The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 126, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 17, 1974 Page: 1 of 12
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'Round
T 0 w H
With
Mrs.
Roundabout
Many persons have shared
the belief that only by looking
to the past can we appreciate
the present and plan for the
future. Rusk has entered an
era of looking back with the
intention of preserving that
which remains for posterity.
On this premise, the hope for
the development of tourism
rests.
Newspapers have long been
recognized for their role as
recorders or chroniclers of
history. Research for the
genealogy of your Cherokeean
has provided many bits of
interesting information about
the growth of this area and its
people. For the next several
weeks, this column will share
with its readership some of
these research gleanings.
Joseph Addison Clark es-
tablished the Rusk Pioneer
when the town was barely one
year old. The edition of that
publication dated Aug. 8, 1849
contains an editorial in which
Clark announced, "A heavy
emigration is expected to this
state during the approaching
fall and winter. We hear of
many who design coming to
our own county."
In his Chamber of Com-
merce style promotion. Clark
advised his readers of the
many advantages to be found
in Cherokee County. He noted
the abundant crops of corn and
the availability of fine land
"which may be purchased
cheap." lie also pointed out the
advantages of good schools,
good society and many other
privileges and enjoyments
rarely to be found elsewhere
than in an old settled country."
Clark spoke of the excellent
water and healthful living
conditions.
The Pioneer editor also
advocated the navigation of the
Trinity River and suggested its
development for the trans-
portation problem which was
then "wagoned to the Red
River." He noted that the
Trinity was only a "two days
drive with an ox team"
distance and the road was
excellent.
The ambitious editor, whose
sons. Addison and Randolph,
were to later establish the
school now known as Texas
Christian University, also re-
ported that silver had been
found in Cherokee County.
"There see ms to be little doubt
of its being genuine silver ore.
On extracting the metal from
one half pound of the ore it
yielded one half ounce of
silver." He indicated that the
quantity and quality was still a
matter for exploration.
This edition of the Rusk
Pioneer also reported a
meeting of Euclid Lodge. No.
45. which had been held in the
Masonic Hall in the Town of
Rusk on the 4th day of August
A.D. 1849. A.L. 5849. In the
meeting. T. C. Scales had
submitted a resolution of
praise to the late James K.
Polk, President of the United
States. The resolution called
for the Lodge members to wear
"the usual badge of mourning
for thirty days." B. B. Cannon
was the secretary of the Lodge
at Rusk in 1849.
This issue of the Rusk
Pioneer contains more in-
formation of entertainment
than might be expected,
perhaps reflecting a necessary
counter balance to the difficul-
ties of life in those early years
of East Te* as' civilization. One
such short paragraph reads:
"A gentleman having present-
ed his church with the Ten
Commandments, it was wittily
said that he gave them away
because he couldn't keep them
himself."
In keeping with the news-
paper's traditional role of
supporting its area, we add this
reminder: Be sure to attend
the annual membership ban-
quet of the Rusk Chamber of
Commerce tonight!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
I EDITORIAL PAGE PG.2f
¡¡SURVEY PLANS PG.6
| FARM NEWS PG fl|
I
CLASSIFIEDS W} ,0|
14c PER ISSUE
The Cherokeean
SERVING RUSK
WITH DISTINCTION
FOR 126 YEARS
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper, Established As The Pioneer July 5, 1847
VOL. 126
RISK. TEXAS. THURSDAY. JANUARY 17. 1974
12 PAGES
NUMBER 33
Rusk Bank
Names New
Director
Donald H. Clayton. Rusk
businessman, has been elected
to the Board of Directors of
Citizens State Bank, following
their annual shareholders
meeting Jan 15. James I.
Perkins Jr., bank president,
made the announcement, "We
are proud to have as a director
a man who combines the
outstanding attributes of
character, leadership and
outstanding business ability as
does Mr. Clayton. He will give
leadership to our bank and we
will be better able to serve our
customers."
Clayton was employed for 13
years with Kimbell Wholesale
Grocery Company in San
Antonio, Del RÍo and Tyler
prior to moving to Rusk in 1954.
He owned and operated
Clayton Feed and Supply
Company in Rusk for 1954 to
1961 and from 1961 until 1964 he
was engaged in ranching.
From 1964 to 1970 Clayton was
national sales manager for
Williams Manufacturing
Company in Arlington. He
founded and operated Clayton-
Isaiics Mobile Home Sales Inc.
in R;isk from November 1, 1970
until November 1, 1973.
Mr. and Mrs. Clayton have
two sons, Don Clayton, Jr. of
Arlington and Lawrence Clay-
ton of Clyde.
The newly-elected director is
a Baptist deacon and serves on
the Board of Trustees of the
First Baptist Church in Ru&k
and is a director of the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce.
Following his election as
director, Clayton stated that he
appeciates the opportunity to
serve on the Board of Directors
of Citizens State Bank. "I have
been a customer of the Citizens
State Bank for 20 years and
have always found them to be
friendly, courteous, efficient
and very helpful in our
business dealings."
Members of the board of the
Rusk bank are James I.
Perkins, Henry D. Westbrook,
Morinne T. Perkins, Wilma P.
Jorgensen, T. B. Jorgensen,
Dr. James V. Fisher, R. G.
Thompson Jr., E. R. Gregg Jr.,
Glenn A. Miller, H. E. Pryor
and Clayton.
TO OBSERVE ARBOR DAY--Members of the
Rusk Garden Club will be planting crepe
myrtle trees at Rusk three nursing homes
next week in observation of Arbor Day.
Bid Call Expected
Getting the project off to a start are, left to
right. Mrs. L.T. Guenzel, Mrs. W.E. Hurt,
Mrs. J.W. Summers and Mrs. Joe Sales.
--staff photo
Plans and specifications for
Phase I Buildings at the Rusk
City Park were approved by
the Rusk City Parks Board
Tuesday night. Submitted by
Stuart Lambert, architect, the
plans will now be presented to
the Texas Department of
Parks and Wildlife for ap-
proval.
"With their acceptance, we
will be ready to call for bids on
three major buildings," states
Gene Kelley, chairman. These
are the activity center, shower
building and group shelter.
In a two and one half hour
session, the board covered a
long agenda which included the
review of an ordinance to
Rep. Whitehead Is Named
To State Finance Committee
Donald Clayton
Rusk Boys
Receive
Honors
Two Rusk High School
football players, Mark Middle-
ton and Keily Philbrick. have
been named to the second team
of the All East Texas team,
selected by East Texas sports-
writers.
Middleton, an offensive
guard, is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Bill Middleton and
Philbrick, a linebacker, is the
son of Mrs M. R. Philbrick and
the late Mr Philbrick.
Doyle Brooks, athletic Dir-
ector, expressed congratula
lions to the two boys for the
"fine honor "
AUSTIN-State Rep.
Emmett H. Whitehead, Dis-
trict 15 delegate to the Texas
Constitutional Convention, was
named Friday to the powerful
Finance Committee which will
recommend taxation and
spending provisions for the
state, possibly for the next 100
years.
Whitehead was appointed to
the 25-member committee by
House Speaker Price Daniel,
Jr.. elected Tuesday to serve
as president of the Convention,
the first to be held in Texas
since the current constitution
was written in 1876.
Rep. Neil Caldwell of Alvin.
chairman of the House Ap-
propriations Committee for the
63rd Legislature, was named
chairman of the Finance
Committee. Whitehead is
currently serving on the
Appropriations Committee.
"1 am proud that the
leadership of the Convention
has shown the confidence in me
to appoint me to this important
committee." Whitehead com-
mented.
The Finance Committee will
make recommendations to the
full 181-delegate Convention
regarding Article VIII of the
constitution. This article
includes sections on property
tax exemptions, the State
Highway Fund, restriction of
state indebtedness and ap-
propriations for state institu-
tions. universities, and others.
Related provisions which
will likely come before the
committee include the Per-
manent University Fund and
the problem of public school
financing.
The proposed constitution
drafted by the Texas Constitu-
tional Revision Commission
will be used as a framework for
the new state charter
"I plan to work long, hard
hours as a member of the
Finance Committee,"
Whitehead said, "and I invite
the people of District 15
(Cherokee, Houston, Leon and
Limestone counties) to give me
the benefit of their thinking as
the committee hearings pro-
gress.
"I have always relied on the
people when I've made impor-
tant decisions in the past as a
member of the Legislature,"
Whitehead added. "I realize
that serving as a delegate to
the Convention charged with
the task of rewriting our Texas
Constitution is possibly the
most important responsibility I
will have in my lifetime and I
welcome the views of my
constituents."
Four File
For County
Commissioner
The race for County Com-
missioner. Precinct 2 has
drawn four candidates for the
Democratic Primary with the
deadline for filing still three
weeks away.
Pete James, incumbent, has
chosen not to seek re-election.
Candidates who have filed
for the office with John Robert
Adamson. Democratic chair-
man. are O. B. "Toby"
Sartain, Morris Dixon. Johnny
W. "Billy" Cates and Lloyd
Collins.
The only other persons who
have filed with Adamson are T.
R. Perkins, incumbent. Com-
missioner, Precinct 4 and R L.
Banks, incumbent. County
School Superintendent.
Other county offices to be
voted on in the May 4 primary
are county judge, county clerk,
county treasurer, district
attorney,district clerk, ail tour
See ELECTION Pg Six
Banquet Speaker To Discuss
State Railroad Developent
Park Buildings Approved by Board
officially designate the Board
of Managers and outline its
duties, responsibilities and
range of operation. The
ordinance had been adopted by
the City Council at its meeting
Jan. 8.
A report of finances in-
dicated that the Park now has
$12,000 on deposit at 5'/i per
cent interest with Citizens
State Bank. Outstanding bills
for payment were also ap-
proved which include the
architects fee for services
rendered to this time.
"We are rapidly reaching the
point of action and in the near
future we should be able to see
some real progress," reported
Chairman Kelley. "Campsites
have been staked, road work is
under negotiation and when we
get some trees cleared and
water and electricity, we
should be ready to see the park
take shape," he said.
"Up to th is point, the Bureau
of Outdoor Recreation has
approved one half the cost of a
$235,000 out lay and it is up to us
now to get the ball rolling and
get the park developed,"
stated Kelley.
Contemporary architecture
has been employed for con-
struction at the park, utilizing
native materials in a way that
the design will blend with the
railroad concept, pointed out
the architect, as he presented
plans for the three major
buildings. The activity center
is spacious with area for
concessions, ticket booth for
paddle boats, restrooms, a
waterfall, kiddie wading pool,
fireplace and built in benches
around the area's perimeter.
The shower building also
includes space for two washers
and two dryers for campers'
convenience. The group
shelter is a building which is
expected to accomodate
gatherings of people who may
utilize such a facility for
meetins, or even reunions.
"The Department of Parks
and Wildlife has indicated that
it hopes to h ave the Texas State
Railroad in operation by 1975.
We must work to have our part
of the park completed by that
date also," said the chariman.
Other business transactions
included these items.
-Established the third Tues-
day of each month as the
board's regular meeting date.
-Accepted the offer of the
Rusk Chamber of Commerce
Tourist Committee to explore
the feasibility of developing the
Seven Sisters Springs and
surrounding area
See PARK Pg Six
A report of the development
of the Texas State Railroad
and the presentation of the
Rusk Citizen of the Year award
will highlight the annual Rusk
Chamber of Commerce ban-
quet at 7 p.m. tonight
(Thursday) at the New
School Board
To Consider
Tax Structure
Tax structure for Rusk
Independent School District
and a plan for upgrading the
quality of education within the
school system will be on the
agenda for the Board of
Education Monday at 7 p.m. in
the Administration Building.
Board members will discuss
the present tax structure in
relation to the ratio of assessed
valuation and true market
value "with possible increase
of the present valuation in
mind," reports J. M. Boone,
school superintendent. "As the
school continues to cope with
rising costs of operation, we
must look for ways of
increasing local revenue," he
explained.
The board will also consider
the implementation of certain
recommendations made in a
recent Needs Assessment
Study conducted by four
Stephen F. Austin State
University professors.
Other items on the agenda
include the consideration of a
request for release from
contract by Mrs. Jennifer
Sullivan and changes in
present school board policy to
comply with House Bills
numbers 3 and 6. Members
will also review a progress
report of previously authorized
programs of work, principally
the building trades program at
Rusk High School.
The board is composed of
Tom Sartain, president, also
Dr. W. E. Gabbert, Dr. James
V. Fisher, James Poole, Roy
Kennedy, Mesdames Margaret
Perkins and Mary Buchanan.
Southern Restaurant.
Clayton Rutter, Director of
Engineering for the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Depart-
ment, will be the guest
speaker. Rutter has a degree
in civil engineering and has
worked on projects ranging
from highway design to work
on the space program at
NASA. The guest speaker will
discuss the development of the
Texas State Railroad, the
state's longest park, and give
banquet attenders a progress
report on the project. The
operation of the tourist rail-
road is scheduled to begin in
early 1975 and run from the
new Rusk city Park on
Highway 84 West to a point
Mike Sullivan
Resigns Post
ith County
Tourist Members Review
Worthy Support Projects
How to spend money which
has been earned through the
several projects sponsored by
the Tourist Committee of the
Rusk Chamber of Commerce
was discussed in a meeting of
that group Tuesday afternoon.
Co-chairmen, Mr. and Mrs.
Frank Summers, opened the
meeting to ideas for worthy
goals of benefit to the area.
From the 16 persons present,
three recommendations were
accepted: seek prices for
picture post cards depicting
the local vicinity; continue
quest for antique nails and a
source to gold plate as crosses;
consider the possibility of
developing the area known as
the Seven Sisters Springs and
surrounding land and the
securement of some person to
help with research to identify
the location of the building
u^ed as the Commissary in the
War Between the States.
In the business meeting at
the New Southern Restaurant,
members heard a financial
report and elected Leon
Pledger to the Arts and Crafts
Fair's Staging and Grounds
chairmanship. Adon Duncan,
named to the post earlier,
declined to serve as chairman,
but agreed to assist with the
work on the committee
Mrs Summers reported a
meeting at Winedale to plan
near Palestine.
The guest speaker will be
introduced by Master of
Ceremonies James I. Perkins
Jr.
Rusk Mayor Morris W.
llassell will make the pre-
sentation of the Rusk Citizen of
the Year.
Joe Terrell, new Chamber
president, will officially begin
his duties of the office during
the banquet. Outgoing Presi-
dent Henry Westbrook will
relinquish the helm of the
Chamber to the new president
and present a brief summary
of the organization's 1973
accomplishments.
Don Jones is chairman of the
Banquet Committee.
Cherokee County Attorney
Mike Sullivan presented a
letter of resignation to mem-
bers of the Cherokee County
Commissioners Court at their
regular meeting Monday in the
County Courtroom.
Sullivan declined to give a
reason for his resignation to
the apparently surprised court.
He did state that he and his
family would be moving to
Houston shortly after Jan. 31,
effective date of the resigna-
tion.
The letter, addressed to the
Honorable Orvan B. Jones and
Commissioners Court, Cher-
okee County, Texas, read
impart, "I respectfully tender
this letter as my formal
resignation as County Attorney
of Cherokee County, Texas.
This resignation to become
effective January 31,1974 and I
would respectfully request you
making an appointment to this
office to fill my unexpired
term."
Sullivan is serving his first
term in the office. He began
his duties Jan. 1, 1973 after
See COUNTY Page Six
Í
Clayton Rutter
Guest Speaker
f
Joa Terrell
Incoming President
statewide arts and crafts
shows, which will be attended
by Mrs. Mary Buchanan of
Rusk. "Apparently the overall
structure is to be reorganized
and we hope that Mrs.
Buchanan will be able to report
specific details at our next
meeting," said Mrs. Summers.
"It has been indicated at the
state level that regional fairs
are to be established and we
have already made that step,"
she stated. "A place for our
fair next year is still a matter
for consideration since the
Armory now has other uses,"
she said.
The committee also dis-
cussed the display of the old
Southern Hotel guest register,
on an alternate basis, at each
of the two local banks, pending
their approval.
Ticket sales to the
Chamber s banquet Thursday
night were also noted, with
members encouraged to con-
tinue to seek attenders.
Present were Mr. and Mrs.
Summers, Mr. and Mrs. Paul
B. Cox, Mrs. Gene Meyers,
Mrs. Margaret Dickey, C. E.
Stewart, Mrs. Eleanor
Gabbert, Mrs. Johnnie Miller.
E R. Gregg, George Dodd,
Mrs. Virginia Penney, Johnnie
McKay, Mrs. Marie Whitehead
Mrs. Mary Moore and Richard
Cooper.
Henry Westbrook
Outgoing President
Civic Theatre
Plans Meeting
January 24
The regular meeting of the
Cherokee Civic Theatre will be
held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan.
24 in the County Courtroom in
the courthouse in Rusk,
according to President Paul
Cox.
The president urges all
members and interested per-
sons to be present. Final plans
for the next production of the
group will be made at the
meeting.
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 126, No. 33, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 17, 1974, newspaper, January 17, 1974; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151053/m1/1/: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.