10/20/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, October 20, 1955   Vol. C538

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LOCAL NEWS

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‘BIG CHARLIE’ CAUGHT AND RELEASED

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East Farewell – The mystical “Big Charlie”, the largest bass ever seen in Lake Charles, has been realized by local fisherman, David Gettingsomwear, last week when he caught the elusive and historic fish after a forty five minute battle. The fish had become a legend among local fishermen after he was sighted jumping in the middle of the lake back in 1938. It was estimated that he weighed from fifteen to thirty pounds depending on who you talked to. ‘Big Charlie’ was stalked and sought for decades with only occasional sightings and rarer hooks. He was always able to get away and would defiantly jump out of the water as he swam away, as if to mock the hunters. Several photos exist of ‘Big Charlie’ taken by local fishermen but no one had been able to reel him in until last week.

            David Gettingsomwear is a lifelong East Farewell resident and an avid angler. He has fished Lake Charles all his life and is well versed on the history of Big Charlie. “I heard about him way back in the thirties but I never saw him until the summer of ’42. I was with my buddy, Jimmy C., and we were way up at the end of the lake. Jimmy got this big hit and then he said he hooked something big. Well, he fought it for a while and the this giant bass jumps out of the water, I knew it was Big Charlie as soon as I saw him, then he yanked on Jimmy’s line and it snapped, just like that. The next thing we see is Big Charlie jumping again and flapping his tail on the water. He was like showing off or something. It wasn’t until just the other day when I was back up at the end of the lake with Buddy O. and I hooked something giant. I worked it for almost an hour and got him to the side of the boat. Buddy happened to have a camera and he snapped a picture, I don’t know why, but he did. As I was going for the net I looked down and knew it was Big Charlie, I just knew. I reached down and grabbed him by the gills and tried to pull him up but he looked at me like he was saying ‘Come on, give me a break’ I just couldn’t drag him in. I looked at Buddy and I said, ‘I’m letting him go.’ And Buddy just nodded. I let go off him and he swam away. About twenty feet away he jumped and slapped the water. Buddy and I laughed; I bet Big Charlie was laughing, too.”

            It looks like the legend of Big Charlie lives on in Lake Charles.  It will just have another chapter added with a picture the make it even more real.

           Big Charlie saying goodbye                                David Gettingsomwear with Big Charlie

 

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SPORTS

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COUGARS LET CANARIES SING FOR HOMECOMING

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Slate Mountain – The Cougars made the Slate Mountain Canaries Homecoming a very happy and exciting event last Friday. Besides losing 24-21 to a mediocre team, they lost in the last minute on a come from behind scoring drive topped by a closing second field goal.  In the last three minutes Canary defensive back, Joe Regal, intercepted a tipped O’Conner pass and returned it for a score, tying the game. Then a rare fumble by running back, Davey Wilson, let the Canaries drive in to the seven and kicker, Walt Emerson, kicked a field goal, straight and true.

            “This was not our game, I know these kids and they can play much better than they did today. They were one step behind all game,” said Coach Burcowitz after the game, “I know we are much better than that. Those Slate Mountain kids played a great game but we certainly helped them along with our mistakes. There will be a lot to talk about next week at practice.”

            Next week the Cougars host the Sun City Eagles for the Cougars Homecoming. The game will begin at 1:30 on Saturday. A bonfire and pep rally will be held on Friday night on the Fairgrounds. There is also the Homecoming Dance scheduled for Saturday night.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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WILLIAM WOODWARD JR. SHOT BY WIFE BY ACCIDENT – GABLE EXPECTING CHILD – DEMILLE’S SECRETARY DIES IN TRAGEDY

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William Woodward Jr., wealthy owner of the racehorse Nashua, was killed by a shotgun fired by his wife, thinking he was a prowler. When she switched on a light and discovered what she had done, Mrs. Ann Woodward called police screaming and sobbing. The couple had been married 12 years. Nashua beat Kentucky Derby Winner “Swaps” in an August race in a $100,000 match. The couple had spent the evening at a party for the Duchess of Windsor at a nearby estate. 

Clark Gable and his wife, the former Kay Spreckels are expecting a baby. It would be the first child for the movie actor.

Mrs. Rose Jones Finigan, personal secretary to film director C.B. de Mille, dies from the result of a tragic mistake in which she and a neighbor drank from a wine bottle that apparently contained termite exterminating fluid 

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Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.

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10/13/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, October 13, 1955   Vol. C537

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LOCAL NEWS

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DOES LAKE CHARLES HAVE ITS OWN “NESSIE”?

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Lake Charles – All the recent talk in the news about a SONAR finding of the “monster” in Loch Ness has started rumblings and rumors around town about Lake Charles own beloved “monster”.  It is believed that the rumors started in the High School when several seniors said they saw what they thought was a serpent like head bobbing along out towards the north end of the lake. This area is very secluded and widely recognized as a Lovers Lane of sorts. According to the teens, they were on an “adventure” and in the twilight they saw the serpent moving south a quite a clip. They did not have any cameras and were unable to photograph the scene. The teens reported the sighting to their parents who, after inquiring about their reasons for being in that secluded location, went to the police with the tale. The police were unimpressed. Apparently, there have been other sightings followed by investigations that proved fruitless. Still the rumors persisted. The High School was abuzz with the tale and special groups were formed to take watch over the lake in hopes of spotting the serpent.

            After two weeks high school science teacher, Mr. Bud Farrell, had had enough. He called for a general assembly at the high school and invited the press and local officials. On stage the dapper Farrell stood on stage with several big maps and pictures on easels and presented a program that debunked the entire possibility of any serpent or monster living in Lake Charles. His points were crystal clear and his facts indisputable. His main fact was that Lake Charles was only a thousand years old at the most where Loch Ness was millions of years old. There would be no way any ancient, prehistoric creatures could have lived, much less survived in the lake. He added that the Lake was far too shallow to sustain such a creature. He pointed out that Loch Ness had an estimated depth of over a mile in spots and Lake Charles was only about 300 feet deep at its deepest. Once Farrell had completed his presentation he opened the room up for questions. There were many questions about the Loch Ness monster that Farrell declined to comment on citing his unfamiliarity with the subject.

            The presentation put a clear, scientific end to the debate but as Farrell said as he left the building when asked if he thought the rumors would die, “You can’t stop people from thinking what they want. If they want a “Nessie” in Lake Charles, they are going to see one, even if he or she isn’t there. I love the irrepressible imagination of a young mind and I will always have time to listen, not always believe but always listen.”

1934 Picture of Loch Ness Monster

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SPORTS

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COUGARS MEET CORNING FOR GRUDGE MATCH

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East Farewell – The Corning Devils came to town with a chip on their shoulder last week. They were looking for redemption for a very hard fought last second loss against the Cougars last year, 23-21. The Cougars were waiting in anticipation. The game was played and cold rain that somehow seemed appropriate for the match. It was a very chilly 54 degrees at kickoff with a little rain falling. Charlie Cox was able to connect on the kickoff and drive it to the Devils 20 where Johnny West took it out of the air and started up field. He had a great wedge in front of him and had to slow down so as not out run them. They worked their way up to their own 45 but were stopped by a determined Cougars defense. The rain and cold all but grounded the passing game and the majority of the action came on the ground. The Devils were known for their aerial proficiency and were at a distinct disadvantage but they were determined to move the ball. The ball was moved down to the Cougars 15 but an attempted 25 yard field goal fell short. The Cougars took over on their own 15 and handed the ball to junior fullback, Will “Tank” Brown again and again. Between Tank and the other junior running back, Davey Wilson, the Cougars were able to move the ball on the ground. Their first drive ended with a five yard Brown plunge for the score. Cox added the extra point, but more importantly the Cougars ate up almost the whole first quarter in the drive.  After the kickoff the Devils regrouped and worked their way down the field again and this time they were able to score with a short screen pass the tight end Miles Davenport, one of the only seven passes completed all day. The first half ended in a mud soaked tie 7-7.

            It looked like the weather would clear a little for the second half but it was a just a tease, in the middle of the third quarter the heavens opened up again and further stymied the Devils air game. The Cougars took advantage of the inclement conditions and were able to muscle Tank Brown down for another score. In the fourth quarter the Devils got down to the Cougars fifteen but an attempted screen to Davenport was read perfectly by defensive end, Pat McKean who picked of  the screen and was able to return it all the way for another Cougar score. This set the score at 21-7 and that was the way it ended. The Devils had to return to Corning unfulfilled and could only look towards next year for revenge. The Cougars, on the other hand, looked forward to their next opponent, Slate Mountain (North) at the Canaries Homecoming. The game will be at Slate Mountain on Friday beginning at 4:30PM.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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IKE FIGHTS CRIME – WILSON FIGHTS WASTE – TREASURY SEES DEBT

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President Eisenhower approves a six-point program to combat crime and improve the handling of federal criminal cases.

Defense Secretary Wilson unveils a nine-point program designed to cut $500 million and around 68,000 from the defense payroll.

The Treasury Department reports that government went almost $4 billion in debt in the first three months of the current fiscal year.

Radio news - Don’t miss the British import radio show - “The Goon Show” featuring Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe and Spike Milligan. It debuts on stations this week.

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Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.

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10/6/1955

 

EAST FAREWELL NEWS

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Thursday, October 6, 1955   Vol. C769

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LOCAL NEWS

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CIRCUS IS BACK IN TOWN

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East Farewell – The world famous “Greatest Show on Earth” rolled into town late Saturday night. They set their huge, three ringed big top on the Fairgrounds, as they have for the last three years. The animal pens were located by the siding used for “parking” the train cars that carries this incredibly complicated and superbly organized operation around the country. The Mighty Keystone Railroad rents the siding to the circus so they have a safe place for their cars, now numbering 15 take up a lot of space and their safety is of the utmost importance to the circus management.

            The opening and the now traditional parade down Main Street took place Sunday and it was spectacular. The parade was led by Ringmaster Dwight Bigalowe followed by a menagerie of clowns in tiny cars, sequined trapeze artists, loin tamers who were followed by cages of fierce, wild animals, more clowns and finally the elephants. The crowds love the elephants. The parade made its way down Main Street turned on Lake Shore Drive headed around the lake and back up to the Fairgrounds. Just like the Pied Piper, townspeople followed in behind and made their way right into the Big Top for the first show. The Midway was also opened and was crowed from the start. The circus will run all week with two shows a day, in the afternoon and evening, and matinees on Saturday and Sunday.  The Midway is open from 10:00AM to 11:00PM every day. The shows have been sold out and the Midway has been packed. The weather has been very helpful with warm days and mild nights. Once again the circus has been a great highlight for the town in the early fall.

The Elephants parade down Lake Shore Drive  

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SPORTS

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COUGARS TAME WILDCATS

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Riverview – The Cougars traveled to Riverview to meet the Wildcats in a much anticipated defensive clash after last year’s grueling battle where the Cougars came up short 21-22.  This year the Cougars were determined to make a statement. They did make a statement but it wasn’t a roar, it was a strong show of defense that was punctuated with a fine, albeit sporadic, offense in a 14-7 win. The Wildcats played a strong game but were not able to get past the stringent Cougars defense. They were able to get one score after a long, time consuming drive that ended in a short pass over the middle to tight end Jerry Wilkins.

            The Cougars were able to score in the first quarter with a long pass to Mitch “Mercury” McMaster for a forty yard score followed by a Cox extra point. That was the only real offense in the first half for the Cougars as both teams went back and forth between the twenties. Just when it looked like one team was getting some momentum the other team would shut them down and take over. Finally in the fourth quarter the Cougars took control and marched down the field ending in a five yard end run by halfback, Billy Reilly for the go ahead score. Charlie Cox sealed the win with his continued record setting extra point score. He now holds the league record for 33 extra points in a row, not only a school record but now a league record.

            The Cougars are home next week as they meet the Corning Devils. The game begins at 4:00 on the High School field.

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 NATIONAL NEWS

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JAMES DEAN KILLED IN CAR CRASH – TITO WANTS COEXISTENCE – SURGEON GENERAL CONFRIMS POLIO VACCINE WORKS

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Actor James Dean (24) is killed in a head-on collision in Cholame, California - 19 miles east of Paso Robles. He was on his way to road races in Salinas from Hollywood. His mechanic, Rolph Wuetherich, who was also in the Porsche Spyder - suffered a fractured jaw, fractured hip and cuts over his body. He’s described as being in “moderately serious condition.” A physician says the actor died from a broken neck, numerous broken bones and lacerations all over his body. Dean just finished completing the movie “Giant.” Elizabeth Taylor, who co-stars with Dean in “Giant” said, “I can’t believe it. I’m just stunned.” Unmarried, James Dean leaves his father - Winton Dean - a dental technician.

                      

 

                   James Deans crashed car                                 James Dean

Yugoslav President Tito is said to be holding out against a second Russian effort to persuade Yugoslavia to accept a role of passive coexistence, or Austrian-type of neutrality in world affairs. Tito rejected an initial attempt to lure this Communist nation into a quick return of the Moscow-led camp. Tito was reported to have declared his country wants to play a leading part in uniting nations, which are opposed to dividing the world into two ideological groupings.

Surgeon-General Leonard Scheele announces that the government has confirmed the safety of all Salk polio vaccine, but there was no immediate indication of when the stalled immunization program would be resumed.

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Many, many thanks to www.mrpopculture.com for contributing to this section of the East Farewell News.

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