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THE INDEX-JOURNAL Classified Ads 15-19 Comics 14 Community ..20 Dear Abby 6 Editorials 4 Obituaries 2 Sports 8-10 Today in History 3 Today's Living 12-13 Weather, 2 GREENWOOD, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1988 Copyrlfght 1988 by The Index-Journal Co. 70th Year No. 191 20 Pages 2 Sections 250 Brownsville likely target Gilbert9 setts eye on Texas most intense storm on record in terms of barometric pressure. which was measured at 26.31 inches, breaking the 26.35 inches recorded for the 1935 hurricane that devastated the Florida Keys was expected to strengthen over open water as it moved toward the U.S. Gulf Coast with sustained winds of 120 mph.

Brownsville, Texas, was deemed the most likely target, with a 21 percent probability of being hit, though a hurricane watch was in effect along the entire Texas coast as well as the northeastern Mexican coast from Tampico. Haiti, meanwhile, declared a CANCUN, Mexico (AP) The most intense hurricane on record surged toward Texas today after battering the Yucatan Peninsula with 160 mph winds, leveling slums, pummeling posh resorts and forcing tens of thousands to flee. Hurricane Gilbert, which has left nearly one in four Jamaicans homeless, slackened somewhat as it swirled over land, but the storm midday Friday and that its sustained winds would today "certainly increase to 130, 140 miles per hour." "The effects of the hurricane are already being felt along the Gulf Coast, but as far as it hitting with real hurricane force, we believe that to happen within the next 24 to 36 hours," said Noel Risnychok of the hurricane center. The center said Gilbert was the 22.1 north and longitude 92.0 west or about 430 miles southeast of Brownsville, Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The storm was moving west-northwest at 15 mph and dumping up to 10 inches of rain.

It was expected to turn gradually more northwest today. Hurricane center director Robert Sheets said the hurricane was expected to make landfall about In the Yucatan state capital of Merida, the storms 160 mph winds destroyed nearly all the thatched houses in one district uprooted trees, road signs and cut (See Hurricane, page 2) Meteorologist says Gilbert-like storm would be 'total disaster' in S.C. state of emergency today across its southern peninsula, where at least 10 hurricane-related deaths have been reported. The storm knocked out power, water and telephone service on the Yucatan, though damage reports were sketchy because phone lines were still out early today, civil defense officials said. Earlier this week the storm struck the Carribean, ravaging Jamaica, the Dominican Repubic, the Cayman Islands and Haiti, killing at least 19 in Jamaica and five in the Dominican Republic.

The storm, about 450 miles wide, hit the Yucatan coast about dawn Wednesday, thrashing beaches with 23-foot waves, uprooting trees, knocking out electricity and water supplies and severing telephone lines. Mexican officials reported at least seven injuries. There were no reports of deaths. "There is no light, there is no radio, there is nothing. There is much damage, the whole city is flooded," said Ramon Castillo, a night watchman at a newspaper in Campeche, a city on the east side of Yucatan.

"Everything is dark. There are many boats up on the street along the waterfront." High seas battered the sea wall in Campeche and created "terrible floods" along the waterfront, said Gimenio Perez, another worker at the newspaper, Novedades. At 9 a.m. EDT, the center of the storm was located near latitude emergency preparedness director for Beaufort County. Texans flee path of 'killer storm9 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) Thousands from south Texas to Louisiana's bayous shuttered homes and shops, packed up livestock and fled to higher ground today as Hurricane Gilbert roared across the Gulf of Mexico and aimed at the U.S.

coast. "This is a killer storm," said Gordon Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency of Management. "I feel sorry for anybody wherever this hits." The 1,600 students and about 200 patients at the University of Texas Medical Branch on Galveston Island were being evacuated, said spokeswoman Leann Teymour. In Louisiana, 10,000 people had orders today to leave homes along the bayous on the state's flood-prone coastline. Grand Isle, a barrier island resort where 2,100 people live, was evacuated Wednesday, as were many of Plaquemines Parish's 15,000 residents.

"I'm scared to death," said Pam Quigley, who recalled the devastation by Hurricane Celia in 1970. "If you could have seen Corpus Christi after Celia, you wouldn't have believed it. It was just demolished." (See Bracing, page 2) If Gilbert were to hit South Carolina, it would leave all the sea islands under water, including Hilton Head, Shenot said. "We haven't had a major hurricane here in so long, all we can do is speculate," added Chris Brooks, the deputy director of the South Carolina Coastal Council. But he agreed property damage By The Associated Press A hurricane like Hurricane Gilbert churning through the Gulf of Mexico would devastate the coast if it were to smash into South Carolina, officials say.

"Nobody would be protected on the beachfront," said Dick Shenot, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service Office in Charleston. "I am so thankful that it's not coming here," he said, adding such a storm in South Carolina would mean "total disaster." Gilbert, which packed 160 mph winds as it battered the Yucatan peninsula late Wednesday, is considered one of the strongest hurricanes on record. "There wouldn't be much left of the coast" if such a storm hit South Carolina, said William Winn, the would be staggering. Hurricane Hazel, which hit the Carolinas in 1954, was a Category 3 storm one with winds up to 130 mph which can cause extensive damage. Hazel caused $60 million damage in the Carolinas.

(See Storms, page 2) 4t months later, Miss S. C. finds 'relief in pageant's conclusion ILogan leads all fruitless ISEIV By ROGER BURTON Area news editor Four months ago today, Malakia Zali "Kia" Logan of Georgetown Apartments mysteriously dis appeared and after checking hundreds of leads in i vestigators still have nothing concrete. Logan, then eight years old, was last seen near the basketball court of the apartment complex about 8:30 p.m. May 15.

Massive physical searches, aerial searches and the checking out of hundreds of leads by local officers, SLED and FBI personnel have all proved fruitless. Carolina. Anna Graham said the joke had circulated throughout the Miss America contestants during the week, as a result of a comment David Letterman made on his show. Her talk with Collins prompted Anna Graham to receive calls from New York newspapers. The newspapers wanted to know if Anna Graham had been offended by Collins asking her if she could spell South Carolina without looking at her sash.

She explained the joke and told New York reporters she found the comment funny. Anna Graham's impromptu talk with Collins not only gained her national media and television exposure, it sparked interest from many viewers. Ivana Trump, wife of famous business tycoon Donald Trump, called Anna Graham following the pageant because she was interested in the dress Anna Graham was wearing when Collins talked to her. The black spandex gown she wore during the finale was designed by Anna Graham and Gail Sanders of Liberty. Miss South Carolina wasn't sure if plugging the (See Miss S.C, page 2) By JAN WESTMARK Today's Living editor Miss South Carolina Anna Graham Reynolds has returned from the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City with many stories to tell.

Although she did not make it into the top 10 finalist round, a twist of fate near the end of the pageant has earned Anna Graham national attention. While judges were trying to resolve a tie among the finalists, host Gary Collins filled air time by talking with contestants. As fate would have it, Collins walked directly to Miss South Carolina. "He and I caught eyes," Anna Graham said. During their short conversation, Anna Graham wiped her brow and said she felt "Relief" that the pageant was over.

She and Collins joked about whether he could remember her name, and then Collins asked Anna Graham if she could spell the name of the state she represented without looking down at her sash. Anna Graham replied that Collins must have been watching the David Letterman Show. "He had no malicious intent toward me," Anna Graham said, referring to the spelling of South But officers haven't given up and LOGAN are still actively investigating the case, according to Major Sam Riley of the Greenwood County Sheriff's Department. On the boardwalk Miss South Carolina Anna Graham Reynolds during the Miss America Pageant parade on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. Contributions to Logan Fund The Kia Logan Reward Fund at The County Bank totals 15,056.59 with a $100 contribution from Good Hope Baptist Church of Hodges.

Tougher provisions being added to anti-drug bill Slowdown faces textile bill WASHINGTON (AP) Textile industry supporters confess they are worried over plans to send their embattled trade bill to a House-Senate conference committee just weeks before Congress adjourns. "The quickest way would be to get it over to the president because you can get delayed in conference," Rep. Ed Jenkins, a leading textile industry supporter, said Wednesday. He expressed fear that "we'd get it into conference and never get a vote." Designed to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition, the bill would freeze textile and apparel imports at 1987 levels and limit growth to 1 percent annually starting next year. Non-rubber footwear imports would be frozen at 1987 levels with no provision for any increase in the share of the American market that foreign manufacturers already command.

Textile-state lawmakers say the bill is needed to save American jobs. Critics counter that it would raise prices, narrow consumer choices, bring retaliation against U.S. exports and cost more jobs than would be saved. (See Textile, page 2) week, they signaled that any drug use was intolerable. In the first test of this policy, lawmakers voted 335-67 for an amendment that would deny many federal benefits to those convicted of two drug offenses, including possession.

Still to come is a proposal that would deny states a portion of their federal highway money if they fail to take away drivers' licenses of those convicted of one drug offense. The initial conviction would bring a six-month suspension, while repeat convictions within a five-year period could bring revocation for a year. (See Anti-drug, page 2) WASHINGTON (AP) A House antidrug initiative is moving toward a zero tolerance policy, as lawmakers tack on amendments that stiffen penalties for recreational drug use. The House sent its latest message to drug users Wednesday, passing an amendment that would subject anyone possessing "personal use" amounts of illegal drugs to civil penalties of $10,000 per violation. The vote was 293-115, with 128 Democrats and 165 Republicans supporting the proposal.

There were 112 Democrats and three Republicans in opposition. As House members began wading through changes to the drug bill last "Our department as well as SLED and FBI personnel are still actively investigating," Riley said. "Her picture appeared on ADVO cards in August and the story was recently on televison. Both of these generated more leads of possible sightings of Kia Logan and suspects bearing a resemblance of the composite of a man wanted for questioning. "Also, the Kia Logan Reward Fund is growing and we are hopeful that this will bring someone forward with positive information." Riley added that investigators still have no concrete leads in the four-month-old case.

"We are also following up on similar situations that occur in this area and nationwide," Riley said. TTDday Retail sales drop Wall Street NEW YORK (AP) The stock market was mixed today in an ambivalent response to new signs of a slowing economy. The Dow Jones average of 30 industrials rose 2.13 to 2.102.77 in the first half hour. Losers outnumbered gainers by about 4 to 3 in nationwide trading of New York Stock Exchange-listed issues, with 357 up. 465 down and 557 unchanged.

Today's Living The Greenwood Association of Insurance Women will host the 26th annual state meeting this weekend in Greenwood page 12. Death sentence upheld RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A federal appeals court today upheld the death sentence of Ronald Raymond Woomer for the February 1979 kidnapping and murder of a South Carolina woman. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Woomer's challenge of the sentence on Fifth and Sixth Amendment grounds.

According to the court, Woomer and another man. Gene Skaar, traveled from West Virginia to South Carolina on Feb. 20, 1979 for the express purpose of committing robbery and murder. Skaar subsequently committed suicide when confronted by police. In all, Woomer killed five people in Colleton, Georgetown and Horry counties but received the death sentence for only one of the murders, that of Delia Sellers.

Mrs. Sellers was kidnapped along with another woman from a grocery store. She was raped and then shot. The other woman also was shot but survived to testify at Woomer's trial. Wildfires By The Associated Press Firefighters mopping up a blaze in Yellowstone National Park braced for warmer weather that could heat things up as Army reinforcements eager to join the battle against a giant fire arrived in Montana.

"We have been leaning forward in the saddle," Col. Beau Bergeron said as 900 soldiers from Fort Lewis, arrived Wednesday to help fight the Canyon Creek blaze in west-central Montana. Nine hundred more soldiers were to arrive today, swelling the ranks of firefighters wrestling with the blaze in and around the Scapegoat Wilderness to 3.000. WASHINGTON (AP) Retail sales, dragged down by a sharpest drop in auto sales in 10 monthsdeclined 0.2 percent in August, the government said today. The Commerce Department said that sales dropped $330 million to a seasonally, but not inflation, adjusted $133.5 billion.

Most economists had been both expecting and hoping for the slight decline, taking it as evidence that growth in consumer demand has slowed, thus easing inflationary pressures in the economy. It was the first overall decline in sales since April's 0.4 percent drop and followed a revised 0.1 percent gain in July, which? had originally been estimated at a stronger 0.5 percent. 1.