The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 3

rr The Des Moines Register Wednesday, October 5, 1994 3A The Fabric of History For the Record Dad to get new trial in boy's death i WR 1 I .1 I if hl i -A jrx ww 1 COCOUJMBU Protesters greet ship docked in Sioux City Some Native Americans are concerned about what they feel the replica represents. liyli(EWHYE RK( IISTKR C( WKKSmSllKST term. --t, ISM BOB NANDEUThe Register Jonae Van Vleet of West Des Moines, left, and of the Land. A selection of embroidered pieces Sharon Townsend of Altoona unfold one of and other textiles from the collection also will more than 50 antique quilts that went on dis- be available for viewing until Sunday. Some of play Tuesday at Living History Farms' Church the quilts are more than 1 00 years old.

Omaha grapples with next sten in housin Sioux City, la. American Indians once again greeted Christopher Columbus' ship Tuesday, this time to protest what the explorer represents to their culture. precise replica of the small Spanish freighter Nina, which was part of Columbus' fleet, docked on the Missouri River at Sioux City for public tours. "Having people celebrating this boat being here is like having Adolf Hitler commemorated," said Frank Saunsoci Sr. of the Omaha Indian Reservation near Macy, Neb.

"That's what Columbus means to our Indian people." The protesters stayed near the mooring for about 2lA hours before leaving. "They respected our views and we respected theirs," said Steve Armer, shore coordinator for the ship. This is the first protest we've seen," said Morton Sanger, the ship's captain. He is sailing the replica for the Columbus Foundation of the British Virgin Islands. "We're surprised it hasn't happened before, but we're totally non-political and are showing a ship type, the only one of itsWnd." John Keizer, director of parks and recreation for Sioux City, said Tuesday that city officials were powerless to prevent the Nina from docking on the Missouri River in Sioux City, as American Indian leaders have requested.

"The city has not asked the boat to come and we have not necessarily supported the visit. But the Missouri River is a public water and they are not docking at a public dock. Basically, it is their choice to come," Keizer said. Built in Brazil by shipbuilders who I still use tools and traditions dating back to those of the 15th-century shipwrights, the Nina was launched in December 1991 and has since i traveled more than 45,000 miles. Besides visiting 30 states, the Nina has also called on countries in Central and South America.

Sioux City is the farthest port inland that the ship is visiting. To Charles Fisher, a respiratory therapist from Sioux City who was visiting the Nina where she was moored not far from the Sioux City Sue along the banks of the Missouri River, the 93-foot-long wooden ship was small. "I can't imagine crossing! the ocean in this," he said. "I'm not sure I'd even cruise the Missouri in it." few years ago the Nina took part in the movie "1492." To help the Nina in her role, a small diesel engine; was installed, an asset when cruising up the Missouri River. "If we had tried to use sails alone, we would have ended up back at St.

Loujs," said Ed Schneider, a deckhand from Rochester, N.Y. Ship operators said the Columbus Foundation agreed to end the ship's visit to Sioux City a day earlier than planned out of respect to Indian leaders who don't want the vessel present when the War Eagle monument is rededicated Sunday. Viewing hours during the stop are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for students.

Completed 14.450-Mile Trek Corrections and Clarifications The headline on a Dateline Iowa item Tuesday incorrectly characterized an incident at Iowa State University. A student who climbed onto the ledge of a building Sunday did not threaten to jump. The Register strives tor accuracy and lair ness Errors in our news columns will be corrected in this space Readers who believe the paper has erred may request a correction by telephoning the MetroIowa desk at (5151284-8065 Lotteries Iowa Lottery Tuesday's $100,000 Cash Game: 2-8-13-23-35 Complete lottery listings: Page 2T Reader's Guide To place a classified ad To order an ad for the Sunday or daily Register, call from 7 a.m. to 500 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 7 a.m.

to 9 p.m. Thursday: 7 a m. to 6 m. Friday; 7 a m. to 2:30 p.m.

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(515) 286-2500 A GANNETT NEWSPAPER Published Monday throuph S.iturd.iy DES MOINFS RFGISTFR AND TRIBUNF COMPANY 715lOCUSTSTRET DES MOINES. IA 50309 Vol 146 No 88 October5 1994 Suggested Retail Prices Dealer and vendor (single copy) 50 Carrier (loot in Iowa 6 days 25wh II mail (in Iowa 70'wk mail (outside lowai $3 90wK The Des Moines Register is distributed by the Des Moines Register and Tribune Company and by independent contractors In areas served by independent contractors, prices may vary trom the suggested retail prices since independent contractors establish their own pricing policies The Des Moines Register (USPS 1 54 760) is published daily except Sunday lor $1 1 7 per year (loot carrier) by the Des Moines Register and Tribune Company 715 Locust Street Des Moines, la 50309 3724 Second-class postage paid ai Des Moines, la Postmaster Send address changes or subscription questions to the Des Moines Register, Circulation Depart ment, PO Box 957 Des Moines la 50304 0957 The Associated Press ts entitled exclu sively to the use or reproduction ot all local news printed in this New School District West Bend, Mallard vote to merge By MICHAEL McNARNEY Ki.i;isn uSi Wkitik Several Iowa communities voted on a variety of issues Tuesday night. Mallard and West Bend voters approved a merger of their school districts. The districts have had a whole-grade sharing agreement since December 1990. The new district will be about 193 square miles.

Residents in both districts had to approve the merger by a margin of more than 50 percent. In Mallard the vote was 216 to 119, while in West Bend it was 5 18 to 13. Elsewhere Tuesday: A $4 million bond issue failed, 1,918 to 1,108, in the GrinnellNew-burg School District to replace Davis Elementary School and add on to the high school. In the Knoxville Community School District, two measures needed to build a new high school and add on to an elementary school passed. The vote to issue $8.75 million in bonds passed 1,771 to 1,113, while the vote actually approving the construction passed 1,853 to 1,079.

Nora Springs voters approved $290,000 in bonds for a new combined city hall and library by a vote of 232 to 133. The current buildings are nearly 100 years old and in need of repair, officials say. In the Eastern Alamakee Community School District, voters approved an instructional support levy 325 to 200. The levy will be 10 percent of the district's income surtax. Shares divided Ni wsSi Dubuque, la.

The Dubuque Police Department, the Dubuque County Sheriff's Department and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement were presented with checks totaling more than $13,000 from federal seizure of the residence of Verne E. Eppler. The money represents the law enforcement agencies' participation in the investigation. Eppler is awaiting sentencing on two counts of delivery of cocaine within 1 ,000 feet of a school in 1993. APPEAL Continued from Page IA served a new trial because his attorney was ineffective.

"The lead member of the prosecutorial team was a visibly expectant mother," the court said of Harkin, a former Story County attorney who now heads the Overseas Private Investment Corp. She is the wife of Sen. Tom Harkin. "In her opening statement, while 'continuously rubbing her pregnant she said, 'He was the kind of little boy that I would like to have. He was the kind of little boy that you would like to have.

He was snuffed out. Snuffed out before he had a chance the court said. "In light of the inflammatory statement, we think the jury was unable to calmly consider the mitigat ing factors relating to Seehan's intent and mental state, which could have resulted in a second-degree murder conviction, or an acquittal by reason of insanity," the court said. The court ordered a new trial on a 2-1 vote, with Justice Pasco Bowman dissenting. Bowman said: "To me, considering the desire of any competent counsel to avoid offending or alienating the jury, it is entirely understandable why Seehan's counsel would refrain from objecting to Harkin's brief comments about the dead child.

"In addition, it seems quite obvious to me that no lawyer in his right mind would have interrupted Harkin's statement to the jury with a request that she be admonished to refrain from patting her belly." Admitted Guilt After the murder, Seehan admitted to police that he smothered Tommy with a pillow because he feared his wife was going to seek custody of the boy in a divorce action she was planning. The day after the slaying, Seehan armed himself with a shotgun and held his wife, Linda, hostage for six hours at an insurance office she worked at in Ames. During the standoff with police, Seehan told reporters over the phone that he killed his son because he loved him. "The same thing happened to me when I was a little baby," Seehan told a Des Moines Register reporter. "I know how it turned out, and I wasn't going to let that happen to my boy," Seehan said.

Brewer told jurors that Seehan was not sane and could not be held responsible for his actions. Bob Brammer, a spokesman for Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell, said no decision has been made on whether the state will appeal. "If we believe the court is wrong, we'll apply for a rehearing," he said. THIS ARTICLE includes material from The Associated Press. Iowa Deaths Edward Anderson Wearin, 76, of Red Oak died of a heart ailment Sunday in Rochester, Minn.

Services will be at 2 p.m. today at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Red Oak. Mr. Wearin was a farmer and manager of Wearin Brothers Cattle Co. near Hyannis, Neb.

He was a Republican state senator in the early 1960s and had also been a member of the Iowa State Development Commission. Surviving are his wife, Helen; three daughters, Elizabeth Salmon of Bellevue, Sarah Smith of Red Oak and Catherine Saraduke of Aurora, a son, Andy of Hyannis, a brother, Josiah of Hastings; and five grandchildren. ARCADIA Leonard Bruenmg. 85 ASBURY Thomas Bom. 57 BERNARD Harlan Noonan.

64 CASCADE Ellen Manternach. 55; Mairine Mens-ter. 68 CEDAR FALLS Willena Smith. 67; Marcus Flan-scha. 68: Charles Fry.

83; Harold Earwicker. 83 James Westemeier. 60 CHEROKEE Harry Sindberg. 80: Bessie Addy. 87 CRESCO Sylvester Strnad.

88 Mary Ernst. 70 DE WITT Muarice Kleinsmith. 81: Genevieve Denme. 80: Richard Paysen, 49: Charles Mer rill 66 DENISON William Gallaeher 84 DES MOINES T. Leroy Clemens.

80: Stella Cox, 72. Peter Kauflarich, 80; Lester Stotts. 30: Isa belle Wandling, 84. DUBUQUE Gladys Rave. 82; Edith Harris.

85. Anna Pemsl. 88. Helen DeRBendorf. 89: Greg ory Mat.

44; Ted Staoelton. 64. Mary Henry. 84. William McCoy.

79; Bill Hostert. 66; Flor ence McCarthy. 89; William Thole. 76: Austin Neill. 84; Mary Jarding.

47; Edna Alderson, 90: Rosemary Goeteinger. 72: Cecilia Brouillet 69 Emily Sliter. 95. EARLVILLE Josephine Gibbs. 59 FARLEY Marcella Greenwood.

85 FREDERICKSBURG Lorraine Urness. 75 GREELEY Dolene Penn. 89 HARTLEY Harry Jesperson. 84 HOPKINTON Chris Streil. 73 IDA GROVE Dale Nicholson.

76 LA PORTE CITY Russell Mismer. 72 LAWLER Helen Roehnch. 82 Mary Kipp MANCHESTER Paul Billhorn. 86: Mabel Lane 83 MUSCATINE Leona Toyne. 87; Everett Clover 87: Vivian Chapman.

85: Selma Halermann 78: Douglas McDermott. 80 NASHUA Robert Demro. 69. Melvin Hender son 66 NEW HAMPTON Arlene Upham, 84. Veryle bweiter, 58 NICHOLS Maybelle Chitwood.

86 OSSIAN Harold Scheidel. 70; Marcel Bar thelme 78. Walter Jeling. 75 OTTERCREEK Albert Althoft. 79 POLK CITY William Van Houlen.

57 RICEVILLE Robert Sprung, 7 7 SANBORN Bernice DeVoll. 97. Sadie Krikke 90 SCHLESWIG Leonhardt SchulW. 82 VAIL Frances Lalley. 65.

WATERLOO Lloyd Gress. 84: Emit VanRiper 66; Doris Klunder, 84, Elsie Greene. 78; Frances Zweibohmer, 72: Dorothy Turner, 88; Catherine Jensen. 78. Ruby Hild, 82: Paul Kol-thoM.

86; Hael Poppen. 84: Fred Annett. 83 Bonnie Dousan. 78. Winnilred Kommelter, 78 Helen Campbell 100.

Burdette Bates. 73: John HoHmann, 80; Robert Shorter. 79: Gerold Gregory. 72; Marian Toothman. 75; Albert Manning.

74: June Watson. 80, Everett Dun ham. 87, WILTON Augusta Lincoln. 91 WINDSOR HEIGHTS Mary Egeland 64 "Sim cy's general counsel, said he believes that only a relative handful of former Logan Fontenelle residents had much interest in moving to predominantly white parts of the city. "Many of these people were born and raised in north Omaha," said Whitner, who lives a few blocks from the Logan Fontenelle project.

Joyce Beasley, who runs the housing authority's Section 8 rent-subsidy program, said the notion that black people are assumed to be better off if they live in white neighborhoods is offensive on its face. "I don't know who said white was right," Beasley said, adding that a preferable policy would be to "leave people alone and let them make their own choices." "Isolated" To obtain the 100 vouchers and certificates HUD set aside for Logan Fontenelle displacees, the residents were required to obtain counseling stressing that they were getting an opportunity to live in non-minority areas where "jobs, as well as better housing, may be more available," Beasley said. Mary Clarkson, an attorney for the Logan Fontenelle residents, defended the HUD plan as a reflection of simple reality. The requirement for counseling on the possible benefits of living in white neighborhoods, she said, is nothing more than an assurance that poor black people who'd been "iso ex-wife) and said he'd "known a lot of women all over the world, and it didn't always end with a handshake." In the 20 years since, Kunst said this week, he's never said a bad thing about Waseca. As for the 1974 remarks, they weren't all that bad either, he maintained.

"For one thing, they were taken out of context by the reporter. I wasn't trying to put down Waseca or anyone; I was just being honest," he said. Retelling the Tale For the past two decades, Kunst has been on the lecture circuit, telling the story of his walk around the world to raise money for UNICEF. Now a resident of California, he also manages an apartment complex and delivers newspapers. "After the walk around the world, I was told to keep walking to keep my heart in shape.

That's why I deliver papers," he said. Goal-setting and the joy of being an American, he said, are themes he emphasizes in his speeches. He has remarried, to a woman he met in Australia. As for the advisability of an iFTf 6 1 1 I Whitner Ross Lawyer Satisfied on the near north side were aware of their opportunities to live elsewhere. In 1990, Clarkson represented more than 100 Logan Fontenelle residents who sued the Omaha Housing Authority, the city of Omaha and HUD, claiming all three acted to keep poor black people segregated in housing projects on the near north side.

A year ago, HUD, under Henry Cisneros, President Clinton's appointee as U.S. housing secretary, offered to settle the lawsuit, using the rental subsidies in white neighborhoods as a key remedy for Logan Fontenelle residents. As another part of the Logan Fontenelle settlement, the city and the housing authority also agreed to tear down nearly 600 units in other near-north-side project-type housing and to replace at least three-fourths of the demolished units with housing in white areas of the city. Jeannette Jackson ended up simply moving to another north-side project, Pleasantview East, when Logan Fontenelle was demolished (as Pleasantview East is to be within five years). One factor in staying on the near north side, Jackson said, is that she has no car and that public transportation is much better on the north side than in the predominantly white western part of the city.

Another Logan Fontenelle displa-cee who is black, Celeste Ross, landed in a mostly white neighborhood south of downtown Omaha and is happy. Ross is one of half a dozen former Logan Fontenelle residents who got into scattered-site housing, owned by the Omaha Housing Authority, in various parts of the city. "I love my house," Ross said. "It's the peace and quiet. You don't have to worry about shooting or people breaking into your place." But, Ross said, old habits die hard.

She says she still locks her doors, even if her neighbors don't. around-the-world walk today, Kunst warns against it. "I think it would be very different today; probably impossible the way we did it. Some areas today are worse, like Iran; but others, such as Russia, would be better to walk through now," he said. A Deadly Barrier The most difficult problem for him and his brothers, Kunst said, was language differences.

That was inadvertently responsible for John's death. "It was printed in a newspaper in Afghanistan that we were collecting money for UNICEF. We weren't collecting money; we were just telling people to send money to UNICEF. But when (the bandits) read in the paper that we were collecting for UNICEF, they believed we had a lot of money with us," Kunst said. Far from it.

The brothers launched their walk from Waseca on June 20, 1970, with $1,500 in their pockets. A bit more and the generosity of people along the way carried them though, Kunst said. "There were a lot of kind people along the way. I'd like to invite them all to the 20-year celebration," he said. OMAHA Continued from Page 1A well as the wisdom of a major shift in the policies of the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Clinton administration. The agency's new philosophy is to break up big public-housing projects with high minority populations and to scatter the residents to mostly white neighborhoods, where better housing and more economic opportunity presumably are available. That was a major part of the remedy the agency devised for the people at Logan Fontenelle. But to date, many of the people eligible for HUD's remedy have shown scant interest in leaving the mostly African-American north-side section of Omaha where Logan Fontenelle was located. To settle a housing discrimination lawsuit brought by Logan Fontenelle residents, HUD agreed to make available 100 rent-subsidy vouchers and certificates for people who would spend at least three months trying to find rental housing in predominantly white parts of Omaha.

During those three months, the subsidies could not be used for housing in the mostly black census tract that included the demolished Logan Fontenelle units. Too Soon To Tell? So far only about one-fourth of the subsidy vouchers and certificates have been spoken for, and only eight people have used them to rent in white areas of Omaha. The Section 8 subsidies have been available since late last May. More of the vouchers and certificates may be claimed over the next few months, so officials of the Omaha Housing Authority said it would be a mistake to read too much into the relatively small number of subsidies obtained so far. Eric Whitner, the housing agen- were attacked by bandits in Afghanistan in 1972.

Another brother, Peter, joined David the last year of the journey. In the final days, the brothers walked through northwest Iowa on their way to Waseca in south-central Minnesota. The Kunst brothers grew up in Waseca before their father was transferred to Iowa. On the walk, the Kunsts were accompanied by a pack mule that hauled their belongings. A mule has been found to participate in today's 20th anniversary activities, which include a visit to the slain brother's gravesite in Waseca and a walk through the city.

No More Hard Feelings Any hard feelings toward him in Waseca probably have dissolved, David Kunst said. He was given a celebration there 20 years ago, but it was toned down after several people objected to remarks attributed to Kunst in a Minneapolis Tribune newspaper story. There was one about guys sitting in a Waseca bar "moaning about their jobs and their wives and their lives, and they escape by going to the bar." He also discussed the strained relations he had with his wife (now 'Peace walker' has second homecoming David Kunst, who walked around the world in the 1970s, hopes his reception inMinnesota sparks less controversy than last time. By JACK H0VELS0N Of The Register's Waterloo Bureau Twenty years after completing a peace walk around the world, David Kunst will return today to his hometown of Waseca, and to a welcome he hopes will be less controversi than the one vuuivoH in 1 074. Kunst, 56, whose father, Al T.

Kunst, and his wife live in Clear Lake, spent Kunst nearly four years Home again and tour monuis 14.450-mile walk through 13 countries on four continents. A brother, John, who began the walk with him, was slain when the two he 1 tP 11.