The Nocona News (Nocona, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 27, 1988 Page: 1 of 21
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Montague County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Friends of the Nocona Public Library.
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© AU Contents Copyrighted 1988
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Thursday, October 27,1988
Volume 83, No. 20
Thirty-five Cents
Fourteen Pages
—Photo by Linda Mesler
Helpful Suggestions
Tom Merritt of the North Texas Regional Planning Commission joined other speakers Tuesday night in
outlining the different programs projects and grants the commission administers each year. The public forum
was hosted by the Nocona Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Montague County Economic
Development Team, the three Chambers of Commerce in the county and Cooke County College.
No charges filed
on Harlow inquiry
By Tracy R. Mesler
MONTAGUE — There will be no
felony charges filed in relation to ac-
tivities at Harlow’s Children’s Ranch
as investigators were “not statisfied
that guilt beyond a responsible double
can be established upon the evidence
available.*'
Late last week Dist. Atty. Jack
McGaughey of Nocona released a two
page statement noting the findings of
an investigation into the events sur-
rounding the closing of the resident
treatment center on the western shores
of Lake Nocona.
The Texas Dept, of Human Serv-
ices investigated the ranch twice this
past summer, once in July and later in
August The latter included on-site
inspections by State Building Inspec-
tors and the State Fire Marshall’s
Office.
Mrs. Freeda Harlow, co-foundcr of
the facility, voluntarily surrendered
the facilities’ state licenses to treat
emotionally disturbed teenagers in a
residence facility.
State officials pointed out that the
facility would have lost its license if it
had not surrendered it.
A summation of the state’s report,
released in September, said investiga-
tors found a number of violations of
state licensing requirements, the
facility’s own license and state health
and safety codes.
Additionally, incidents of possible
Halloween will be officially cele-
brated in Nocona Saturday, Oct. 29, to
better enable children of all ages to
enjoy the evening without the worry
of a school/work day the following
morning.
Mayor Mary Lee Nix issued the
proclamation Friday.
“Whereas, many years ago Octo-
ber 31 was declared as Halloween
Day.
“Whereas, the City of Nocona,
Texas, has many children to celebrate
Halloween Day,
“Whereas, for the convenience of
school children and parents, I, Mary
Lee Nix, Mayor of the City of Nocona,
Texas, do hereby this day set Satur-
day, October 29,1988, for children to
“TYick or Treat” as Halloween Day.”
The Mayor's proclamation lends
support to a number of activities al-
ready planned for that day.
The Nocona Lions Club will be
child abuse were noted in the state
report.
“It should be understood that the
purpose of the review by the District
Attorney’s office was to determine
whether any of the conduct described
in the reports amounted to violations
of the Texas Penal Code relating to
assault or physical abuse of minors,”
McGaughey’s release noted.
“The investigation did not address
questions of non-assaultive offenses,
and these are not the subject of the
reports obtained from the Texas Dept,
of Human Services.
“The reports focus on conduct by
six persons employed by Harlow’s
Children’s Ranch at various times.
Seventeen possible assaultive offenses
raised by the interviews were evalu-
ated.
“In the one case where there were
multiple witnesses to an employee
striking a child, the employee did so in
the context of a continuing assault by
the child upon the employee. In the
circumstances presented, the actions
of the employee demonstrate an argu-
able case of sei f-defense that would be
supported by most of the children who
were witnesses.”
According to his statement, the DA
concentrated his investigation on the
review of an 81 page report by the
Child Care Investigator of the Resi-
dential Child Care Licensing Division
of the DHS. Included in that report
operating its Halloween Carnival that
evening at the Community Center.
There will be refreshments avail-
able as the Lions operate a number of
different game booths for the enjoy-
ment of all.
The Nocona Retail Merchants
Association and the Nocona Chamber
of Commerce will join together to host
the Second Annual Halloween Cos-
tume Contest Saturday.
The Chamber of Commerce
Witches will be serving Witches’ Brew
around 1 p.m.
Merchants will be trick or treating
throughout the day.
In the costume contests prizes will
be given for the Funniest, Scariest and
Most Original in the following age
divisions: under 2,3 and 4 years old, 5
and 6 years old, 7 to 9 years old, lOto
13 years old and 14 and over.
The Pumpkin Decorating is for 10
Please See 'Ween* Page 2
was interviews with more than 30
people. No additional, or follow-up
interviews were apparently conducted.
“We are satisfied with the thor-
oughness of the interviews and with
the procedures followed, to the extent
that further interviews with those
named are not deemed necessary,” the
DA’s announcement continued.
“As to the remaining incidents
reviewed, only two involve cases
where the alleged assaultive conduct
was witnessed by persons other than
the employee and the alleged victim.
In both instances, the accounts of the
owners(sic) witnesses, whether of
children or of other employees, are
substantially different, leaving doubt
as to the accuracy of the story told by
the alleged victim.
“Some incidents recited in the re-
port come from children who alleg-
edly witnessed assaults on other chil-
dren. None of these reports have been
corroborated by the purported victims.
These accounts were therefore dis-
counted.
“All other cases reviewed present
cases of alleged assault witnessed by
no one other than the alleged victim.
No physical evidence to corroborate
the assaults was noted by anyone else,
and the credibility of all the alleged
victims is a matter of concern due to
past histories of the particular chil-
dren.
“Based on this review, no indict-
ments for felony offenses will be pre-
sented against any adult associated
with Harlow’s Children’s Ranch.
While prima facie cases can be made
merely from the uncorroborated state-
ments of some of the children, we are
not satisfied that guilt beyond a rea-
sonable doubt can be establi shed upon
the evidence available. Absent com-
pelling evidence of guilt, no prosecu-
tion will be initiated.
“It should be noted in passing that
while some allegations of sexual be-
havior among the children exist in the
report, none of the accounts come from
participants in or witnesses to the
behavior.
“This evaluation docs not concern
other allegations in the report of the
Texas Dept of Human Services con-
cerning numerous and repeated viola-
tions of Department regulations gov-
erning such homes. While these are
amply documented, none of the viola-
tions per se involves the commission
of a felony offense. Nothing in this
statement is meant to dispute the find-
ings of the Department about condi-
tions existing in the Home prior to its
closing.”
Shop Nocona
Groups prepare to
celebrate Halloween
Trade-in questioned:
County buys SO 2 cars
By Tracy R. Mesler
MONTAGUE — Two new police
cars were ordered Monday for the
Montague County Sheriffs Dept.
But efforts to secure a new vehicle
for the District Attorney ’ s investigator
were rejected for readvertisement when
commissioners expressed concerns
over the failure of the bidder to list a
value for the trade-in.
The commissioners had a relatively
quick, uneventful meeting Monday
morning — until they opened bids for
the investigator’s car.
When Larry Slack Ford bid $ 14,165
for a 1989 LTD Crown Victoria,
commissioners quickly moved to table
the item. “Whew, that’s higher than
the police cars,” opinioned Comm.
Bud Blankenship.
DA’s Investigator Paul Smith ad-
vised thecommissioncrs “there will be
a trade-in.” But, Comm. Milton
Hopkins quickly pointed out that the
trade-in allowance was not included in
the bid, something the commissioners
did not look favorably upon.
“No sir,” Smith responded, “that
(value) was to be determined at the
time that the new vehicle was to be
delivered.” Smith currently drives a
1985 Chevrolet with in excess of
104,000 miles.
Commissioners then opened four
bids for two new “police package”
patrol cars for the Sheriffs Dept. (The
cars were rebid this month when only
two bids were received, at the Oct. 10
meeting.)
Larry Slack Ford bid $13,655.50
per unit, with spotlights, or $13,500
per unit without spotlights.
Bill Bates Chevrolet in Iowa Park
bid $ 13,999.99 on two 1988 units. The
1989’s could not be delivered until
April or May, the bidder noted.
”/ can't explain the
difference other than
this Is a standard car
with certain items
added to it,” investiga-
tor Paul Smith.
Ron Roberts Ford in Wichita Falls
bid $13,324 for two cars.
And Lipscomb Chevrolet-Olds in
Nocona bid $15,815.65 per unit.
(Karl Klemcnts of Decatur had bid
$13,338.55 earlier this month but did
not rebid. Slack bid $13,872 per car in
the first letting.)
At Sheriff Glen Whalley’s recom-
mendation for local servicing, thccourt
awarded the bid to Larry Slack Ford in
Bowie for two units without spotlights.
The Sheriff had budgeted $ 13,500 each
for two new cars.
Returning to the subject of the
investigator’s unit, commissioners
reiterated their inability to understand
why a “police package” car equipped
with heavy duly everything would cost
less than a street car.
“I can ’ t explain the di fference other
than this is a standard car with certain
items added to it,” Smith said.
“We have absolutely no need for a
police package at all,” Smith repeat-
edly slated as he appeared to compare
the specifications for the two different
bids. “The only thing different is the
police package,” Smith said at one
point.
Concerned over the lack of a stated
trade-in allowance, the commission-
ers voted to reject the bid and readver-
lise the item.
An examination of the bid specifi-
cations for the “police package” and
the “standard car with certain items
added” showed that the specs for the
DA ’ s car cal led for the sa me si zc motor
as was included in the “police pack-
age” as well as heavy duty alternator,
battery and other items also found on
the police package but considered
extras on the “standard car.”
The specifications for the
investigator’s car also included “plush
cushion scats,” a lilt steering wheel,
cruise control and an AM/FM/Stereo
radio. The “police package” did not
include any of those items other than
an an AM/FM radio.
Montague County will split the cost,
minus the allowance for the trade-in,
with Clay and Archer Counties. Mon-
tague County will fund approximately
51% of the purchase.
Varsity volleyball players Jill Rogers, Katie Frushour, Christi Walker, Leigh Ann Beckham and Christi May
receive congratulations after defeating the Holliday Eagles in straight games Tuesday. The girls locked up the
District Championship with a perfect 4-0 record. The Lady Indians advance to bi-district in Class AA
competition for the fourth year in a row.
Beautifying downtown-
Students tackle civic work
educational purposes. small for the first year or two, will
The focal point of the lot will be the grow representing the growth of pride
city’s Christmas Tree that the Cham- that Nocona’s will hopefully take in
bcr sponsors each year. The tree, while
Bowie's 1 st Nat'l
looks to Nocona
Seventh and eighth grade students
taking part in the Texas Future Com-
munity Problem Solvers have tackled
a beautification project for Nocona as
their program for 1988-89.
The Problem Solvers is a statewide
program to encourage young people to
become involved with their
community’s needs. The Nocona
Chamber of Commerce suggested the
students become involved in one of
the Chamber’s programs: Keep No^
cona Beautiful.
A number of other students have
joined the seventh and eighth mem-
bers of the gifted and talented program
brining to 23 to number trying to
convert a vacant lot between the Justin
Leathergoods building and Toys and
Gifts into a downtown park.
After listening to Co. Extension
Agent Rayford Pullen, the students
decided to make it a specimen lot of
Xeriscaping—using water conserva-
tion techniques when landscaping. The
students plan to use all seven tech-
niques of Xeriscaping which includes
Before the first of the year, First
National Bank of Bowie hopes to have
a branch operation in Nocona bringing
the community’s financial institution
population to four.
“We feel like we’re pan of No-
cona,” commented Joe Probst, Presi-
dent of FNB-B. “You know Nocona’s
a good area, and we’re interested in
being more of a pan of it”
The county’s largest financial in-
stitution published a notice last week
to lease the location to the Bowie bank.)
There is a 30 day waiting period for
public comments, favorable or unfa-
vorable, on the application, Probst said.
After that period, the Comptroller
of the Currency will examine the
application, the comments j then
determine if the branch location will
be approved.
“They are supposed to be fairly
speedy (in reviewing the application),”
Probst said when asked how long the
process should take.
As far as who would be the branch
officers, “We’ve got to get the branch
before we can do that,” the institution’s
president said.
“We have a number of customers in
Nocona and want to be more conven-
ient to serve them,” the FNB-B presi-
dent explained.
using trees, shrubs and grasses that
have low water requirements.
The students have added an eighth
technique to the list water collection,
in order to irrigate the lot. Each tech-
nique and plant will be identified for
in The Nocona News that it was apply-
ing with the Comptroller of the Cur-
rency to open a branch location on
EastU.S. Hwy. 82 in the old Georgia's
Restaurant building. (Interestingly
enough, the structure was recently
acquired by F&M National Bank of
Nocona in a forclosure action and sold
to a private individual whom is hoping
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Mesler, Tracy R. & Mesler, Linda L. The Nocona News (Nocona, Tex.), Vol. 83, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, October 27, 1988, newspaper, October 27, 1988; Nocona, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1209609/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 15, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Friends of the Nocona Public Library.