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■VOLUME XCIV - NUMBER Riege gVows: Doffer Walk Off Won’t Close Plant By TOM KIRWAN Riegel Textile Corp, officials vowed this week that its warp doffing operations will continue in force despite a walk out of some 31 doffers last week and denied rumors that Riegel’s entire workforce of 2,500 Trion employees could be laid off if the walk out continues. The work stoppage began Thursday morning when several doffers on the first shift walked off the job, angry that company officials refused to talk to them as a group about complaints stemm ing from new policies which the protesting doffers say translate into more work for less pay. H. L. Peek, Riegel vice presi dent of manufacturing over the Grey Mill, said Riegel’s manage ment had agreed Thursday morn ing to talk to doffers individually but could see little that could be accomplished by talking to the doffers as a group. He added that MS / ’ A/Al 15 if 1 - Ji ^mMBB Kg ^HfiKMHSI - V . A ImO ‘ "* i- >. illJF':/^^ * / 4^l o °? •T < W <k t*- 5 ^ - . > r \-< ■';^-x* ?'' ; '^ .. ••• • “ ' ^- - - - . * *”W; £*s&> Bloodhound Waits At Scene A bloodhound waits patiently near the roadside park where a convict made his unsuccessful attempt to escape a work detail Friday. Escapee Is Quickly Recaptured Friday Area law enforcement officers quickly rounded up an escaped con vict Friday on the Chattooga County-Floyd County line. Officials said Ricky Lee Rogers, serving a 15-year prison term at Walker County Correctional Institute on an armed robbery conviction, was found about a mile away from a roadside park where he fled from a work detail. Officials said Rogers, 23, was one of eight uniformed prisoners who had eaten lunch at the park around noon. After lunch, as the detail began cleaning and sprucing up the area, Rogers told the single, armed guard he wanted to go to the bathroom. “He took some toilet paper, went into the woods, and never came back,” the guard said. The manhunt drew over a dozen cars from area law enforcement agencies, including officers from Floyd, Chattooga and Walker coun ties as well as Georgia State Patrol troopers and a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent. The search of the area was confined to the roads in the area of Storey Lumber Company. Officials were sure the escapee was hiding in the woods, but a search of the rugged, forest area was not begun im mediately because authorities feared they would “destroy” the scent of the trail of the convict. As a helicopter hovered overhead, officers quickly sealed off the area and set up makeshift roadblocks. Around 3:30 p.m. two trucks—each carrying a bloodhound from Walker County Correctional Institute—arrived on the scene. Soon one of the dogs lead his handler to an old grist mill on Armuchee Creek where the escapee was found hiding. In all, the bloodhound search lasted less than 30 minutes. Harry McGinnis The U. S. Savings Bond Pro gram has announced it will soon present an award of appreciation to Mrs. Edythe McGinnis of Sum merville on behalf of her late hus band, Harry, recognizing his many years of service as Chat tooga County Volunteer Chair man for U. S. Savings Bonds. A Treasury Silver Medallion and an Appreciation Certificate will be presented to Mrs. McGin nis for her husband's 35 years of distinguished service as county chairman, according to a spokesman for the program. “Your husband not only rendered an invaluable service to his government,’’ Bond Program Area Manager Miles A. Bohning commented to Mrs. McGinnis, “but to his fellow citizens of Chat tooga County in encouraging all to ‘Take Additional Stock in ^ummerutlle News management was ready Thursday | morning to talk with the doffers individually about their com plaints and believed that the threatened walk off had been averted with that offer. After the group of first shift doffers walked off the job. they were followed by groups of dof fers on the second and third shifts. Apparently less than half of the firm's doffers participated in the protest. In all there are 69 warp doffing positions on the three shifts. Despite a picket line being organized across from the Riegel plant Friday, there were some in dications that the protest had lost some of its steam over the weekend. Peek said Tuesday that 14 of the estimated 31 doffers in volved in the walkout had return ed to work. Company officials told the protesting doffers Saturday that anyone who did not return to America’ by investing in U. S. Savings Bonds." McGinnis, a well-known businessman, began his phar maceutical business with his father in 1932. Following his father’s death, McGinnis con tinued in the business until his son, Eugene, joined him in 1975, thus carrying the business into its third generation of the family. McGinnis became semi-retired in 1975. McGinnis was an elder of the Summerville Presbyterian Church, chairman of the Summer ville Housing Authority, a charter member of the Summerville-Trion Rotary Club, and a former chairman of the Hospital Authority. He was a member of the Georgia Phar maceutical Association and the National Association of Retail SUMMERVILLE, CHATTOOGA COUNTY, GEORGIA 30747, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1979 ‘We cannot allow the actions of a dozen or so persons to perhaps affect the job security of over 2,500 Riegel employees,’ —H.L. Peek. work by Tuesday morning would be permanently replaced, Peek said. The officials continued to en courage the strikers to re-apply for their jobs, however. Peek denied protestors’ charges that the new pay policies—in which doffers are paid by the number of frames doffed instead of by the hank—has Man Is Found Murdered On Roadside In Subligna By PAM PURCELL A Rome man was found shot to death Monday night on the side of the road in Subligna. A Summerville man has been ar rested and charged with the murder. The dead man was identified as Billy Gene Gentry, 45, of Route 5, Alabama Road, Rome. His body was discovered by a couple passing by shortly before dark Monday. According to pathology reports received by Coroner Earle Rainwater, Gentry's death was estimated to have occurred after midnight Sunday. Authorities arrested Henry John “Fuzz” Fowler, 44, of Route 4, Summerville Wednesday in connection with the slaying. He remained lodged in the county jail Wednesday afternoon under a $25,000 bond. Authorities said they arrested Fowler based on evidence and witnesses who put him with Gen try between 1 and 2 a.m. Monday, just prior to the shooting. One in vestigator said Fowler’s “contact with the murder weapon” lead to his arrest. The investigator, GBI agent Lewis Evans, declined to elaborate. Gentry had been shot three times in the right side, Coroner Rainwater said. The bullets went through Gentry’s chest area with one bullet exiting through the left side, one through the back and one remaining in the body. Gen try was found lying on his right side with his face down, reports said. The body had powder marks on it indicating he was shot at close range, said reports. The gun's model and type were not revealed. Gentry was found on the far side of a guard rail in a grassy area. He was not wearing a shirt or shoes. His shirt and shoes, An Important Notice To Our Subscribers Subscribers should check their address label on this week’s issue of The Summer ville News. If the numbers are “8-79,” this will be the last issue you will receive unless you renew by next Wednes day. The price for one year in Chattooga County is $6.70. Prices for subscriptions out of-the-county will be provid ed upon requesting by call ing 857-2494. To Be Honored Druggists. McGinnis also served as Mayor of Summerville from January 1944 until January 1946, during this time terms were for only two years. The bond program has an nounced that Henry S. Watson, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Summerville, has accepted the position of volunteer bonds chairman for the county replacing McGinnis. In announcing Watson’s ap pointment, Honorary Chairman of the Board and Director Grant G. Simmons Jr. remarked that "his wide business experience and active participation in communi ty affairs will be most valuable in his volunteer position as Chat tooga County Chairman, especial ly in these times when the Sav ings Bonds Program takes on in creasing importance in helping to resulted in more work for less pay. He explained that’lß months ago company officials became concerned that the Riegel warp doffing operations were allowing too much personal on-the-job time for warp doffers, which was not cost efficient. The changeover, he said, resulted in less personal time allowances on the-job, but he said doffers who work diligently would be working more for more pay. Floyd Davenport Jr., one of the protesting doffers, said Fri day his group would be willing to return to work under the new pay system "if it will average out to what we were making before.” "We feel that the rate system is a fair and reasonable one,” Peek said in an open letter printed in yesterday’s issue of the Trion Facts, the company newspaper. “It is based upon industry-wide averages and verified by an independent, out- however, were found placed neat ly on the opposite side of the guard rail near the road, said reports. No identification or billfold was found on Gentry’s body. His pockets, reports said, contained a $1 bill, some change, a knife and some keys. Gentry was found clutching his watch in his hand with the band between the knuckle and first joint, reports said. Law enforcement officers ! found Gentry’s 1973 Chevrolet Caprice some 1,500 feet beyond his body heading north, but on the southbound side of the road. The keys were not in the car, and blood stains were found on the driver's side and door. The left front tire on the car was flat. The car’s ashtray was found lying on the floorboard on the driver’s side with the contents of ashes and cigarette butts scattered on the floor. Officers said they believe Gen try was shot while driving before losing control of his vehicle and running into the guard rail repeatedly. The car was then stopped some 635 feet from where it first ran into the guard rail, of ficers believe, and Gentry was removed from the car by his assailant and put on the far side of the guard rail. The assailant then started to drive the car off, Bloodmobile Coming The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Summer ville Friday at the Summerville Recreation Center and county residents are urged to participate in the program, said Billy M. Gilbert, blood drive chairperson. The hours of the community wide drive are from 12:30 p.m. un til 5:30 p.m. and 75 pints of donated blood are needed to make it a successful drive, Gilbert add ed. Gilbert said, “The blood sup plies are now below normal operating level, and the Red Cross is depending on this drive to help meet hospital needs throughout the region." The American Red Cross Blood Service in the Atlanta Region must collect 750 units of volunteer donated blood each weekday to meet the needs of 115 hospitals in 64 Georgia counties. All blood types, according to Gilbert, are needed and almost everyone who is healthy, between the ages of 17 and 65, and weighs at least 110 pounds is eligible to donate. keep our nation economically strong and secure.” As Chattooga County Chair man, Watson will work with other community leaders in a year round awareness program to en courage increased purchases of (J. S. Savings Bonds through the Payroll Savings Plan and through local financial institutions throughout the county—such as Bond-A-Month and over the counter purchases. Watson is active in the Chat tooga County Chamber of Com merce where he is President. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Chattooga County Library. He graduated from Berry College in Rome. Watson was born in Wrightsville and has resided in Summerville for the past three years. side engineering firm which has particular experience in textiles. We do not intend to return to our former system." Riegel’s management moved quickly to fill its vacancies in the warp doffing operation following the work stoppage. A combina tion of experienced management employees, former retired doffers, trainees and some new doffers were pressed into action, Peek said. In recent days the employ ment office has stayed busy hir ing replacements, he noted. No production loss came about resulting from the work stoppage, Peek noted. “We cannot allow the actions of a dozen or so persons to perhaps affect the job security of over 2,500 Riegel employees,” Peek said in the open letter. “In order to continue to operate our plant, we have hired a number of permanent replacements into the jobs of warp doffers.” officers believe, but found it had a flat tire and left it at the intersec tion of the Subligna-LaFayette Road and the Narrows Road, some distance from the body. The incident is still under in vestigation by sheriff’s depart ment deputies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Officers said they believe more arrests will follow later. No possible motive was reveal ed by law enforcement officers. Funeral services were schedul ed to be held for Gentry today at Erwin-Petitt Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Nancy Gentry of Rome; one daughter, Alisa Gentry of Rome; « ; on, Richard Dale Gentry of ’ Rome; his mother, Mrs. Daisy Walker Gentry of Trion; five sisters, Mrs. Julia Howell, Mrs. Doris Bryan, Mrs. Edna Reynolds, Mrs. Patty Rhinehart, all of Trion, and Mrs. Jane Tothrow of Summerville; one brother, Claude “Bo Bo" Gentry of Summerville; and nieces and nephews. LODGE TO MEET Trion Lodge No. 160 F&AM will meet Saturday night at 7:30. All members and master masons are invited to attend. The entire five-step donation process from registration through canteen refreshments usually takes less than an hour, said Gilbert. Businesses, groups or in dividuals interested in par ticipating in this blood drive can call Gilbert at 734-7311 for more information. German Student Is Kicker For CHS l A & MkH kii Indians' New Kicker Norbert Heigl, an exchange student from Germany, is a place kicker for the Chattooga Indians this season. Amazingly Heigl had never touched a football up until some three weeks ago. He is living with the O. G. Morehead family in Summerville during his year in America. Picket Line At Riegel A picket line went up Friday across from Riegel made up of protesting warp dof fers and supporters. By yesterday, Police Chief Resigns; Arlen Thomas Named To Post Temporarily Summerville Police Chief Granville H. “Bud” Gilley resign ed from the police force Friday and Lt. Arlen Thomas has been appointed to serve as acting chief. Gilley, who served as chief for 20 months, said he resigned from the department because of per sonal and family reasons. “I am glad to leave with mutual agreement among the of ficers, city officials and myself,” said Gilley Friday after turning in his uniforms and accessories. “I sadly aepa^t this department. I have had great support from the men and what I have accomplish ed during these past 20 months wouldn’t have been possible without them.” Gilley became chief on Jan. 2, 1978, following the death of Chief Clarence Starkey on Dec. 3, 1977. Before being appointed as chief, Gilley served on the department as a patrolman. Thomas was presented with the chief’s badge during a brief ceremony Friday at the police department. “I accept this appointment with great pleasure," Thomas said shortly after becoming chief. “I hope to continue with the policies and fine job done by Chief Gilley. During the time I will serve as chief I will try to perform the duties to the best of my abili ty. I will always be available to discuss any problems concerning the department with the citizens of Summerville.” Thomas has been with the police department for almost six years. He is a certified officer, graduating from Georgia Police Academy and a 40-hour intox- (Continued On Page 3) 1 however, the group ot pickets had dwindled to less than a dozen. Ouch! That Hurts! That’s what Arlen Thomas (R) seems to be saying as outgoing Police Chief Bud Gilley pinned the chief's badge on Thomas Friday. Thomas will be serving as acting chief for 30 days until a permanent appointment is made by Mayor Sewell Cash. By PAM PURCELL The Chattooga High School Indians' place kicker can kick a football 45 yards for a perfect field goal. That may not be so unusual, but consider this: the player never touched a pigskin up until some three weeks ago. In fact, Norbert Heigl, a 16-year-old exchange student from Taufkirchen, Germany, now playing with CHS, had previously only watched two football games, both Super Bowls on television. The story behind Heigl's first contact with a football and how he later became a kicker for the Chattooga Indians is an unusual one. When the O. G. Morehead family of 100 Melrose Lane in Summerville learned they would be having an exchange student from Germany living with them for the next year, Mrs. Peggy Morehead wrote to him. She told him about the area, its people, the high school, and his new “family." When Heigl received the letter he didn't quite understand the part about him and his new fami ly going to football games (and his new “father” announcing the plays); he thought it would be a professional game. An American exchange student who was stay ing with Heigl for the summer ex plained that he thought it would only be a high school game. Heigl joked with the American and said, “I think I play in that game." Ironically, the joke would be true—almost. Heigl arrived in Summerville Thursday, Aug. 16. The following day Mrs. Morehead contacted PRICE 20c Coach Ron Williams to check if there was a track team or some type sport Heigl could participate in this fall, as he was very active in sports in Germany. Heigl and Mrs. Morehead went to the stadium and talked with Coach Williams the next day. Coach Williams explained that the school doesn't have a track team. However, after learning Heigl had been a soccer player for the past five years, Coach Williams asked him if he’d like to try out for football. Heigl returned to the stadium that night for the "fami ly game"—a pre-season scrim mage. Heigl got his first chance to handle a football and kicked his first field goal, a perfect 40-yard try. After that the coach told him he was on the team and would be playing season opener on Aug. 24. Heigl dressed out for the open ing game against Lakeshore but as luck would have it he was not called in during the game, due to the fact the team never got close enough for a field goal. Heigl, however, did play in last week's game against Coosa. “It was great. I was so sur prised to play," commented Heigl about the two games. "I really en joyed it. I still can't believe I played.” Heigl, who lives near Munich, is visiting the United States by participating in the Youth For Understanding Program. He will live with the Moreheads for the next 11 months. “I want to learn the American life style," said Heigl as he mun ched on a local fast-food ham burger. "I want to live as an (Continued On Page 3)