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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1998)
2 The Battalion Tuesday • February! Sisters met for the first time after 56 years, recount family drama WICHITA FALLS (AP) — After 56 years of separation, two sisters have finally found each other. While sep arated, they lived similar lives of tor ment and abuse, but together they plan to heal each other’s soul. Darlene Davis, 67, of Wichita Falls and Mary Ann Decker, 56, of Chickasha, Okla., are two of nine siblings who were separated from each other in a complicated story of parental abandonment. They met for the first time Jan. 30 after a month of phone conver sations and have cemented a sis terly bond that both have craved for so long. The story begins with their mother, Minnie Mae Seaman, 72, who died in 1984. From 1935 to 1942, she gave away her five old est children. Minnie Mae left Logan Kinnison when Darlene was 4, and moved to Billings, Mont., taking her two daughters with her. In Montana, Minnie Mae gave away Darlene to a family who lived on a farm. She then gave Imajean to the DeGraw family in Denver, Colo. “I was not adopted,” Darlene Davis said. “She gave me away.” In a letter written in 1970 to Dar lene Davis, the DeGraws recounted how Minnie Mae and her then-hus band, A1 Pearce, visited the De Graws and demanded they return Imajean. DeGraw wrote that the abandonment was burned into Imajean’s memory, and had a pro found affect on her. Decker said she was abused by a succession of step-fathers that Min nie Mae hooked up with after Dowler’s death. Decker and her brother Glen Dowler ran away, and Minnie Mae and the two youngest children moved to California. The tale jumps to 1966, and a “I knew mom had five other children. But I didn’t know what she did with them.” Mary Ann Decker Reunited with sister surprise knock on Darlene Davis’ front door. Her biological father, Lo gan Kinnison, was standing on her doorstep in Lubbock. The reunion got a lot of attention and the story was carried in news papers across the country, Davis said. The reunion was unpleasant, and Davis suspected that her father got in touch with her because of the publicity it generated. “I knew mom had five other chil dren,” Decker said.’’But I didn’t know what she did with them. She wouldn’t tell me.” Sue Dowler made contact with Darlene Davis, but it was too late. Dowler was still living with Sea man, and Davis’ bitter memory of meeting her father and other sister held her back. “Mom wanted me to come out there,” Davis said. “But I wouldn’t do it.” Davis refused to take the rela tionship further, and when Seaman died she did not attend the funeral. Neither did Mary Ann Decker. A couple of years ago, Diana Rachels, Davis’ daughter, set out on a mission to find her mother’s fam ily. In December, Rachels sent Deck er a Christmas card with Davis’ phone number. It took a week for Decker to build up the courage to call her sister. “I didn’t know if I’d be able to re late to Mary Ann because I never had any siblings,” Davis said. “I did n’t know how to act, but it’s come naturally. I feel like I have finally found a sister. Someone I can call my own.” The sisters found that they have much in common. They both like crafts and shopping and are admit ted pack rats. But meeting each oth er has brought many painful mem ories to the surface. “I was at peace with my past be fore I met Mary Ann,” Davis said. Decker said together the sisters will deal with the pain, and let go of the anger and resentment. What's Up Tuesday Oprah trial to be turned over to defense this week AMARILLO (AP) — The lead plaintiff suing Oprah Win frey for slander testified Monday that his cattle operation lost millions of dollars because of “false statements' made about the impact of mad cow disease on her talk show. Paul Engler, chief executive officer of Cactus Feeders Inc., one of the largest cattle feeders in the world, took the stand as the civil trial against Winfrey, her production company and vegetarian activist Howard Lyman began its fourth week. Engler explained the sale of cattle on the live market and on the futures market in enough detail to put at least one juror to sleep. But his contention was that prices plummeted after Winfrey's April 1996 show, forcing him to sell his cattle at a loss. Engler blamed what he claimed were “false state ments" on Lyman. Last week, Winfrey testified for most of three days, using her skills as a talk show host to turn question ing by cattlemen’s attorneys into a chance to make her own case. Large numbers of spectators had been waiting in line to get into the courthouse. But now that the star witness has spoken, those numbers are dropping off. The cattlemen were expected to wrap up their case this week, clearing the way for Winfrey and Lyman to be gin calling witnesses. TAMU Water Ski Club: A general meeting will be held at 8:30 p.m. in the Student Recreation Center. Contact John at 695-8843 for details. Alpha Phi Omega: Meet to go to the Crestview Retire ment Home at 3:30 p.m. in 133 Koldus. Cooperative Education: Co-op Career Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Zachry Lobby. TAMU Anthropological Society: Guest lecturer Dr. Shel ley Wachmann will be speaking on “Nautical Archaeology in the Land of the Bible” in Room 130 of the Anthropolo gy Building. Contact Judy at 693-7870 for further infor mation. Pre-Vet Society: Dr. Lynn Johnson will be speaking about puppy and kitten behavior at 8:30 p.m. in MSC 206. Cap & Gown Senior Honor Society: An infonnational meet ing will be held at 8:30 p.m. in 407 Rudder for under graduate students with between 75-110 hours with a min imum of 3.25 are eligible for membership. Applications will be available. Call Benny at 847-1953 for details. Student Health Center Health Education & Aggie R.E.A.C.H.: “Aggie Luv Lines", part of Sexual Responsi bilities Week, featuring Maggie the Aggie and & Dr. Buzz with student leader guest celebrities will be held from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in MSC Ragroom. Call Margaret Griffith. Health Educator Coordinator at 847-9242 for details. Career Center: Placement orientation will be held at 6 p.m. in 111 Koldus. Career Center: Company research seminar will be held at 5 p.m. in 209 Koldus. Aggie Lutherans: A meeting will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Treehouse, Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Call 694-6663 for details. National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP): A general meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in Room 113 of the Peterson Building. Call Traci at 260- 3858 for further information. Aggie Anglers: A meeting will be held in Rudder 410 for new members and for this Saturday’s tournament at Lake Bryan. For details call Tim at 693-5415. PreMedical Society: Dr. Kamp will speak about ethics in medicine at 7 p.m. in 301 Rudder. American Advertising Federation: An organizational meeting with guest lecturer, Dr. Wegener. Journalism Dept, will be held at 7:30 p.m. in 133 Wehner. Call Dale at 696-9414 for details. Circle K International: A meeting will bet,; in Koldus 144. ATM Roadrunners: We will meet at 5:30c G. Rollie White to run 3 to 4 miles. All stucr levels welcome. Call Steve at 847-7905fo Texas A&M University Association off) Support Staff (TAPSS): Nita laden willbe tax questions and tax tips from 12tol; Rudder. Call Lois at 845-6216 fordetalsl Great Issues: A lecture will be heldatlj 212. Dr. Vaughn Bryant explores the I man smooching. Call Natalie at 845-15 Horsemen's Association: A meeting will in 115 Kleberg. Call Shannon at 69613 Catholic Students Association: Thereof al meeting today in MSC 225 from 7:K| There will also be a daily mass Tuesday in the All-Faiths Chapel. Wednesday Aggie Habitat for Humanity: ATM Womens Rugby: Come join! Ni ed. Practices are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.i the corner of Texas Ave. and Universii 694-0084 for information. Aggieland H.O.B.Y: in MSC 228. Call C Pushmonkey ocA/&feeccat yue&t Vallejo at % ft.ttt,. Friday, February 13 Tickets on sale now at Shadow Canyon, Dixie Chicken, Marooned, Rothers & Double Quick. Doors open at 8 p.m. * Show starts at 9 p.m. 18 & up with valid I.D. 1998 MSC Spring Leadership Trip Applications Are Now Available! Trip Dates: April 1-4, 1998 Applications can be found @ MSC Student Programs Office, Corps Headquarters, Multicultural Services, Women’s Programs, & Student Activities. Applications Due: Feb. 13, 1998 Persons with disabilities please call 845-6790 to inform us of your special needs. not A genera!:’-- serlj ?29 of the V: me :has| moi )eo othil ’ e ti igati 1 a ll vfor/f cfiscussr \.ust| 693-754Sf: t By t le| Student Health Center Health Educati ng R.E.A.C.H.: A mini health fan with game;ied part of Sexual Responsibilities Week,will<Le fil 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the MSC.Cali Mag, A&l Health Educator Coordinator at 847-92L ;tati[ e t\ Student Health Center Health Educatelule-I R.E.A.C.H.- Free HIV testing providedb;. : acro| enthood as a part of Sexual Responsib omd be given from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Call formal thl mation. Call Margaret Griffith, HealthEduffr an} nator at 847-9242 for details. igat( on, Career Center: International job searching niy I at 4 p.m. in 209 Koldus. he (I dy hi NSBE (National Society of Black Engineerstiatif 13-15 we will be holding our Spring Region ve tv| and Career Fair. The conference will take p: >r the I Tower and the Career Fair will take place intake pi For more info visit our website or call Rebecc nigh ban (I at bd -ype.l went I AilOh Tiffany Inbody, Editor in Chief Helen Clancy, News Editor Brad Graeber, Visual Arts Editor Robert Smith, City Editor Matt Weber, Night News Editor Jeremy Furtick, Sports Editor James Francis, Aggie! Mandy Cater, Opinion E: Ryan Rogers, Photo Ec Chris Huffines, Radio Fro Sarah Goldston, Radio F Dusty Moer, Web Editflf Staff Members City- Colleen Kavanagh, Amanda Smith, Rachel Dawley, Stacey Becks, Stephanie Dosher, Jeremy Magnum, Susan Atchison, Kelly Hackworth, Lyndsay Nantz, Jennifer Wilson & Julietta Amanda Jordan. Science - Jill Reed. Sports - Assistant Editor: Jeff Webb; Michael Ferguson, Chris Ferrell, Travis Harsch, Robert Hollier, Al Lazarus, Colby Martin, Aaron Meier, Katie Mish, Philip Peter, Jeff Schmidt & Michael Taglienti. Aggieufe - Marium Mohiuddin, Rhonda Reinhart, Chris Martin, Leah Templeton, Travis Hopper, April Towery, Brandi Ballard, Travis Irby & Stephen Wells. Opinion - Len Calloway, Adam Collette, Jesse Czelusta, Donny Ferguson, Kendall Kelly, Caleb McDaniel, Beverly Mireles, Manisha Parekh, Michelle Voss, Frank StanfordS Night News - Joyce BauerJaclywI" Shane Elkins & Aaron Meier. Photo - Assistant Editor: Brandon !•' McKay, Greg McReynolds, Mikefe’ Francis & Jake Schrickling. Graphics - James Palmer, CliadMi: Faulkner & J.R Beato. Cartoonists - Ed Goodwin, John le r; ' Hoffman, Gabriel Ruenes.VictoiVi'i Nordfelt and Quatro Oakley. Copy Editors - Leslie StebbinsJff’ David Johnston, Martha GidneyPat 1 Veronica Serrano. Radio - Andrew Bailey, Jodie RaeSr: Stuart & Karina Trevino. Web - Anita Tong & Jeremy Bmn Stewart Patton, Mickey Saloma, Joe Schumacher, News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student MS Department of Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone: 845-3313; F« ’ batt@unix.tamu.edu; Website: http://battalion.tamu.edu Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, localard - tising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald, and offetot f Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee^ntitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy ofTbe BaJft’ 1 $60 per school year, $30 for the fall or spring semester and $17.50 for the summer. To charge by credit caid, call 8452611 The Battalion (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall spring semesters and Monday^ the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at CoS Postmaster: Send address changes to The Battalion, 015 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Sla6«i,®i : ' t a V Think you know what kissing is all about? Your better half thinks you could learn a few things? Come join us as ourvpwn anthropolo gy professor. Dr. Vaughn Bryant, explores the beginnings of human smooching. Origin of the Kiss will take place on®Vednesday|^ February 10, at 7 PM inside MSC 212. Free kisses will be given to everyone who cQmes through the door for this prelude to Valentine’s Day. 4r MSC Visual Arts Committee Present A Field Trip to the museums of Fort Worth! February 21,1998 leave campus by 8am return by8f Renoir’s Portraits Impressions of an Age Kimbell Art Museum Fort Worth,! ^ J ' gji _ Persons with disabilities plcnsc I5f5 to inform lis of voiir /'Ll, special needs. We request notiricationfmW (3) working days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the bcsWPIllir abilities. Presented /\i S (; c;KRAt ISSUE^ 4 u wmw Hurry! Space is limited! SignupbySf Monday, February 16 at the MSC Fors; Center Galleries (across from the Aggit Post Office). $5 TAMU Students with I.D. $15 non-students other museums in the area: Amon Carter Mu Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Art Museum of Fort Worth Pierc*-Auguste Renoir, Two Sisters (On the Terrace) detail, 188 J Look us up! Memorial Student Center http://www.msc.tamu.edu Visual Arts Committee http://vac.tamu.edu X If you have special needs or fori information please call in advance j (409)845-9251 ore-mail: vac.t