The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 11

417 area 1-A The Jackson Sun, Jackson, Tennessee, Thursday, December 2, 1976 Hoopla Marks Opening Of River's Newest Span a IE--. Jfc-Jin. til iJrZ low 1 was $25.8 million concrete and steel span, which opened to traffic at 1 2:30 p.m. By CHAMBERS WILLIAMS Sun Gibson County Bureau FINLEY They came from miles away in every direction Wednesday, several thousand strong, and lined up bumper to bumper to hear the speakers, but mainly to be the first to cross the first bridge linking the states of Missouri and Tennessee across the Mississippi River. For most, it was a long wait because the politicians were long winded and the traffic jam was like New York City at 7:30 a.m.

on a weekday. Most of those in line on the bridge or its approaches had to get there early to get that close, then had to walk the rest of the way to the middle of the bridge to join the crowd for the dedication ceremony. IT WAS DONE up right, with bands and National Guard troops, airplanes buzzing the bridge from overhead, and today's crop of Tennessee and Missouri political figures standing up to speak and take credit Sun Photos by Chombers Williams Cars jam the new 1-1 55 bridge linking Tennessee with the Missouri Bootheel during dedication ceremonies Wednesday, waiting to be the first to cross the new for a $25.8 million bridge that was began long before their time. At 12:30, it was over, and traffic began to move, very slowly. But then, two hours later, they were all gone, and the bridge became just another link in the vast nationwide Interstate, highway system.

Traffic was light; there were tractor-trailers on their way east and west, glad to be able to avoid the costly, time-consuming ferry crossing at Caruthersville, Mo. There were sightseers from both sides of the river who drove up too late for the dedication, who wanted to ride over the impressive span of concrete and steel, the only bridge over the river along a 220-mile stretch between Memphis, to the south, and Cairo, to the north. At Finley, the closest community to the bridge on the Tennessee side, business at the several service stations and general stores was booming. "This is the most traffic I've ever seen on this road," one man remarked as he filled up at the Exxon station. "I don't know if I'm going to like this." LIKE IT OR not, the people of Finley will have to put up with the traffic and the business boom for at least another 18 months, because the interstate link from the bridge to Dyersburg (1-155) isn't finished yet, and six miles from the bridge into Tennessee, traffic is routed off onto a former county road for three miles until it intersects with Tenn.

20 one mile west of Finley. Until the interstate is completed in mid-1978, all traffic going to or coming from the new bridge will pass through this community. Five miles to the east is U.S. 51 Bypass around Dyersburg, and eventually, 1-155 will carry traffic across the bridge directly to the bypass. Tenn.

20 is now a dead-end road past the bridge turnoff. It used to lead to the ferry at Heloise. where cars could cross to Cottonwood Point, Mo. But ferry service ended Wednesday at Cottonwood Point, five miles south of the bridge, and at Caruthersville, five miles north of the bridge. Traffic going to the bridge from the Jackson area will have to put up with Tenn.

20, a two-lane road, all the way from Jackson to Finley until something can be done about getting an interstate-type highway built to link 1-155 in Dyersburg with 1-40. At the bridge dedication Wednesday, Gov. Ray Blanton drew a round of applause when he said: "We've got the bridge finished. Now we need to get on with the job of getting an interstate link completed going east into Tennessee." Such a link is being studied, but state Rep. James O.

Lanier, D-Dyersburg, who is chairman of the Tennessee Tollway Authority, thinks the link probably will have to be a toll road. Tolls collected would retire a bond issue that would finance construction of the link. Cost would be about $2 million a mile, Lanier said. ON THE MISSOURI side of the bridge, the outlook is much brighter. 1-155 is complete from the bridge 10 miles to its link with 1-55, which is open between Memphis and St.

Louis. Dyersburg merchants expect to profit from the new bridge, because it provides an easy, free link for shoppers from the Missouri Booth-eel and northern Arkansas to use to get to Dyersburg. None of the small towns on the Missouri side of the river can compete with the shopping centers in Dyersburg, the merchants feel. Even when it cost $6 for a round trip on the ferry, many shoppers came from across the river to spend their money in Dyersburg. 1 3 Si long, and took nearly eight years to build.

Cost of the structure was shared by the two states and the federal government. Looking north from Boothspoint on the Tennessee side of the Mississippi River, the new bridge linking the states of Missouri and Tennessee looms over a huge grain elevator. The span is 3,580 feet Pond Facility To Be One Of A Big Hill al funds and should have the park's first phase completed by July, 1978. Phase I calls for an entrance, paved road, parking and picnic areas, a visitor's center, docking facilities for the shuttle pontoon boats and a trail system. Phase II and III include other such developments as swimming beaches around the lake.

"We've designed facilities so that city people could feel secure and may progress from cabins to campgrounds and even to back country camping," Spencer Boardman, the By WILLIAM McDANIEL Sun Reporter SELMER About 25 officials and citizens here voiced approval Tuesday for a state Conservation Department proposal to develop Big Hill Pond, south of Tenn. 57 and six miles west of Ramer, into a state park. The department held the meeting to get more opinions on the proposed park. Officials said the park would be the first of its kind in Tennessee with only one entrance and a shuttle system into the area. The department owns more than 2,500 acres department's master planner, explained.

"We'll include environmental education, but it's not just for school groups and classes." BOARDMAN said the park would offer instructions in hunter safety, although hunting in the area would be limited. It will also provide a facilities for a "good deal" of fishing and back-country hiking and camping. "The area is unique as far as West Tennessee goes; there's such a diversity of plants and animals," he Kind the natural beauty of the area with as few facilities as possible. Swimming supervision would be by the groups or parents, and we'd probably have bath houses but no pool facilities." OTHER PROPOSED developments include a boardwalk through a swamp to study vegetation and wildlife and overnight facilities for study and camping groups. Groups could participate in the park's programs or hold activities of their own, Boardman said.

ing Truck three stepsons, Anthony Joseph Kovach and Richard Lewis Kovach, both of Memphis, and Jimmy A. Kovach of Mercer; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Jo Ann Bridges of Florida; two brothers, Tom Walker Jr. of Collier-ville and Carl Walker of Nesbitt, and four sisters. The body is at the funeral home.

added. "We would continue the natural, wilderness theme. have less noise, fewer automobiles and repair expenses. There could be a trailer park at the entrance and hopefully an electric conveyor to haul visitors' equipment to small cabins." Boardman said visitors would leave cars at the entrance and travel through the park in two pontoons, canoes, row boats and on foot. "Handicapped people could use a road if unable to go by boat," he explained.

"But we want to retain County. He was born in North Carolina and had lived in Oxford and Walls, Miss. He moved to Brownsville in 1969 and had lived in Madison County since 1971. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Teresa M.

Walker; a daughter, Mrs. Sylvia Ann Dodson of Orlando, Rig Hit Victim's Vehicle AAanStruc Killed While Fuel Illness Keeps Season's Merriment At Bay Madison County Volunteer Fire Department was called to the scene to wash fuel off the highway and stand by in event of fire. Services for Mr. Walker will be at 3 p.m. Friday at the Main Street chapel of George A.

Smith Sons Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Gardens in Haywood 1' vi.zr I 1 and has a $l-million state grant and $250,000 of a $l-million federal grant to buy more land and develop the park. "WE'VE STARTED an immediate attack on construction of the dam and lake and hope to set a bid date within 60 days," state Conservation Commissioner B.R. "Buck" Allison told the group. Walter Criley, department director of planning and development, said the department should have no problem obtaining the rest of feder- BRIGHTER CHRISTMAS FUND ALMOST BLIND, the frail woman is waiting for a pair of glasses which have been long promised to her but which she has not received. For Christmas she would like a good winter coat in a size 12 or 14.

She could use clothes of all kind, especially nightwear and underclothes. In addition, she needs a warm, long-sleeved robe and soft houseshoes for her swollen feet. Mrs. Smith said she also would be grateful for some good walking shoes in a size 8. Readers who wish to help needy families can send contributions to Brighter Christmas Fund, National Bank of Commerce, P.O.

Box 189, Jackson, 38301. Cash donations will be held in a trust account at the bank until distribution. Canned goods and toys and limited amounts of clothing may be taken to the Harvest Years Center, 201 W. Grand. Clothing may be taken to the Salvation Army at 520 S.

Royal. For more infomation call The Jackson Sun, 427-3333, ext. 119. Donations and donors will be acknowledged daily in the newspaper. New contributors: Mrs.

L.AA. Cheek, $10 Stephen S. Ingham, S25 Lofair Dixon, refrigerator AArs. J.O. Parnell, refrigerator stuffed animals anonymous food, anonymous Total cash contributions to date: $171 A Madison County truck stop employe servicing a truck was killed when hit by a tractor-trailer truck on 1-40 west of Jackson about 2:15 p.m.

Wednesday. Nelson P. Walker, 54, of Route 1, Mercer, was killed instantly when a rig driven by David Allen Plunkett of Lebanon crashed into the service vehicle Walker had parked on the highway, the Highway Patrol reported. WALKER'S SERVICE vehicle was knocked into the guard rail and plunged over it and down an embankment. Trooper Neal Park said.

Plunkett was not hurt, the officer added. The rig driven by Plunkett was owned by Crusade Publishers of Nashville and was loaded with bibles, the trooper added. Walker was servicing a tractor-trailer truck driven by Doris G. Burks, also of Route 1, Mercer, who worked with Walker at Wilhite's Union 76 Truck Stop on Tenn. 138 at 1-40, Park said.

Walker was driving a Scout truck which carried a fuel tank to service other vehicles, the trooper said. Burks told officers Walker's vehicle was parked on traffic lane next to Burks' truck in order for the hose on the fuel tank to reach the tank of Burks' truck. Park said Plunkett told him he did not see the Scout parked in the traffic lane in time to avoid it. Plunkett tried to swerve to the left to miss the Scout but was unsuccessful, the trooper added. THE COLLISION resulted in traffic being hampered for several hours, the trooper added.

The By GWENDA GREEN Sun Reporter After being hospitalized more than 100 times this year for bouts with diabetes, perhaps what Elizabeth Smith (not her real name) would like for Christmas is good health. Although she receives Medicaid to cover medical expenses, Mrs. Smith said that by Christmas, "I won't have a penny." IN ADDITION to her 20-year struggle with diabetes, she is afflicted with a rare bone disease. As a result of this her bones are very fragile and keep her from doing much lifting and walking. The disease has crippled her back which is broken in several places.

She contends she "could not have made it this far without the Lord." Her monthly income includes a $79 Social Security Supplemental check of which $24 is used to buy food stamps and a $101 Social Security disability check with which she pays $85 for a three-room apartment. The remainder she uses to pay a $40 monthly utility bill. The doctors have entrusted her landlady, who lives next door to her, with her medicine. She sees that Mrs. Smith gets her daily insulin dose.

"Sometimes, Mrs. Smith said, "I feel myself going into a coma and all I can do is to try to combat it by eating sugar." w4 l.VM i.M, tot VUmu4 "r' i- ii im -1- Sun Ptioto by Don Mitchell being examined by Steve Horner, left, and Frankie Ross of the Jackson-Madison County Ambulance Authority. Doris Burks stands distraught in front of his truck after seeing Nelson Walker killed when Walker's service vehicle, scattered in foreground, was hit by another truck. Trooper Neal Park walks toward Walker's truck..