Banner Graphic, Volume 12, Number 39, Greencastle, Putnam County, 22 October 1981 — Page 1

County's Civil Defense future remains uncertain

By BECKYIGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor The future of Civil Defense in Putnam County remains uncertain as its usefulness dominated discussion during a regular meeting Tuesday afternoon of the County Council. Speaking to the Council was Paul Shaw, a representative of the state’s Civil Defense office. "1 GUESS MY QUESTION is if we are required to have Civil Defense in the county,” Councilman Bob Evans began the session. “Yes, you are required by law,” Shawsaid, referring to data detailing the organization's responsibilities. Shaw said the purpose of having a CD director is to coordinate activities of the police agencies and emergency personnel in a disaster

Get-away car found in robbery By BECKY IGO Banner-Graphic Area News Editor NEW MAYSVILLE-A vehicle, believed to have been used in the Monday evening armed robbery at the New Maysville General Store, was recovered Tuesday by Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Hendrich. HENDRICH REPORTED the orange Ford Maverick was found at noon on County Road 1050 N near New Maysville. “We found out the car had been stolen from Crawfordsville on Oct. 18,” the chief deputy said. “We did obtain physical evidence from the vehicle and fingerprints.” Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Biggs told the Banner-Graphic police do have suspects in the case. “We do expect an arrest soon,” he added. RECOUNTING THE ROBBERY, Biggs reported New Maysville General Store manager Joyce Turner was the only person inside the building when the incident occurred. “One (robber) stayed at the front door, the other was mid-way in the store and the third approached the owner,” Biggs recalled. “He asked her how she was doing, or something like that, and then stuck a gun in her face.” Mrs. Turner was blindfolded and tied to a chair. The robbers then began packing boxes with articles from the store. DURING THE ROBBERY, customers came to the front entrance of the store, Biggs noted. “When they came to the door, they noticed the door was locked, but the ‘open’ sign was still in the door. That’s when they saw the boxes placed on the floor and knew something was wrong.” Biggs said the customers went across the street to summon additional help. “When they came back to the store, a man (one of the robbers) pointed a gun in their faces from inside the store and told them to leave.” The robbers departed through a rear door at the store, leaving behind the 13 boxes of articles they had allegedly intended to steal. The robbers did take SBS in cash, Biggs said. HENDRICH SAID THE robbers’ direction of travel was east from the store and then north along a road near the New Maysville Cemetery. Descriptions on two of the robbers remain sketchy, but Biggs said the other suspect was noted in detail. Only one of the robbers wore any type of covering to hide his identity, the deputy added. One of the robbers was described as a white male, approximately 25-30 years of age, six feet tall and weighing 170 pounds. The suspect has brown hair, a beard and receding hairline. ONLY ONE GUN WAS spotted during the robbery, described as a small silver handgun. Biggs and Hendrich are continuing the investigation.

Indian giver Partly sunny and cool. High in the low to mid 60s. Cloudy and cold overnight. Low in the mid to upper 30s. A 70 per cent chance of rain on Thursday. High in the upper 40s to low 50s. Indiana Extended Outlook Chance of showers Friday. Fair Saturday and Sunday. Unseasonably cold Friday and Saturday then warmer Sunday. Highs Friday and Saturday in the 40

situation. But CD also provides aid in nonemergency situations, Shaw pointed out. As an example, Shaw said Montgomery County’s CD has radio contact with Illinois residents to provide advanced notice of potentially dangerous weather-related storms. IN ADDITION. THE STATE CD representative noted, CD organizations can obtain disaster alert monies following emergencies such as the blizzard of 1978. “It is worth getting into,” Shaw said. “The county will receive a 50 per cent reimbursement for such things as the organization’s rent, maintenance costs, utilities and insurance from the state.” Councilman Norman Knights commented that he would argue about the statement of matching funds from the

Banner Graphic Putnam County, Thursday, October 22,1981, Vol. 12 No. 39 ★ 20 Cents

With Halloween approaching, it's only natural to feature the creatures and creations that make it a holiday. As photographer Steve

Putnam Patter

Car repair shop worry rooms

By DAVID BARR Banner-Graphic Civic Affairs Editor If you think fathers-to-be are a jittery lot, you should observe the anxiety of those who gather in solemn surroundings waiting for a verdict on the car they hope to have repaired. Some in the gathering have coaxed the old bus to the fixing place under its own steam, while others have made an inglorious arrival behind a tow truck. ALL IN THE GROUP have one worry in common: Is this to be a postmortem or a new lease on life that will keep their transportation on the roads until the last payment is made. I’ve noticed that most repair shops associated with auto agencies have designated worry rooms in the sales department with comfortable chairs and magazines somewhat dog-eared by those who have survived past ordeals of similar nature. It makes little difference what subject matter is covered by the magazines or even if the date is current. Leafing through them is like chain-puffing cigarettes or biting fingernails to cover up an inward frustration. WHEN ONE MUST WORRY, however, he might as well worry that the worst will be forthcoming and that his disabled automobile may have worn its last set of bald tires and guzzled its last gallon of gas. In this way, ultimate bad news will not shake him any more than he’s already been shook, and any hint of good news above this will revive a spark of hope. Of course, any extension of life may be clouded with uncertainty. If the victim

Abby A 6 Bridge B 6 Calendar A 4 Classifieds 86.87 Comics A 7 Crossword B 6 Heloise A 4 Horoscope B 7 House Call A 6 Obituaries A 8 People A 6.88 Sports 81,82,83 TV A 7 Theaters A 8 Worry Clinic B 6

state, when county taxpayers’ dollars also provides those dollars. “I GUESS LOOKING BACK two, three or four years,” Knights continued, “I don’t see any evidence of the actions you spoke of earlier.” The councilman also noted such emergency programs are probably already instituted by local police agencies and emergency personnel. “I guess we have all been looking at the importance of economizing and saving funds for months. I have not been aware of any imperative service performed by this group in Putnam County. My question still is if the need is there and does Putnam County need this service?” “You haven’t had a major disaster,” Shaw said, pointing out such an opinion may be altered if an emergency situation occurred where CD would take action.

Fields headed west on U.S. 36, it was a black cat that crossed his path around the Morton area. Whether or not such an incident has any

Newcomers greeted Oct. 26

The Greencastle Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its sixth annual “Newcomers Reception” Monday, Oct. 26 at Windy Hill Country Club. The 5-6:30 p.m. gathering will welcome persons who have moved into the community in recent months. Spouses are invited and dress will be casual.

agrees to pay an anticipated repair bill, his mechanic may cross the fingers of both hands (behind his back) and declare that barring the unexpected when he digs into the car’s innards, owner of the heap should be able to get back and forth from work, providing work isn’t too far beyond walking distance. SOMETIMES THOSE sweating it out while mechanics make a diagnosis are greeted with good news to revive their spirits so they can take the bad news to follow. The car can be fixed to run again, however, the cost of fixing will exceed the book value of the car. At this announcement, a car salesman will appear out of nowhere in particular to tell you he just “happens” to have on the lot a car which he has been saving to sell to someone like you who will be kind to cars in their evening of life. Each time the door between the waiting room and garage opens, those waiting come to attention, anxious to end the

McCullough case not only one, state official says

From Staff, Wire Dispatches INDIANAPOLIS A former Putnam County farmer has surrendered to federal authorities on charges of converting to his own use corn he pledged as collateral for a government loan. Federal officials say several similar cases are under investigation elsewhere in Indiana and such cases are increasing because farmers are having financial difficulties. They said James H. McCullough. 28, Reelsville, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of conversion involving 20,190 bushels of corn. McCullough, who recently moved to Florida, surrendered

"IF IT DOES HAPPEN, you would be better off if you had a plan,” Shaw told the Council. “Who would house people in the case of disaster? Who would feed these people?” “We have had a Civil Defense organization in this county and I’m not sure if we have answers to those questions you’re asking now,” Knights responded. “I don’t think anything is wrong with the concept,” Councilman Evans interjected, “but I just don’t think it has been effective with the funds we have approved. I know we have a new director, but will that really change?” THE STATEMENTS AS TO the need of the organization brought a response from Spud Hurst, former CD director. “I have asked everyone on the Council, and have done the same with the com-

effect on the luck of the photographer - or even the cat -- is a matter for future concern. After all, bad luck certainly didn't spoil these

Newcomers wno aid not receive an invitation are asked to contact the Chamber of Commerce office at 6534517 to make a reservation for the reception. The Chamber is composed of more than 160 members who represent business, industry, government and education in the Greencastle area.

agony of what seems like hours but afraid to hear what the news might be. IT’S HARD TO DO a first-class job of worrying without evidence of the inner struggle being apparent in wrinkles of the brow. If these are scanned closely, the lines seem to resolve themselves into dollar symbols. Since these worry symbols have to be translated into ready cash, they must be taken to your friendly banker who first offers the sympathy you so badly need and then elaborates on the facts of life, such as interest rates and monthly payments. Don’t be surprised if he asks whether you are right-handed or left-handed. This information will help him determine which arm to leave as collateral. A COMEDIAN ON HIS radio program went this arm gag a bit further when he bragged on his friendly banker. “You and your wife can go in,” he said, “and borrow any amount you need. When you pay off the loan, you get your wife back.”

Tuesday and was freed on SI,OOO bond. The indictment followed an investigation by agents from the Indianapolis office of the inspector general of the U S. Department of Agriculture. Such investigations have increased since the announcement by John V. Graziano, recently appointed inspector general, of a campaign to pursue efforts to reduce fraud, waste and abuse in department programs. The indictment stated corn sold at four elevators for more than $47,000 was pledged as collateral for a 1978 crop loan from the Commodity Credit Corp.

missioners, to have you attend the meetings of the CD board to find out what we do, but no one has come,” Hurst began. “When no one comes, that shows what interest is there,” Hurst said. “Some day we are going to have some kind of disaster here. I think the reason no one knows about us is that we don’t go around blowing our horn loud enough like some of these other organizations do.” HURST TOLD THE COUNCIL he recently had federal officials survey some of the county buildings to determine their effectiveness. “We do some of these things, but no one hears about them,” Hurst said. “You ought to know what goes on, but no one has ever asked,” the former CD director continued. “Civil Defense is at a low ebb,” Hurst said, “and the thing is people just don’t

ServicesforJohnVermillion,

ex-police chief, set Friday

Former Greencastle City Police Chief John Jerome Vermillion, 66, passed away Tuesday afternoon at Putnam County Hospital. SERVICES WILL BE conducted at 2 p.m. Friday from HopkinsRector Funeral Home, Greencastle, with Rev. C. Thomas Steiner officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Born Sept. 19, 1915 in Putnam County, he was the son of Mace Vermillion and Hazel (Baird) Vermillion Bird. He was graduated from Greencastle High School in 1932 and worked as a meatcutter for the Kroger Co. and was employed by the Detroit Diesel, Allison Division of General Motors. THE 1951, MR. VERMILLION joined the Greencastle City Police Department. After serving as chief for several years, he retired in 1972 after 21 years on the force. After retiring, however, he stayed close to police work as radio operator for the department until 1978. Mr. Vermillion also drove a Greencastle Community Schools Corp. bus for 27 years. He was a member of the First Christian Church and Temple Lodge No. 47, F& AM. SURVIVORS INCLUDE the wife, Ethel; a son, Bruce, and daughter-in-law, Mary Vermillion, Green-

Proceeds from the sales were not used to repay the loan. The corn was sold in varying amounts between Nov. 10,1978, and June 5,1979, according to the indictment. It was purchased by Graham Grain Co., Terre Haute; Clay County Farm Bureau Co-op, Brazil; Hendricks County Farm Bureau Co-op, Danville, and Indiana Grain Co., Evansville. Under state law, an elevator purchasing grain on which there is a lien can be made to pay off the loan if the seller fails to repay the loan. Such liens are filed in offices of county recorders to alert commodity buyers.

give a damn. I have never done more and never been appreciated less than when I was with Civil Defense. I got out of it and I won’t go back. Cut it out or do what you will. People just don’t care.” “I THINK THE COUNCIL has to make up its mind if it is needed in the county,” Shaw said. “If it’s worth doing, it needs to be done right.” Hurst’s statements silenced the Council until Evans commented, “Maybe more publicity is needed. Maybe people could get more excited about the program, if they knew about the program and could see ongoing things.” Council President Gene Clodfelter said more interested volunteers may be needed for the program. “If you have to do it by your self,” he said of the director’s responCol. 3, back page, this section

shots. But then again, that cat did hide among the pumpkins, didn't he? (Banner-Graphic photos by Steve Fields).

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JOHN J. VERMILLION Former city police chief castle; a daughter, Mrs. John (Janice) Whitaker, Pheonix, Ariz.; a half-brother, Paul Vermillion, Florida; a stepbrother Joseph F. Bird, Indianapolis, and seven grandchildren, Jeff and Jason Vermillion, Lyn Clifford, Debbie, Lori, Lisa and Johnnie Whitaker. and other relatives.

No determination has been made by CCC to attempt to recover from the elevators money allegedly paid McCullough, said Wallace A. Roberts of the Indiana office of the agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. Roberts, who administers CCC loans, said the agency has been taking such action in other states. The CCC loaned McCullough $45,000 in 1978 to provide operating capital while his 1978 corn crop was stored on his farm. Such loans are made so a farmer can store his grain, hoping to sell it later at a higher price The loan carried 7 percent interest