Springfield Leader and Press from Springfield, Missouri • 21

LaGrange School Records Indicate She Was Lydia Pinckert, That She's Older Than She Claims Lydia Pinckert, one of 10 children, in January, 1904, at Med-ford. That the Pinckert family, including Lydia, lived on a dairy farm outside Carthage and at 710 Orchard in town between 1912 and 1919; That the family then moved to California, where, in 1928, Jeane Pinckert married Charles Zuercher and was divorced trom him several years later; That at about age 35, Jeane Pinckert Zuercher (who had changed her name from Lydia sometime during her 'teens) By KATIE DARK Stiff Writer The telephone rang twice and was answered. "James L. Dixon Real Estate Company." said the voice on the Washington end. We identified ourselves as a Springfield.

newspaper reporter end asked for Jeaiw Dixon's secretary. The secretary answered, we restated identity and said, "We're calling about the story on Mrs. Dixon in this week's National Observer. We assume that you've seen it." "No. I haven't," the voice said, with a guarded tone.

"Oh. Well, it claims that Mrs. Dixon once lived in Carthage, and "She didn't," the secretary interrupted. "The story claims that she denies having lived in Carthage, but we wondered if she might want to make a comment to our readers in this area." we said. "You can call her on Monday, or you can wriie her a letter.

She's out of town. But she didn't live in Carthage," Mrs. Dixon's secretary said. We thanked her fif her help and hung up. The telephone call was promised by a story written by Daniel St.

Albin Greene in The National Observer, a Dow Jones publication, that discounts nationally known seeress Jeane Dixon's claims about her age. her past residence and her number of marriages, along with the authenticity of several of her now-famous predictions. Mrs. Dixon psychic, prophet and authoress has for years been claimed by Carthaginians as a former resident. She rlaims she was born after the records at LaGrange School Iis-trict show that Lydia Pinckert (who Greene says is Mrs.

Dixon attended school there in her childhood and early teens. Greene's article claims Mrs. Dixon's autobiography, "A Gift of Prophecy." falsifies her age and sidesteps her years in Carthage and a marriage before her present alliance with James Dixon by making no mention of either. Mrs. Dixon's passport lists her birth date as January, 118, but in a pretrial deposition during a recent damage suit filed against her by a writer claiming nonpayment of royalties on a book, Mrs.

Dixon listed her birth date as Jan. 5, 1910. Greene's investigation shows that the see-ress was born in 14. So she is 55. S3 or 69 years old.

No birth certificate exists, Greene's story says. The controversy may create an uproar among Mrs. Dixon's fans around the world and her family's friends and acquaintances in Carthage. Greene's article includes the following claims: That vane Dixon was born married James Dixon, then a Los Angeles new car dealer. Mrs.

Dixon's book claims the following: That she was born Jeane Pinckert, one of seven children, in January, 1918, at Medford. That in the 19s the Pinckert family moved from Wisconsin to California: That Jeane Pinckert married James Dixon is much older than but I had secretly been in love with him since at age 21 in Los Angeles. Creene's research on the Pin-ckerts in Carthage was based on records of the LaGrange School views. The LaGrange School, founded in the 18fi0s and perhaps the state's oldest school district, was consolidated with the Carthage 9 District on July 1 of this year, but many records remain. Pinckert children, including Lydia, were listed as being enrolled at the one-room school between March, 1912.

and 1915. A (family friend, Mrs. Lilah Mers Sweet, Carthage, who still corresponds with Mrs. Dixon's sister, Klla, says that Pinckert family lived on an 80-acre dairy farm called Cloverleaf Dairy one mile northf the school until they moved into Carthage in 1915. Mrs.

Sweet owns a photograph taken in front of the school in the fall of 1914, more than three years before Jeane Dixon says she as born, which includes Lilah Mers and Lydia Pinckert, both of whom were 10 years old, Mrs. Sweet says. Mrs. Sweet told an in-veili gator that for "some years" she had been aware of the fart that Jeane Dixon was marrier! to suraeutK- before James Dixon, but the Carthage woman refused to elaborate. "A Gift of Psriphecy," which does not mention previous marriage, describes her alliance to Dixon: "It was not easy for a devout Catholic tike Jeane to marry a divorced man, even one whom she had adored for nearly as long as she could remember.

The marriage was sanctioned by an ecclesiastical dispensation from the Catholic Church." Mrs. Dixon, whose horoscope column in The Carthage Press notes daily that she is "a former Carthaginian," visited Carthage Oct. 15 for a speaking engagement. A spokesman for the Carthage newspaper, who said the paper is considering running a reprint of the observer article if permission can be obtained said Mrs. Dixon was confronted with school photographs and records during her visit.

"I don't remember ber com-ments, but they were pretty lun- ny," he said. Mrs. Dallie Miessner. women's editor for the Press who covered Mrs. Dixon's speech, Dale, editor and publisher of the newspaper, "because I think she is." Demo Leaders Coming Here Open Headquarters On South Florence Democratic leaders on th' state and local level will meet here Thursday for the official opening of the Democratic Interim Headquarters, 625 South Florence.

James Kirkpatrick. secretary of state; James Spawhower, state treasurer; Sen. William Cason, speaker pro-tem of the Missouri Senate, and others will appear at the 5 m. ceremony at the headquarters. At 3 p.m.

members of the 7th District Congressional leadership Committee will meet and at 6:30 m. a chicken dinner will be served at the Drury Inn for members of the Spoasors Club and county regulars. Reservations for the dinner should be made with Bob Hold-en. executive director of the Greene County Democrats, at the headquarters. Sen.

Cason will speak to the Jaycees at another dinner meeting at 6:30 and will later address the College Young Democrats at Southwest Missouri Slate University at 8:30 m. said she talked with the seeress on (XI. IS and two days later when Mrs. Dixon called from Washington. "I certainly have never been a follower of hers and just covered her because she was in Carthage," Mr Miessner aj "She (Mrs.

btxonj did stress that her messages were predictions and forecasts. I was quite impressed with ber as being a true Christian." What about the matter of ber alleged former residence in Carthage? "She told me to her knowledge that she had not lived in Carthage," Mrs. Miessner said. But Mrs. Dixon told the editor in the Oct.

17 phone call that she was planning to return to Carthage "in about two years" to look into records of her family residence there. Mrs. Dixon told Mrs. Miessner that she felt there had been some misunderstanding because her parents had raised three of her father's brothers, "a couple of his sisters" and several other children at various times, bringing the number of children in the Pinckert household to about 15. The seeress indicated that confusion about names could have arisen because of that arrangement.

Will the Press continue to identify Dixon in ber horoscope byline as "a former "Yes, I think so," said Bob 3 Capital city seeress Jeane Dixon is ber age 55, S3 or 69? Lawmen Give Halloween Tips Having Horrible Time the Safe Way obscure vision, be difficult to re-j exits should be open and free i move or restrict movement sized safe driving practices in its release. "I urge motorists to be particularly cautious and alert for children on Halloween night." said Superintendent Sam S. Smith. Smith suggested that parents accompany children on Halloween outings, or suggest that they wear a white handerchief or Halloween, an event eagerly anticipated by children, apparently has become something of a nightmare for adult members of law enforcement, health and safety organizations. Bracing for the fast approaching holiday, the Springfield Police Department.

Missouri State Highway Patrol and Insurance Information Institute were among the groups which have issued information about the hazards of the annual event. should he flame-proofed and of colors that can easily be seen by motorists. Parents should know their children's plans, advise them to go only to those homes with porch lichls on. and remain on the porch without going inside. They should tell their children to travel in groups, carry flashlights instead of lanterns or ''t i scarf that can be seen better by I trom obstruction, tsonlires are prohibited unless permission is obtained from authorities and the site is inspected.

Treats collected during the evening should be taken home to lie eaten so that they can be inspected under adequate light. Fruits should he peeled for closer inspection, awl if the wrapper of a commercially packed item is damaged or opened, the item should be discarded, Sifford said. Home-made treats should be accepted Only from those persons who are favorably-known to the parents of trick-or-treaters, The highway patrol empha- LA GRANGE SCHOOL il motorists. Jack Sifford, community re -j candles, and finish their trips by lations director for the police de- 9 P-m. partment.

listed some tips which! If a party is planned, decora-he said were prepared by the di- i items such as paper visions of public safety, health streamers or corn stalks should and education in the city. be flame proofed or segregated Costumes, he said, should not from other combustibles, and "The added hazard of excited youngsters crossing streets at night, from street corners and from behind parked cars, often wearing dark costumes or clothing, increases the danger of them being hit by a car," Smith said. The Insurance Safety Institute suggested motorists should be "extremely cautious when backing out of driveways" and "use your horn occasionally on dimly lighted residential streets." To the parents, it suggested the use of reflecting tape which can be applied to the costumes of the trickKir-treaters. One writer who remembered the original idea behind Halloween suggested that participants above all should "have a horrible time." Two Sac Rivers Will Kim Rel A Jfe ilAaV, The LaGrange School, founded fat the Civil War era and consolidated with Carthage schools last July 1, has records showing Lydia Pinckert, daughter of a dairy farmer, was enrolled there between 1912 and 1915. An article in The National Observer claims that Lydia Pinckert is the fa mens seeress Jeane Dixoa.

ant Mrs. Dixon says the never lived at Carthage. The historic school is located about one mile northeast of Carthage. But There's Plenty to Bras About Now The Little Sac and South Dry Sac rivers will run red from about Monday noon to sometime Wednesday or Thursday between north Springfield and Morrisville. Dr.

Bill Hayes, city environmental geologist, warned The reason: "Rhodimine dye. which will be poured into the stream near the northwest sewage treatment plant by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, to check the rate of stream flow. It is part of a total study of the streams being made under direction of the Missouri Clean Water Commission. The dye is not harmful, and will disappear shortly, Dr.

Hayes assured. At Drury Dean Job To Strube Dr. Curtis Strube. associate dean of Drury College, has been selected to succeed William Maynard as dean of students effective Jan. 1.

The announcement was made Friday by Drury President il-liam Everheart, who said of Strube, "I know he will bring 'n this new responsibility the commitment and skills necessary to make an excellent dean of students." Maynard is leaving the Drury post to become general manager of Springfield Community Television at the first of the year. Dr. Strube. 33, came to Drury In 1969 as an assistant professor of business administration and economics, and was promoted this fall to associate dean of the college in the ofdee of Dr. Robert C.

Gibson, vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Strube and his wife. Janet, have a daughter, Kim, age 3. and live at 1106 Arlington.

Autumn 's Full Harvest of Color Week A way Curtis Strube succeeds William Maynard as deaa ef students. Springfield, Oct. 28, 197J 21 Little Jack Frost has winged his way into the Ozarks leaving in his trail the colorful leaves of Mother Nature's summer abundance. Springfieldians are enjoying a delayed season of autumnal coloring burnt orange, flaming reds, bright yellows exceptionally noteworthy In Maple Park Cemetery. Gapers can gather the ground's garnishments to use in home decorations.

Outside of town, viewers have but to look to be overwhelmed by the dabblings Mother Nature and Jack Frost have wrought ith their paint brushes. The Ozarks lake areas, relinquishing the trees' fall harvest of leaves, lovingly display their object arts. "They're starting to turn here." June Gross, executive secretary and manager of the Branson Chamber of Commerce, remarked, "but they haven't reached their full peak." Heavy summer rains, following the showers of spring, have quenched the thirst of the greedy trees, which declined to follow calendar dates to drop their leaves at the usual time. "I'm just guessing, but it probably will take another seven to 10 days before we see full color down here," Mrs. Gross continued.

Northern lake areas, with a frost earlier than in the southern lake areas, already are bragging about their colorful surroundings. "Around the edges of the lakes, the sumac, dogwood, redbud and oaks are beautiful," said Tom SchulU. Lake of the Ozarks Association director. "Last year at this time, a lot of rains beat the leaves down. But this year we'll be going into November with color." He reminded boaters the lake bluffs are bountiful with glorious color.

Stockton and the lake area residents claim their leaves are the best. Clerk at the Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Viola O'Dell, quoted some visitors from Kentucky raving about the beauty of the Ozarks fall season. "In town, there are several trees that are turning, but the color is not at the height.

It depends on the weather, but I'd say next week or at the weekend, they'd be the best," Mrs. O'Dell continued. "I'm sure you'd enjoy seeing them." Second Front News Leader Itolla Man Burned In Auto Accident HOLLA A 27 year-old Rolla man is in the Barnes Hospital burn center at St. Louis as a result of a one-car accident nine miles northwest of here on Phelps County C. The state patrol said James L.

Rosenburg sullercd second -and third-degree burns over 75 per cent of his body when his flatbed truck left a curve and overturned, catching fire at 8:20 m. Friday. Tlieii IProblcins lieeoiitc 7iifs9 Visit! lExplains Accounts si living la strange land were shared by American Field students at a workshop at Hillerest High School. Bo as 12 year old John explains "he's never celebrated a Halloween before. John, whose birthday falls on Halloween, says he plans to take Bo trick or treating.

John said See AFS, Page A 22 Bv JIXIE DELCOVR Staff Writer 'Before he came here I thought we wouldn't get along. But now we get along real good. "Some of his clothes are a little weird compared to American clothes, like his shirts are Cite Kixon's 'Emotional Weahnesn i short and he wears his clothes tighter than we do. And, oh yeh. Franks Advises Students: Xqu Must Keep a Cool Head be wears those clogs.

It's been three months since Bo Burstrom. an American Cautioning students to be' cou rageous, but not blindly so, and always to temper their courage with knowledge and honesty, Greene County Magistrate Richard L. Franks spoke yesterday to the 33rd annual convention of the Southwest Missouri Association of Student Councils. Franks, who cited examples of strength and control in political leaders, told the more than 500 students from schools throughout the southwest Missouri ares that "you must keep a eool bead" and "know when to quit." He mentioned the late President John F. Kennedy as a person in control of himself at all Field Student from Sweden, arrived at the Paul Shulu house in W'aynesville.

And the two young Shulli boys. Timothy and John, who said they thought they wouldn't get along with Bo at all. have now adjusted along with 'Paul and Opal Shulu, to having an extra boy in the bouse. And Bo, who came from a logging family in Sweden, also has adjusted well to his new surroundings. So far he's making straight A's at W'aynesville High School, where he's a senior, and he's done many of the things Midwestern boys do, such as spurring his horse on with the rest of the bunch at trail rides and watching football games.

But Iota of things are new to And, Franks said, be possessed the credibility we all need to be a success, "No one respects a poony," be added. He cited President Nixon's heated retort to television newsmen in Friday night's news conference as "a sign of emotional weakness. Hastening to add that he Was not judging the President on the basis of one statement, he said the President's actions showed a lack of emotional strength. Quoting an old adage that success is a mixture of "desperation, inspiration, aspiration and perspiration," Franks told the students one has to want success, reach for success and work lor success in a highly competitive world today. times in public.

"He never showed anger. He never showed great happiness. He was in on I.