The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 132, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 11, 1981 Page: 1 of 14
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MICROriL.A CENTER, INC.
P.O. BOX 45436
DALLAS, TX 75¿35
n-tv ~fís>
15c
per Issue
The Cherokeean
Texas' Oldest Weekly Newspaper
Home of the
Texas Stale Railroad
Vol. 132 No. 17 14 Pages
Established as the Cherokee Sentinel, February 27,1850
Rusk, Texas-75785 Thursday, June 11,1981
\
A LITTLE 'HORSING AROUND' FOR THE IRON HORSE-The name of the game Is Traln-TSR specifically! It's
a new effort to generate train awareness in the local area. Wearing railroad clothes is one method of getting folks
to think "train." Photographed in downtown Rusk Saturday morning is the above group of business leaders.
From left are John Waddell. Ike Uanlel. Genelle Richards. Ruby Townley and the masked bandit is Glen Miller,
putting a new twist on the old version of a train robbery! -staff photo
Train Support ISteams'
Local awareness of the Texas State
Railroad, for the purpose of helping
tourists with information, is the goal
of a newly organized group of citizens.
The organization will function as a
sub-committee of the Chamber's
Tourism Division. The group expects
to meet each week at 4 p.m. on Thur-
sday at Citizens Bank to further its
work. Interested volunteers are in-
vited to attend the meetings.
Literally "steaming" into action in
support of the steam locomotive, the
group first mustered support of
Rusk's service station and food
establishment personnel.
As a support incentive to have the
answer? ready when tourists ask
questions, a cash award of $25 will be
given each week to that member of
the working community who can best
answer questions posed by a
"mystery tourist."
The first to receive a check for
having all of the right answers was
School Board Lets
Bids On Stadium
The relocation of the R1SD football
stadium moved closer to reality when
the board accepted bids for fencing
and moving the bleachers Thursday.
Southern Bleacher Co. of Graham,
the only bidder on bleacher work, got
the job for $58,548. The firm agreed to
move the existing stands and replace
the wooden boards with aluminum
planking.
Barbin Fence Co. of Tyler was low
bidder for two fences. The outside
fence is to be 2,200 feet and six feet
high; and the second fence is 1,720
feet, four feet high.
Bids were awarded with the under-
standing that work will be completed
by Aug. 31.
The board also employed four
teachers for the next school year. They
are Richard O. Pierce, high school
science, moving from Crockett; Dean
Evans, high school teacher and coach
who completed his contract at
Palestine; Kyle Lock of Elkhart, high
school teacher and coach; and Mrs.
Mary Lou Pruett, wife of TSR
superintendent Curtis Pruett, was
employed as the special education
teacher for the district's co-op
program at Maydelle.
All board members were present
for the meeting, according to Tony
Murray, superintendent.
'Round
m Town
Mrs. Roundabout
"A rock, a leaf, an unfound
door...and all the forgotten faces...Oh
lost, and by the wind grieved, ghost,
come back again." These words ex-
pressed by Thomas Wolfe return
again and again in my own thoughts.
Man's stay on earth, however brief
or long, Is spent to some extent In a
search of that "some thing" that
Wolfe Identifies as "ghost." Maybe
we're in search of ourselves, or that
self we hope to become.
The past is hopelessly tied to the
future, simply because we will always
be the "sum total of our experiences "
A recent visit from a friend of
yesterday, who came by the office,
triggered an emotional reunion. He
had been In the grocery business here
and that kind of business was conduc-
ted In the IMt's In a manner totally
unlike what we knew today. More
especially, would the kind of
operation then Impress the dwellers of
the asphalt Jungle today
Thoughts i* Ita wty It uwd lt> b
ran through my brain I wooM r«U
hUn up and Iwm my M «I
grocery-household needs. That was
the end of the work for me. He would
gather all of the items together, load
them up and deliver to my house
which was always unlocked in those
days.
The things which needed to be put in
the refrigerator were placed there.
Other Items were left for me to put
away. And of course, he ok'd the
charge ticket with his own name and
submitted my bill at the end of the
month.
It would have been beyond
imagination for me to question his
honesty in handling my order, Just as
he would never have questioned my
integrity in paying the bill. Life was
different Just a few decades ago It
seems, in retrospect, that we had
more time to be friendly, courteous
and personal In our service to others
"Oh lost, and by the wind grieved,
ghoat, come bark again." I wish fur
something that rannot be,,,and yet the
vMt with Fellow Hanks reminded iwe
•I the way It was...and I am grateful
far the past It ta., still a part at me.
Until well week* wm
City R ecreation Plan
Decision Is Postponed
Ellen Bjornson, manager of the Dairy
Queen on Highway 69 in Rusk.
Throughout the months of June and
July, weekly awards of $25 will be
given to the person who gives the best
assistance to some "mystery caller."
Another activity is the en-
couragement of persons who work in
the business community to wear
clothing which represent a railroad
theme.
"Information about the train's
location, its days and hours of
operation as well as ticket prices, is
the kind of help usually asked by the
stranger in town," states Mrs.
Margaret Perkins, member of the
committee.
She says that other support for TSR
includes the printing of signs to be
placed in every business which reads,
"Train Information Here." Another
sign which is to be printed will provide
the train schedule.
Possibilities are being explored
with regard to TV advertising and ap-
pearances on talk shows in the Dallas-
Fort Worth, Houston and Shreveport
markets.
Castner
Building
Dedicated
The late Dr. Charles W.Castner was
credited as being a "dynamic force"
at Rusk State Hospital and within the
community during dedication
ceremonies last week of a $1.3 million
building named in his honor.
Castner was also named the ' 'single
greatest influence" on the life of Dr.
David Wade, a former colleague of
Dr. Castner and guest speaker for the
dedication of the Charles W. Castner.
M.D., Patient Services Building at
Rusk State Hospital's Skyview
Maximum Security Unit < MSU).
Wade gave the dedicatory speech
during the ceremonies, attended by
dignitaries and congressmen from
across the State of Texas and by
members of the family of Dr. Castner.
The ceremonies were held Friday at 2
p.m. in the RSH chapel
Included on the list of some 300
guests were State Rep. Elton Bomer
of Montalba. Rep Jim Turner of
Crockett and State Sen Roy Blake of
Nacogdoches
Wade gave some of Dr Cast nor's
history as well « several anecdotes
about the former superintendent's
life Cuttnrr was superintendent of
the Rusk facility from IWM to iwta and
then, after stepping down from the
IVxas Department ol Mental Health
and Mental Retardation TD«
Mil MR * ctmlrwl Wdl> Inmi IIM to
tWA
WlVtH *•• >!
Action concerning the approval of a
city recreation summer youth
program was tabled until the later
part of next week by members of the
Rusk City Council meeting in regular
session Tuesday night.
The meeting was held in the city
council chambers in the new fire
station.
Council members discussed the
pros and cons of a program presented
by Mark Campbell, city recreation
director. A motion by Mayor Pro Tem
Jim Thompson to reject the proposal
was made and later withdrawn and
then Councilman Donald Dickerson
made and withdrew a motion to ac-
cept the proposal with certain ad-
justments.
Campbell's proposal would call for
a summer recreation program
beginning June 15 and extending until
Aug. 7 with sessions from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
"The program is more or less a 'day
care center' for children ages 4 to 17-
years-old," Campbell told council
members. Activities would include a
mandatory arts and crafts program,
basketball, ping pong, softball, table
games and general free play.
Two teachers or coaches would be
employed as supervisors at salaries of
$998.40 each. They would be assisted
by two Comprehensive Education and
Training Act (CETA) workers, Cam-
pbell said.
Cost of the program should run
around $3,000 with $2,000 of that being
provided with funds accrued through
other recreational programs this
year.
The city recreation program is
being funded with $30,000 derived
from the sale of city-owned proper-
ty to the Rusk Industrial Foundation.
In addition to the cost of providing
employees, other expenses of the
program would be cost of supplies
and purchase of an exhaust fan for the
gym. The program is scheduled for
the gym, tennis courtsuand softball
field at the middle schoor
If the program is approved, the city
would be required to purchase a rider
for its liability insurance to cover par-
ticipants in the program at a site
other than on city property.
Councilman Ken Peloquin said he
was in favor of raising the minimum
age from 4 to 6-years-old for
youngsters and to have two hours of
free play time rather than three hours
as proposed by Campbell.
Thompson, presiding over the coun-
cil in the absence of vacationing
Mayor James Fisher, made a motion
that the council not accept the
proposal. He said he was afraid the
program might "just become a baby
sitter service." He later withdrew his
motion.
Peloquin reported that the program
has "a lot of advantages and a lot of
disadvantages. I think we ought to
give it a shot for a year. We would
know better next year if it doesn't
work. But, I would ask Mark to spend
as much time as possible there to see
that the program gets kicked off."
Campbell replied that he had a sof-
tball field to build with the help of a
CETA worker. He noted that he would
drop by about four times a day but
would not be able to spend time at the
center.
Dickerson made a motion that the
program be approved with the
changes from 4- to 6-years-old for the
minimum age and that the center be
open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with lunch
break from noon to 1 p.m.
He withdrew his motion after
Thompson suggested the mafm b
turned over to the Recreation Coni-
♦See C ITY, page 14
RSH Funds S
Gov. Bill Clement' philosophy that
the state "can do more with less" is
likely to be tested as Rusk's and
Cherokee County's largest employer
attempts to operate on its new budget
for the next biennium.
According to Greta Rymal of the
Legislative Budget Board in Austin,
Rusk State Hospital will probably
receive approximately $23 million for
1982. She estimated around $24.7
million for 1983. This is an increase
over 1981 's budget, but not enough to
meet pay raise levels mandated by
the legislature.
RSH was funded for 1,641 positions.
Male Patient Shot
The office of Cherokee County
Sheriff Allen Horton continues to in-
vestigate events leading up to the
death of Fred Wallace, 28, Saturday
afternoon in Rusk. The escaped
hospital patient was killed by Rusk
Chief of Police, Archie McKnight at a
residence on Guinn Hill Place.
According to District Attorney
Charles Holcomb, the complete report
will be presented to the Grand Jury
July 14, or "sooner if necessary."
The DA says such investigations by
the Grand Jury are routine to assure
there are no violations of the law.
Wallace was admitted to Rusk State
Hospital Wednesday and escaped
Thursday. According to information
reported to Holcomb, the patient was
brought in "hog tied," and behaving
in a violent manner
His presence at the home of Mrs.
Carolyn Daniels was reported to city
officials by her two sisters. They had
gone there to deliver household ar-
ticles. When they asked Wallace who
he was and what he was doing there,
he told them he was engaged to do
yard work.
On returning home, Ms. Daniels
reported that he had done some
household duties, even emptying the
waste baskets. She was out of town
during this time period.
Neighbors of Ms. Daniels had also
gone over to inquire as to his presence
in her absence, and he advised them
he was employed to do yard work.
Ms. Daniels' car was loaded with
some of her better clothes which led
her to believe that Wallace intended
leaving in her vehicle and taking the
things for possible re-sale value.
City Policeman Don McDonald was
the first to arrive and in a struggle
with the man, his gun was obtained by
Wallace. Moments later, Constable
Billy Lovelady arrived and on seeing
him, Wallace ordered him to hand
over his gun, or he was going to shoot
McDonald. Lovelady surrendered his
weapon while Chief McKnight went
back to his car for a .44 magnum
revolver with a 12-inch barrel.
According to investigators, Wallace
insisted he was Jesus Christ and at the
moment he was shot, Lovelady and
McDonald were kneeling in front of
him, which he ordered them to do,
yelling "I'm going to kill you."
Sheriff Horton's chief deputy, Ken-
neth Acker, is heading the in-
vestigation. The pathologist's autopsy
is also pending.
DEDICATION CKRKMONIKfMiueiU and upeakers at the dedication i'rrrmmlri Thursday for the 11.9 million
C harlen W. t'astner. M.D., Patient Service* Hutldlng at the Sky view Maximum Security HulMlnn at Huak State
Hospital are shown above They Include, from left, llr Mven Svenson ol Massachusetts, «on-In-taw of the late Dr.
t astner. the Rev. tiros er Talhert. mini iter ut the Flr«t Haptl*! t hurt h of Frankatwi; John Svenson. grandson «t
the late Dr. t'astner; llr llavld Wade, former commissioner ol the leva* Department ol Mental Health Mental
Hetardatlon and principal speaker lor the event, Fdwlw It \ anlandt, a former member «I the I'D MM MR board
at directors who Introduved Hi Wade, Mrs Svenson, daughter «I the late llr. t asloer. lie. Robert K tita ,
superintendent ol MNII; the Honorable Kmmett It Whitehead, tamer Mat II state representative, and llr t art
t chaplas at HMI stall phot
The present number of employees on
the payroll at this time is 1,445, nearly
200 below the leVel.
The total Mental Health/Mental
Retardation budget approved was
$526 million for 1982 and $510 million
for 1983. Mrs. Rymal explained the
drop was because no. construction
money was earmarked for 1983. Rusk
State Hospital received no funds for
new construction or major im-
provements.
In the final days of the recent
legislative session, the legislature ap-
proved a pay raise for all state em-
ployees ranging from 9.2 to a possible
high of 23.3 for some categories of
work.
Direct care personnel, aides in par-
ticular and psychiatric security
technicians at Maximum Security
Unit are targeted for the largest per-
centage increase.
In addition to the 9.2, PST levels 1
and 2 will receive an additional 6.8
percent Sept. 1. Aides will receive a
like amount percentage wise.
Increases of 5.1 percent or no less
than a minimum of $50, was granted
in special action of the legislature last
February. That raise is added to
present calculations for the estimated
23 percent total in some pay level
areas.
Bill Draper, RSH business
manager, in response to questions
* about the affect of the budget on the
local institution said, "At this point I
just can't give a sensible answer
about the budget. The entire ball of
wax (funds for MH/MR during the
next biennium) was given to the Cen-
tral Office and I'm waiting to hear
from them."
He says he believes that the pay
raises are mandatory and it will be up
to each institution to "do more (work)
with less (fewer people)" in order to
stay within the appropriated budget
and give pay raises at the same time.
One of the problems that affects the
new budget was a last minute act
which cut the total MH/MR funding
by three percent.
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The Cherokeean. (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 132, No. 17, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 11, 1981, newspaper, June 11, 1981; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth151492/m1/1/?q=%22~1%22~1&rotate=0: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.