Playground Daily News from Fort Walton Beach, Florida • Page 1

Today's Weather Partly cloudy mud rather cold through Wednesday. High today SS to TIDE TIMES High 7:17 p.m.. low a.m. RIVER READINGS Jim Woodruff 52.7 Blountstown 13.2 the, Mtock Ship Qutyeoatt WAS YOUR PICTURE IM THE PAPER? RE-PRINTS AVAILABLE $1,50 8x10 SIZE Playground Daily Ntws 243-3127 One No. 221 14 Pages Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Tuesday Morning, Dec.

12, 1967 Single Copy lOc Subscription $15.00 Per Year Tornado Victim: The Bunk Bed And The Good Lord Saved Us By MARILYN HALL Sightseers, amateur photographers, newspapermen, radiomen, and TV crews filled the streets in the areas hit by Sunday morning's tornado. Some of the families took time from theh: restoration and recovery attempts to talk to Play- ground Daily News reporters. Victor Martin, 121 N. Robinwood said he actually saw the roof leave his house. He, his wife, and their three children were asleep when Martin heard the tornado coming.

He said he rushed into the bedroom of his two youngest children while his wife went to the oldest daughter. Martin was covering the two children with his body when he looked up and saw the roof tear off the house. Mrs. Martin was trying to get into the bedroom of their other child, but could not get the door open. When the tornado hit, Mrs.

Martin was, flung down the hall into another bedroom. The daughter, who came out of the bedroom at that time was also flung in the same path as her mother. The only one injured in that family was Mrs. Martin who was hit on the head with flying debris. The Martin's roof is in several neighbor's back a now.

Their furniture is scattered in their own back Curtains are hanging in the trees and their patio is gone. A brick wall in front of the WE'RE FORTUNATE Mrs. James C. Cook, 136 Rainbow, claims, "We're fortunate-my family is alive and together," even as she looks at their totally de- molished home. Only one of the Cook's five children needed m-sdical attention as a result of the destructiveness of the tornado.

house is now lying in jumble throughout the house. A chair in the front room made it's way through several doors, down a hallway, to end up in a back bedroom. The Martins have temporarily moved across the street to the home of Martin's brother. Bob Martin. Insurance Commission Sets Up Catastrophe Center For Claims State Insurance Commissioner Broward Williams has sent a special "Catastrophe Team" Tax Assessor Schedules New Evaluation By MARY ANN O'CONNEIX, 'There is no estimate at this as to how much the tornado will cost Okaloosa County in revenue, however, Rhett Cadenhead, county tax assessor said that members of his staff would be evaluating damaged property sometime next week.

Homeowners suffered any damage whatsoever from the tornado, even if it simply was a tree that was knocked down, should contact the assessor's "office and give their name and address so that they will not be overlooked in the re-assessment. Florida law, Caden- hcad noted that the tax assessor's office is supposed to go over the property evaluations beginning Jan. 1 and make any adjustments that are necessary. Three men from the county tax assessor's office will be in Fort Walton doing Hie re-evaluations as soon as the debris is cleared. It will probably take about ten days for the evaluation of damaged property to be made, estimated Cadenhead.

Beginning at the first of the year the tax assessor's office check the taxable property for the November tax bills. Every taxpayer in Okaloosa whose property was damaged by the tornado will have their property 're-assessed and the assessment lowered. Even if the repairs are completed before the November tax bills go out the taxpayer will receive the benefit of the lower assessment, explained Caden head. Even a tree being blown up affects the assessment of property for any physical deteriation (Turn to EVALUATION, page Z) to open a temporary field office at 118 South Perry Boulevard, located across the street from the Bank of Fort Walton. The purpose of the team will be to issue temporary licenses to as many insurance adjusters as are needed to help get the area back on a normal basis.

Temporary licenses are available for as many insurance companies and firms that need them. The general public should stop by this office for a listing of adjusters representing the various insurance companies, and for any assistance that they might be able to render in filling out claims forms or furnishing any other pertinent information. The Team was set up under the direction of Bruce Caswell, Miami, who is State Catastrophe Coordinator. The temporary office is under the direction of Bob Breckenridge of Tallahassee. According to a preliminary estimate made by Caswell, who toured the area at William's direction, at least 65 homes are a total loss for around $1,200,000 replacement cost, and a total loss estimate for the devastating twister of over $3,000,000.

Eglin Units Aid Tornado Stricken Organizations from Eglin Air Force Base assisted during the tornado disaster. The 3201st Security Police Squadron provided 64 men. who helped the Sheriff's Department in traffic control and guiding in damaged areas. Base Fire Protection Division provided both men and equipment, including a 15,000 gallon tanker at Ocean City Fire Department. Also lighting units for night use.

The 560th Civil Engineering Squadron made available approximately 160 dump trucks, front loaders and flatbed trucks. Eglin Senior and Cadette Squadrons of Civil Air Patrols had 22 men in radio units available and a specially equipped bus that was used as command post and as a coordinating center. The bus also was used for food distribution. County Set To Aid Persons Outside Limits Householders living outside the city limits who need help in cleaning up after storm damage can get this help from the Board of County Commissioners, according to an announcement made by Bill Landreth, R. J.

Reinke, and Olen Williams on Monday. Those who wish the help, which is provided free ol charge, may come by the Okaloosa County Water and Sewer District or the Sheriff's Coordination Trailer at the Corner of i a 85 and Racetrack Road and sign a waiver which relieves the county of responsibility. This form must be signec before help can be made available. The commissioners are using paid county workers and outside volunteer labor to provide this aid. Women whose husbands are serving in Viet Nam.

will fine this help particularly valuable in removing fallen trees or doing whatever else is necessary to clean up their property. Those who live in the city limits may call the FWB City Hall for help. Landreth said the County Commissioners will be glad to extend their free help offer inside the city, but advised city limit householders to clear through the City Hall first. The telephone numbers at th( Sheriff's Coordination Traile are 243-2415, and 243-2496. SEEKING SOLUTIONS Gov.

Claude and cowboy hat, confers with City Manager Winston Walker, second from left, and Mayor H. French Brown before the emergency city council meeting Sunday afternoon. Kirk left an aide, Lloyd C. Hagaman, right, to work with the disaster area problems. (Staff photo by Hall) Mrs.

James Cook, who lives in back of Martins' said she felt so fortunate that her family was still together and alive. Mrs. Cook said she and her a woke up when the winds were blowing hard, but back to sleep. As they vere dozing off, Mrs. Cook said liey heard a great deal of noise, although it wasn't like a train, vhich she'd always heard a tor- ado sounded like.

They got their five children nto the hallway and were mddled there when their house collapsed. Mrs. Cook said, "The bunk ied and the good Lord saved NEIGHBORS Friends and neighbors rushed to the rescue of families sticken with the Sunday morning tornado disaster. Hera, men help clear the James C. Cook yard on Rainbow Drive.

The Cook's home was totally destroyed. THE MOVE M-Sge Douglas Shipe loads up the family car, with all its windows broken out, with clothes and possessions remaining after their house was totally destroyed by the tornado which ran through the neighborhood Sunday. Sheriff Terms Disaster "Worst Ever To Hit Here" us all." The metal frame bunk )ed was on the other side of he wall they were crouched against and held that wall up. After the family got out of the house, Mrs. Cook said their main worry was the broken gas ines.

After they were shut off, they started "breathing easier" said Mrs. Cook. Though the house was a total loss, Mrs. Cook said the TV picture tube was still fine and their stereo was intact. Most of the dishes were not broken, and one full-length mirror survived without a scratch.

"It's there and over with, now we've got to clean up," sighed Mrs. Cook. Only one of the Cooks' fivoi children was injured. She had about 50 Stitches put into her leg where she received cuts from flying glass. The Cooks are moving to a trailer temporarily.

MSgt. a Shipe, 114 Meadowlark lives on the corner across the street from the Cooks, and was directly in the path of the tornado. He said the noise of it hitting woke him up. There was glass shattering all around and the roof was flying off. Shipe said he i 't immediately know what had happened it lasted for about 30 seconds.

Shipe ran for his two children, found one, but couldn't get to the other daughter. They knew she had to be in her bedroom, but the walls of her bedroom were collapsed towards the center. Shipe lifted and moved around the wall and got to his daughter who was miraculously unharmed in the room. They got out of the house and Shipe sent his family to a neighbor across the street whose house had not been damaged, except for de bris in the yard. a afternoon, Shipes' were loading up their car with clothes, wet from, the rain, and other belongings.

The car windows were broken out. Church Donates Building For National Guard Headquarters By PEGGY MAY The 250 members of the National Guard who are in this area are now billeted, fed, and have set up their headquarters at the Cinco Baptist Church, where their own portable field mess kitchen has taken over the job of feeding the men. Until Monday noon, they were being 'ed by Red Cross volunteers at the FWB Community Center. The men are sleeping in the auditorium of the church, whose minister, Talmadge Smith, volunteered the building for this purpose. A spokesman at noon Monday said that over 70 men were then sleeping in the auditorium.

These were men who had been on duty all night. Plans were a for Monday night's dinner, with large containers of vegetables already peeled and chopped and awaiting preparation to go with Monday night's roast beef dinner. Immersion cookers set up in galvanized garbage cans provide the sterilization in the outdoor mess tent presided over by Mess Sergeant William A. Toler. The staff officers and men are coordinating their duties from the a i Sunday School rooms in the church annex.

The men are from three different units--the Company and the Headquarters Detachment of the 53rd Support Battalion, and the 153rd Engineer Company. The engineer comp- nay is from DeFuniak Springs and Crestview. Col. Oscar O. Wilkerson is the senior National Guard officer in the group.

The men were first headquartered at Choctawhatchee High but moved into the church building when the Rev. Smith made it a a i a to them. A spokesmen for the National Guard said on Monday that there are 125 posts manned on a 24 hour a day basis. They arc also operating 18 large lighting units in areas where there is no power. These were donated by Eglin AFB.

Among the men here is First Sergeant C.VV. Dean, who is reported to be the oldest man in Florida National Guard, with 32 years service. Praise for the people of the Fort Walton Beach area was lavish from the Guard. A spokesman said, "We have been sent to several towns where twisters struck as well as going out on strike duty many times, and this area's people have treated us the best. They kept us awake till 2:30 a.m.

today bringing us sandwiches, coffee, and snacks. One station wagon with a buffet spread on the hood was cruising down the street last night." Praise was coming back in kind to the men. Those who blocked the way to the devastated areas were polite and not rough when they told people to stay away. They were showing a concern lor what had happened in their faces and their voices that went beyond the call of the demands of duty. By JOHN O'CONNEK Although thousands of people were involved with clean-up and general disaster operations Sunday, the focal point of the activi- ies centered on the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Headed by Sheriff Ray Wilson the department served as a sore of command headquarters and nformation center. Wilson was first informed of tragedy at his Crestview by one of his deputies. His next move was to call Child Dies In Tornado Aftermath Fort Walton Beach's only death in the wake of the de- vasting tornado a three- year-old Joann Coker, daughter of MSgt. and Mrs. Homer Coker of 135 Holmes Blvd.

The child died at 11:40 p.m. Sunday from hoad injuries suffered when Sunday nor- ning's a destroyed homes in that neighborhood. Joann was taken to the Eglin AFB Hospital early Sunday morning where remained in serious condition throughout the day. Funeral services have been set for 11 a.m. Wednesday from the McNeil Mortuary chapel in Pensaeola.

No further arrangements have been made. At the time the tornado hit, Mrs. Coker uas al the Eglin Hospital giving birth to her seventh child. Gov. Claude Kirk's mansion in Tallahassee to request National Guard troops.

The governor's office then notified Maj. Gen. Henry W. McMillan, the adjutant general, to call out the troops. By this time Wilson had arrived in Fort Walton Beach to survey the damage.

His initial estimate was million, but late in the afternoon this figure had changed. Standing outside of his command post set up in front of a damaged Shell station at Eglin Pkwy. and Racetrack Road, Wilson said, "After touring the area with the governor, I'd have to say the damage will totai in excess of $5 million." The governor had arrived in from West Palm Beach and of the afternoon touring the tornado area with Wilson and Driscoll Oglesby, chief investigator for the county. Aiding in the activities have 3ccn National a troops Pensacola, DeFuniak Springs and Crestview. Lt.

Col. a Wilkerson, lommander of the guardsmen, said that his men are at the disposal of Sheriff Wilson and will not be pulled from the area until the sheriff signifies tha their services are no longer needed. Wilkerson said the first of the 253 men guardsmen (including about 20 officers) arrived on the scene from DeFuniak Springs and Crestview at 7 a.m. Thi group totaled 103 men. The balance of 150 guardsmen from Pensacola had all arrivet by 1:30 m.

The troops nro being fed and billited at Choctawhatchee Hig'r (Turn Ic SHERIFF, page 2) School Board Meets Today By CHARLES SWEETLAND At i regularly scheduled daytime meeting' today at the Crestview courthouse, the Okaloosa Board of Public Instruction will hear three bids, consider junior college personnel and various routine matters, and approve its attorney's attack on the constitutionality of the Millage Rollback Law. School lunch bids will be entertained at 10 a.m. Bids on the North Walton Beach and the Rocky Bayou elementary schools will be heard at 2 p.m., as will bids on high school bonds. The superintendent of the ju- lior college will seek approval of that institution's personnel at 0:30 a.m. Various more or less matters will be taken up, including a resolution from he state department of instruc- ion that will be presented by Superintendent Max Bruner, Jr.

Erwin Fleet, the Board's attorney, will outline the procedure and probabilities that will follow the board's petition of the circuit court in Leon County decare 1he state's Millage Rollback Law unconstitutional. This suit is one of the Board's hrec possible moves 1o avoid oss of more 1hnn a million and a half dollars of revenue as a result of county voters approv- ng "zero millage" at a recent election. Another move is to obtain rom legislature approval for a special election that would give county voters another chance to vote needed school funds. The hird move would be to secure from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction an order assess a higher millage 1o carry on the public schools. The a Superintendent issued an order to the Bay County School Board Monday, Okaloosa Superintendent a Bruner, stated yesterday afternoon.

GUARD WAITS TO EAT In a portable field mess kitchen set up outside the Cinco Baptist Church, National Guardsmen watch the pots boil, as the sign "Tent Revival Here" is a reminder of the way the disaster has taken over the lives of people in this area. (Staff Photo by Tornado Damage Loans Available WASHINGTON (AP)--The Business Administration and the Farmers Home Administration have been authorized to make loans to help repair tornado damages in Fort Walton Beach, Rep. Bob said Monday, The loans wil! he available to eligible persons who are unable to obtain credit in their home areas. Sites said both agencies already have representatives in the area. INOCULATION Sgt.

Douglas S. Anderson administers tetanus inoculation to Mrs. J. S. Hirschfiold.

This took place at the Community Center, and other mobile units did inoculations in the disaster areas, (Staff Photo by May) IN FW SPA PERI IF.WSPA.PFJ.