Journal Gazette from Mattoon, Illinois • Page 3

Monday, June 20, 1938 Mattoon, (II.) Journal Gazette A-S Shelby co-op frees itself from RE A mortgage Montgomery, Christian and Fayette counties as well as parts of Cumberland, Sangamon, Moultrie have something in mind to strive for. I think you can do anything you set your mind to, to By PATTY O'NEILL Staff Writer disaster strike. Shelby Electric offers the third lowest rates of 23 electric cooperatives in Illinois with members pay tact that his formal education ended at the high ing slightly less than 10 cents a kilowatt ho urx school level with the exception of a few courses he SHELBYVILLE One of at the University of Bill LeCrone's goals as man Dec rone starts bis day at 3 a.m. and thinks about ager 01 aneiDy Electric Cooperative has become a reality. During its annual meeting Thursday, the co-op will burn its mortgage to celebrate paying off more than $4 million In loans from the Rural Electrification Administration over a 50-year period.

The co-op is the first electric co-6n in the and Effingham counties, got its first loan from the REA in 1938 and its last loan 21 years later when it constructed its offices on Illinois 128. It wasn't until last year that paying off the mortgage became a reality. "When I started in 1973, we owed $1,655,539.12 to the REA and it was just unrealistic to have (paying it off) as a goal," he said. But little by little the co-op chiseled away at the principal and in September the goal was within reach. The co-op repaid the loans that carried a 2 percent Interest rate some 4'fe years early thus eliminating the $15,000 quarterly payments.

"The savings (in giving up the low interest loans) In other ways more than offsets the difference we lost when we paid off the loans," LeCrone said. "Our insurance rates are lower and the liability is considerably lower for the manager, officers and directors. And we're out from under the thumb of the government." Arid while the co-op's assets are valued at $13,678,440, it continues to make investments and Improvements in itself and is sitting comfortably with a $3 million reserve as protection should a "We've always put the margin (between operating expenses and what the members pay per kilowatt hour) back into the plant. Last year, we put about $500,000 back Into our operation," for improvements to the lines and poles, he said. In 1961 the cooperative rebated the "margin" back to the members but members suggested it invest the money In the co-op.

"They said 'why in the world don't you apply the money back to the indebtedness instead of giving us $2, $5 or And we've just continued the practice." LeCrone, 65, has lived and breathed ccop business most of his adult life. He started working for the co-op In 1944 with aspirations of becoming the manager one day. "I've done everything here but climb the pole. I've even done janitorial work." He was the assistant manager from 1969 to 1973 before moving into the manager position. "Reaching the goal of becoming manager was a highlight for me," he said.

"I spent 29 Hears doing all different types of workaround here. I don't think a person has much ambition if he doesn't I co-op business until 5 a.m., planning his day. He makes it to the office by about 6:30 a.m. and finishes up at 5 p.m. He works without the aid of an office manager, an assistant or a public relations representative and runs the operation with an open-door policy keeping in mind the days he sat on the other side of the desk.

Without revealing his salary to a non co-op -member, LeCrone said he never dreamed he'd be in the position he is in today. "I started in April 1944 at 50 cents an hour," he said. When his contract came due last year, the board asked him what kind of increase he expected. Surprisingly, he told the board to hold onto their seats because he didn't want any increase. "The people have been good to me.

My wife and I have raised and educated our kids and we haven't starved. I'm getting to the end of the rainbow and I'm satisfied with what I'm getting." LeCrone state to repay its entire loan to me KCiA ana one of only 10 or 12 In the nation to achieve this. LeCrone, who has been managing the co-op since January 1973, credits penny pinching and "iron clad management" from the directors on down to the employees and members. "If you don't have good help, you can be ruined real easily," he said. Shelby Electric, Which services Shelby, Macon, Area Focus bGOU 1 Local woman hurt in crash Amy Herring hamedxMiss Neoga a X.

a A. 'V A A Av DECATUR A Mattoon woman was seriously injured Saturday in a traffic accident in Decatur. Kelli Brosam, 27, of Mattoon. was Injured when a car driven by Leo Walters, 83, of Decatur struck her car about 5:40 p.m. Saturday.

According to a spokesman for the Decatur Police Department, Brosam was eastbound on U.S. 36 at the Intersection with North Country Club Road. Walters' vehicle was westbound on U.S. 36 and he turned south in front of the Brosam vehicle causing the collision, the spokesman said. Walters' car then hit another car, driven by a Decatur resident.

That driver was not hurt. A passenger in the Walters' car was killed, the police spokesman said. Both Brosam and Walters w.ere listed in serious condition Sunday night at St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur. The investigation is continuing because police have not been able to speak to the drivers.

The lone ticket issued thus far was issued to Brosam for not wearing a seat belt. a 4 4 0 4 A A A A 1 It 'A NEOGA Amy Herring was crowne1 Miss Neoga 988 Saturday during the Neoga Days celebration, Herring, 16, is a daughter of John and Mafy HerriD. She was sponsored by Mercer's Pharmacy, Jamie Shaw was named first runnerup and Miss.Cori-genlallty. Shaw, 16, is a daughter of Dean and CbriWfc Shaw. She was sponsored by J.A.

Krueger Insurahcfe Agency. Angle Krikie, 17, was named second runnerup. She Is a daughter of Ken Krikie nd was sponsored by Walk's Feed 4 Supply. Other participants included Tammy Stiffler, 16, a daughter of Sandy Hatfill and Vernon Stiffler; Charlene Jones, 17, a daughter of Bob and Judy Jones; and Rhonda Orsborn, 18, a daughter of Karla, Prince and Ron Orsborn. The winners received a variety ofprizes including cash, a savings bond and gift certificates.

Ground was broken Sunday for the Heartland Christian Village a retirement community funded In part by about 30 area Christian Churches and the town ofeaga. Both plan to raise $65,000 and the town has alreadyrais-ed slightly more than $32000. The groundbreaking ceremony took place around a Clark Coun ty Fair to opei MARSHALL The 92nd an-nual Clark County Fair begins today and i will run through Saturday. Highlights today include the second annual baby show in front of the grandstand at 6 p.m. arid the talent show at 7 p.m.

The gate fee is $1 with children younger than 12 admitted free. Grandstand seating today through Thursday and Friday morning and afternoon will cost $1 for bleacher seats and $1.50 for reserved seats. Children under six are admitted free. Friday and Saturday evening bleacher seats cost $2.50 and. reserved seats $3.50.

Bleacher seats during the day Saturday, cost $2 and reserved seats cost $3. if f. newly planted dogwood tree donated donated by an Eff- Miss Neoga Amy Herring (center), Angie Krikie (left) and Jamie Shaw Ingham nursery. 'Arts on Square' announced T7 j5 1 it v-r-. rr high-quality, original visual and performing artists from the.

Midwest. For more information and registration forms, call 348-7702 or 348-1475 or write Arts on the Square, Visual Artists, 520 Jackson Charleston 61920. CHARLESTON The Charleston Area Arts Council will have its third annual "Arts on the Square" in September. Professional and amateur artists are invited to show, sell and demonstrate their work on Sept. 24.

The arts council is looking for 1' i rv 'I i LL Stateside Sky divers plunge to deaths 1 1 1 jJjr J. 1. Photo bv Patlv O'NaUl Genevieve Sarver breaks ground for center. Youngsters take wild ride on giant slide at tyeoga Days carnival. Afobie Hoffman Smoking mad other about 200 feet from the ground, he said.

"They knew what they were doing," Nelson said in a telephone interview. "They loved (skydiving). It was their thing In life." But DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said he was alarmed because an average of one person a year is killed in a skydiving accident in his county. He said he would talk with the DeKalb County state's attorney about trying to require additipnal safety precautions or better training for jumpers. "I'm not against skydiving, but this is just ridiculous," Miller said.

Kuhlman and Clifford fell shortly after 6 p.m. and were pronounced dead at Sandwich Community Hospital within an hour, Mrs. Jerde said. SANDWICH (AP) Two skydivers fell about 200 feet to their deaths" 'when their parachutes became tangled during a jump, authorities said Sunday. Scott Kuhlman, 27, of Carol Stream, and Bernard Clifford, 22, of Oak Lawn, were killed during the accident Saturday along U.S.

Highway 34 near- the Sandwich Airport, said Karen Jerde, a DeKalb County sheriff's deputy. Roger Nelson, program director at Skydive Sandwich, a training program based at the airport, said Sunday that Kuhlman and Clifford had graduated from the training program and were experienced skydivers. "Somehow, the two of them ran Into each other," and one parachute wrapped around the CHICAGO (AP) Activist Abbie Hoffman ru said Sunday he was ordered off a Continental Airliiies plane at Chicagovs O'Hare International Airpjfjft after a stewardess unjustly accused him of smoking marijuana in the lavatory. 'Of all cities, people either In VP mp nr halo mo tko mnct Hoffman, the 51-yearnold former Yippie lead- er. said "some very strange things" seem to CnicagO.

allowed to board Continental's next flight to Newark an hour later. Off -top of tljat, he says the airline lost: his carry-on bag. Ned Walker, a Continental spokesman, said it was company policy not to release the names of passengers, but confirmed that a male passenger was ordered off the Newark-bound flight. He said several crew members and gers "smelled a burning odor coming from the lavatory" after the smoke alarms went off while the plane was refueling. Activist Abbie Hoffman happen to him in Chicago, where 20 years ago he was a key organizer of the, August 1968 protests against the Democratic National Convention.

"Of all cities, people either love me or hate me themost in Chicago," said Hoffman, contacted by telephone in Northampton, where he was speaking at an anti-nuclear power -Dry Suddenly, the fire alarm bells started ringing, he "Smoking on the ground or In a lavatory is in ifIaI a Ham nf fafarol otiatinn rotnil otinnc anH rally on Father's Day. "Then the stewardess pushes in the door with nilM nUt tho c0ftv nf nnr Continued from page Al below the normal level of 14.5 hv ches for this time of the Jhe incident occurred late Friday afternoon" her knee like stormtcooperr and starts membirsat riSk said walker -con- shouting, 'You've been smoking just after he had boarded a flight bound for tacted at his home in Houston. restrictions. f- The drought in the Chicago area entered Its 27th day Sunday, the longest for May and June since re- Hoffman said. "I said, 'Like hell, bring on the dogs: I'm not smoking "She's lucky I didn't havS my pants down." Hoffman said he was ordered off the plane, and as he was getting off some passengers asked for his autograph.

"The passenger admitted to our personnel that he was in the lavatory smoking a Cuban cigarette," said Walker, adding that he did hot know the cigarette's contents. He said a frontal system was moving south through Wisconsin, bringing with it a 30. percent chance of rain for the northern third of Illinois overnight Sunday. But he said any rainfall would be lqss than one inch, and the five-day forecast called for no other chance of rain. Newark, N.J., alter visiting ynicago to meet with Playboy magazine editors, Hoffman said.

Minutes before takeoff, Hoffman said he went into the lavatory to take some pain-killing medications that doctors had prescribed for Injuries he had suffered the day before in a car accident while -traveling from his New Hopek home to the Newark airport. cords were first kept in 1871, the National Weather Service said. Forecaster Greg Dickey said i that as of -Sunday, 8.59 Inches of precipitation had fallen on Chicago since Jan. 1, nearly six inches The man then "apologized and assured our He said he was briefly questioned by an of- personnel that he would conduct himself in ac-ficjal who didn't identify himself, and then cordance with the law," Walker said. Notices rehistorie horse here j' By PATTY O'NEILL 3' Staff Writer KNOWLES CAFETERIA Roast Beef Potatoes, $2.75, Mon.

night. MATTOWVFW Bingo Tonight 7 p.m., $500 Jackpot. Open to public. STORY HOUR Every Tuesday 9 30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Mattoon Mc Donald's, South Rt. 45. "CANDLELIGHT LOUNGE AT QUALITY INN PRESENTS MONDAY GAME ON BIG SCREEN DRAFT-25, 7-10 PM FREE T-SHIRT TOTE Call Jazzercise for details. 234-3141, 1805 Lafayette FUNERAL" MURRY, Alice The service will be held at 7 p.m. today in the funeral home with Reader William Gillson officiating.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. SCHILLING'S FUNERALS VON BEHRENS, Laurence A graveside service will be' held at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Humboldt Cemetery with Rev. Greg Swango officiating. SCHILLING'S A WILFRED Remains to Knapp Funeral Home in Rankin.

SCHILLING'S. Kickapoo Creek with the bone. It is characteristic of the ice age. Douglas J. Brewer, director of laboratory anthropology at the of examined the bone last week and said it was nothing but a "big Brewer told Stoner the horse was probably someone's prize animal since it was buried and it was fairly old when it died.

The scientific name for the modern horse is Equus Caballus and being modern would indicate it lived sometime after the J8QQS, u- The jawbone, with five teeth still intact, was found in early May by Sandy Rardin of Mattoon when workers on the city's sewer treatment plant unearthed the bone near her home. During initial observations, Gary Wallace, Eastern's director eTgeology and geography, believed the partial jawbone, measuring seven to 10 inches long, could have been from one of the mammals that roamed the edge of the ice sheets during the Pleistocene glacial epoch. He based part of his belief on the 15 to 20 feet of dirt that' was unearthed along the MATTOON What was thought to have been a prehistoric fossil dating back to the ice age, turned out to be nothing more than the jawbone of a modern horse. "It's kind of disappointing, but It's just a common horse," said Lester Stoner, an in-Kstructor In Eastern Illinois University's geology and geography department. He took the bone to the University of Illinois fvKt wapIt fnrjHpntiflcntinn.