News

A new Equine Center will soon be built on the western edge of the Clarendon College campus following the letting of subcontractor bids totaling $937,256 last Tuesday.

The Board of Regents approved spending $655,153 for the 73,600 square foot off-white metal building with green trim which will house the main arena.

The building was intended to have included a classroom, office, restrooms, and concession area, but those elements were deleted from the project when the bids exceeded the initial estimates for the center. College officials say those items can be added later when funds are available.

Regents also approved a bid from WWW of Thomas, Okla., to build the indoor and outdoor arena and two round pens at a cost of $82,740.

A bid from MD Barns/Bowers Construction of Amarillo to build 84 horse stalls and a 36’x72’ barn near the new center for a price of $198,363 was also approved.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in just a matter of days and should be completed by the end of August.

The new CC Equine Center, which is funded entirely through donated money, will house new equine science and intermural rodeo programs designed to attract 65 to 80 new students to the Clarendon campus next fall.

The vault doors in the Donley County Courthouse are beginning to shine with new life as a Dallas conservator works to remove more than a century of dirt and grime from their surfaces.

Michael van Enter discussed his work on the doors with county officials, project architect Chris Hutson, Texas Historical Commission representative Lyman Labry, and Phoenix I project manager Stephen Dodge during a construction conference last Thursday. 

Van Enter and his crew have been working to remove coal soot residue and dirt to reveal hidden colors in the artwork on the doors. Original paint will be touched up only minimally. They are also bringing out colored bands along the top of the vault doorframes that may have been added in the 1930s based on the type of paint.

“You’re really lucky somebody in the 1930s didn’t decide to put an Art Deco design over these doors,” van Enter said.

The doors were manufactured in Cincinnati, Ohio, by the Mosler & Bahmann Company and carry an order date of January 1883. They were apparently then kept in storage until sold for use in the local courthouse in 1890.

Artwork on the doors was likely done by indentured servants, van Enter said. Three of the doors depict landscape scenes, but a fourth door stands out for its sailboat scene, which van Enter says is in the Impressionist style and was very advanced for the time period.

“They must have had at least one artist that was more in tune with what was happening in Europe at the time,” he said. “A Polish or Czech painter was probably responsible for some of the work. Three of the doors were definitely done by the same hand.”

Trim work on the doors is painted with gold and bronze dust covered by shellac. Decorative elements on the backsides of the doors are made with ground glass covered by shellac, which gives a luminescent quality to the accents.

Van Enter’s team first vacuums the dust from the door, washes them with an alkalizing solution, then a neutralizing solution. A solvent wash is then used, followed by another round of alkalizing and neutralizing.

One door in the office formerly used by the county ag agent was badly stained at some point when someone sprayed an ammonia-based cleanser on it. A cocktail of chemicals, which included some strong alcohols, was used by van Enter to lift the stain and reveal the beautiful artwork hidden beneath.

The conservation work on the vault doors is part of the overall restoration of the 1890 building, which county officials say is coming along at a brisk pace. Scaffolding around the exterior of the building is expected to come down some time next week.

For more project information, go to www.ClarendonOnline.com and click on the courthouse icon.

The Panhandle Press Association inducted former local publisher Lewis Henry Carhart into the PPA Hall of Fame during the association’s 93rd annual convention in Amarillo last Friday.

Carhart was recognized for his role as being the first editor in the Texas Panhandle and for establishing the territory’s first newspaper, which today is known as The Clarendon Enterprise.

Born in New York in 1833, Carhart was a Northern Methodist Episcopal minister in Sherman, Texas, when he became interested in developing land in West Texas in 1877. In the spring of 1878, he led a group of Christian colonists to a site at the juncture of Carroll Creek and the Salt Fork of the Red River where he established Clarendon and named it in honor of his wife Clara. At the time, only Mobeetie and Tascosa existed as towns in the Panhandle, and neither one had a newspaper.

Carhart became the first editor in the Panhandle when he established, The Clarendon News, on June 1, 1878.  Dedicating its purpose to the “promotion and upbuilding of Northwestern Texas,” Carhart established the News as a six-column, four-page newspaper. Carhart served the paper as its editor and business manager and was assisted by James H. Parks, who served as the local editor while Carhart continued to travel to gather supplies and settlers for the colony.

With very few businesses in the new colony, early advertisers were mostly from Wisconsin and Ohio, and most of the early “news” articles were designed to promote the ideal location of the colony and to encourage even more settlement of the area. News items were gathered in Clarendon, Carhart contributed articles and sermons, and the content was then shipped to Carhart’s cousin, Dr. John Wesley Carhart in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for printing. The issues were then shipped back to Sherman, Texas, and freighted from there to Clarendon.

In 1880, Carhart assisted his cousin’s son, Ed Carhart, in setting up the area’s first printing press in Clarendon and worked with him for some time before turning the entire business over to him.

In February 1888, L.H. Carhart helped organize the territory’s first regional press association. The Panhandle Editorial Association made Carhart an honorary member for his role as the “first editor of the Panhandle region.” He addressed the opening of the first convention in Canadian and was named to serve on the Permanent Organization committee. By the close of the convention, Carhart was appointed to the Executive committee to represent Donley County.

Carhart later moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and eventually migrated to California where he died in a Union soldiers’ home in 1922. 

Despite going through many changes of ownership as well as name changes, Carhart’s creation has endured and has been published continuously since 1878.

Carhart joins former local publishers J.C. Estlack and G.W. Estlack in the PPA’s Hall of Fame. Other area newspapermen inducted this year were Garet von Netzer of the Amarillo Globe-News, David Rasco of the Amarillo Globe-News, and Danny Andrews of the Plainview Daily Herald.

A Donley County deputy was hospitalized following a high-speed chase through Clarendon Monday, but it was unclear what had caused the officer to collapse.

Deputy Joe Stewart was in Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo Monday night where he was reported to be conscious and talking. Sheriff Butch Blackburn said doctors have said the collapse was apparently not trauma related and further tests were scheduled for Tuesday.

Stewart was the first to respond when Jesse Wayne Christopher was reported to be ramming cars in the parking lot of Clarendon College’s Bairfield Activity Center at 4:29 p.m. The officer saw Christopher, age 22, running his Chevrolet pickup into the car belonging to the subject’s wife.

Christopher also reportedly threatened to kill a Clarendon College employee who attempted to intervene.

After the deputy tried to stop Christopher, the sheriff said the subject fled south on Collinson Street and a chase ensued which eventually involved the sheriff, three deputies, and a state trooper.

Christopher reportedly took several city streets and then went south on SH 70 with highway speeds up to 100 mph. He came back on CR 12 and then got onto Parks Street, where he headed north to Fourth Street and turned east.

Sheriff Blackburn said at this point he was ready to call off the chase and let the subject go for fear of injuring a citizen.

“I wanted to end it because he [Christopher] had no regard for anyone’s safety,” he said. “We were having to watch every intersection, and he’s just blowing through them.”

Stewart was stopped at the intersection of Fourth and Jefferson when Christopher rammed the front end of his patrol car.

Blackburn removed the subject from his truck and subdued and cuffed him with the assistance of off-duty Trooper Pecos Hagler and Reserve Deputy Gary Thomas. Christopher was then walked to the nearby Donley County Jail and locked up.

Stewart, who had gotten out of his vehicle under his own power after the arrest, approached Blackburn and started to collapse. The sheriff caught his deputy, who was cared for by Reserve Deputy Jim Mincey while Blackburn called for an ambulance.

The deputy was transported by Associated Ambulance Authority to Claude where he was transferred to LifeStar and taken to the hospital. Blackburn said Stewart had lost consciousness at one point during transport.

At press time, Texas Ranger Gary Henderson had been called in to assist with the investigation. Charges were pending against Christopher, but Blackburn said they would definitely include Aggravated Assault and Felony Evading.

Alderman Tommy Hill is still the top bird as Turkey King election officials cleared out the flock and rung the necks of 14 low-performing candidates this week.

The voting is now expected to get serious as only five candidates now remain with just over a week to go. They are Hill, Annette Osburn, Benny Osburn, Nancy Davis, and Mark C. White (the banker).

Hill continues to hold a wide lead in the Enterprise / Gobbler Poll with $111.98 in his money jar at Duckwall’s.

In second place is Hill’s nearest competitor Annette Osburn with $59.61, who has rocketed from her fifth place position last week. Meanwhile, her husband, Benny Osburn, has shot out of the coop like a bird with his tail feathers on fire to claim the third place spot with $58.16.  Mr. Osburn was asleep on the roost last week with only 14¢ to his name.

Former Howardwick Alderman Nancy Davis fell from second place last week to fourth place this week with a total of $53.57.  And Mark C. White (the banker) trails the five top candidates with $34.11.

Voting continues through next Friday, April 18, and the winner will be crowned as Donley County’s third Turkey King during the annual Turkey Strut Festival on Saturday, April 19.

The money jars are in position at Duckwall’s, and the time is now to cast your vote for your favorite bird. The candidate with most money wins, and all the other usual rules apply – as vague as they may be.

Everything is coming together for the third annual Donley County Turkey Strut to be held next Saturday, April 19, in Clarendon.

The day-long family fun event starts at 10 a.m. with a Pet Show and Contest at Millie B’s, where local critters can compete for the title of Best Pet in the County. Also from 10 a.m. to noon is a book-signing featuring Delbert Trew and his friends at the Burton Memorial Library.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Suna AutoMall will hos the Battle of the Area Chambers of Commerce Chili Cook-off. Chili tasting is free, and KLSR will have a live remote.

At noon, the Medical Center Nursing Home will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Hot Dog Lunch.

A free kite-flying contest will be held at Yankie’s RV Park at 2 p.m.

There will also be festivities up and down Kearney Street from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with booths featuring arts, crafts, and bake sales as well as glass blowing demonstrations, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and merchant sales.

Judge Jack Hall will defend his title as the Mattress Race Champion at 5 p.m. in the 300 block of S. Kearney, followed by the crowning of the third Donley County Turkey King, the Kids Turkey Strut Contest, and the Karaoke Street Dance.

VFW Bingo starts at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall, and the Sandell Drive-In will have its feature movie at dusk.

For more information about the Strut, call 874-2421.

By Melissa McAnear

The cast of Children of a Lesser God, CHS’s One Act Play, will be stepping onto the stage at South Plains College in Levelland for regional competition on April 10.

They are advancing because of their three past performances.

The cast performed at area competition on April 3 at the Concert Hall Theater at Amarillo College.  They advanced from district competition at M.K. Brown Auditorium in Pampa on March 25.  The cast also performed for zone competition at Shamrock High School on March 20.

Director Dennis McMenamy said the Clarendon play was perfectly cast and that all the characters are believable.  The judges also agreed based on the awards the cast has received.

At the area contest, Eric Pitts was awarded Best Actor.  Sarah Ray and James Williams were named to the  All-Star cast, and Valerie Taylor was named to the honorable mention all-star cast. 

All members received honors at district.  Eric and Sarah were named Best Actor and Actress.  Robert Shelton, James, and Valerie were named to the All-Star Cast.  Melissa McAnear was named to the honorable mention all-star cast.

Eric was named Best Actor at zone competition.  Sarah and Robert were named to the All-Star cast.  Valerie was named to the honorable mention all-star cast.

The technical crew consists of Eloy Camacho, Ty Lewis, Tim Sears, and Jeremy Howard.  Understudies are Ronna Edwards, Brandie Lockhart, Matt Aaron, and Tim Leeper.

When they step on the stage in Levelland, Mr. Mac expects the play to be in their hands. 

“They have lived up to my expectations,” Mr. Mac said.  “Now they just have to live up to theirs.”

Boaters and sportsmen will soon be paying a little more to enjoy beautiful Lake Greenbelt as fee increases go into effect.

Greenbelt General Manager Bobbie Kidd said the water authority board approved the higher fees at its February meeting.

“This is only the third increase in 35 years and the first increase in about 20 years,” Kidd said.

Annual permits will cost $30 and daily permits will cost $3. That’s up from $20 and $2.

The biggest change will come in the form of a new $100 annual permit for personal watercraft such as WaveRunners. No daily permits will be available for personal watercraft, and the annual permit will require applicants to sign a waiver and agree to certain rules and restrictions to lessen the water authority’s exposure to lawsuits.

“We thought we would be overrun with personal watercraft since we understand they are going to be prohibited at Lake Meredith,” Kidd said. “I think the new rules will also cut down on the horseplay. If it doesn’t, we can change the rules any time.”

Kidd said the new prices will go into effect as soon as the current supply of permits is exhausted. As of Tuesday morning, only 20 old permits were left, and those will probably be gone by the time most readers get this issue.

Revenue from lake permits go to pay for salaries and wages of several lake personnel, lake vehicles, maintenance, insurance, and expenses associated with vandalism.

“The recreation at the lake has to pay for itself,” Kidd said. “We even have two separate budgets [at the water authority] – one for recreation and one for the sale of water.”

Kidd said he hadn’t heard the specifics of increases for state fishing and boating licenses, but he understood the need.

“We have to have Game Wardens, and the people doing the hunting and fishing ought to be the ones to pay for it,” he said.

The water level did rise at Greenbelt over the winter but has started dropping, Kidd said. It is currently at a depth of about 60 feet.

The 65th annual Clarendon College Alumni Reunion will be this weekend April 5 and 6 on College Hill. All former and current students, faculty, board members, and friends of CC are invited and encouraged to return and renew old friendships.

Registration begins with coffee and donuts in the Bairfield Activity Center at 9 a.m. Saturday. Bulldog baseball and the spring intramural rodeo are scheduled for the afternoon.

The alumni banquet will be Saturday evening at 6:30.  Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

The anniversary honor classes this year are the Classes of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, and 1993. All members of these classes are encouraged to attend and have their class picture made. Members of the Class of 1953 are especially urged to attend because CC is planning to create Golden Anniversary diplomas for those graduates. If you’re a member of this class, we need you to call the college so your diploma can be prepared ahead of time.

The CC Fine Arts Department will perform “Sylvia” during the weekend with performances at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. A dance will be held at the Clarendon Community Center on Saturday night.

GreenLight Gas spokesman Brent Wheeler told Clarendon Aldermen last week that he was putting his company’s rate increase request on hold pending a rate review by the Texas Railroad Commission.

City officials had put the rate increase on hold for 120 days back in December, but that time period was set to run out April 16. The city had hoped state officials would make a ruling before that date, but Wheeler said it was unknown how long the commission might take.

With no action by the city aldermen, the increase would have been automatic; but with only 20 days left, Wheeler issued a letter of abeyance, essentially putting the increase on indefinite hold.

Once the commission rules on the justification of the proposed rate increase, GreenLight can lift the abeyance. The city will then have 20 days to rule on the request.

In other city business last Tuesday, the Board of Aldermen ruled in favor of a request by the Community Fellowship Church to close Leroy Street between Ninth Street and Wood Avenue.

No action was taken on a request to close Cottage Street in the same area pending church officials contacting adjoining property owners for their thoughts.

Ricky Rattan addressed the board concerning a drainage problem near his property on Gorst Street. The board agreed with a suggestion by Mayor Tex Selvidge to have the city engineer look into the matter.

Clarendon EDC Executive Director Dee Dee Autry requested permission to rope off the 300 block of S. Kearney Street for the Turkey Strut Festival between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. on April 19. The board approved the request.

No action was taken on a request by the Quail Peanut Company to improve a road in east Clarendon. Board consultant Colby Waters will get annexation information for the next meeting.

The board considered bids for re-painting the “Welcome to Clarendon” signs on US 287 and accepted the low bid from Don Stone.

The position of city administrator was discussed, and applications were reviewed. The board selected five candidates to contact for more information and possible interviews.