The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 1

A A A BLYTHEVILLE COURIER NEWS BLYTHEVILLE, ARKANSAS (72815) MONDAY, JUNE 26, 1967 14 PAGES TEN CENTS VOL. 62--NO. 85 Flames Gut Landmark "It had already gotten a good start before we were notified," said one member of the Blytheville fire department, the conflagration which did heavy damage Saturday afternoon to the First Baptist Church at Walnut North Eight, A landmark in the city since its construction in 1914-15. It was the oldest of the church's four-building complex. Large sections of the roof; were burned out and caved in, the interior of the church was disemboweled by the flames, the attics were destroyed and windows shattered from the heat.

Presently no estimate is available regarding the value of the ruined building and appoint-1 menis. However, according to Alvis Carpenter, pastor, the building was insured for $85,000. The building, considered a tal loss, was being used for religious instruction. The church's board of deacons had intended to demolish the building and erect modern facilities on the property. According to one member of the board of deacons, the church probably will demolish what remains of the building as soon as possible.

Reverend Carpenter said the church hopes to begin new construction at the site by fall. The fire department was notIfied about 1:15 p.m. Saturday when, according to their report, an unidentified woman motorist noticed the smoke as she was driving by the building, stopped to investigate, and fmmediately notified the firefighters. Via Havana Kosygin Flies Home NEW YORK (AP) Premier Alexei N. Kosygin, leaving the United States afler a nine-day stay, said today he would fly to Cuba from here on a flight scheduled for 11:50 a.m., EDT.

As Kosygin left the Soviet United Nations Mission for Kennedy. Airport, he was asked by reporters if it. were true. that he was flying to Cuba. He nodded his head and through an interpreter said, How did you know?" Manila Man Dies During Vietnam Fight Several soldiers, among them Sgt.

Samuel Lee Modesitt, 25, of Manila, were killed June 17 in: Vietnam when the muzzle of their assault tank exploded in action against enemy forces southeast of Saigon, about 10 miles from the Cambodian border. The soldiers were members of A Battery, Sixth Battalion of the 27th Army Artillery. After an 18-day leave with his family in early March, Modesitt departed for Vietnam. A career soldier, he had been in spent the 18 Army months six in years Korea. had had just re-enlisted before being assigned to Vietnam.

Services were Sunday from the First Methodist Church in Manila, with burial in Leachville Cemetery, Howard Funeral Service in charge. Survivors include his wife, Sheilia Modesitt of McFarland, One son, Samual Modesitt Jr. of Manila; His mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Modesitt of Manila; Hie grandmother, Mrs. Ferble Barker of Manila; One brother, Paul Dean Modasitt of Manila; And one sister, Shelia Diane Modesift of Manila.

There is no evidence as to the exact cause of the fire, but there are indications that it may have begun in a closel used for janitorial supplies and miscellaneous materials, or may possibly have been caused by faulty wiring. Members of the fire department say the fire began in almost the precise center of the building, that section of the church wherein the library and Firefighters were able to subbaptismal pool are located. due the blaze at the place of origin, but by to that time the fire had spread the attics of the church, where it was most difficult to control. Five city fire trucks and one from Blytheville Air Force Base fought the blaze until about 5:30 p.m. before finally winning out.

A total of about 25 firefighters including several from the base, were called in to help with the emergency. The fire, as might be expected, drew a large crowd and some men of the general public, as well as a number of city employes, assisted firemen in handling. the high pressure hoscs and in other duties. Several women provided drinking water and soft beverages for those fighting the blaze. Luckily, no one was seriously injured while combatting the fire, but there were a few casualties.

Billy Bratton of the Blytheville Fire Department sustained a serious cut on his hand and was removed to a hospital for emergency treatment. Airman 1.C. Edward Fenwick was also injured on the hand, requiring several stitches. Two of the firefighters were overcome by smoke, but quickly recovere after being moved to cleaner air, then went back to the fire. The efficiency of.

the city's 65-foot ladder truck was credited with containing the fire so See CHURCH on Page 3 Kennett Man Is Injured HAYTI A 43-year-old Kennet man suffered a concussion as a result of a two-car collision on Highway 61 four miles Hayti at 5:15 p.m. Saturday." According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, James Evans, the injured man, driving, a southbound 1967 Buick sedan, was attempting to pass several cars when one of the vehicles, a 1964 Ford sedan driven by Sue Gillis, 57, of Hayti, made a left turn. Evans was carried to the Dunkiin County Memorial Hospital in Kennett for emergency I treatment and was issued a summons for improper passing. No other injuries or charges were reported. -UP IN SMOKE Cletus Hudson, top, extreme left, and Ted Brown, second from left, symbolically burn a $25,000 second mortgage on Miesissippi County Union The Mission still has a $32,000 first mortgage against it.

Shown at the ceremony are (top from left) Hudson, Brown, Pat Sullivan, Roland Rounsaville, Mayor Tom A. Little A L. E. 1111 032 MirA. END OF LANDMARK The old First Baptist Church at ferno for about four hours.

Church administrators had planlandmark for 52 years, was ned to demolish the building to make room for more mod- Walnut and Eighth Streets, a city finally destroyed. A fire which began early Saturday after- ern facilities, schedule. but now The the demolition used go for on religious considerably: inwill noon raged until the building was totally ruined hefore fire- ahead of building was fighters were able to bring the blaze under control. Fire- struction. (Courier News Photo) men from Blytheville and the Air Force base fought the in- MINE Citizens volunteered their services in combatting the blaze.

(Courier News Photo) 0 FOUR-MAN JOR It required the efforts of four husky firefighters to handle the high-pressure hose shown here being used Saturday alternoon in an attempl to contain the fire at the old First Baptist Church a Walnut and Eighth Streets. Then he added, the Russian word for Yes." By WILLIAM N. OATIS UNITED NATIONS, N.Y. Albania, Communist China's voice at the United Nations, was expected to attack Kosygin for his summit talks with President Johnson. The Soviet premier arrived in New York June 17 on his first visit to the United States.

He has been attending emergency session of the U.N. General Assembly, sightseeing in New York City and Niagara Falls, and talking with President Johnson in Glassboro, N.J. The Soviet leader made plain at an 80-minute news conference Sundy night that his 10 hours of talks with Johnson had not shifted his public stand on the Arab-Israeli conflict one iota. He argued once more for the resolution he introduced a week ago to condemn "Israel's aggressive acts" and demand her withdrawal from territory in Egypt, Jordan and Syria occupied in the June 5-10 war. He said delay in the withdrwal "would only enhance the risks of 01 war breaking out again." In the first week of the assembly session, he said, "the results have been positive" in that "the majority of speakers have condemned the aggression of Israel and called for the withdrawal of Mrs.

Keith Appointed Mrs. T. H. Keith, wife of Blytheville dentist, has been named a member of the Governor's Council on Human Resources. Friday, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller appointed 45 persons from over the state to the Council.

The members will be asked to study problems which face the state in mobilizing its manpower for training, and retraining to meet the needs ci industry. It also will study. the state's resources. As to World 10-Hour Summit: Still No Solution By JOHN HIGHTOWER AP Special Correspondent NEW YORK (AP) President Johnson and Premier Alexei N. Kosygin have failed to resolve any of their differences over such major world issues as Vietnam and the Middle but they intend to keep in direct contact on these and other problems they debated in their Glassboro summit conference.

The conference ended Sunday night after the two men had spent almost 10 hours together in two days at the small New Jersey town south of Philadelphia. Both told a cheering rain-! drenched crowd of their desire to promote peace in the world. Kosygin returned to New York in a helicopter provided by the President and held a news conference at the United Nations. There he abandoned the smiling countenance displayed at Glassboro and reverted 10 familiar Soviet attacks on Israel in the Middle East and the United States in Vietnam. Johnson returned to Washing- Fenner Garrison and Preston Ramey; (bottom) Kyle Loller, BIll Hancock, Austin Wyatt, Waller K.

Ayers, visiting evangelist, and Paul Kirkindall, mission superintendent. All except Loller, Ayers and Kirkindall are members of the Mission board of directors. (Courler News Photo) ton and said in a broadcast statement that "no agreement is readily In sight on the Middle Eastern crisis, and our well known differences over Vietnam continue." But he added: "I believe It is fair to say that these days at Hollybush have made the world a little less dangerous." Kosygin was scheduled to leave New York about noon today, returning to Moscow 10 report in detail to his Kremlin colleagues 00 his talks with Johnson. He indicated at the news conference he might visit some other countries on the way but did not say which ones. Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Foreign Minister Andrei A.

Gromyko, now In York, were left with the hard task of trying to negotiate some concrete accords out of what Johnson called "the spirit of Hollybush." They are expected to begin a series of talks in a day or 80. Hollybush is the name of the Early Bloomer First cotton bloom of 1967 was brought into the Courier News office this morning. It was grown by Robert A. Brown, Rt. 3, on land he farms about four miles west of Gosnell.

The cotton was planted April 1 and is Stoneville 213. George Hamilton is the land owner of the farm which produced the bloom. Board Board The board of directors of the Blytheville Voter League will meet Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Burton's Cafe on Elm Street. All members are urged to be present.

Weather Forecast Partly cloudy northwest throught Tuesday. Considerable cloudiness elsewhere tonight, becoming partly cloudy Warmer tonight and Tuesday. Widely scattered showers and thundershowers tonight and Tuesday. Low tonight 68-78. a a DO dirt home of President Thomas E.

Robinson of Glassboro State College where Johnson and Kosygin met on Friday and Sunday. The major impression left Dateline June 26 the conference was that the two leaders, while failing to resolve any of their major differences, had at least demonstrated the intention to keep their conflicts See SUMMIT on Page 3 troops behind the armistice lines." He did not go so far as to prediet that his resolution would be adopted. But he said that "if the General Assembly could adopt a decision along those lines, it could then entrust the Security Council with implementing that decision, and if that decision were not complied with, then appropriate sanctions could he Only after Israel's withdrawal, he said, could there be consideration of such questions as limiting arms shipments to the Middle East, guaranteeing the existence of all states there and ensuring freedom of passage "questions the solution of which through disputed waterways could bring about a stronger peace in the area." The United States is sponsorting a resolution calling for 3 negoSee KOSYGIN on Page Beginning Today: The Warren Report--The Lingering Shadow (See Page Seven) GLASSBORO, N.J. (AP) -President Johnson and Soviet Alexei N. Kosygin marched up to the summit and: Premier down again without shifting their postures on issues deeply dividing This was not unexpected.

But was the exercise worth-. the world's greatest powers. while? From the U.S. standpoint, the answer Is probably a quali-: fied yes. A more definite verdict can only come with WASHINGTON (AP) Millions of television viewers whowaited Sunday night for Soviet Premier Alexei N.

Kosygin's: news conference were unaware of a sometimes hectic race by. President Johnson to get on television himself before Kosygin conference started. The President made it back to Washington In time to de: short televised statement from the White House south liver a lawn 15 minutes before the start of Kosygin's 8 p.m. broad. cast from New York.

Johnson's problem involved getting from Philadelphia to. Washington by plane, from Washington National Airport to. the White House by helicopter and the ability of the networks. to set up their equipment on short notice. BATESILLE, Miss.

(AP)-Civil rights figure James Ha Meredith limped onward in his Mississippi "walk against. fear" today, but aching feet slowed the pace and may the 200-mile march first pianned. With 37 miles behind him, Meredith started the third day: by switching from his yellow hiking boots to a pair of shoes: slit along the toes. "I've been pushing it too fast," he said. "I hate to slow down but it doesn't look like I've got any choice." In Sardis Sunday, as he celebrated his 34th birthday, Meredith said he may stop his walk along U.S.

51 at Canton, 25 miles short of the capitol at Jackson. AUSTIN, Tex. (AP) Luci Johnson Nugent and her In-: fant son leave Seton Hospital for home today after the dent's grandson, six days old, gets a final checkup from his doctors. Departure from the hospital was scheduled for early afternoon. Photographers were told they could take pictures of the baby today.

White House photographers took a number of pictures of President Johnson with his daughter and grandson Lyndon in the hospital Saturday during the President's first visit..