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.
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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
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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
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Science - Jill Reed.
Sports - Assistant Editor: Jeff Webb; Michael
Ferguson, Chris Ferrell, Travis Harsch, Robert
Hollier, Al Lazarus, Colby Martin, Aaron Meier,
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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
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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.
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Copy Editors - Leslie StebbinsJff’
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Veronica Serrano.
Radio - Andrew Bailey, Jodie RaeSr:
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Web - Anita Tong & Jeremy Bmn
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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« ’
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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Battalion, 015 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Sla6«i,®i : '
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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