The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 3

CALL US INSIDE Across West Tennessee 4A Nation 5A Deaths 6A World 8A Questions, comments? Please call: City Editor Barbara Henshaw, 425-9668. Assistant City Editor Jimmy Hart. 425-9760. E-mail address is sunaeneas.net Saturday, August 21, 1999 PAGE 3A sun line inmestlnptiM emirs ran Farrar's body is still being examined at the Regional Forensic Center in Memphis. Overton said a broken whiskey bottle and a samurai-type sword have been recovered as evidence.

The sword was found in Decatur County, he said. Farrar, who was from Maryland, had lived in Saltillo with his uncle, Thomas Holmes, for less than two months. Holmes declined to comment. Those who knew Farrar described him as kind and giving, a newcomer to town who just wanted to make friends. Hazel Lee Allen said Farrar had spent the Sunday night before his death at her house.

Her grandson, Steve Allen, who was friends with Farrar, was not available for comment. The three men accused of Farrar's death were friends of her grandson's, Allen said. "As far as I can tell, Paul was a fine boy," Allen said. "I didn't see nothing in Paul out of the way Why they done it is what I want to know. Everybody wants to know.

"It's tore up the whole town," Allen said. headless body was found Saturday, Aug. 14 in White Oak Creek, said Assistant District Attorney General John W. Overton Jr. "Considering where we think the head was thrown, we're going to have to wait to see if it comes up and, if it does, that someone.

will call us and report it," Overton said. "We have information which leads us to believe it was thrown in the river in Saltillo." Tattoos helped authorities identify Farrar. A preliminary hearing set Friday for the three men charged in Farrar's death Suspects have a preliminary hearing rescheduled; victim's body is still being examined. By TONYA SMITH The Jackson Sun SAVANNAH Police are still looking for the head of a Saltillo man whose nude body was found last week by fishermen in a Hardin County creek. Paul Farrar, 26, was stabbed to death Aug.

9. His Allen takes bench as Report ranks Union as a top university Ex-prosecutor will preside over Madison, Henderson and Chester counties. By CHANDRA M. HAYSLETT The Jackson Sun There was a quiet murmur in the second floor courtroom until Don Allen came into the room. When he entered through the side door of the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex courtroom, shortly after 10 a.m.

Friday, he was just Don Allen, not the man who would preside over Circuit Court Division II. But family and friends, who were there to support him, knew they were in the presence of a judge. And their silence said they respected that. Fifteen minutes later, Allen was sworn in as Circuit Court judge by Judge Franklin Murchison, who retired after 14 years on May 1, but continued to serve on the bench until a replacement could be appointed. "I could not feel comfortable without a judge in my office.

I could never rest until that position was filled, because I still felt obligated," Murchison said. Allen, who was selected three weeks ago by Gov. Don Sundquist, will take the bench Monday as a judge for the 26th Judicial District, covering Madison, Henderson and Chester counties. "Today is one of the most special days in my life. I promised the governor that I would work hard and be fair in my decisions and be Overton said.

Creasy has been placed on suicide watch. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty for the three men, Overton said. Both Creasy, of Scotts Hill, and Smith, of Saltillo, have retained attorneys. Creasy's attorney is Lloyd Tatum of Henderson. Smith's attorney is Stephen Milam of Lexington.

Justin, of Saltillo, was appointed public defender Richard DeBerry after Justin's wife indicated in court Friday that he could not afford to hire an attorney. jud Pickens said. "I'm always happy for anyone who wants to better themselves, but we hate to lose him." Before the brief, laid-back ceremony came to a close, Allen's wife, Denise, helped her husband into his flowing, black robe. Allen, who said he felt more comfortable at a lectern than behind the bench, took a seat behind the wooden bench and closed the proceedings with a slam of the gavel. hold community meetings around the city to educate senior citizens about fraud and encourage them to report crimes or attempted crimes.

Tennessee Attorney General Paul Summers said his office will work with the group to file civil cases against suspected rip-off artists under the state's consumer protection laws. Passing along some advice he said came from his grandmother, Summers warned elderly citizens to be wary of unsolicited business deals. "If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is," he said. qe HARDIN CO. was rescheduled for Sept.

17 in Hardin County General Sessions Court, because one of the men had not hired an attorney. Timothy J. Creasy, 24, Brian G. Justin and Courtney N. Smith, both 22, are charged with first-degree murder and are being held in the Hardin County Jail.

Bail has been set at $500,000 for each of the suspects. Creasy tried to commit suicide in jail Wednesday morning by cutting his wrists and throat with the blade from a disposable razor, appointed, he will have to run next August to be elected to the position. "I am looking forward to working with you for many, many months and hopefully for many years," Allen told the other judges present. While Allen faces new challenges in Circuit Court, he leaves behind colleagues at the district attorney's office. "Don is a great friend, so it's bittersweet that he is becoming a judge," Assistant District Attorney Jody "The best way to fight these types of crimes is increased awareness, thorough investigation and aggressive prosecution (and) a major aspect of this effort is to encourage senior citizens to report these crimes," Gibbons said.

In the first six months of this year, Memphis police investigated 141 criminal cases of various frauds against the, elderly, and authorities said they are many more went unreported. The task force will focus on crimes ranging from telemarketing scams to home-repair rip-offs to credit card fraud. It will Does The Nashville Network (TNN) have an e-mail address? J.C., Jackson INN'S e-mail address is que8tionscountry.com. write to the Nashville-based station at 28Q6 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. Where can I exchange foreign currency? L.F., Jackson Contact your local bank for this information.

Most banks will assist you with this process provided you tiave an account with them. How old is Archie Manning? How many Pro Bowls did he play in? What is he doing these Says? Also, my friend says he- was drafted by several major-league baseball teams. Is this true? J.H., Jackson Elisha Archibald Manning was born May 19, "1949, which makes him "50 years old. He excelled in all sports at Drew (Miss). High School and was awarded an athletic scholarship to Ole where he was an Al.l-American quarterback.

1971, he was the second plefyer picked in the NFL draft, selected by the New I Orleans Saints. Manning was the field leader for the Saints for 11 and still holds team passing records. Manning -wis named the NFL's "Most Valuable Player in 1978 and participated in two Pro Bowls. He also played with the Houston Oilers and the Minnesota Vikings before retiring in 1985. -Archie remains highly visible in the community 1 as spokesperson for local businesses.

He also makes ln-u merous public 'appearances with his son, -Peyton. the way, your friend correct. Manning was drafted four times by MLB teams: Atlanta, Chicago White Sox (twice) and Kansas City. "Note: B.B. from Jackson is- searching for "somewhere to recycle glass and cement products in the area.

Sun Line has searched for this answer without much luck. Can our readers help? Requested addresses: Martha Stewart, Lily Pond Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937 Yogi Berra, P.O. Box 462, Caldwell, NJ, 07006 Bo Jackson, 1765 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36604 U.S. Rep. John Tanner, 109 S.

Highland Room B7, Jackson, TN 38301 Dr. Laura Schlessinger, 610 S. Afrdmore Avenue, Los CA 9 Pierce Brosnan, West Malibu Road, jMalibu.CA 90265 HRH Prince Charles, jHighgrove House, Gloucester shire, ENGLAND -tjall Sun Line, 425-9656, or i write -to Sun Line, P.O. Box 1059, TN 38302, for i action, and information. Include yousjiame, phone number, and I address.

They will be kept icoqfulential. Consumer 'questions may be asked of the state Consumer Affairs Division, STATE NEWS By DOUG DYER The Jackson Sun Union University has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the South's top liberal arts colleges, according to its 2000 edition of "America's Best Colleges." "We're very honored to be recognized this way by such a prestigious national publication," said Union President David Dockery. "It's a testimony to the quality of the faculty and students. It reaffirms to West Tennessee that we are dedicated to providing the region with an academically excellent university that is devoted to the liberal arts." Union, with its 2,400 students, was ranked as the 19th best liberal arts college in the South, along with High Point University in North Carolina.

Union is the only West Tennessee institution to be listed in the top tier of 40 colleges. Other Tennessee notables among the top tier of S6uthern liberal arts colleges were Maryville College in Maryville (No. 7), David Lipscomb University in Nashville (No. 11) and Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City (No. 13).

Lambuth University and Freed-Hardeman University were ranked in the second tier of schools, Lane College was ranked in the third tier In 1974, Buford Hayes Pusser, legendary former McNairy County Sheriff whose term was filled with violence, was killed in a fiery car crash at the age of 36. In 1959, President Eisenhower signed an executive order proclaiming Hawaii the 50th state. In 1986, more than 1,700 people died when toxic gas erupted from a volcanic lake in the West African nation of Cameroon. In 1994, the Housepa-ssed a $30 billion crime bill that banned certain assault-style firearms. In 1998, Samuel Bowers, DREW TARTER The Jackson Sun Don Allen gets a kiss from his wife, Denise, after being sworn in as judge for Circuit Court Division II during a ceremony Friday at the Madison County Criminal Justice Complex in Jackson.

Allen will be succeeding retiring Judge Franklin Murchison. EDUCATION and Bethel College was ranked in the fourth tier. The rankings are based on a variety of criteria, including academi'c reputation, student retention, class size, faculty and ACTSAT scores of entering students. In order to focus on the best schools, U.S. News ranks the top 25 percent of schools.

The remaining schools are placed in tiers or broad groups, with the second tier schools the next best, followed by the third and fourth tier, according to the magazine's Internet site. Lambuth President Ellis Arnold said this year's freshman class possesses strong academic and leadership credentials, more so than what is indicated in the rankings. "The current rankings are just beginning to reflect the strengthening academic profile of our students and the institution as a whole," he said. Darlette Samuels, spokeswoman for Lane College, directed questions to Lane President Wesley McClure, who could not be reached for comment. Dockery said this is the fourth year in a row Union's name has appeared in the top tier of the Southern liberal arts colleges.

Dwulh TViworts Ruoiutior) Of Puaif Enitjmo Cor Slora Into Hill Fiery Crash Kills Pusser Ford 'Probable lo Ri in 76 luoc Ana ftnlnwv rwri CMr o- Aug. 21, 1974 a 73-year-old former Ku Klux Klan leader, was convicted in Hattiesburg, of ordering a 1966 firebombing that killed civil rights activist Vernon Dahmer. TRAFFIC Wiley Parker Road Portion between Wallace Road and Magnolia Place closed for about three weeks lor construction. QU.S. 45 in Gibson County New road construction from north of Trenton bypass to north of Dyer.

45 Byp. bridge over Hollywood Drive Northbound and southbound traffic reduced to one lane. 1-40, 82B exit Realignment of ramp onto Highland Avenue. Pothole hot line: 425-CITY Elderly to get help stopping economic fraud honest and forthcoming," Allen, who worked 14 years in Jackson's district attorney's office, said. Allen, 41, joked with General Sessions Judge Hugh Harvey who had defeated Allen in last August's election for the judgeship position.

Allen said if he knew last summer he would be selected as a judge, he would not have run, saving Harvey and himself a lot of energy campaigning. Because Allen was hung up." Browning recounted that incident at the announcement of a new task force of federal, state and local agencies in Memphis aimed at combatting economic crimes against the elderly. The group was put together by District Attorney General Bill Gibbons, who has appointed a special prosecutor and a victim-witness coordinator who will handle only such cases. The Memphis Police Department, U.S. attorney's office and state attorney general have agreed to work with the task force, as have various social agencies.

The Associated Press MEMPHIS Sandy Browning has some advice for other elderly citizens approached by people offering business deals too good to be true. Get away from them, fast. Browning, 68, said she got a phone call recently from a company supposedly offering a good deal on mail-order vitamins. "They wanted me to send them money for the vitamins and then when I got the vitamins, they would send me my money back," she said. "I said OK, but first I have to call the Better Business Bureau.

They This piece of history is brought to you by Pediarics-24 2U HR. Urgent Care for Kids MORNING BRIEFING IN THE NEWS Officer resigns amid child abuse call probe Official suspects arson in fire at pine forest apartment more than two hours after the first call and removed the girl, who died two days later. Lloyd Clifford Elliott, 26, the boyfriend of the girl's mother, is now charged with homicide. Police Chief Emmett Turner had said Baugher could face criminal charges. A disciplinary hearing for Baugher had been scheduled for next week.

Four workers who took 911 calls about the girl are accused of violating department rules for not responding properly to calls about the girl. Hearings for the other four are still scheduled. NASHVILLE A police officer resigned Friday in the face of an investigation into the way a child abuse call was handled before a 2-year-old girl died. According to a police investigation, John Baugher, 33, apparently never went to an apartment on June 6 to check on the report that Labraya Russell had been severely scalded. Investigators said Baugher told other officers to disregard a call about the matter, because he had already handled it.

After other calls were made to police, officers finally went to the said of fighting the fire. "These were about 7- to 8-year-old pines and there was a lot of undergrowth. You get fire above you as well as under you." The fire was on timberland owned by paper maker Westvaco, based in New York. A company crew helped fight the flames. The rugged terrain and a prolonged dry spell contributed to the spread of the fire, Hodge said.

The fire was reported about 6:30 p.m. Thursday and firefighters worked all night plowing fire lines around it. There were no injuries to firefighters. DOVER A state Forestry Division inspector said Friday that arson was suspected in a fire that burned more than 100 acres of pine forest. Two and perhaps three fires broke out Thursday night in Stewart County near the Tennessee River, said Arnold Hodge, a forest technician with the.

division. The multiple ignition points make the suspicious, Hodge said. Firefighters said the blaze was contained at about 4:30 a.m. Friday. There was no estimate of when it would be extinguished.

pretty dangerous," Hodge.