The Paducah Sun from Paducah, Kentucky • 25

The Paducah Sun Friday, December 18, 1987 Editorial, C2 Classified, C6 Graves jail upgraded Construction promise brings change to 96-hour holding facility Graves School Board seeks superintendent MAYFIELD, Ky. Feb. 10 la the application deadline for the job of Graves County school superintendent Superintendent Billy Watkins will leave the post June 30, when his contract expires. The board met Monday night, set the application deadline and outlined qualifications for the Job. "The individual must possess a certification for Kentucky school superintendent and have previous administrative experience.

Salary is negotiable, read a statement adopted by the board. The statement also said resumes may be sent to board chairman Jeffrey Don Howard, Farmington Rt. 1. Howard said the Job opening will be posted with the state School Board Association and state Association of School Administrators. "How many people will apply is anybody's guess, really," Howard said.

Watkins was picked from "40 or SO applicants," Howard said. Watkins succeeded Gyndel Gar-nett as superintendent in July 1984. Watkins told board members Dec. 10 that he would not apply for a renewal of his contract nor would he consider continuing in the position after June 30. Howard hopes a new superintendent will be on the Job by July The Graves County school system has 4,000 students.

State inspectors have deemed it a "turn-of-the: century" facility. Roberts said it was returned to 96-hour status because of the new Jail commitment and a written promise to make these safety and living-condition improvements: Repair leaking showers. Repair the furnace and remove kerosene heaters from living Repair screens covering bars of cells on the upper level. Convert a cell on the lower level for detoxification; install a penal lock and commode-lavatory. Place a penal light in the corridor on each level Install ground fault circuit breakers in electrical outlets accessible to inmates.

Erect safe steps to the female cell or close it Extend coverage of the fire alarm system. Smith said most of the improvements have been made. By JOE WALKER Sum SUff Writer MAYFIELD, Ky. Construction of a $2 million 1 ailstate court office building should begin about April 1, Graves County Judge-Exeuctive Tony Smith said. In the meantime, the antiquated Graves District Jail has been expanded to 96-hour status because of Improvements and the county's promise of a new Jail.

That decision was made this week. Cheryl Roberts, director of local facilities for the Kentucky Corrections Cabinet, said the Jail was upgraded from 12-hour holdover to 96-hour status this week. The change allows prisoners to be held 96 hours before being released moved. Smith said an architect is drawing plans for a Jail with 50 to 60 beds. He and a special Jail commission he appointed will meet Monday to review the plans.

The upper floor will house offices related to the state court system. Smith said the Administrative Office of the Courts has $450,000 available to lease space. He said he hopes to get about $770,000 in Jail Bonding Authority money next year. Graves County is second in line for any new money that becomes available. Funds for 1987 have been depleted.

Smith said the old Jail averages 22 to 25 Erisoners. He anticipates deriving income by olding prisoners from other counties in the remaining 25 to 35 cells in the new Jail. Last fall the old Jail was reduced from full-service to 96-hour status to temporarily meet minimum standards. In August, the cabinet lowered the rating to 12 hours, but the fiscal court voted to defy the order pending a Sept. 15 hearing.

Prior to the hearing, a circuit judge's order enforced the 12-hour rule. Smith then asked the state to reconsider if the fiscal court agreed to build a Jail. The old Jail was built about 50 years ago. Comcast century-old move resurfaces treasure tale vm A wellinown citizen reportedly buries a pile of gold near his big house. When the stately home is torn down, men come from afar to hunt for the buried treasure.

The gold is never found. Just another pirate movie script? Or maybe a yarn spun for gullible tourists on some sunwashed Caribbean isle? It happened no farther afield than the 800 block of Broadway, now the headquarters of Comcast cable television. The site was occupied by the two-story brick Langstaff home, built in 1850 and torn down 99 years later to make room for a supermarket; The 1949 treasure search was big hews in the Paducah Sun-Democrat. James Langstaff died in, 1872, but left a note claiming he buried $20,000 in gold near a big cotton-wood tree. i There was a catch: the message said the money was hidden either near his house or on some South 3rd Street property he owned.

By 1949i such a towering tree was long gone. nevertheless, the newspaper reported that when the Langstaff house and grounds were sold, "the 'deed had a stipulation that 'any k'r JOPHN PARKSThB Sun From left, Dwlght Milts, LarrytAllen and Lyman Brown chuckle over their bids. Kiwanis auction knocks down $3,000 to help needy children vw hi iiiiiji i nil i 'jr But 77 years later, Clark F. Smith of Winnsboro, decided to try his luck with "a collection of strange instruments," according to the Sun-Democrat. Smith believed that "a dead-end tunnel was constructed onto the shelter in which the family could hide its valuables," the paper reported.

Smith told a reporter that a "treasure locator" detected gold in the area. Yet after an "excavation a trench 25 feet long and about 15 feet deep," no gold was unearthed. Ed Mount, who heads Comcast Cable which moved to the spot only recently, heard the tunnel had a different connection. Supposedly, it was dug as part of the secret, pre-Civil War "underground railroad" movement to help slaves flee bondage in the South. Mount said the tunnel reputedly ran under the Langstaff property to the river.

Historic preservationist Dick Holland knows the underground road story, but doubts it because the Langstaffs didn't buy the house until after the Civil War. Holland thinks the tunnel might have been part of an old sewer system. Both Holland and Mount agree it's an interesting story. "I have been dropping several hints to my family that I want a metal detector for Christmas," Mount said with a chuckle. "So you may see me out there on Christmas morning poking around, dynamiting, and Campbellsville, he said.

Wood Haven Plaza would rely on customers from Massac and adjoining counties. A marketing study done for the project determined residents of that area do most of their retail spending outside that region, he said. "We're going to offer a close-at-home opportunity for retailers and shoppers." Richard Kruger, chairman of the Fort Massac Economic Development Commission, said Tomlin-son's plans have renewed hope for retail development. "That's a big step that after his marketing studies, he chose to go forward." SeePLAZAC12 gutu, BUVCI, MIUIICJT UI uuici uco- sure' found belonged to Faith Langstaff," great-granddaughter of James Langstaff. Eager excavators from Texas came to town.

They dug a huge hole but struck gravel, not gold. If there was any gold, it evidently is still there. City building inspector Paul Moore remembers a cottonwood tree that grew near a Civil War bomb shelter built behind the two-story brick house. William Norton, original owner of the house, built the shelter in 1860, before war broke out, as a haven for his family. He said a conflict between North and South was inevitable.

The shelter was made of brick and was covered with earth. Moore said he and one' of the Langstaff sons found a trap door in the floor that led to a tunnel. "We were 8 or 9 or 10 years old," Moore said. The tunnel, about four feet high, was partially caved in. But the two youngsters lit a candle and groped into the dark passage.

"We went a little ways, got scared and came out," Moore said. The tunnel supposedly stretched to near the river, or maybe to where the gold was stashed. Moore said the Langstaff kids embellished the tales, Joking about gold from river pirates. "That seemed a little Incredible," he said. The Langstaffs were lumber dealers who made their money through commerce.

The family came here from New Jersey in 1870, many years after pirates were chased from the river. After James Langstaff died, his family failed to find the treasure. ated with national chains. He declined to identify the stores interested in locating there. The plaza would create more than 200 jobs, he said, declining to estimate the project's cost The plans involve 20 acres owned by Carl Homtrop Jr.

of Metropolis, who said he had tried to develop a shopping plaza on the site for more than 15 years. Tomlinson declined to. discuss his firms' arrangement with Homtrop, saying it was not finalized. Tomlinson said his firm manages Central Center in Murray. It formerly owned Carr Plaza in Fulton, selling it after an expansion.

The company also has worked with developments in Henderson, Glasgow, Maysville, Russellville Nashville firm wants to develop Metropolis 1-24 shopping center By HEIDI HILDEBRAND Sun Staff Writer Non-smoker Dwight Mills paid $10 for four cartons of cigarettes at the Kiwanis Club auction Thursday. "I'll give them to my wife. She smokes," he said, noting that two cartons were her brand. While the cigarettes were a bargain at $2.50 a carton, Mills said he bought them because the money goes to a good cause. Money from the auction goes to buy clothing for needy children in Paducah and McCracken County schools.

The auction has been conducted annually for at least 25 years. About $3,000 was raised Thursday, organizers said. As auctioneer Phyllis Ham began taking bids on the items, she said, "You men can do your Christmas shopping right now, because I know you haven't started." "Let the good times roll!" she yelled as bidding started on a case of Wild Turkey bourbon. Club member Jim Mobley bought it for $130. Ham auctioned each item in sing-song style, punctuated with encouragements for higher bids.

With the sale of each item, she stabbed the air with her finger and said, "I've sold it to you." "Don't give up now!" she urged Larry Stovesand with his purchase. By CHRISTOPHER ASH Sua Chief Bnsineu Writer METROPOLIS, m. A Nashville developer has revived plans for a shopping center in the southwestern quadrant of the Interstate 45 interchange. Wayne Tomlinson, president of Wayne Tomlinson Associates, said the initial phase of Wood Haven Plaza would involve square feet in the main structure and construction on parcels of land between it and UJS. 45.

Construction could begin in about 12 months, with the success of securing tenants the major factor in determining the date, he said. The Paducah native said the plaza would house 10-14 businesses, including two anchor stores affili JOHN PARKSThe Sun $200. Asked about his motives for the purchase, he shrugged and said, "It's just a donation." Roy Trimble, who catered the luncheon-auction, bought a Wild Turkey mirror to add to his collection of Wild Turkey decanters. Among other items auctioned were two portable stereo cassette players, a designer telephone, several bottles of liquor, a Wild Turkey decanter, a Black and Decker router and a red wagon. Filling Christmas toy list takes driving determination when the bidding stalled at a low figure.

She eluded one Kiwanian who dropped out of the bidding for a duck picture by saying, "You chickened out!" Club member Jerry Chumbler spent $380 buying three golf clubs, a golf bag, a disc camera, an automatic drip coffee maker and an eight-foot inflatable raft. Two season tickets to Bluegrass Downs and. a season parking sticker went to Leo Green Jr. for radio-controlled months and has on it He said in before been exhausted," mart received week ago, and been sold. Other months, he said.

Vollmer said creates a bigger item becomes, shipment of Alfs shelves for two two weeks. Steve Hendrix, Cobb Drive, said a waiting list with more than 80 names there is very little chance of getting any Christmas. "We've heard the supply has he said. a shipment of Talking Alf dolls a all but three of the furry aliens have Alf dolls have been sold out for two he thinks the shortage of an item' demand for it The more popular an' the more people want it When the came in this fall, they sat on the months. Then they sold out in about manager of the Wal-Mart on Irvin mat store also is out of Alf dolls and "This is the last one, so I guess I'd better take it now," she said.

"I havent even seen them anywhere else." But Tammy Regen, assistant manager of the store's toy department, said not all shoppers have been as successful as Bullock and Owen. By the time some far-away shoppers get to the store, some of the items advertised in the fliers have been sold out "Because the fliers go out through the post office at different times for different areas, the areas that got it first have already come in," she said. The store has had to restock an aisle devoted entirely to battery operated and radio controlled cars four or five times, Regen said. Service Merchandise isn't the only store having By HEIDI HILDEBRAND Su Staff Writer Debbie Bullock drove to Paducah Wednesday from Dexter, hoping to buy a little Pony set for her daughter for Christmas. "You cant get them in Dexter," she said as she pulled the elusive package from the shelf.

When she saw the toy advertised in a Service Merchandise flier, she made the 1-hour trek to Paducah to get one. She wasn't so lucky with another gift her daughter wanted. She was looking for a Cricket DoD, a talking doll that runs on a tape, and while the store had "something comparable," it wasnt a Cricket Cathy Owens, of Metropolis, looking for a Pound Purrie, picked the only furry feline from a shelf full of Pound Puppies. trouble keeping toys in stock. Toys is out of Pogo Bals and Splashin Kids.

Shoppers began asking for the Pogo Bals, a ball version of the pogo stick, around Halloween, and they still get about five or six people a day in the store asking for them, said a store employee. Splashin' Kids, the Cabbage Patch dolls that kids' can take in the tub, have been sold out for weeks. The store is unable to get more, she said. "When we tell them we dont have them, they say we give them the same answer everybody else gives them," she said. Jim VoUmer, general manager of the Lone Oak mart, noted a similar problem with Nintendo entertainment systems, Alf dolls and Yamaha keyboards.

The store has been out of Nintendo systems for two and battery-operated cars..