre-
niivji convention to mtilce hi-,
voice heard in the din of the na-
tional convention, and he and his
like-thinkers must win the vot-
ing at the precinct convention.
(The next article of this two-
part series will explain how the
ident J. D. Mitchell, to a season-
al drain on deposits by tax pay-
ers and because in January the
bank had on hand county and
school bond funds which since
have been withdrawn.
In January, ,too, the bank had
on hand municipal and county
tax receipts.
Compared with the same peri-
od last year, Seminole's bank
and banking are in excellent con-
dition and showing progress, Mr.
Mitchell said.
Loans are up $233,396. The to-
tal April 10, 1956, was $973,892
as compared with $740,496 last
year at the same period.
Total resources amounted to
$4,373,994 for April, 1956, and
$4,097,413 In 1955.
Under the resources column,
the bank listed $45,044 in Commo-
dity Credit Corporation loans to
farmers.
Deposits total $4,160,962 for
1956 as compared with $3,901,-
051 in April of last year.
The bank since April of 1955,
has added $10,000 to-its surplus
to bring the total to $75,000, and
undivided profits increased from
$28,911 to $35,581.
, As compared with those of
January, 1956, the April figures
that tin '>a,sk had fl,'
012,6^0 less In depo sits in April.
Assets were $1,005,884 less than
in January.
Loans, however, increased by
$38,828 from $1,466,231 in Janu-
ary to $1,505,059 in April.
The smaller deposit of April
was due largely to withdrawals
of funds by local school and gov
erning bodies. In January their
deposits totaled $2,238,888. In
April the sum was $1,235,928.
<> Property owners within the
Seminole Common Consolidated
School District will go to the
polls Tuesday to ballot on a
$175,000 school bond issue.
County Judge Charles Law-
rence ordered 1,000 ballots for
the election. The voting box will
be in his office at the courthouse.
Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to
7 p.m.
County Commissioners Court
called the election last week upon
receipt of a petition from citizens
asking that the election be held
to provide funds to complete a
projected school improvement
program.
Representatives of oil compan-
ies indorsed the calling of the
election to raise the additionally-
needed $175,000. The oil compan-
ies pay 93 per cent of the school's
taxes.
Several months ago, citizens
voted a $1,075,000 school bond is-
sue to finance a 1,500-seat high
school auditorium, a l,500«eat
gymnasium, a 10-room high
school classroom building and a
four-room unit, a combination
school bus repair and storage
garage and furniture storage fa-
cility, tennis courts and addition-
al storage facilities for the
school cafeteria.
Bids too High
Bids for the construction were
opened week before last and over-
shot the estimated cost by ap-
.08-Inch Rainfall
Recorded in First
Shower of Spring
Seminole Thursday had chalk-
ed down its first precipitation
since the February snows. It was
the first shower of spring.
An east wind Wednesday after
noon nudged into Gaines County
a light shower accompanied by
very light and brief sleeting.
Temperatures, however,, dropped
to only 39 degrees.
Weather Observer Len Dugan
reported .08-inch of precipitation.
He said, however, that at 6 p.m.
Wednesday not enough rain had
fallen to measure. The measura-
ble downfall was after 6 p.m., he
said.
What little precipitation fell
soaked rapidly into thirsty sand
and earth and was not enough to
aid the farmer, Mr. Dugan, a soil
conservationist, said.
"It will help only if we get
more of it," said he.
Seminole residents Wednesday
shivered as the chilled moisture
settled around the city, follow-
ing warm dry days when the tem-
perature hit the 89-degree mark.
The low temperature Thursday
morning was only 35 degrees.
proximately $138,000, not includ-
ing furniture and equipment
costs. * jjjts.-:
School authorities last week
awarded contracts for a portion
of the work, amounting to $1,-
068,156.
The contracts awarded include
most of the construction on the
high school classrooms, auditor-
ium of 1500 seats, and gymna-
sium with 1500 permanent seats
and room for adding 500 pull-out
seats later. It was necessary to
omit some mechanical equip-
ment, lockers, cabinets, and mill
work in the amount of $70,000
from the contracts for high
school classrooms, auditorium,
and gymnasium In order to let
contracts and begin woik with
the amount of money e ailable.
These items were removed from
the original bids by change or-
ders, and provisions are includ-
ed in the contracts by which
these Items can be restored to
the contracts under the original
bid If money is available within
60 or 90 days.
Completion Date Set
Of the $175,000 to come from
the bond issue, $70,000 will be
needed to restore mechanical
equipment, lockers, cabinets, and
mill work to the contract for the
high school classrooms, auditor-'
ium, and gymnasium, $42,535 will
be needed to build storage and
garage for 20 school buses and a
warehouse for rough storage,
$9,600 wiH be used for four ten-
nis courts and backstops, $6,150
is needed to increase the size of
dry storage facilities for the cafe-
teria, and the remaining $46,715
will be used for furniture and
equipment for classrooms, audi-
— See VOTING, page 4
farm matters and numerous oth- precinct convention can be won).
Schedules Set for
New School Season
Seminole School Superintend-
ent Joe Young Thursday an-
nounced the 1956-57 school calen-
dar. The school board approved
the schedule earlier in the week.
School will begin on a Tuesday,
Sept. 4, 1956. First holidays for
the pupils will be Nov. 29 and
30, for Thanksgiving.
Christmas holidays will be
individual 22-Jan. 1, inclusive.
On March 8, 1957, the young-
sters will get a brief breathing
spell when teachers attend the
district meeting of the Texas
State Teachers AsSbciation.
Easter holidays will be on
April 18-22, Inclusive.
Then the year will have been
completed on May 27, 1957, the
date the report cards go out.
Local Farm Group
To be Host for
Farm Bureau Meet
The Gaines County Farmers
and Stockmen Association will
play host Tuesday to the 23-coun-
ty district meeting of the Texas
Farm Bureau, officials announc-
ed Thursday.
The quarterly session will be
held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the
Seminole Community Building.
H. E. Mather, president of the
host group, will preside.
Speakers for the meeting will
include Texas Farm Bureau Vice
President C. H. DeVaney of Coa-
homa and Dawson County farm
Bureau President Fred Raney of
Lamesa. Mr. DeVaney will report
on a recent state bureau direc-
tors' meeting in Waco and Mr.
Raney will report on activities of
the sti>te group's commodity com
mittee. • IP*Pr$
'■! V...VV '.W
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Thompson, Barney. The Seminole Sentinel (Seminole, Tex.), Vol. 49, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 19, 1956, newspaper, April 19, 1956; Seminole, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth416252/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Gaines County Library.