The Progress-Index from Petersburg, Virginia • Page 25

News Serving The Growing Southside Virginia Area PETERSBURG Wednesday, June 26, 1968 COLONIAL HEIGHTS IS HOPEWELL Staff Photo- by A. D. Hopkins Jr. Governor Godwin, Minnis, Patrom Confer At Capital March Shouldn't Be Alarming Commonwealth Two Gas Firms Plan Merger PETERSBURG Francis K. ling subsidiary and Godwin, R.

F. Godwin, president of the Peters- Burke Steele and William Earle By A. D. HOPKINS JR. 1 Progress-Index Staff Writer CHESTERFIELD Austin Minnis, the 91-year-old son of slave parents, Monday told Gov.

Mills E. Godwin that the Poor People's march isn't to be considered alarming. "Marching has been ever since God looked out in space and saw place to. put a were marching when the walls of Jerhico down." Miraiis is the oldest member, and still an active member, of the United Civic Association, a predominately Negro Chesterfield organization for community improvement. Born in 1877, he worked at several jobs in several cities, then returned to Chesterfield soon af ter World War I to establish a farm on a parcel of the lane which was once Walthall planta tion, where he was born an 1 where his parents were, slaves Buying the land for $32 an acr at that time, he was still in possession of a large tract of it whe nteretate Rt.

95 came through. of the land around WaMhall intersection was his, and Minnis is now quite wealthy. Considerable portions of money have gone to his church, Bethesda Baptist, to the Crippled Children's Home, and to Virginia Baptist Children's lome. He baa no children. Commenting on H'npy business success, Godwin said that 'Opportunities for Virginians are now are increasing tor everyone." About six months ago he happened to mention to Daniel Patram, president of the civic association, that he would like to talk to Godwin for a few minutes The idea struck Patrom, and the association requested a confer ence.

Godwin consented. The meeting was cordial Godwin inquired about Minnis health, complimented him on his appearance at the age of 91. "I mowed over an acre ground yesterday," said Minnis. The secret of his longevity lions told Godwin, is that when was small boy his mother sect him to the store and gave lim a few pennies for himself. He returned, and has mother asked him what he had bought.

He toid her that be had bought nothing but had given the coins away to tree children who "all looked just alike." "I told her I didn't know why, and she put her irms around me and said I would 'blessed' for that. So I have been blessed with a long life, at any rate." Godwin asked Minnis if he had ever preached. Minnis replied "My grandmother said 'One word in my name is Godwin commented, "A lot people preach not by talking bu by the way they live. It's the mos effective way." "Many have the wrong about colored people," assertec Minnis. "Nobody looks at th causes but only reads.

Som say the Russians are putting i up to hating the white and people use this thing as an for the fire of hate." After again extending his congratulations, Godwin gave Min- lis a silk banner showing the joints of interest of Virginia, hen introduced him to Sen. Lloyd J. Bird, who happened to be in us office, before Minnis left. Minnis was one of the origina memers of the civic association said Patrom. His meeting with Godwin was logical continua ion of the association's work to improve racial relations.

"I think we have better racia relations in Chesterfield now than -j i While, of that board, will also be- Villiam H. Trapnell, president of Commonwealth Natural Gas members of the board of Corp. announced today that the Commonwealth, wo companies plan to merge. I Commonwealth commenced op- Godwin said directors of thelerations in 1950 as an intra-state two companies have reached an company transporting agreement "in principle" upon a natural gas from Standardsville merger. Directors of voted to the Richmond, Petersburg and their approval Tuesday after- Tidewater area.

The Petersburg noon. Directors of Common- Hopewell Gas Co. was one of wealth approved the agreement its original distribution cus last week. tomers. Godwin said the plan, agreed commonwealth also supplies pon by the boards of the two gas to distributors in Richmond, ompanies, subject to stockhold- Suffolk, Portsmouth, Norfolk and approval, includes the follow- Newport NewSi to A iUed ing terms: Chemical Co.

in Hopewell and, A new class of convertible pre- thrnil subsidiaries, to the Fred- erred stock will be created by Uicksburg. Chesterfield County Commonwealth and each out- areas to anywhere else in the state," said Patrom. The civic association, said Pat rom, has existed for seven years and can claim credit for eigh hard-surface roads in predomi nately Negro sections, as well as street lighting in these sections. The association helped increase the number of Negro notaries in the county, and to provide safety patrols with rain clothing. Their current project is to help the Virginia Baptist Children's Home raise money for improvements.

standing share of Petersburg dustrial customers in Somerset, Waverly and Wakefield. Petersburg Hopewell Gas Co. has been in operation since 1841 furnishing manufactured gas in the Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights areas until 1950 when it converted to natural gas bought from Commonwealth. Petersburg Hopewell Gas year-end assets totaled $4.6 million and its operating revenues ast year came to $3.5 million. Its 1967 profits were In making the merger announcement, it was emphasized that the proposed plan is subject to approval by stockholders of both companies, to approval of appropriate regulatory bodies, and to completion of ah 1 necessary legal arrangements.

he merger, be converted into one share of the new preferred stock. The new preferred stock will provide for a $2 cumulative preferred dividend, the right to convert into common stock of Commonwealth at the rate of one and four-tenths shares of such common for each share of the convertible preferred, and the right to vote on a share-for-share basis with Commonwealth's common stock. Godwin said that although detailed plans have not been formulated, will be operated as a subsidiary of Commonwealth. Headquarters of will remain in Petersburg, and its officers and personnel will continue in their present positions. The present members of the board of will continue to serve on the board of the operat- Staff Photo By Moving Day For Petersburg's New City Manager And Family County To Seek Station Bids Again PRINCE GEORGE The Prince George County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday night to a proposal from the Prince 'George Volunteer Fire Department that the county re- advertise for bids on the construction of a new fire station.

The building has been approved by the board of supervisors and they have appropriated $70,000 for the construction. However, when bids of the fire station were opened in May, the low bid came in at $108,000. It was pointed out at the meeting, that the cost of the structure could be lowered by moving the location of the building, the first in a proposed "courthouse complex" which will include a health center and new courthouse leave the plans and specifications drawn up fay Petersburg architect, Gordon B. Galusha, as they are for the H. F.

Scott, assistant fire chief, old the board that after a care- ul study of the specifications for the building, the fire department voted unanimously to leave them as they are. The bids are expected to be opened at the July 23 meeting of the supervisors. About 33 residents attended the for the county. However, it was agreed to second board. night meeting One resident.

of the Donak Andy of Bland District, presented the board with a petition signed by 96 persons requesting a second look at the county's personal property tax rate which was set at $2.90 per $100 during the June 11 meeting of the board. When questioned by another resident on whether or not the board will re-set the rate. Board Chairman R. E. Temple said the rate stay the same.

The assessment for the county increased by 35 per cent overall this year, and has caused considerable comment during previous board meetings. The supervisors approved the advertising for a public hearing on a county ordnance which would provide the county with a permanent assessor. The hearing will be held at a night meeting, probably in'July. In other action the board approved a resolution opposing the moving of the main stations of WXEX-TV from Petersburg to Richmond. Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Dinwiddie County have also approved the resolution.

The board also beard a request for an "anti-noisy dog ordnance," similar to one in Hopewell, from Les Banks, a resident of Battlefield Park. The board agreed to have such an ordnance drawn up and hold a on the matter. public hearing Johnstons Move In Virginia State Grant Approved PETERSBURG Sen. Harry 1 Byrd Jr. announced Tuesday the approval of a $70,000 grant for vocational training in computer science to Virginia State College by the National Science Foundation.

The six-week summer program will begin Monday with 30 high school teachers from throughout Virginia participating. Saturday sessions win be held for 26 weeks beginning in September and ending in June, 1969. ManagerGets Warm Welcome history." Evaluation Team Training School DINWIDDIE "There is no passing or failing, we are colleagues assisting in making evaluation," says Dr. Herbert Grossman a member of an evaluation team from the American Asso- -ciation of Mental Deficiency. The team is making a four-day visit to Petersburg Training Petersburg Training School is one of over 150 state residential institutions for the mentally retarded being visited throughout the nation by various evaluation teams as a federal grant funded project continues which win lead to development of accreditation standards for institutions for the mentally retarded.

Institutions visited must have requested the evaluation to be made, says Dr. Grossman. He notes that a recent visit was made to the Lyncbburg Training School The other team member. Dr Viola Ames of Washington, D. C.

points out that the Petersburg. Training School is representa tive of new concepts, "it is small specialized facility and does not represent the large cumberson institutions which ar so predominant Instead it rep resents a newer thinking of Dr. Grossman points out tha evaluation of the training scboo vriH lead to a confidential evaluation report being issued to th school superintendent Dr. Gu tav Droppa and to Dr. Hiram Davis, commissioner of the Vi ginia Department of Mental Hygiene and Hospitals.

Evaluation findings concerning the institution for the mildly retarded will then be coded, computerized elong with those obtained from team visits to other institutions. He feels the final'evaluation an the visited institutions will be the most important evaluation ever carried ouE in regard to institutions for the mentally retarded. "It is the only nationwide systematic study of residential care for the mentally retarded to be done," he notes. Joining the evaluation team on Tuesday, the initial day of the local visit, was Allen Cohen of the CharlottesviBe regional office the Department of Health, ducation and Welfare. The three-year federal grant under which (he evaluation survey is King carried out was allowed hrough a division of the HEW.

Dr. Grossman, who heads the linois State Pediatric Institute Chicago, says a wide variety )f individuals make up the eval- teams. By MARY CHERRY ALLEN Progress-Index Staff Writer PETERSBURG Lewis Z. Johnston who will become city manager of Petersburg July and his family, got a warm welcome, to Petersburg. The temperature was in the nineties and still climbing as they moved into their new home Tuesday, 1601 S.

Sycamore at Fleur de Hundred Street. A pause came about 1:30 p.m. when son, Lewis HI, and daughter, Melissa, who had been sent for food, arrived with sandwiches. At the same time the movers who had brought the Johnston's household goods from Chesapeake were having lunch in the big van parked in front. During this half-hour or so lull, the Johnstons, experienced movers as the head of the bouse has served as chief administrative officer for several cities, relaxed as they munched sandwiches in a living room where they were surrounded by furniture.

"We're delighted with this louse," Johnston said, looking award a side porch where a xreeze came through an open door making the living room pleasant even on such a sultry day. 'We'll take our time deciding where to place things," Mrs Johnson said, "this for instance one of our treasures." She hd( up a large picture which hat been leaning against the wall. I was of Confederate general Johnston, Jackson and Lee. husband is a direct descent of ing, and added that the whole time getting settled, Johnston amily is looking forward to vis- said, "That's why moved in ting Petersburg National Battle- a week early; I didn't want to be ield. "We're ail interested in hanging curtain rods and working at the office." Johnston said he'd never seen It is quickly apparent that the 'one like it" and told how be Johnstons are adaptable and acquired this highly-prized pos- whether all their belongings are session.

"My middle name is in-place or not, will be at home Zirkle," he grinned. "I was pass- here in no time. "I'm very ing through Harrisonburg one pleased," the bead of the bouse time and saw the name Ziride said, "that they (city council) on a gift and antique Shop. I selected me. Petersburg is a good thought be might be a 16th'cous- city because there are good peo- in so I stopped, and that's where pie here." The Johnstons know I found this picture." a surprising lot about the city.

In regard to taking their own) "We've been here three Mrs. Johnston commented, "and jMr. Ash (City Manager Roy Ash) took us on a tour." The son, aged 18, feels he has I the jump on the rest of the fam i n- i Si 0 By LecNo Everett husband is a direct desce Grossman (Left), Principal uiggs, Dr. Ames, HEW Observer Cohen General Johnston," she said Weatherman Says Relief In PETERSBURG A high tem-1 ily. being "already wen accli perature Tuesday of 90 was not mated." A rising sophomore a as hot as had been forecast, but William and Mary, he arrived low this morning of 78 at 5 here to enter the summer scs- was not low enough to bring) relief from the current hot, humid weather that has covered the area this week.

A frontal system north of the state and a weak, southwesterly circulation brought more of the same today, but the Virginia five- day forecast for Thursday through Monday sees tempera- that will average much be- PETERSBURG-Det Capt. M. low normal, with daytime highs B. Biggs of the Petersburg Poto climb only to the Jow 80s and Hce Department said today that mghttmie lows to average in the Waltfln drowniBgi thundershowers that recording to an autopsy report were forecast never materialized, prepared by Dr. Geoffrey T.

but the weatherman sees an inchjjjann, chief medical examiner for or more of rain occurring Thursday and again about Monday. sion at Richard Bland College. Li the faH he wiU return to where be plays varsity football. Melissa, 13, will enter the freshman, "class at Peterburg High School She is a Cadet Girl Scout and her mother has been in Girl Scout work for five years as leader and neighborhood scouts organizer. As the Johnstons stood at the front door looking out at the movers who had begun work again (they were lifting a piano up the steps from fee sidewalk to the walk to the house), Mrs.

Johnston said, "We think Petersburg is wonderful, I can't wait to get to the park, the one with the lake (Lee Park), with my They 'all smiled and Johnston wiped the perspiration from his brow as the young Lewis went out to lend a hand to the movers struggling with the piano. Autopsy Report Says Walton Drowned Power Company 'Happy 7 To Discuss Problems HOPEWELL David Poole, Virginia 1 Efectric and Power Company (Vepco) district manager, said today he will be heppy to meet with Hopeweil officiate to "work out a reasonable solution" to say problems they may be having with the company. The Hopewell City Coaxal instructed City Manager Arthur L. Lane Jr. at its meeting Tuesday night to contact Vepco regarding he possibility of placing a business office in HopeweO.

CouDcflman Marvin C. Neal, who raised the question, said he bad received complaints to the efect that Hopewefl citizens nave to travel to Petersburg mote for eketricel service. Neal urged the council to strong pressure on Vepco to have an office in HopewelL He said be bad not realized the problem existed until several days Poofe said today he bad received no bitter complaints or request regarding a Hopewefl of fee since be came here in 1967 He ateo pointed out that under normal drcimietapces deposits can be mated into toe office ae therefore a personal visit is not necessary. In other action, the Hopewell council joined other area locali posing the relocation of the main WXEX-TV studio to The resolution was presented to council by CoL Louis Shirley (ret), executive director of the Hopeweil Chamber of Commerce, Shirley pointed out three reasons the station should keep its main studio in Petersburg. "First," be explained, "if this station moves to Richmond there wiil no longer be a major television station in the Fourth Coo- gressjoDal District Secondly, WXEX now offers a handy place in this area to do television work.

Tbirdfcr, in the future if this tudio is moved I don't think we witt ever get it back." 1 urgently urge thet council otn the cttaufag in passing this Shirley concluded. ties in The report, said Biggs, showed no marks or bruises on the body, and there was no evidence that the child had been sexually molested. Capt Biggs ruled out the possibility that the child could have fallen into the well that her body was recovered from Monday night. He said that due to the height of the well, the child had to be either pushed or thrown in, probably the same day she dis- been searcihng the area for the girl. The farm is located about one mile off Halifax Road in Dinwiddie, four miles east of fts intersection with Flank Road.

Police searched the entire area around the well for dues Tuesday morning, however were unable to come up with anything, Capt Biggs said. The child's school books, an arithmetic book, an English book, and a composition book were found in the well with the body. Two detectives lave taken the books to Washing- ion, D. to be analyzed at tha F.B.L laboratory, Capt Biggs said. The Southside Virginia Emergency Crew dragged the well Tuesday in an attempt to find appeared, May 27.

The autopsy reported she had been dead for several weeks. The girl was last seen at 8:15 a. m. May 27 getting into a black station wagon driven by either ,3. Caucasian or a light complex- jiooed Negro man, a neighbor I said.

The WXEX-TV facilities, which are now owned by Nationwide Communications, Inc. came into Petersburg in 1955. An application to move the main studio to Richmond was recently filed with the Federal Communications Commission. If the permissioo to move is granted the station would reto- oate in the Richmond area on Broad Street Road adjacent to an afffiate radio station, WLEE Council pointed out that a copy of the resolution would be for warded to Congressman Watkins M. Abbitt Staff Pholo by A.

D. Hopkini Jr. Walker, Jones, Hartz, King, McCain; Marque Welcomes Hartz The daughter of S. Sgt. Roy- Walton and Mrs.

Charlotte Walton of 428 St. Luke Petersburg, Lois' body was found in a well on an abandoned farm at 6:30 p. m. Monday by a Dinwiddie County resident, Herman Whoriey, who told police he had one of the girl's shoes, however they did not find it Biggs said today that he is considering having the weU drained. There is approximately 15 feet of water in the well.

Funeral services for the girl were held at 11 a. m. today at the Oak Street A.M.E. Zipn Church. Burial followed in Dinwiddie Memorial Cemetery.

Lois was a fifth grade student at Virginia Avenue School. She was on her way to classes at the school the morning she disappeared. She would have celebrated her llth birthday June 21 it she had lived. JayceesTo Push Governor's Bond Referendum PETERSBURG The Peters- )urg Jaycees are planning an ac- ive campaign in support of the Virginia bond referendum called for by the 1968 general assembly. Joseph C.

Jones, newly elected president of the chapter, told members at an installation banquet Tuesday that "We believe in the Governor's bond referen- dum, and are going to get out and work for it, and we've going to see Petersburg go for it." Another project the Jaycees may take on in the next year, said Jones, is sponsoring a measles vaccination program. "We've never had" this said Jones, "and you know not everybody is in favor of it. It will take work." William Hartz of Waverly, national vice-president, was guest speaker. Hartz said, "We have reached a stage when we cannot stand idly by and criticize what 'they' are i we are "There are two or gam Cations in the world today primarily interested in the minds of young people," said Hartz. One is the International Communist Party; the other is the Jaycees." Both Hartz and Jones urged the organization to become the central and most active community force in the community.

And Jones said, "If you will be active, not just as an organization but as an will be better," Also present as a guest was Malcolm King of Smithfield, state vice-president or region He succeeds Lewis Walker of Petersburg, who has become a national director for Virgmia. Besides Jones, other officers installed at the banquet were Mike Cameron, external vice president; Don Daigneault, internal vice president; Gene Mc- Cain (outgoing president) as state director; Ronald B. Metcalf as secretary; Jack Rousa as treasurer; Lewis Wycho as legal council; and Dale Proctor as chaplain. New directors are Spencer Perkins. Joe Kiningham, Bernard Howard, Sam "Bo" Jones, and Joe Blankeasuip..