The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 4, 1990 Page: 1 of 30
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Tragedies And Prison Dominate News
Tragedy stuck its ugly head up more times
than community residents would like to remem-
ber in 1989, claiming the lives of outstanding
young residents.
On a positive note, the Swisher County prison
was "signed, sealed and delivered" in October.
When the 500-bed facility is completed and
filled with inmates — possibly in late 1990 —
approximately 100 jobs will become available.
From an agricultural standpoint, 1989 was a
mixed bag. Drought conditions started the year
off on a sour note by creating an extremely short
w heat crop and drastically curtailing grazing.
The situation did not improve as spring
storms devastated numerous acres of cropland.
Cotton acreage was trimmed to a minimum, and
other crops were damaged, but grain sorghum
and soybean acreage was more sizeable than
normal, some alternate crops such as pinto
beans were planted.
Cotton yields, for the most part, were not
good due to the harsh spring conditions and a
September "cold snap" Which created a freeze in
many areas. Early-planted gram sorghum gen-
erally produced well ana com yields were re-
garded as "average."
Enthusiasm was generated as plans for
Swisher County's centennial anniversary—and
July Picnic celebration—in 1990 began to de-
velop.
Following are highlights of the past year from
The Tulia Herald's files, listed in chronological
order:
Jan. 5 issue—Swisher gins process 42,031
bales from '88 crop. Seven officials sworn in
Jan. 2 were: Charles Feaglcy, constable; Paul
Scarborough, sheriff; Marie Hutto Rucker, jus-
tice of the peace; Harvey Foster, commissioner,
Precinct Three; Shirley Whitehead, county tax
•assessor-collector; Terry D. McEachem, dis-
trict attorney, 64th Judicial District; and French
McGavock, commissioner, Precinct One.
Florene M. (Flo) Shuflin assumes duties on Jan.
3 as Panhandle Community Services center
coordinator for Briscoe, Swisher and Castro
counties, succeeding Nell Mays. Wanda Alex-
ander and Jo Ann Rice honored with a reception
upon their retirement from the ASCS office.
Local death: Roxie Ellen Drake, 85.
Jan. 12 issue—Andy Castellon, bom at 3:21
p.m. Jan. 4 to Nancy Castellon, was the first '89
infant bom at Swisher Memorial Hospital. He
was delivered by Dr. Steve Jones. Danny
Johnson, manager of Mid-Plains Rural Tele-
phone Co-op, Inc., is elected president of Tulia
Chamber of Commerce, succeeding Kaci Jones.
Kress is finding industry at home by allowing
use of the school's facilities and equipment for a
furniture manufacturing pilot project. United
Way Campaign fund drive concludes with
$ 12,700. Tulia Livestock Auction sales running
full as cattle come off wheat pasture. Local
deaths: Roy Pycatt, 77; Alice Ergenbright, 84.
Jan. 19 issue—Grand champion animal
Continued on Page Five
(F
A peak inside>...
•County, local livestock shows
around the corner.' Page 2
•Swisher cotton gins handle
only 9,413 bales. Page 3
•Registration Thursday for A C
classes in Tulia. Page 3
•Hornets, Cowboys play in
overtime thriller. Page 6
The Tulib Herald®
* * * COVERING SWISHER COUNTY LIKE THE SUNSHINE * * *
LOr
1
VOL. 82, NO. 1
ONE SECTION
THE TULIA (Swisher County) HERALD
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1990
in *•
<L «n 1c n n i a 1
1890 1990
ToVI
H l}\ A £
•ft %
Love Fund Helps Over 700
County Assistance Program Continues To Grow
DOWN WITH THE OLD! — A farm house, two other buildings and a
train car located on the future prison site were razed and the debris
was burned last week before workmen started "stripping dirt" on the
site this week. Remains of the farm house are shown being burned,
with the H. A. Lott, inc., headquarters trailer visible in the background.
Charlie Clark, construction superintendent for the Lott construction
firm on the Swisher County prison, said that dirt stripping was under-
way at mid-week and heavy equipment will be utilized later in the week
to build the pad for the foundation. Clark said concrete work is
tentatively scheduled to begin '"about the first of March, depending on
the weather." A representative of the architectural firm paid his
second monthly visit last Tuesday. — Staff photo
Country Editor
ALTHOUGH SWISHER COUNTY
farmers came up short on wheat and
cotton crops, Sw isher people of all vo-
cations and professions shared gener-
ously with the people in need through
the Christmas Love Fund.
This was also reflected in the Meth-
odist church budget. We not only made
our budget but made the bank payments
on remodeling the old church building.
All this is to say that Swisher people
give for the most important needs.....to
help their neighbors and their churches.
May the Lord bless you all!
•
THE COMMUNITY OF HAPPY
ami Hoi Ed Tolcs made the Dallas
Morning News on December 24. The
regular column of "Kent Bifflc’s Texana
reports a recent trip to Happy ami inter-
view with Hoi Ed.
The winning ways of the Nazareth
school system's athletes is also men-
tioned in the article.
This interesting article is reprinted on
Page Two.
SOME PEOPLE REACH THE
PEAK OF their career early. Front page
story on the front of the Lubbock Ava-
lanche Journal Friday morning edition
about the Texas Tech All American
Bowl was written by Tuba's Don Wil-
liams.
Don, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clayton
Williams, worked here at The Herald
when in high school, went on to Midland
College, then graduated at Texas Tech
Mass Communications department,
then to work for the Avalanche Journal
sports department, July, 1988.
If memory serves me right, Don was
Valedictorian of the 1983 graduating
class here.
We re all just mighty proud of Don ..
. and the Tech Red Raiders.
•
MY NEIGHBOR DON STRINGER
always cheers for Tech when the Raid-
ers play the Baylor Bears and 111 kc to gig
him ,iU'ut not being loyal to the Bap-
tists. Although I didn’t graduate from
By Wendell Tooley
Duke, it is considered a Methodist
school and I was for the Raiders all the
way.
One thing sorta bothers me as a Meth-
odist . . . .Duke football players arc
known as the "Blue Devils." I don’t
believe in the devil, I believe in Jesus
Christ!
•
ON OUR EDITORIAL page this
ediuon Canadian Record editor Ben
Ezzell tells why he won’t support Cana-
dian Dick Watcrfield in his seeking the
office of U. S. Representative Bill Sar-
palius.
Ben is saying, "we just get Dick
trained for the State Legislature (two
terms) and now he wants to begin as a
rookie in the U.S. Congress. In the
Continued on Page Two
Little Dribblers Off To Fast
Start; Big Day On Saturday
County youngsters in third through sixth grades have until today
(Thursday, Jan. 4) to complete enrollment to participate in the 1990 Little
Dribblers program.
This Saturday will be a "big day" for the program’s kickoff with the
following agenda:
11 a.m. — Coaches meeting in the Extension Meeting Room at
Courthouse Annex.
12 noon — All interested parents, youth and coaches invited to
covered dish luncheon in the Extension Meeting Room.
1 p.m. — All third and fourth grade youth who have not previously
been involved in Little Dribblers will meet at Crackerbox Gym (Tulia
Junior High) for skill tryout session.
1:45 p.m. — Skill tryout session in Crackerbox Gym for fifth and sixth
grade youth who have not previously been in the older league or on a
team.
2:30 p.m. — Final team draft, coaches only, in Extension Meeting
Room.
A complete Little Dribblers overview by Paula Pitt appears on Page
Three.
Democratic Primary Will
Involve County Contests
When the filing deadline passed at 6 p.m. Tuesday, three Swisher County
officials found themselves with opponents in the Democratic Primary, a tno of
incumbents have no opposiuon and a candidate emerged for the unexpired term as
constable, an office which is not presently filled.
All county candidates are running on the Democratic ticket, which means the
issues will be settled in the March 13 primary .
Vying for the position of district and county clerk arc Nancy Bartram and Pat
Wesley. Candidates for justice of the peace are Monica Anstcy and Marie Rucker.
In the third county contest, l^arry P. Lindeman and W. C. (Buzz) Weathcrrcd are
seeking the office of commissioner in Precinct Four.
Wesley, Rucker and Weathcrred are incumbents.
Veteran peace officer Weldon Smith is the lone candidate for constable. This
is the only local position w hich is not for full, four-year terms.
Incumbents seeking re-election sans primary opposition arc Jay Johnson,
county judge; Lancll Dovel, county treasurer; and A. G. House, commissioner of
Precinct Two.
The following have filed for Swisher County Democratic Party positions:
Palsy Johnson, county chairperson; Mike Cothran, Precinct One chairperson;
Mona Borchardt Precinct Two chairperson; Vcm T. Lavender, Precinct Three
chairperson; Ross O’Danicl, Precinct Four chairperson; and the following voting
box chairpersons: Famk Tirey, Precinct Two, Box Seven; Helen Norwood.
Precinct Two, Box Nine; Ray Tomsu Jr., Precinct Three, Box 10; Joe Cliff Reed,
Precinct Four, Box Six; Milton Laune, Precinct Four, Box 11; and Gwen Bennett,
Precinct Four, Box 12.
Estimated 75 To 80 Percent Of
Disaster Applications Received
"As a "ballpark figure," Bobby (Cobb) Adams believes
that disaster assistance applications have been received by the
ASCS office on 75 to 80 percent of the eligible Swisher
cropland. Some producers wailed until after Jan. 1 to make
application due to income tax considerations.
The CED (county executive director) of the Swisher
County ASCS office said "probably 35 percent" of the total
disaster payments in this county are in the hands of producers.
This includes "virtually all" land on which no replacement
crops were planted.
Disaster checks arc issued "within 30 days after all the
forms arc filed," Adams said.
REPLACEMENT CROPS HAVE LESS
IMPACT THAN ANTICIPATED
"They’re not really affecting us as badly as I had
thought," Adams said of replacement crops planted on ghost
acres.
He explained that farmers are not being penalized on
disaster payments for replacement crop irrigated milo yields
of 2,428 pounds or less per acre or dryland grain sorghum
yields of 1,100 pounds or less.
• The CED pointed out that "so many different things can
It’s people helping people, the
Swisher County Love Fund which
grows by leaps and bounds each year.
"We had approximately 725 recipi-
ents—including over 260 families,”
according to a leader w ho explained that
"it increased about 100 this year; we
helped 627 people the previous year."
Recipients reside in Tulia, Kress,
Happy, Vigo Park and Claytonville.
No one could attempt to place a dollar
figure on the assistance offered as
county residents literally opened their
hearts and their pocketbooks.
"Approximately S5,000" in cash was
contributed, including $2,000 from the
Redmon Foundation. On Tuesday, there
were "a few dollars still to come in.”
An estimated 500 "Angels" provided
"Christmas" in the form of clothing and
toys for individual children.
In addition, many citizens brought in
"really nice clothing." The quality of
donated clothing "was much better"
than in previous years. Individuals de-
livered canned food, a junior high dance
produced approximately 50 cans of
food, "two little fourth grade girls col-
lected food in their neighborhood and
brought in two big sacks" and food came
from other sources.
There were other special gifts: a beef,
"cut, wrapped and packaged"; turkeys’
chips; toys; sweaters; coloring books;
sacks and boxes were donated by indi-
viduals and businesses.
"We attempted to have at least one
package of meat in each sack," thanks to
the beef donor, volunteers said. "We
also put boxes of cereal in each sack."
DISTRIBUTION POINT
The Hutto building, offered by Marie
apply on a given farm" when disaster payments arc calculated.
In many cases, replacement crop yields must be considered on
land from which disaster assistance will be received from the
original crop.
Due to the complexities, ASCS personnel are "double
checking everything" before issuing disaster payments on
each farm.
April 2 is the deadline for disaster applications.
"We’re in pretty good shape," Adams told The Herald.
"We're plugging along; we’re not too far behind."
SIGNING PERIOD NEARS
Registration for participation in the 1990 farm program
starts Jan. 16 and conunucs until April 13.
Adams said he and his staff have been unable to assist
Swisher producers a great deal with the new year program
because "we don't have the projected deficiency rates for 1990
program crops." The CED "hopes we receive these late this
week or early next week."
He noted that his staff is "a little behind" in supplying
producers with base and yield information for the 1990
program. "We hope to send out these notices before the sign-
Continued on Page Two
Ik/I
WELDON SMITH
Weldon Smith Seeks
Constable Office
Weldon Smith has authorized The
Tulia Herald to announce his candidacy
for the unexpired term of Swisher
County constable, subject to the Demo-
cratic Primary.
"With my background of 33 years in
law enforcement, I believe 1 am well
suited for the constable posiuon," Smith
said.
He was associated with Tulia Police
Department for 14 1/2 years, serving as
chief of police for all but six months of
that time, and was a member of the
Swisher County Sheriffs Department
for 6 1/2 years.
Previously a Swisher County resi-
dent. he returned to Tulia in 1968 and
has resided here since.
Smith is asking for the public's vote
and support of his candidacy.
Hutto Rucker, was the collecuon and
distribution point. Approximately 65
volunteers, represenung "all ages and
all races," assisted with the distribuuon
and the final sack w'as delivered "around
midnight" Friday, L>cc. 22.
Gift certificates were delivered ihc
follow ing day and "a few more through-
out the holidays."
"Over S2,000 in food, clothing and
toy certificates" were given to deserving
individuals, including 40 food certifi-
cates delivered to senior citizens and
handicapped individuals unaLi: to go to
the distribution point.
These gift certificates were in $10
denominations, redeemable at local
stores.
PRIORITY ON CHILDREN
AND SENIOR CITIZENS
The Love Fund priority is to serve the
needs of children and senior citizens.
Food, clothing and toys arc number one
needs which the organization strives to
provide.
Surplus funds are utilized to help
defray utility bills in critical situations.
In an attempt to serve the most press-
ing needs, applications arc monitored
Continued on Page Four
Two Babies Born
Earlv In Year
The new year—and the new
decade—were still young w hen the
first two infants were bom at
Swisher Memorial Hospital.
A son was bom at 1:20 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 1, to Marcy and Billy
Joe Roys of Flomot. He weighed 4
pounds, 2 1/4 ounces at birth.
Monday night, the premature
infant was transferred to Northwest
Texas Hospital in Amanllo due to
"respiratory distress."
Chris and Juanita Padilla of 611
North Briscoe in Tulia became
parents at 9:54 a m. Tuesday, Jan.
2, of a daughter weighing 6 pounds,
15 1/2 ounces. She was 19 3/4
inches long.
Mrs. Padilla said her first child
was unnamed at press time.
Andres Gonzales of Tulia was
"disappointed" when his great-
granddaughter did not arrive on his
birthday, which is Jan. 1.
The Padilla infant’s grandmoth-
ers are Sara Delgado and Andrea
Muniz, both of Tulia.
Dr. L. S. Foreman delivered both
the Roys and Padilla offspring.
ARRAY OF GIFTS
Tulia firms arc providing an ar-
ray of gifts to the first child from
this trade territory bom in 1990 at
Swisher Memorial Hospital
Gifts for the Padilla child and
businesses making them possible
are: one pair of infant shoes. Dam
non Shoes; one case of baby food.
Joe Bob’s IGA; one case of Gerber
baby food, B&R Thriftway; crisp
$20 bill. First National Bank; a
newborn sleeper, J-Gee Depart
ment Store; a Johnson's baby gift
set. City Drug Store; a 5x7 color
portrait of mother and child. Mem-
ory M aker; $ 10 worth of free c lc an -
ing, Shirley's; Gerber s nursing set
and Tulia Hornet plush teddy bear.
Tulia Health Mart.
(Due to the time of the baby's
arrival, it was not possible to proc-
ess her photo in time for this week's
issue. The photo will appear i>n the
front page of next week's Herald.)
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Tooley, Wendell. The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 82, No. 1, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 4, 1990, newspaper, January 4, 1990; Tulia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth507252/m1/1/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Swisher County Library.