Beckley Post-Herald The Raleigh Register from Beckley, West Virginia • Page 25

Foyfttt Mother Still Hoping Missing Children Will Be Found MICHAEL EMMETT ReiMtr Krpwltr FAYETTE VILLE Some people hire painters to bring new life to an old, peeling house but not Jennie Sodder. She hired a pajnter (or a billboard In front of home in hopes of bringing new lite mlo her house. The billboard has the photos of five children who, with lost, lonely faces, keep constant vigil on Ihe cars that pass Jennie's home in Fayelleville, off U.S. 21. Above the names Is the phrase "After thirty years, It Is not loo lale to Investigate." Under the phqlos arc the names Maurice, Martha I.ee.

Louis. Jennie and Betty. A sixth pholo to the right shows another Ixiuis and Is asterisked at the bottom of the billboard: "Picture no. 6 received In 1967, Louis (one and the same) now in another stale." Hut the photos tell only half the story. Below them, is Ihe message a Jennie hired Becky Wells of Alloy to repaint for the passing molorists.

"On Chrlsl mas Eve, IMS, our home was sel afire and five of our children (ages five through fourteen) kidnapped. The officials blamed defective wiring, although lights were slill burning after Ihe lire had started. "The official report stated that the children died In the fire. However, no bones were found in the residue and there was no smell of burning flesh during or after the fire. "What was the motive of the law officer involved? What did they have to gain by a i us suffer all Ihese years of injustice? Why did they lie and lorce us to iiccepl (hose lies?" Following Ihe message is the information about the sixth pholo.

Mrs. Sodder explained the picture of Louis came in Ihe mall from Central City. Hul when her husband George (now deceased) went to find his son. no one had ever heard of Louis Sodder. The mystery began a i cold, fatal nighl in December SVK'I cr wsww rush OURIW A HUE A MOI'VE Of LAW I A HAVE TO OWN Bf MVlKG U-, Surra All THESE A wilSTitf ill013 THCf fCSCE TO ACCtf-T THOSt lit5 SOA iMivo 1 New Billboard Same Unanswered Questions anil the billboard only adds to the intrigue of the case.

Jennie said she hired Ms. Wells to re-do the billboard because "it needed fixln." As she leaned forward in her chair, Mrs. Sodder a short, greyhalred woman, with finely chiseled features looked oil in Hie distance as if she were reaching back for a memory. "II was just like II a yesterday." she recalled, "It was i a F.ve and I had allowed my Jive youngest to slay downstairs and play with their toys." Four other children two older boys, one teenage girl and a bahy, were sound asleep. She then sal hack and sharply said, "Then al midnight, I answered the phone a wrong number.

When I was going back to bed. 1 smelled smoke. "We got the baby girl and my daughter Marion." who was i i quietly during the interview listening to her mother, "(iot up and hollered for the boys and my husband we all assumed that Ihe five children were also upstairs, but they never came out." Marion Sodder (now Marion of Cleveland, Ohio) interrupted and said, "During Ihe fire. I kepi watching the windows, but I never saw a one of Ihe children. We watched the fire level our house, thinking all the while the children were i up inside." "But you know." Marion said.

"I never smelled burn- ins Hesh I hey say you can smell i llesh miles a a but I did." The next morning Ihe police and fire departments i a arrived. Sodder was (old her children had died in the i and ihus Ihe case seemed open and shut. "But my brothers never found any remains," Marion said. "And we also found our telephone wires were cut shortly before or a the fire, as if someone wanted to be sure we couldn't call for help." Mrs Sndder related. "Our bus driver said he saw balls ot fire being Ihrown on the roof and (he next week, we heard a couple of motel owners say they saw five children with I people of Kalian extraction' take rooms in their molds." had been born in Troy.

Italy and came to this in 1305 Ihe age of Iwo with her family. Three months passed. Then. George Sodder was told by preacher that if he dug in a certain spot, he would find some remains. Mrs.

Sodrter explained, however, that right after the fire. 14 of George's coal mining friends came to the ruins and pulverized each piece of debris, but never found a thing. "Yet when we dug where we were told to, we found some bones and a liver." Jennie said, "We sent the liver to Washington, D.C. to he analyzed Ihe report that came hack said it was beef liver!" Since the fire, Jennie said she has spent every penny that she could spare on detectives, lawyers and travel expenses in search of the children. Each search turned up fruitless.

"I helieve all the running around helped shorten my husband's life." she said. "He died of cancer a few years ago." Jennie also mentioned another piece of evidence aboul Ihe children's kidnapping that the police never considered. "Almost every other night, a man would stop on Ihe road in front of our house and do nothing but watch." she said. "We never found oul who he was or a he wanted because I thought it was none of my business what people do on the road." The last money Jennie sjwnl on the case, besides paying to have Ilic billboard fixed, went lo a Charleston detective who was hired to bring back Louis from a City, a she received the mysterious photo i no letter or explanation plus, the letter had been "Hut we never heard the detective after we gave him S-IM to go. so George went and he couldn't find oul a i about Louis." she said.

Yet Jennie Sodder is a determined woman. "I'm going In keep on trying. I want the case reopened. I wanl my children back I know they're alive'" she said. Hut after 30 years, one would have lo wonder that if the children were still alive, how would they know who they really are? "That's why I go! my billboard out there." Jennie grinned.

"I'm hoping thai someday someone will pass by. recognise one of my babies and locate them for me." "But she said. "I want justice done and some questions answered." Mrs Sodder a to know why did the officials go lo so much trouble lo try anil convince her that her children were dead? She wants to know Why were those phone wires cut i i She also wants to know Why can't the case he re- opcncd with the evidence she keeps in a safely deposit box. and who could have done such a Icrrihlc Ihing? Rut mosl inportantly. she wants lo know where her children are.

BECKLEY POST-HERALD WEST I I I A SUNDAY I 11, 1976-25 0 0 A New Welfare Office Site Called Poor Location By Senator Susman BY A BAKF.R Register Reporter tiic A a 25 i i move al lhc end of the year should be serving, lo a 21.000-square-Iool "I aware of the fact Sen. A a Susman. i i al the industrial i i your present location has asked the slate ir. adjacent to the air- is inadequate, but it has Department of Welfare lo 1 port, about nine miles from 'Come to my atlcnlion lhat reconsider a planned move fjecklcv. Ihe ffl.noo square feet that Area 25 a i i a David Rogers cited Ihe of the Area 25 office from Bcckley to the Raleigh County Airport Indusirial Rt for extra office and Park.

In a letter lo Welfare Commissioner Thomas R. Tinder. Ihe Raleigh County clients. Democrat said the new a i inaccessible lo clients. He said the additional space i by the welfare officc is available you feel is required is a a i a in your same i i i i opinion, it's a very poor location." said Susman in a July!) letter to Tinder.

"The office i be in the extreme eastern rl of Ihe county, very A Model Retires George Warren liodel. after 27 years, has retired a a i volunteer chairman for IJ. S. Savings Bonds, llodcl a i space, and said he location is in Ihe center of didn't believe it would be llu Population of Raleigh County. The South Valley Drive building is owned by Ihe John W.

Eye Co. John L. Eye confirmed Saturday he hail offered Ihe a a lO.nno square feet ol spare in addition to the 111.000 ihey now occupy. The ex- fl w'-as announced Friday the people that your office Ira space is in Ihe same i i (lie below. "I offered to remodel and a a a i a lo them Ihe facilities a are downstairs, providing that could i a a agreeable said Eye.

"Thcv really didn't give at its present location on a populated and Valley Drive South. mosl inaccossable (sic( to As Savings All-Faith Bicentennial Bond Chairman Celebration Set Today The Raleigh County All- Faith Religious Celebration for Ihe bicentennial Virginia will be assisting the drama production. The a a a i a i will be held at 2:30 p.m. lo- constructed by Ncal Lacey negotiating on it. 1 day at the Italeigh County has a by Center.

The Albert J. Dye. executive vice president of Cardinal State Hank. In a ceremony conducted gathering is beitig sponsored i Raleigh County. Featured in the evenl at Hie Cardinal Stale Bank.

bc a a i presen- Hodel wii uresented a i Theatre Wesl i a S. TrSasur? Virginia, and a community award. William Simon. Secretary of Ihe Treasury, and Mrs. Francine I.

Xcff. Treasurer of (he United Slates and Xalional Director of the U. S. Savings Bonds Division, senl per- a a of gratitude to liodel. David W.

Koontz. acting state and a group of Sunday school sluilems. New Book Promotes Beckley A full color promotional i of Bcckley and is choir from area churches under Ihe direction of Guy Baker West Virginia Tech. Dr. Charles Curry, i ol i College, will give Ihe principal address.

Raleigh Coiinly Area ministers will form a i and sit a i together as a group, and all iln sll lpor Ihe Boy Scout and Girl Seoul i troops have Men invited lo allend as units. American Koontz said during the Legion posts will form the "Citizens of color guards. a a a i a a i i represents more leave Ihe following parking business i tor a three per cenl of the lots at 2 p.m. today: The recruiting personnel as i presented award. (he ceremony.

Raleigh County purchased more than $2.400.000 worth of savings bonds in 1975. i "The a Bcckley Book." it i include the full realm of in and around Beckley i anil should be helpful lo Ihe i basically what as in Ihe making was this deal mil here (industrial park) a i politically directed toward considering it." Eye said it was his derstanding lhat ihore was a "political orientation" in Ihe agreement to use the indusirial park site, but a The new building will be built by NCN Corp. of Hun- hein" lington. then leased by the stale. Eye said he had also use ol another i i across i Avenue from the a i now housing Ihe John W.

Eve Co. furniture The company will move per cenl ot its operation lo Skcllon after the. lirst of next year, he said. Eye said he could have made additional a i available lor the a office, bill declined lo say how many spaces. He said two lots in back of his store cnnld he pressed into service a his staff moved mil.

A a a i i a Kngers was quoted as sav- ins' ol the parking situation Ilia! "people would rather drive an extra few miles Hi.in have In and walk a lony distance 1 lo our office because ty could find no parking spaces." Tinder told The Register Friday the building would cost S3.2o per square loot, a i i I ti S. 2 5 0. including Ihe cost of the land, he said. a i i a a announce- in en I of I in Friday's Heckley Post- Herald said the lease price was slill 10 be negotiated. In lhc release lhat was in the paper it was indicated a your move would be a savings lo Ihe Department of a nit yet.

the same article I) a I i spells i as he sils nsiridu one ol the tough ones. Voled as Rookie of the Year for 1971, he is leading Ihe IRA for (he All-Around CoBboy. Dailey will be one of a top professional riders who will compete in the Dia- a pionship Rodeo at the Prosperity i Center July 24-25. Country Life Group Bringing Championship Rodeo To Town i be i team roping, and ladies chilK and spills when lop barrel a i arc of- a from across the a i conic lo the Prosperity Center July i 24-2 lo compete in a giant several broucs and bulls which have been used in i ficiated by approved rodeo the Finals Rodeo in Tulsa. timers.

The riding events (bull riding, bronc riding, a a a riding) are officiated by indicated that the terms of Cnmilry Lite Group the lease had not been i a concluded and Ihe cost of Hie rcnl on the structure 1 ha i ns i approved judges. Each spi i i own "Miss Junction." a 7-year-old. 1.100- pound palomino a has been ridden the required eight seconds only Ihree a i i Rodeo SLinclioncd bv Ihe liner- was still in Ihe air. a i a Rodeo Association "I have had numerous of Pauls Valley. Okla Ihe calls this morning in rela- largest rodeo organization lion to this proposed move, in ihe country.

Some 200 and I feel a it would he cowboys and cowgirls are in Ihe best interest lhc of Raleigh County thai you reconsider this entire office relocation." Ihe senator concluded. expected to compete for a a i a recognition. Robert Alexander, presi- uf Diamond World points on the rider's style a i i a i i a 1 In 2S points on Ihe animal's bucking ability. Along with Ihese events are I he performances of the rodeo clowns, who not only a i Ihe crowd hut protect cowboys from a Rodeo Last December "Miss Junction" a a a Ihe mosl coveted honor of all. lhc 1975 "Bucking Horse of the Year" award by Ihe nation's top bronc riders The i a Rodeo i Company ranch is located clowns not only near Charloltesville.

Va. lease the animals a a Being Ihe only rodeo com- from fallen cowboys, but pany of its kind on (he east i coast, it produces less than a may get 60 a a in i i i a Maryland. West and appliance store. Saturdav for comment. Rahall Endorses Carter I i Joe a a a West Virginia sales A i I on a as proin'oling Reckley Democratic nominee from for the year.

Avenue: both Hecks Ids al 0 ihe tourist industry, lhc Fourth Congressional Ihe Town and years have elapsed District, has endorsed the Welfare department of- Championship Roilco Co. caught in the hull's rope. ficials could not he reached ami David Wills, president This is jusl as dangerous i i i a Kentuckv and 17 of ihe Dry Hill-Prosperity for Ihe clown as for the Ohio. Country Life Group, both cowboy, but the clown has emphasize lhat many of a double resimnsihilily Advance lickets for the the best cowboys and for lhc cowboy and for TM leo ma purchased himself. who shopping center and on a a a i change in November." The candidate is nol a since there has been a presidential candidacy of delegate lo the convention stepped down as general a Road: and the promotional book about former Governor Jimmy manager of Beckley New- Beckley Medical Ccnler on Reckley Carter of Georgia.

spapers when that i S. a a a Street. was sold, will become Robert Lohman. pastor honorary chairman for li. of the i a i i i Raleigh County i i i Slates i p.irlic'ipale in the two-day events of the a i ns li i co lieliliuu.

Prize money earned al from any member of the The average rodeo cow- i travels about 200.000 A i on 124 Pikeview Drive. Hilltop Saddle Shop. Hi-B Hobbies a Areas lo bc covered are congratulated Carter "on i i a a a i a i i a i W6 Holier Coasters NEW YORK Roller coaslcrs were firsl called Calholic Church, the Rev. developments miles a year and competes in four to five rodeos a week. He provides his own TM IH Pikeview Drive, in New York, hut plans to i rodeo counts toward entry fee.

travel fare, and Jcssups Sporting Goods, or a as an the world championships, i Because of by calling i at 252-9698. Monday and Tuesday. which are determined by these expenses, a cowboy He'll meet i other lotal annual winnings. The must win constantly in Democratic congressional top 15 i in each of order lo survive. a of these cowboys i i i a viled lo Ihe International gel Iheir start in rodeo rop- i a held in and riding schools or in a of the a a a a i Tulsa.

Super events sanctioned the i i i a i i a Howl of professional rodeo. i i Rodeo i a Engineers A a a i a scenic railways, and later Boyd Walton of Ebenezer a i The Baptist Church, the Rev. a i i i i a Democratic Parly that few nominees and members ol the championships are in- ch.iirman for the bicentcn- a a i medical, six the nia! celebration. a i i i months ago." delegation Committee members are a i i i a i a "1 find his posilionsto be the Rev. Steven Wolan of residential, recreational, detailed and sophisticated.

St. a i de Sales and as opposed lo those who Wednesday iniliation into Each performanceal the Association (ages 7-16). will hold its meeting Mon- say he is 'fuzzy' on the the He-Man's Club of Con- July 24-25 rodeo will be a They compete on approved day al the Elks Lodge, ac- issues." three-hour program con- high school teams or on i to a i a Rahall said he expects lo A i a i in sisting of bareback riding, college learns approved by A number of businesses i i of the roller i A of I have contributed to the support the I)cm'ocralic County. calf roping, saddle bronc the a i a bearing gave Ihem new Church of God. and the book's conception, i platform lo be passed at He described Ihe event, i i sleer i i a -r 1.

I I I A a a a Ireasurer. The social period will start at 6:30 p.m. in the I spced and a new name. At V. David Jones of St.

more than SlO.boO of an es- ihTs He held at Glcnwood Park Asso' their peak in the 1920s i a i a S3S.OOO needed congratulated the com- near Princeton, as "the roping, and Brahma bull Allhough the focus is on Blue Room, followed by Ihere were about 900 roller Church. already pledged by com- miltce for putting together largest 'slag parly' of the rilling. riding and roping talent, dinner and Ihe program in coaslcrs in the i John Benjamin and Berl a i i i a i "a plalform lhat will speak year in Wesl Virginia." The timed events (calf the Diamond World Cham- Ihe main dining room at Merriman of Thealre Wesl Counly. for all i i of our roping, sleer wrestling, i i Stales..