Mexico Ledger from Mexico, Missouri • Page 1

Mexico, Thursday, March 27, 1975 Phone 14 PAGES Mexico Ledger THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT Husband Is Hunted ed The search for Russell Epperson, 24, wanted on suspicion of killing his wife and two children, at their home at 608 W. Pearson has widened across the state, Sheriff Arthur (Bud) Riley said today. The sheriff, who is acting coroner, said a warrant was expected to be issued today, and a coroner's jury, which viewed the bodies of Fern Epperson, 25, and her children, Richard, 6, and DeAnn, 4, will be reconvened when laboratory reports are available. Dr. John Boyce conducted autopsies at Audrain Medical Center yesterday.

Sheriff Riley said the causes of the deaths are not known for sure although first indications were that they were suffocated. However, the autopsy revealed the little boy had a fractured skull in the lower right rear portion below the ear. The mother and daughter had suffered severe blows on the left side of the neck, just below the skull, the autopsy showed. The sheriff said the heads of both children were covered with plastic bags, the one on the boy tied with a cord around the neck tightly enough to choke him, the one on the girl loose. The nude body of the mother was lying face down lengthwise on a bed, and the pajama-clad bodies of the children had been tossed on top of her, their faces near each other.

Lab tests are expected to show if chloroform was used. A small bottle of the poisonous, volatile liquid was in the room, the acting coroner said, and a sock was on the bed near the young woman's face. Officers could not smell chloroform on the sock. Mrs. Epperson, who had worked at the Prescription Shop for about five years, secured the chloroform some time ago and had written in the poison book the reason: "To remove stickers from a windshield." A bit from a jackhammer, wrapped and padded with shop towels was found in a living room chair.

It may have been used in. the blows, the sheriff said. A five-gallon can of gasoline was in a small hallway outside the bedroom of the house the Eppersons had bought and moved into late last summer. Mrs. Epperson, who began a vacation Saturday, was last seen Sunday about 5 or 6 p.

m. when Harold Smith, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Smith of 600 W. Pearson, sold her a ticket.

Mrs. Smith is Mrs. Epperson's mother. Mr. and Mrs.

Epperson were graduated in the same class from Mexico High School in 1968. They were married the month before on School in 1968. They were married the month before on April 13, 1968. She was the former Fern Barnett. Her mother and step-father, Mr.

and Mrs. Smith, had seen and talked by phone with during Monday Tuesday. Epperson several, times Sheriff Riley said the man told them several stories about the whereabouts of his wife and children: They had gone to Columbia shopping, she had gone to a doctor, and others. Wednesday morning, the sheriff said, "Epperson called Mrs. Smith and told her he had heard from Fern and she would be back at 9:30, and he would like for her to come over to the house." She told him she couldn't and he said he would come get her.

He drove to the Smith home for a few doors to the east in a red pickup truck, owned by his employer, Bob Schulte of Bob's Auto Clinic, and drove back to his home with his mother-in-law. They entered the kitchen and he locked the door behind him, she told officers, and he appeared to be holding something. She could smell the odor of death strongly in the kitchen, even with doors to the rest of the house closed, she told officers. Deathly afraid, she told Epperson she had forgotten and left her electric stove turned on and was afraid .1 star 581-1111-121st Year No. 73- Fifteen Cents Ford Cool On Tax Cut, May Veto Whole Bill injuring a knee on the way, and "had someone" call the Mexico Public Safety Department, to tell them her daughter and grandchildren were missing and report her fears.

Later she went to the hospital for treatment of the knee. Police got the call at 9:15 and officers went to the house. The doors were locked and the blinds were drawn. Sheriff Riley said police at that time thought they heard somebody moving around inside, 1 but nobody answered the doorbell or knocking, Officers went away and began checking with other relatives and her employer. They reached Epperson's father, J.

R. Epperson, who lives on Route near Route northeast of Mexico and he went with them to the house around noon. Officers pried open a window and crawled through. Still parked outside in the drive was the family car, a black Cadillac, and the truck in front of the house. Sheriff Riley said there is no way to know now if Epperson left on foot or if somebody had picked him up.

Officers searched houses, lots, outbuildings, the nearby Vocational Technical School and 'Plunkett Park, the PSD calling in an off-duty shift to help. Shortly after police arrived PSD Chief Don Bolli said the woman's body might show evidence of gunshot wounds, but later said no evidence of a gunshot was found. The bleed- RUSSELL EPPERSON, for whom search has been widened, is shown with his wife, Fern, and their two children, Richard, 6, and DeAnn, 4. The three were found slain in the home at 608 W. Pearson yesterday, shown below as body was removed from house by Dwight Schindler and John Blass of the Arnold funeral home.

Deputy Sheriff Tom Cline, one of the county, city, and state officers joined in the investigation, is at door of house. (Ledger Photo by Richard Vance) ing along her neck as she lay facedown on the bed ap608 parently came from the blow. parently came from the blow. Officers said a large quantity of groceries and camping equipment was found in Epperson's car. The sheriff said the camping equipment appeared to be for one person since there was only one sleeping bag, and it was new, He said it looked like a rough camping trip might be expected, since there was an axe, a shovel and a new saw.

There was also a tent. The groceries were mostly canned foods and things that would keep for awhile, the sheriff said. "It was a whole mess of stuff," he said. Dr. Boyce estimated that the three died Monday night or Tuesday morning.

However the little boy did not attend school at Hawthorne Elementary on Monday. Tuesday afternoon Epperson stopped to talk with his employer. Mr. Schulte said he seemed perfectly normal. He told about taking his wife to the hospital for an x-ray that morning and complained about spending all morning for one x-ray.

Mr. Schulte said Epperson told him he had taken his wife to a doctor that afternoon and that she was at the doctor's office at that time. When he left, he told his employer he probably would be back in a little while. He never showed up again, Mr. WASHINGTON (AP) The Republican leader of the House, after talking with President Ford, predicts that Ford will veto the tax cut package and indicates that the President is reconsidering the whole idea of a tax cut.

The leader, Rep. John J. Rhodes, made his prediction late Wednesday after Congress approved one of the largest tax cuts in U.S. history. The package was designed to fight the recession by giving taxpayers more money.

Rebate checks for 1974 taxes would begin arriving 45 days after the bill was signed into law and reduced payroll withholding to reflect 1975 tax cuts would begin May 1. The House approved the bill 287 to 125 and the Senate followed shortly before midnight EDT with a 45-16 vote to send it on to the White House. Congress then began a 10-day Easter recess, a fact that contributed to the fairly light attendance in the Senate. White House Press Secretary Ron Nessen said earlier that Ford would make no decision for at least several days on whether to veto the bill. Another White House spokesman said today the President did not expect to take any action on the tax bill today.

The spokesman said the President received a copy of the bill late Wednesday night Israeli, Egyptian Forces Put On Alert WASHINGTON (AP) Both Israeli and Egyptian military forces have been placed on increased alert following collapse of Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger's peace mission, Pentagon sources report. It appears to be a case of both sides taking precautions against possible surprise attack. The Israelis reportedly have reinforced their troops in the disputed Sinai peninsula and called up a limited number of military reservists. Pentagon sources said they believe the Israelis have alerted additional reservists for call-up, if needed.

On the Egyptian side, some army units were described as being on full alert while air and naval units were said to have increased their readiness. Kissinger said Wednesday a Middle East peace conference in Geneva is the only apparent solution to the "potentially grave danger" existing in the area. He said he would contact the Soviet Union, the conference co-chairman, "in the near future" about resuming talks in Geneva. However, Israeli officials later told newsmen that such a conference stands little chance of success. The officials said Egypt will be no more likely to make the necessary compromises for a settlement at Geneva than in Kissinger's individual talks.

U.S. observers of the Middle East alerts noted that the Is- raelis were caught napping by a coordinated EgyptianSyrian attack in October 1973. Since that war the Israelis have been quicker to alert their forces when things become tense. Most U.S. military authorities doubt that the Israelis would launch a preemptive attack on their Arab neighbors because of the negative effect this might have on world opinion, particularly in the United States.

These military officials believe that Israel's army, strengthened by more than 600 U.S. tanks and a variety of improved weapons since the 1973 war, could hold in check any new assault by the Egyptians and Syrians until Israel's military reserves were fully mobi- lized. Morton Will Be Secretary Of Commerce WASHINGTON (AP)-In-. undergoing terior Secretary Rogers C.B. security clearance Morton is being reassigned to would not be become secretary of com- identified.

merce, an Interior Depart- The spokesman ment spokesman said today would retain 'The Sand with several hand written comments in the margins and that he was awaiting a full clean copy of the bill sometime today. However, after talking with Ford late Wednesday, Rhodes predicted a veto and said: "I imagine the President is reconsidering not only any tax cut bill but the whole idea of a tax cut in this frame of the economy." It was not immediately clear what Rhodes meant by "this frame of the economy." Democrats warned Ford that a veto would be a mistake. Ford and administration officials have said congressional tax cut proposals are too large and thus might fuel inflation. And they have opposed provisions which repeal of part of the oil depletion allowance. The final bill hammered out earlier Wednes day by a House-Senate conference committee, is substantially higher than the plan put forth by Ford.

The final package represents a compromise between a Senate proposal and a House plan. The bill sent to the White House includes the following: -Rebates on 1974 taxes averaging 10 per cent up to a maximum of $200. -A $30 credit on 1975 taxes for every taxpayer and each member of his family. -A $50 one-time payment for every Social Security recipient, and certain other pensioners and welfare recipients. -Credit, up.

to $2,000, on 1975 1 taxes of five per cent of the purchase price of a home not previously occupied. The new home must be the buyer's principal residence; putchased between March 12 and next Jan. occupied by Jan. 1, 1977, and one on which construction began or was completed by March 26. Rebate Checks In May And June If Ford Signs WASHINGTON (AP) Taxpayers would begin receiving tax rebate checks within 45 days after tax rebate legislation is signed into law, an Internal Revenue Service spokesman says.

President (Continued on Page 5) Congress Faces Troublesome Issues When It Returns WASHINGTON (AP) When it reconvenes April 7 after a 10-day recess, Congress will face troublesome problems on energy, military aid for Southeast Asia and further measures to counter the recession. The recess began today after the legislators met late Wednesday night to approve a $24.8 billion tax cut measure designed to stimulate the economy. So far the 94th Congress has been far busier than is normally the case in the first session of a new Congress. And the frenetic activity appears likely to continue after the recess. Soon after the new Congress convened in January, Ford confronted the lawmakers with far-reaching proposals on the economy and on energy.

The legislators agreed fully with him on the need for a big tax cut, though the tax-cut bill finally passed Wednesday night was larger than what Ford had asked for. But on energy policy there were sharp differences between the administration and the legislators and among the legislators. The President proposed to cut down on oil imports by raising tariffs in three steps and freeing domestic oil from price controls. Congressional leaders denounced this plan as highly inflationary and undertook to draft their own conservation proposals. Finally Ford agreed to postpone the last two tariff hikes and to try to work out a compromise with Congress.

The House Ways and Means Committee already has New Life Ends In Arrest For US Prison Escapee Six years of living a new life with his real identity secret ended yesterday for 45-year-old Charles Edward Lucas, when he was arrested in Audrain County by the FBI. Confident in his new identity, Lucas denied the old until the Federal Bureau of Investigation men checked fingerprints. Then he admitted he was man who had escaped eight years ago from the Federal Correctional Institution at Texarkana, where he was then serving a five-year sentence for interstate transportation of a motor vehicle. His wife and children apparently had no knowledge of his record. His record in his new life here in Audrain County, as a family man, a worker, and what was termed "a good citizen" may spell out hope for him in his new confrontation with the courts.

He will be taken to the U.S. District Court at St. Louis, to face arraignment on a charge of escape, and another charge of interstate transportation of a motor vehicle involved in the escape. A case for leniency is expected to be made for him, based on his life in Missouri and in Audrain County since 1969, his record of employment, support of the family he has acquired since Texarkana, and what officers said was a clear record of citizenship. He was a trusty at the federal institution, and his escape was a simple walk-away.

Records available here today did not indicate from where he was sentenced in the sixties, but showed his birthplace as West Virginia. He was located here through an FBI wanted flier, and taken into custody yesterday. He was held in the Audrain County Jail until federal marshals could arrive from St. Louis to take him to district court. Today's They say swimming develops poise and grace, but did you ever take a good look Smile isl is duck" Dane County, M.

1,. 4: started work on such a compromise bill and plans to resume its drafting soon after the recess. Chairman Al Uliman, D- a plan for a 37- cent 'increase in the gasoline tax, now 4 cents a gallon, to try to reduce consumption. A portion of this would be rebated to consumers. However, there is strong opposition to this plan in the House, and some observers say that Ullman's hopes for quick action may be overoptimistic.

Ford is pressing Congress to provide additional military aid for Cambodia and South Vietnam, but the prospects are highly uncertain because of substantial sentiment among the majority Democrats against further aid, particularly for Cambodia. Some Republican members of Congress have criticized the Democrats for falling to act on Ford's Indochina aid request before the recess. Soon after the recess, the Senate is to debate a bill to provide $82.5 million for Cambodia, much less than the $222 million asked by the President. The House Committee on International Relations has opposed that bill but may reconsider. The President's request for $300 million extra for South Vietnam has so far received no consideration.

Girl Killed In Panhandle Tornado By The Associated Press A 3-year-old girl was killed when a tornado ripped through the tiny oil field town of Lefors in the Texas Panhandle today. Tornadoes also caused property damage in Higgins, and Elk City, Okla. The Red Cross said two missing persons at Lefors were believed beneath rubble. About a fourth of the 900 residents of the town were left homeless by the twister, and more than 40 persons were injured. Authorities said Stephenie Ann Anzaldua, 3, daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. Raul Anzaldua, was killed when the twister struck their mobile home. Her parents were reported in fair condition at Pampa's Highland General Hospital. The twister destroyed about 148 buildings, including houses, mobile homes and businesses, according to the Red Cross. Lefors is about 13 miles southeast of Pampa.

Fifteen persons were hospitalized in Pampa and Amarillo. At least 25 others were treated and released. "The tornado hit the main district of town and that is Lefors," said Robert Monogue, hospital administrator in Pampa. Officials said it appeared the same funnel cloud, after hitting Lefors at 12:50 a.m., spun back aloft and then dipped at 1:58 a.m. into Higgins, a twn of 600 residents about 60 miles northeast of Lefors.

Higgins City Manager Elsie Emmell said the storm unroofed a Methodist church, wrecked a lumber yard and knocked down street lights as it carved a path 200 feet wide. In Elk City, in far western Oklahoma, Fire Chief Doug Britton said the storm cut a swath of damage eight to 10 miles long across the city. He said most of the damage was to rooftops, trees and electric power lines. He said one trailer home was destroyed, but the two occupants were not injured. Electric power and gas service were knocked out in Lefors, leaving residents and rescuers to grope through darkness for hours in searching for neighbors and.

assessing damage. Telephone service also was disrupted, leaving several sets unuseable only at the telephone company office and. necessitating radio communication with neighboring towns. Ambulances were. summoned from Amarillo, 75 miles west.

Survivors pitched in quickly to help clear streets so cluttered with debris that ambulances could not get through for a time. They agreed the damage was "massive," with destruction heaviest in the central and north parts of Lefors. Although the Texas Panhandle and other parts of the state had been placed under tornado watches, Lefors restdents said the tornado struck without warning. Winter Isn't Over Yet KANSAS CITY (AP) A severe winter storm moving across the Midlands brought thunderstorms to much of Missouri today, and the National Weather Service predicted the precipitation might turn to snow in northern Missouri tonight. Some of the thundershowers were heavy, and the weather service issued a flash flood warning for most of central and southern Missouri for this afternoon and tonight.

Al mid-morning, storms were reported around Maryville, Cameron, Harrisonville, Nevada, Trenton, Chillcothe, and Carrollton. Some brought heavy rain, some hail and high winds. A radar report from Monett showed some heavy rains in the area south of Nevada to the southwest corner of the state, with a particularly heavy storm around Sheldon. Forecasters said the rain probably would change to snow in north Missouri before it ends tonight, but there were no signs that accumulations night become heavy the ususal cabinet-level Energy Policy checks but Council. This council, a score immediately of top-level cabinet and agency heads, has been said Morton President Ford's policyhis position as analyzing body the energy that: Present's 1.

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