News

The Clarendon Enterprise will celebrate its 125th anniversary this Thursday with an open house and dedication of a state historical marker.

Established as The Clarendon News, the local paper was the first newspaper in the Texas Panhandle and has been in continuous operation since it began as a monthly publication on June 1, 1878.

“We’ve gone by many different names since the 19th century, but today’s Enterprise is the direct descendant of the paper started by Rev. L.H. Carhart,” current publisher Roger Estlack said. “Through the last couple of years of research, it has been gratifying to see how Clarendon’s paper has endured and changed to meet the demands of the times.”

To commemorate the anniversary of Clarendon’s oldest business, a special edition is being released in this week’s issue, which chronicles the entire history of the town’s newspaper industry. Also in the issue is all-new information about the town’s founder, his wife, and some of the men connected with the development of Clarendon and its paper.

Thursday’s activities will start at 1:00 p.m. at the Enterprise office at 105 S. Kearney St. with a short ceremony unveiling a new Texas Historical Marker.

“Just a few weeks ago we were told by the Texas Historical Commission that it would take eight to 12 weeks for the marker to get here,” Estlack said. “We figured a dedication ceremony would have to wait until the end of the summer, but then the freight company called Friday and said they were planning delivery this week. It rushed us, but the timing was perfect.”

The dedication will be followed by an Open House until 3 p.m. to allow readers and advertisers the opportunity to tour the Enterprise’s newly remodeled office. Refreshments will be served, and door prizes will be awarded.

A cash prize of $125 will be awarded to the person bringing in the oldest Clarendon paper dated before 1920, and the Enterprise has put up a $1,000 reward for the very first edition of The Clarendon News dated June 1, 1878.

“This reward has generated lots of comments in the last week, but so far no one has come up with that issue,” said publisher Roger Estlack. “We’re encouraging everyone who has a long family history here to go through their attics, basements, and closets to look for it.”

The oldest edition of the paper known to exist is the second issue, Vol. 1, No. 2, dated July 1, 1878. That issue is owned by the Square House Museum in Panhandle.

“The earliest issue we have local access to is October 5, 1880,” Estlack said. “Most of the 19th century papers have been lost, and the collection of the early 20th century is spotty. We would really like to fill in that collection as much as possible.”

COLLEGE STATION – Continuous surveillance efforts throughout the beef industry have provided assurance that U.S. beef is a safe and nutritious food source, Texas Cooperative Extension officials said last week.

No cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), widely known as mad cow disease, have been confirmed in the United States in the past 12 years with active surveillance at both slaughter firms and on the farm.

“Surveillance and testing of cows is a good protective measure of keeping our beef safe,” said Dr. Buddy Faries, Extension program leader for veterinary medicine. “Any cows that show neurological signs, are weak or thin in body condition are tested at slaughter. These animals do not enter the food chain.”

BSE was reported in Canada Tuesday – the first such reported case in that country in more than a decade. A cow in Alberta tested positive for the disease after tests were taken from the cow after slaughter. The meat did not enter the food chain, Canadian officials said. BSE is found only in the brain and spinal cord.

Faries noted some important facts about the surveillance systems and about mad cow disease:

• Surveillance systems in the U.S. and in Canada have been in place to monitor cattle for diseases and unwholesomeness. Surveillance testing reassures the U.S. beef supply is safe.

• All cows that show neurological signs, weak or thin body condition are tested at slaughter. These cows do not enter the food chain.

• The beef itself isn’t infected with BSE, only the brain and spinal cord. No evidence of infection is detected in milk or muscle tissue.

• No brains or spinal cords are ground in hamburger meat in the U.S.

• Surveillance testing, the ban on feeding ruminant protein to ruminants (feeding rendered cattle, sheep, goat or deer meat or bone meal back to beef cattle), and the prohibition on importing animals and meat products from BSE-affected countries has provided assurance that the U.S. and Texas will have healthy animals and wholesome meat products.

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has closed the border to the importation of Canadian cattle and meat products.

The eight-year-old Canadian cow that tested positive for the disease was part of a 150-head herd. In January, the cow was condemned due to unwholesomeness on slaughter; and brain tissue was submitted for laboratory testing under the BSE surveillance program. Tests conducted at a laboratory in the United Kingdom confirmed infection of BSE in the cow’s brain after initial tests were run at a Canadian laboratory.

“These cows are regularly tested and taken out of the food chain,” Faries explained. “No brains or spinal cords are ground for hamburger here in the U.S. Continuous surveillance is the means to detect possible cases of disease like we’ve seen happen in Canada. The is not in the U.S. and is not likely to occur due to the compliance of the measures currently enforced by USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission.”

AUSTIN – Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today sent $380.9 million in monthly sales tax payments to Texas cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts, down 0.6 percent compared to May 2002. So far this year, local sales tax revenues are down 1.5 percent compared to the same time period in 2002.

Clarendon bucked the state trend and saw a 4.12 percent increase in its rebate for a total of $23,140.15.

Hedley’s rebate of $624.85 reflected a 8.56 percent drop, and Howardwick received a rebate of $865.84, down from $1,322.72 for the same period last year.

May’s sales tax rebates include local sales taxes collected in March by monthly sales tax filers and in January, February and March by quarterly sales tax filers, and reported to the Comptroller in April. The state’s share of sales tax reported in April was $1.1 billion, down 0.5 percent compared to a year ago.

“For the first time since the sales tax was enacted in 1961, state revenue from the sales tax is down for the tenth consecutive month. This is unprecedented,” Strayhorn said. “We are also going to have another historic unfortunate first in Texas – two consecutive years of losses in sales tax revenue.”

The Clarendon Enterprise has posted a $1,000 bounty for someone to bring in the first edition of the Panhandle’s oldest newspaper as part of its 125th anniversary celebration.

The first issue of The Clarendon News was dated June 1, 1878; and while no one has seen it in a long time, the current newspaper staff is hopeful someone can find it.

“We know for sure there was one copy still in town in 1909, and we hope there may be another sitting in someone’s basement or attic,” said publisher Roger Estlack. “It may belong to a family whose roots go back to Old Clarendon.”

The oldest edition of the paper known to exist is the second issue, Vol. 1, No. 2, dated July 1, 1878. That issue is owned by the Square House Museum in Panhandle. The paper started as a monthly publication and became a weekly in 1880.

“The earliest issue we have local access to is October 5, 1880,” Estlack said. “Most of the 19th century papers have been lost, and the collection of the early 20th century is spotty. We would really like to fill in that collection as much as possible.”

Also as part of the anniversary celebration, the Enterprise will hold an open house at its 105 S. Kearney office next Thursday, June 5, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For that occasion, a prize of $125 will be awarded to the person bringing in the oldest Clarendon paper dated before 1920.

For more information on the history of newspaper, watch for our special edition next week.

Two World War I veterans received special recognition Saturday from the American Legion Post which bears their names.

Wesley Adamson and Leo Lloyd Lane were immortalized with a handsome black granite marker placed adjacent to the Rowe Cemetery War Memorial by members of the Adamson-Lane Post 287.

With a large crowd in attendance, Donley County Historical Commission Chairman Jean Stavenhagen described the bravery and selflessness of the two Hedley soldiers.

“The courageous deeds of brave American soldiers who gave their lives for their country’s cause did not end in Gettysburg or World War I, or the wars in Europe, Korea, Vietnam or the current war against terrorism,” Stavenhagen said. “The cause of freedom will always deserve heroes, and the heroes will always deserve our devotion as we continue to remember our fallen soldiers in words, monuments and memories.”

Leo Lloyd Lane was the son of J. Walker Lane of Hedley. During the night of Oct. 8, 1918, Lloyd led an Army reconnaissance party inside “no-man’s land” on a battlefield near Compiegne, France. His orders were to locate allied and enemy lines. The men were under heavy barrage and machine gun sniping. As they moved out on a deserted field, the party was attacked by gunfire.

A fellow officer later wrote in a letter to the Lane family, “Lloyd was mortally wounded by machine gun bullets and died within two hours. He was conscious until the last and did not suffer great pain.” 

Lane’s remains were not returned. He was buried by the battlefield with his fallen comrades.

Wesley Adamson was raised in Hedley. The son of S.L. Adamson,  he was sent with National Guard units to the Western Front in France for combat and was killed in battle on October 8 at St. Etienne, France.

The captain of Adamson’s unit wrote in a letter to the soldier’s family, “He was one of the first to go ‘over the top.’ He went forward like the brave man he was, until shrapnel burst near him, and he was wounded. But he did not stop. He fought furiously on, like a man who seemed willing to give his life. He finally ran into the fire from a machine gun and was killed instantly.”

Three years after the war ended, the parents of Wesley Adamson received the Crioux de Guerre and the Silver Star in recognition of their son’s bravery. His remains were brought back to the United States and buried in Rowe Cemetery on September 16, 1921, in an impressive, military service.

To commemorate the sacrifices of these two soldiers, the Adamson-Lane Post 287 of the American Legion was chartered at Hedley on March 4, 1921.

Saturday’s ceremonies also included the Adamson-Lane Post’s traditional muster – or roll call – for the 196 veterans whose remains are interred at Rowe Cemetery. Kay Manuel sang “God Bless America,” Murrell Whitaker and Tommie Saye placed the Memorial Wreath on the monument, and Kristen Dwight played “Taps.”

Also this week, Memorial Day services were held in Clarendon on Monday. Small crowds attended as local Girl Scouts raised the flag at Citizens Cemetery and as VFW Memorial Post 7782 hoisted the colors at the Donley County War Memorial.

The Clarendon Board of Aldermen is seeking legal advice after a zoning ordinance debate at last week’s regular meeting.

Gary Hunt came before the board concerning his request to build boat storage units on his property at Eighth and Cottage on the west side of town. He said he had contacted a contractor to begin work on the project and then applied for a building permit, which was denied.

City officials say the permit request was denied because land in that area is zoned Residential District-1 and commercial buildings are not allowed.

“I just want to know, are you going to deny me my Fifth Amendment property rights?” Hunt asked.

Alderman Michael Tibbets said he didn’t want to deny Hunt’s rights and read passages from the TML Law & Procedures Manual concerning challenges to zoning powers. He questioned why the city was trying to deny people their livelihoods with zoning ordinances and animal ordinances.

“There’s a reason people work in Amarillo and live here,” Tibbets said. “It’s because we don’t have zoning like in Amarillo.”

According to city records, the zoning ordinance for Clarendon was passed in 1965.

Alderman Tommy Hill made a motion to table the issue, which died for lack of a second.

Alderman Tibbets moved to grant Hunt’s request for a permit. That motion also died for lack of a second.

The board then approved a motion by Alderman Bobbie Kidd to seek the advice of legal counsel on the issue. Kidd and Aldermen Janice Knorpp and Mark White voted in favor. Tibbets and Hill abstained.

In other city business, Theresa Shelton spoke on behalf of the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association and asked the city for help defraying the cost of advertising the Saints’ Roost Celebration. The board voted to give the COEA $1,500 from the Motel Bed Tax Fund.

Alderman Knorpp was appointed to fill a vacant position on the Clarendon Economic Development Board.

R. Paul addressed the board concerning dumping fees at the city’s recycling center. He does not have a pickup but does have a small trailer, and he wanted to know if he could dump once a month with his paid water stub. The board reviewed Ordinance 338 and determined that this is allowed under the code.

Loy Davis was requested to appear before the board and was asked about the mobile homes he was allowed to place at Eighth and Johns. The aldermen asked if had set them on concrete slabs. He said he had not but that he had set them on concrete blocks. Several members of the board thought they remembered requiring him to place them on slabs, but he remembered differently, and since there was no mention of it in the minutes, they took no action.

Frank Hommel addressed the board concerning the future of Thunder Junction. He is offering to sell the park to the city at a cost of $40,000, which is a fraction of the money spent to build the park. The price includes everything except the Ferris wheel, which has been sold, and the land, which is at the beginning of a 99-year lease. The board will gather more information and discuss the theme park further at its next meeting.

Water and sewer tap fees were discussed, and the board voted to increase the fees by $100 for water taps and $50 for sewer taps due to the increased cost of materials.

The American Legion Post 287 will hold memorial services at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley in honor of Memorial Day.

The Legion will unveil a monument dedicated to the namesakes of the post – Leo Loyd Lane and Wesley Adamson – two World War I soldiers from Hedley who were killed in France

The Clarendon Girl Scouts will hold their Memorial Day ceremony at Citizens Cemetery at 10:00 a.m., and the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary will hold a memorial service at the Donley County War Memorial at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 26. 

The VFW will be placing flags on the veterans’ graves starting at 11 a.m. in Citizens, Catholic, and Odd Fellows Cemeteries.  Any volunteers who would like to help put out the flags would be appreciated.

The VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary will be distributing Buddy Poppies throughout the county and ask for your support by wearing the poppy to support our troops, past and present.

Services were held Monday for former Donley County Judge William Roland “Billie” Christal, who died last Thursday, May 15, at the age of 92.

The sanctuary of the First Baptist Church was filled to near capacity as family members and friends gathered for the services. Rev. Truman Ledbetter, pastor, and Christal’s grandson, Mike Word, officiated. Masonic graveside rites and interment followed in Citizens Cemetery with arrangements by Robertson Funeral Directors.

Monday’s service was a celebration of Christal’s life and the way he impacted the lives of others. He was eulogized as a man of honesty, integrity, and fairness who was always willing to help his fellow man. He was known as a gentleman first and foremost, and many ladies will well remember how he would always tip his hat to them when passing by.

The portion of the service led by Word was, in accordance with Christal’s wishes, focused on the fun times he had had with his family. It was closed with a 40-year-old tape-recording of Christal’s singing grandchildren and a PowerPoint presentation of pictures chronicling Christal’s life from childhood to the present.

Christal was born Feb. 22, 1911, in Lelia Lake and had been a resident of Donley County all of his life. He married Thelma Gertrude Self on Nov. 27, 1930, in Portales, N.M.

He had been a farmer and rancher most of his life and served for 26 years as the Donley County judge before his retirement in 1997. While serving as county judge, he served in various capacities on many local and area boards and committees.

He had served on the Lelia Lake School Board and the Clarendon College Board of Regents for many years. He served on the PRPC Board and was very instrumental in the implementation of the county Emergency Medical Services System.

He was a member of First Baptist Church and had been a Sunday school teacher and a Deacon. He was a member and past master of Clarendon Masonic Lodge No. 700, a recipient of the Golden Trowel Award, a member and Past Patron of Clarendon Chapter No. 6 Order of the Eastern Star, and was well known for the elaborate Christmas lighting display at his home.

He was preceded in death by his wife on May 28, 1992; a sister, Marguerite Alderson; and a granddaughter, Kathryn Kuhrau.

Casketbearers were David Word, Tim Word, Brandon Word, Cameron Word, David Miller, Quentin Kuhrau, Clayton Kuhrau and Tyler Word. Honorary bearers were Robert Swerzinski, great-grandchildren, First Baptist Church deacons, and Clarendon Masonic Lodge members.

Survivors include two daughters, Jan Word of Amarillo and Janeice Kuhrau of Seattle; six grandchildren, Kimberly Miller, Mike Word, David Word, Timothy Word, Clayton Kuhrau and Quentin Kuhrau; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be to the Donley County Courthouse Restoration Project Fund or Harrington Cancer Center of Amarillo.

The CHS Student Council hosted the second-annual school-wide talent show Tuesday, May 6, to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Those participating in the elementary division of the talent show included Summer Petrie, Maci White, Gentry Shadle, Bradley Watson, Trevela Dronzek, Cole Ward, Kenzie Perryman, Kae Lea Hewett, Austin Lowry, Brittany Sanchez, Keirstan Harlan, Kaleigh West, and Payge Petrie.  Secondary division participants included Abbie Massingill, Bailey Starnes, Philip Vorheis, Matt Aaron, and Eric Pitts.

Winners in the elementary division were Summer Petrie, fourth place Vocal Solo; Trevela Dronzek, Summer Petrie and Payge Petrie, third place Cheer Routine; Austin Lowry, second place Vocal Solo; and Kaleigh West, first place Vocal Solo.  Winners in the secondary division were Philip Vorheis, third place Stand-up Comedy; Abbie Massingill and Bailey Starnes, second place Skit; Matt Aaron and Eric Pitts, first place Martial Arts.

The Student Council appreciates all local businesses who made donations including Community Bank, Herring National Bank, B&R Thriftway, Every Nook and Cranny, Pizza Hut, Don Stone, Clarendon Post Office, Knorpp Insurance, Signs Plus, Donley County State Bank, and Duckwall’s, as well as everyone who participated in or attended the talent show.  Over $500 was raised for St. Jude’s.

The Hedley Board of Aldermen approved new street address ranges when they met on May 5.

The address changes are being made to bring the city into compliance with the Panhandle Regional 911 Network with the assistance of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission.

The board also submitted its top three choices for renaming three streets on the south side of US 287. The thoroughfare now known as South 3rd Street will be renamed Little St., Mesquite St., or A Drive. South 4th Street will be called Muddy Rd., Sage St., or B Drive; and South 6th Street will be dubbed Weatherly Drive, Yucca St., or C Drive.

In other business, the board amended the budget and voted to join the Association of Rural Communities in Texas on a one-year trial basis. The aldermen also adopted a resolution joining the lawsuit to intervene in Valor Telecom’s attempt to enact new Extended Local Calling surcharges.