The Allen American (Allen, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 68, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 23, 1992 Page: 5 of 52
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Sunday, August 23, 1992 — The Allen American — Page 5A
(
Opinion Page
The Alien American Local posses helpful during Civil War Reconstruction
A Harte-Hanks Community Newspaper
Lynn Dickerson
PUBLISHER
Wayne Epperson
EDITOR
Letters to the editor
Praise for life saving efforts
Dear editor:
People who are “willing to get involved” saved my life.
On Friday, Aug. 7,1 was on my tractor mowing the high weeds on the
highway right-of-way in front of my home on State Highway 5 between
Plano and Allen. The tractor flipped over into the bar ditch with me beneath
it. The engine was running, with the exhaust in my face, and although I was
not injured, I was pinned so that I could not move. I was also on top of a
I large bed of fire ants; I’m highly allergic to their stings. Fortunately, a
number of people stopped immediately, got the engine turned off, picked
up the tractor, and pulled me out — saving me from death from either
carbon monoxide inhalation or massive fire ant stings. I suffered only 140
fire ant bites.
I’m writing to publicly thank those people for saving my life, since I have
no other way of contacting them. I assume that most of them live either in
Allen or Plano. Although the Plano Fire Department responded promptly,
it was those people who saved me.
Thank God for people willing to “get involved.”
Steve Chambless, M. D.
{ Plano
A call to eliminate racism
Dear editor:
This letter was sent recently to the President of the United States by the
National Assembly of the Bahais of the United States.
Dear Mr. President:
No American can look with indifference upon the tragedy relentlessly
unfolding in our cities. Its causes lie beyond a particular verdict or a
particular act of oppression. The fires and deaths in Los Angeles are only
symptoms of an old congenital disease eating at the vitals of American
society, a disease that has plagued our country ever since slaves were
C . brought from Africa to these shores by their early settlers.
The Abolitionist movement, the Civil War, the Reconstruction, the
The Reconstruction period with
military rule was a great trial to Tex-
ans. Politically, Collin County was a
powder keg.
Dr. James W. Throckmorton, the
representative for this district to the
secession convention, had cast his
vote against Texas leaving the Un-
ion. But, as soon as Texas seceded,
he raised a company of men to go
into Indian Territory to take the
federal forts nearest the Texas bor-
ders. Throckmorton rose to the
rank of brigadier general in the Con-
federate Army.
After the war, he was a successful
compromise candidate for governor
of Texas. Gov. Throckmorton could
have possibly pulled Texas from the
aftermath of the war if he had been
allowed. However, when he began
acting like a governor, he was in
conflict with the military comman-
der, Gen. P.H. Sheridan.
Throckmorton had considerable
experience with Indians on the
Texas frontier, who at the time were
taking advantage of the removal of
Texas and Confederate troops from
the forts to raid western settlers.
Sheridan, who once said, “The only
good Indian is a dead Indian,” forced
him to wait for federal action.
Throckmorton appealed directly
to the president over other matters
and further incensed Sheridan.
Sheridan removed Throckmorton
from office as “an impediment to the
reconstruction of the state.”
While the ousting of Throckmor-
ton did not cause outright anarchy, it
did cause some defiance to federal
and military rule. While most
citizens did not resort to civil dis-
obedience, they did sometimes pro-
tect others from federal law.
Gwendyn
Pettit
Between
the Creeks
to near Wichita Falls to engage in the se James, Cole Younger and others
cattle business. stealing 400 mules that federal mule
However, not all former guerrillas buyers had bought and corralled in
settled to exemplary respectability. McKinney. The man guarding the
Allen Parmer’s brothers-in-law and stock was surprised and disarmed,
cousins of the Hills, Frank and Jesse The mules were herded from the
James, were among those who corral, driven north and into Indian
chose to live outside the law. Territory. They sold the mules to
The story of the James Brothers the quartermaster at Fort Washita,
involvement with Quantrill’s guerril- When the theft was discovered, a
las began when FrankJames enlisted local posse rode north about six
in the Confederate Army early in the miles from McKinney and camped,
war. He was captured at the Battle The next day they rode back to town
of Wilson’s Creek and later paroled, and reported that the mule thieves
When he returned to his home at had escaped into Indian Territory.
Kearney, Clay County, Mo., he was The former Missouri guerrillas
arrested by the sheriff. After some were well-known in McKinney,
time his mother was able to obtain Another folk tale was of a time when
his release. FrankJames then joined Frank James, visiting relatives in
Quantrill’s guerrillas. McKinney, decided to ride to De-
The militia began to harass the nton. Somehow, a federal lawman
family when this became known. Dr. staying at the Tucker Hotel heard of
Reuben Samuel, Frank James’ step- this and, with a posse of local
Several of the men who had
served under Missouri guerrilla
chief Quantrill came to Texas to live
permanently after the war. Former
Missourians who had welcomed the
guerrilla fighters during the war con-
tinued to open their homes to them
after the war.
It is said that the Graves family of
McKinney set aside two rooms in
their spacious home for Quantrill’s
men to use. If more accommoda-
tions were needed, they slept in the
large barn. father, was hung when he refused to citizens, followed to arrest James.
Former guerrilla captain “Tuck” tell where Quantrill was hiding. Mrs. As the posse raced west, some of
Hill returned to McKinney and mar- Samuels, pregnant, was roughly tre- the men began the old “Rebel Yell.”
ried Quintella Graves, daughter of ated, and young Jesse James was When James heard them, he rode
Albert G. Graves. His brother, beaten with plow lines. back. Someone clued him in on the
Wood Hill, also married a Graves When the militiamen had left, Dr. situation by hailing him with a ficti-
daughter, and A.M. Hill married a Samuel was cut down and revived, tious name. When asked if he had
granddaughter. Three Hill sisters Quantrill had a new recruit — 16- seen Frank James, he said he had
married into prominent Collin Coun- year-old Jesse James. seen someone riding toward De-
ty families . The stories of the James Brothers nton.
Tuck Hill engaged in farming and in Collin County tell that they were Later in the day when the posse
stock raising. He was an alderman heroes to former Confederates, had returned from their fruitless
for the City of McKinney and helped These “Robin Hoods” were making search, Frank James was sitting with
organize the Ex-Confederate and their depredations mainly against his cousin, Tuck Hill, on Hill’s front
Old Settlers Picnic organization. He the North and northern institutions, porch.
built a home on West Virginia Street but after all, no one else had any As other characters joined the
in McKinney, raised nine children money. cast in the drama of Missouri guerril-
and lived to the age of 83. Captain Roy F. Hall collected las in Reconstruction Collin County,
Ex-guerrilla Allen Parmer mar- several stories from our local folk federal law officers would find local
ried Tuck Hill’s cousin, Susan lore that are in the book Pioneer- posses ever helpful — but helpful to
James. They lived for a while in ing in North Texas by Captain Hall whom?
Sherman, where Susan had once and Mrs. Helen Hall. Pettit is a lonetime alien outdedruer
taught school, before moving west One story is about Frank and Jes- an avid interest m nistoryresident with
various legislative acts dealing with civil rights, are so many milestones on F
the path of progress, but they have fallen short of society’s needs and have /
not eliminated the ingrained racism that blights our existence as a nation.
America’s history is a history of advance and retreat, efforts toward
improvement and the abandonment of such efforts before they had borne
fruit.
Looking back
The solution to the problem of racism is not simple. Its material require-
ments are well known. They include the provision of economic security and
elimination of poverty, the education of the young and care of the old. But
the spiritual requirements have been persistently neglected. America has
( not done enough to demonstrate her commitment to the equality and the
unity of races, to the dignity of all human beings whatever their color, and to
the moral imperative of extending love and respect to the entire human
family.
Ever since its inception a century ago, the American Bahai community,
inspired by the teachings of Bahaullah has made the elimination of racism
one of its principal goals. Bahais have ceaselessly warned that discrimina-
tion and oppression would lead to strife, the “emnity will increase day by
day, and the final result will be hardship and...bloodshed.” They have
worked, and pledge to continue to strive for the eradication of all forms of
prejudice, hatred and injustice and for the fulfillment of the noble dream of
( peace and unity of all people, races and creeds.
We appeal to you, Mr. President, and to all our fellow citizens, not to
turn away from this “most vital and challenging issue.” We plead for a
supreme effort on the part of public and private institutions, schools and the
media, business and the arts, and most of all to individual Americans to join
hands, accept the sacrifices this issue must impose, show forth the “care
and vigilance it demands the moral courage and fortitude it requires, the
tact and sympathy it necessitates” so that true and irreversible progress
may be made and the promise of this great country may not be buried under
the rubble of our cities.
—The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States
, Todd Gheisar
Special to The Allen American
50th class reunion
Fran Riley attaches a pin club pin to Harry Riley’s lapel during
the 50th class reunion at Oklahoma State University in Stillwa-
ter, Okla. Harry was inducted into the Half-Century Club.
19 years ago Tournament held at Lake Lavon.
■The 17 Allen children completing
the Allen Public Library Summer ■Groundbreaking ceremonies for
Reading Program requirements the new chapel for the Church of
were: Leslie Parker, Lynn Smith- Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
wick, Christy Smithwick, Libby were held at the new site on FM
Smithwick, Stacy McKinney, Ann 2170 in Allen.
Semrau, Taylor Boon, Mitchell
Smith, Tommy Inkman, Eric mAllen Hich Sh 1
C^T^SX5^ FUFUFe Farmer of America
ger, Smokey Stover, Regina Smith sweetheart was named first runner-
and Richard Belz. at the 54th annual Texas Future
•Allen Independent School Dis- Famwroot America Convention m
trict personnel were treated to a lun-
cheon sponsored by the Allen Mer- . Alam 1 v . 1
chants Association and AllenJaycees Starr members hai chool Yearbook
and planned by the Rev. Rex Raimnembers Jill Randolph, Sherri
Womack of First United Methodist AtwKim Coles Janet Romines,
Church of Allen Curt Hayes, Eric Best, Lisa Lathen,
Melanie Rankin, and Wesley Mag-
ruder were given the best overall
10 years ago staff performance award for year-
■Arthur Assa, Christ Blackford book production at the Dallas Coun-
and Todd Goforth of Allen took first ty All-American Publications Work-
place in their age divisions at the shop at Mountain View Junior Col-
Allen Anglers Children’s Fishing lege.
Kirkindolls return from European choir tour
Letter Policy
The Allen American welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to
our readers. Short letters are most likely to be chosen for publication, but the
use of any material is at the discretion of the editor. The editor reserves the
right to edit letters to meet space requirements, to clarify, or to avoid obscen-
ity, libel or invasion of privacy. Individual complaints against businesses and
letters thanking businesses for small donations or other actions cannot be
published.
Letters published do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies or beliefs of
this newspaper. All letters must bear the handwritten signature of the writer
and must include a hometown, an address, and work and home telephone
numbers for verification purposes. (The address and phone numbers will not be
printed.) Anonymous letters will not be printed.
Submissions should be sent to: Editor, The Allen American, P.O. Box
27, Allen, Texas 75002. The deadline for the weekend issue is noon
Wednesday.
Don and Lawana Kirkindoll are
bubbling over with enthusiasm after
returning to Allen from a European
tour. As members of Centenary Col-
lege Alumni Choir, Shreveport, La.,
they sang and toured with the group
through the countries of Germany,
Austria, Switzerland and Czechoslo-
vakia.
Laverne
Hart
Hart Beat
requested.” Don said he paid $7 for a Tech in 1991.
bucket of ice and considered it the ‘Riley in Half-Century Club
best purchase he had ever made. Harry and Fran Riley recently
The Kirkindoll's son, Donny, vi- attended his 50th coDege class reun-
sited with relatives in Atlanta, Hous ion at Oklahoma State University in
ton and Waco during the two weeks StiDwater, Okla. Harry graduated
his parents were touring Europe, among a class of 65 from the School
According to his Mom, he was tre- of Engineering in 1942.
ated like royalty. During the reunion, Harry was in-
In addition to all the good times ducted into the Half-Century Club.
In the accompanying photo, his wife
The Allen American
A Harte-Hanks Community Newspaper
705 N. State Highway 5, Suite 100
Allen, Texas 75002
727-3352
Lynn Dickerson
Publisher
Debbie Tackett
General Manager
Nate Nelson
Circulation Director
Ann Todd
Receptionist/Accounting
Wayne Epperson
Editor
Mark Hutchison
Managing Editor
Peggy Helmick-Richardson
Editorial Assistant
The Kirkindolls were delighted to ________________
renew their acquaintances with the privilege of freedom prevailed Donny had, his parents surprised ____________--L p.ul,
current choir director, Dr. Will among the congregation as well as him with a hand-carved marionette Fran is attaching his club pin to his
Andress and his wife, Julia Ann, and the choir members. when they returned. Perhaps when lapel.
to have the opportunity to meet and The travelers were smitten with he has learned to manipulate all We extend our congratulations
talk with the college president, Dr. the charm of Prague, Czechoslova- those strings and wires, he will be and best wishes.
Ken Schwab and his wife, Dr. Pat kia. “The great cathedrals and art able to do an impressive concert of Choir group enjoys fellowship
Schwab. . museums were breathtaking, and his own. Bob and Aleen Grimes recently
One interesting thing about the one thing we really appreciated was Bushong visits parents had a choir-group fellowship in then-
choir is that they dress formally — the fact that although we could not Dr. Philip Bushong of King Geor- home. About 35 people enjoyed the
the ladies in formal gowns and speak the language, the streets gia, Va., recently visited his pa- get-together, most of whom were
gloves, and the men in tuxedos. The were laid and designated in such a rents, Merton and Carolyn Bushong from First Baptist Church Allen
current college choir is made up of way that we had no trouble at all of Lucas. Dr . Bushong, engaged in Also visiting wre Mr. and Mrs Joe
50 members. . , finding our way around.” research at Dahlgren Naval Surface Rhodes, Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ganus
While on tour, the choir members At a reception given for the choir Warfare Center in Virginia, was and Mr. and Mrs. S.K. Collins all
were sometimes guests in homes of in Vienna, Austria, a Japanese attending a business conference in from Fremont Baptist Church in
the different areas. “In Leitsieg, woman inquired if the choir would Dallas. Garland. n P
Germany,” said Lawana, “I had an like to do a concert in one of the He presented a paper at the The group participated in a sing-
opportunity to spend several hours largest churches in Hiroshima, American Institute of Aeronautics along of old time religious hymns as
talking with a woman who had lived Japan, and Astronautics (AIAA) conference well as contemporary music “and
under Communist rule — it brought In discussing the different cul- on “Guidance Navigation and Con- nobody told anybody that they made
home to me the true meaning of tures, I learned that the Americans, trol” in Hilton Head, S.C., before a mistake or warbled a sour note ”
freedom.” the Kirkindolls in particular, felt in- coming to Dallas.
The next day, as the choir sang convenienced in that “Europeans Bushong, a graduate of McKinney
“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” just don’t like cold drinks — colas, High School and Texas A&M Uni- a .
in the church where the woman is a water or any other kinds of cold versity, earned his doctorate in free-lance writer and an author or chib
member, an awesome sense of the drinks, and act surprised when ice is aerospace engineering at Virginia dren’s books.
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Sundays and Wednesdays, by Harte-Hanks Community Newspa-
pers, 801 E. Plano Pkwy., Plano, TX 75074.
Second class postage paid at U.S. Post Office, Allen, TX 75002.
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Allen American, P.O.
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Outside Collin County: $35/year, $24/6 months
State of Texas feels like home to Allen newcomers
By Sharon Leddick ruiiang of Plano, we knew Allen was where noon of our closing, the moving van
Special to The Alien American in my opinion we wanted to live. We liked the rural delivered our belongings. That same
When we learned my husband was----feel of Allen and the smaller popula- day, two neighbors came by to wel-
going to be transferred to Dallas, our experience. All the while, in the tion. come us. The following day three
whole family was bombarded with backs of our minds, the advice of There had to be a catch, this place more came and welcomed us to the
opinions and advice regarding the well-meaning friends continued to seemed too good to be true. Then it neighborhood.
Dallas area. We heard everything echo. hit us — the schools, what about the “Was this place for real?” my hus-
from “Watch out for the extreme We spent eight full days house- Allen schools? band and I asked each other,
weather” to “Don’t go out in the hunting in Plano — eight full, unpro- The following day, we met with Now, don’t misunderstand, I’m
desert alone.” ductive days. We just could not the principal of the elementary not knocking Plano. Piano has a lot of
The one thing we heard over and seem to find anything we liked, school my three boys would be great restaurants and shopping cen-
over again was “You have to live in When we did find a house we liked, it attending. The principal was very ters, as well as a lot of people. We
Plano.” We were told Plano had ev- was either on a busy street or under friendly and enlightening. We toured are just‘ thankful we found Allen,
erything and Plano schools were the massive power lines. the school, spoke to some of the Moving from our home state of 31
best. On the ninth day, the realtor, out school employees, checked out test years, we knew the transition would
We packed up our three kids, the of desperation, asked us what we scores and found that Allen had ex- be somewhat difficult and it would
dog and out squawking parrot, and thought of Allen. I thought she was cellent schools. , take some time to feel at home in
headed for Texas. asking about my Uncle Alan back in .. our decision was made; we would another state. We never dreamed
After living in Florida our entire Florida; I had never heard of the City live in Allen. we would find a down home small
lives, we were excited yet of Allen. We found a house, bid on it and town like Allen that could make the
apprehensive about this “moving” After driving the five miles north closed in three weeks. The after- big State of Texas feel like home.
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Hutchison, Mark & Epperson, Wayne. The Allen American (Allen, Tex.), Vol. 23, No. 68, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 23, 1992, newspaper, August 23, 1992; Allen, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1694727/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Allen Public Library.