The Daily News-Texan from Grand Prairie, Texas • Page 1

The Greatest Daily Circulation In The Heart Of America's Future VOLUME 53, NUMBER 203 GRAND PRAIRIE, DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS Weather Fair and warm through Saturday. Low tonight middle 70's nigh Sat- jrdsy uppc-r SO's 8 PAGES TODAY FRIDAY, JULY f), 1962 THE COFFEE IS Always Good at the office of Smith and Warder, Architects and Engineers, 306 NW Second. But Thursday morning the conversation proved even better, as E. Carlyle Smith of the architecting side of the took time out to I review Grand! Prairie's markable past, TEX ADAMS and to predict an even more astonishing future. And throughout the talk which ranged high and low, and of things great and small, there was a central recurring theme: "The future of Grand Prairie is predestined." It was this vision of Great Growth that caused Smith to locate in Grand Prairie at a time when the city was still in its municipal swaddling clothes.

"When I came here in 1941," Smith recalls, "the population was only about 2000. But it didn't take a smart man to see that any part of the area between Dallas and Fort Worth was due to undergo tremendous changes. "For me, Grand Prairie was home from the very beginning. I like the people, who have always been frank, honest, hard working. Even better, they are neighborly and understanding.

These are qualities, not all found in every community." Those early years, were the lean ones. hard ones. Smith bought five acres of ground and cut Northeast Tenth Street through it. The property was a "long way" from town, in terms of walking distance. Fairview and Indian Hills became the leading additions as the arrival of the aircraft industry shocked the city into sudden growth.

The need for services of all kinds, paved streets, water and sewer extensions, tax assessing and collecting, police protection, more school buildings. these things became critical almost overnight. From 1949-'53 Smith was Mayor o.f Grand Prairie. During these four years, the city experienced fantastic growth. It more than doubled a population of 11,000 to 24,000, a proportionate expansion which will likely not be reached again in so short a time.

"But the people of Grand Prairie accepted the challenge without hesitation. As a result we changed from a small town to a bustling city without losing our identity, or any of the characteristics that we cherished." And what of the future? The following prediction was made more than a year ago: "By 1980, it is entirely possible the population of Grand Pjrairie will be more than 60,000. will be upgraded from the standards of the Forties and Fifties. Automation will permit a greater number of production facilities. high quality of school administration insures a superior educational program." Best of all, said Smith, "Grand Prairie is now large enough to provide a place in community life and leadership for the outstanding young men and women who are reared here, thus preserving a way of life that is near and dear to us." Woman.

Ex-M IN HAPPIER DAY Bird Eugene and Margaret Ann Humphreys were victims of a slaying and suicide in downtown Grand Prairie late Thursday afternoon. The above photo was made Oct. 6, 1950, immediately after their wedding. Ex-Convict Faces Burglary Charges An ex-convict may be on his way back to Huntsville to finish out a sentence, but meanwhile, he will have other charges filed against him both by Grand Prairie and Dallas police. Police arrested James Robert Hoffpauir, 20, and Thursday charged him with house burglary at 3203 Leonard where he is accused of taking a watch and radio.

When arrested, he signed a statement at police headquarters admitting the burglary, and led police to a pawn shop where the merchandise was recovered. Det. Kennith Burr said the man also admitted a house burglary in Dallas Monday while en route to Dallas to report to his parole officer. Records indicate he was sentenced from Dallas County in the early part of 1961. He served eight months of his sentence and was paroled in August of last year.

Burr also said that Dallas authorities have taken statements from the man and are prepared to file similar charges. A warrant also was issued by the board of pardons, police here were advised by telegram. Husband 9 Wife Duo Face Check Counts A husband and wife duo were filed on Thursday in connection with worthless check charges. The husband, Bobby Gerald Bennett, 20, filed on in three cases of forgery, while his blond wife, 18, was filed on for attempting to pass a forged instrument. Police started working on the case several days ago when checks turned up issued on a non-existent Dallas bank.

W'arned to be on the lookout were merchants of Grand Prnirie. The arrest was made when the woman appeared at a super market with a check. The management notified police, and she was on the spot, and led police to her husband at a local motel. A third member is also being sought in ihe case, but by Dallas authorities. The husband signed a state- ment with police admitting passing four checks totaling around $400, Det.

Kennith Burr said. The couple have one small child, police say. The child was turned over to rhe care of the accused woman's mother. Hospital Tour Set July 18 By CC Group Members of the industrial committee of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce will get a look at a different type of industry when they tour the faculties of Mid-Cities hospital July 18. Mrs.

Stella Rohde, chairman, said the tour is expected to be "extremely interesting." Drs. Harriette and Natcher Stewart will host the group. In Slaying, Downtown Office Is Tragedy Scene Two people, a man and a woman, died in a shooting at an insurance company office in downtown Grand Prairie late Thursday afternoon, and Judge E. C. King has ruled murder and suicide.

Dead on arrival at Great Southwest hospital was Bird Eugene Humphreys, a plant worker, and his former wife, Margaret Ann Humphreys. The latter was an employe of the Howard M. Hall insurance office at 713 E. Main. She died shortly after reaching the hospital.

Police found a .38 caliber revolver at the scene. There were five spent shells and one live shell on the floor, and four live and two spent shells in the gun. Three witnesses gave accounts of the shooting which occurred shortly after 4 p.m. The woman was shot four times in the back and one time in the lower arm. The man was shot twice inthe forehead.

His body was found about five feet from that of his divorced wife. They were divorced about two months ago. Maxlne Palmer was quoted by police as saying she was in a rear off ice when she heard a voice say "Margaret Ann" and looked up to see a man who was later identified as Humphreys. "Bird walked up to Margaret Ann and a scuffle followed. At about that point Isaw a gun.

The shooting started, and I heard Margaret Ann say 'No, I didn't leave the office until I heard shooting again in the hail, and I went to call police. I saw a boy standing in the doorway and asked him if this He answered That's my mother, and that's my daddy'." He was later identified as David Humphrey. Lucille McCall, who works in an adjoining office, gave police a statement stating she heard shots, and a man's voice 'Are you dead. I want to be sure you "I heard another shot and heard a I opened a door and saw Bird lying on the floor. About five feet away was Margaret Ann.

I called to Bird and he didn't answer. 1 walked over to Margaret Ann. She was still alive." Fay Hill told police she heard a man's voice "I want to talk to you 1 She said she went to her office and turned to look and saw the man pointing a gun at Margaret Ann. "She started toward the back door yelling at him." Police theorized that five of the six shells were fired at the woman. Then the man reloaded to max I mum.

There were two spent and four unspent sheels in the gun when police examined the weapon. Funeral services for Mrs. Humphreys will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the First Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Southland Cemetery with Moore-Brown in charge of arrangements.

Her survivors include two sons, Mark Stephen, 8, and 6 and a brother, Henry F. Harris, all of Grnnd Prairie. Rites were still pending Friday mof ning for Humphreys. He is survived by the same two sons, nlus two others by a former marriage, David 18, and Perry, 16, both of Grand Prairie; mother, M-rs. Bessie Humphreys of Abilene; brothers, Calvin L.

of Grand Prairie and Judson R. of San Diego, sisters--, Mrs. C. W. Crow and Mrs.

Harold Hobbs, N. Mrs. Mary Boyd of California and Mrs. Larry Rose of Abilene. JC's to View Film Depicting Sonic Boom An air force film, titled 'Hall Man, narrated by Chet Huntley, will be screened at next Monday's meeting of Junior Chamber of Commerce.

The Jaycees meet at 12 noon at the Golden Triangle Cafe. The announcement was made by program chairman Dan Dodd, who reminds that the film tells a story of the sonic boom. According to previous releases, Grand Prairie can expect a prolonged period when the sonic boom may be heard more than usual. It is said to be part of an upcoming air training program by the military. DeMolaysTo Seat Officers A new slate of officers will be summarily ushered into their posts at the July 10 installation ceremonies by the Grand Prairie DeMolays.

The ceremony will be held in the Wesley Hall of the First Methodist Church, starting at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited. Among other highlights will be presentation of the group's sweetheart, Sammie Ausmus. To be installed are: Sonny Nolen, master councilor; Gary Thomas, senior councilor; Bruce McDonald, Junior councilor; Fred Fanning, senior deacon; Bill Howze, junior Deacon Jimmy Duvall, senior steward; Dennis Burkley, junior steward; Ricky Jones mar shall; Johnny Wright, chaplain; Mike Ferguson, Carl Zeminick, Bob Parker, Wayne Mason, Robert Durham, Jimmy Land and Charles Kee, first to seventh percept or, respectively. HAUGHTY HELEN Mrs.

Helen Herman, 52, appears aloof after she tried to give away $11,427 in cash in front of the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters at Los Angeles. Officer Booth Shaw holds the money, which no one would accept. In addition to the money, Mrs. Herman also carried $30,040 worth of negotiable stocks and assorted iewelrv --UPITELEPHOTO. Board Kills Auto Surety Merit Plan SONNY NOLAN AUSTIN (UPI) The State Board of Insurance voted unanimously Thursday to junk the "merit rating" automobile insurance plan effective Aug.

1. The state will revert to ibc average rate system for auto insurance premiums for the time being, the board said. The merit plan went into effect Jan, 1960 and had been a point of controversy since. About 4 per cent reductions in average premiums will go into effect Aug. 1, the board said.

Some insurance bills will be higher than under the merit plan because of insurance loss experience in some areas, the board said but the overall average will be lower. The board estimated the reductions will mean a $10 million savings in insurance payments. Reaction to the unexpected action varied. Sen. Grady Hazlewood of Amarillo, long a critic of the merit plan, said abolition was "a very wise decision." But Hazlewood said he wants to examine any new plan to see if it can be a "realistic merit rating plan such as the Legislative Council had in mind -a plan designed to penalize and get off the highways that 15 per cent of the drivers who are causing 85 per cent of the accidents." Another longtime "merit- rating" critic, Rep.

Maco Stewart of Galveston said he understood the board is considering a "Canadian Plan" which levies penalty rates for driver found at fault in accidents. Vestal Lernmon of Chicago, general manager of the National Association of Inde- nendent Insurers in Chicago hailed the board's action as a "statesmanUKe action that will lift an oppressive yoke from the necks of the auto insuring public." Lommon said he hopes that the legislature will take steps to "repeal the state's monopolistic type rate law and permit truly competitive rates." Until the board decides on another program, Texas will operate on the "average rate system." In this system premiums are deter mine primarily by loss experience and costs. The "merit rating" plan raised premiums of drivers who had certain traffic violations or accidents over a three year period. Some drivers got reduced premiums. Chairman Ned Price called a news conference to announce the decision.

Angus McDonald, chief actuary for the property and casualty division, Willis McVey, managing rate actuary and Price attended the conference. Board member sDur- wood Manford and Dr. Joseph Trosper did not attend. The board said it felt the merit plan should be abolished, rather than changed. It said changes would evoke "the widespread criticism which the present plan has brought on." Donald Squibb, manager of the Texas Automobile Insurance industry will not miss the plan.

Squibb said liis group, which acts as an advisor to the insurance board, had recommended junking themeritplan rather than amending it. (BY UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL) ATLANTA Negro integration leader Martin Luther King Jr. charged Thursday night that the United States has a "do nothing Congress" on civil rights. King said the "Appalling and tragic" situation must be changed by civil rights proponents who will "work diligently for meaningful MIAMI BEACH Evelyn Miot, 19, Miss Haiti in the Miss Universe contest, arrived here Thursday and said her country's voodoo drum dances are mostly for tourists. Miss Miot said real Haitians prefer the twist- "It's a good dance and one can lose weight doing it." VERACRUZ, Mexico Customs officials Thursday located and removed 12 valises from a Spanish ship containing real and paste jewels and a million dollars in Cuban money.

Authorities labeled the find contraband. LOS ANGELES Actor Mickey Rooney, who earned an estimated $12 million during his rambunctucus movie career, appeared at a bankruptcy hearing Thursday claiming he had only $500 in assets to pay off $484,914 in debts. Despite his financial predicament, Rooney said he lived in a $75,000 home and had two servants..