Letters to the editor
To the Editor:
In regards to the letter submitted by Anton H. Epp in the May 10 issue of the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin
I agree — let's get on with the business of punishing criminals instead of giving them every break in the book ! Especially this continuing practice of appeal after appeal of a death sentence until, more often than not, the sentence has not been carried out after 20 years or longer!
How many people remember the conviction and carrying out of the death sentence handed down to Richard Eugene Hickok and Perry Edward Smith who slaughtered the Clutter family of Holcomb in November 1959? (If you don't remember this, or weren't around when it happened, read the book "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote).
Their sentence was carried out fairly quickly — at least by today's standards.
I will always believe that they were reprieved at the last second, with the noose around their necks, as a little payback for the suffering they made the Clutter family endure! (I remember the tragedy very well as I was temporarily looked at as a suspect in the case!)
Let's quit listening to the bleeding heart do-gooders and dish out justice!!!!
L. Gary Rowland
Norwood MO
To the Editor:
I was fascinated by Dinah Richmond's editorial about Peabody's fire history. It took me back to the Peabody of the early 1950s, seeing Charlie Moffatt roar up to the fire station in his old Model A coupe. He would shut off the ignition, jump out of the car, and sprint toward the station door. The Model A slowly would roll to a stop with the door still swinging back and forth as Charlie was exiting the station, urging the fire truck toward the fire. That was more exciting than being at the movie house watching Roy Rogers take off after the bad guys using his two-handed mount-up-and-over Trigger's rear end.
I don't quite remember my great-grandfather, R.B. Slaymaker. He was the fire chief somewhere around the 1920 time frame. He and my great-uncle, Tom Slaymaker are in the great old picture of the fire department in the Peabody history book. R.B.'s daughter and my grandmother, Minnie (Slaymaker) Carr told my mother, Betty (Carr) Crawford, that R.B. always made sure his hair was carefully brushed before he departed to a late night fire alarm, although she never told why. She also told of R.B.'s wife being terribly afraid when the fire alarm would sound at night. That fear makes more sense after reading Dinah's recap of the early fire history in Peabody.
R.B. later was elected Marion County Sheriff. The members of Peabody's fire department gave R.B. a sheriff's badge with an encryption "Hose Co. No. 1" on the back of the badge. My oldest son and R.B's great-great-grandson, Kerry is a firefighter/paramedic serving as a lieutenant with the Fairburn, Ga., fire department. Kerry now has R.B's badge and is proud of his inheritance and lineage. As a confirmation of the strong lineage, one of my twin sons, Josh is a firefighter/EMT and a member of DeKalb County, Ga., Fire Department's Heavy Rescue Unit.
Firefighters are a special breed. It took the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, for many to realize just how special they are. Firefighters like R.B., great-uncle Tom, Charlie Moffatt, and the other early members of Peabody Fire Department created the traditions. Firefighters like the present members of Peabody Fire Department and my sons are carrying on and strengthening those traditions.
With this letter, I am enclosing a donation to the fund to purchase a thermal imaging camera for Peabody Fire Department. The donation is in memory of my great-grandfather, R.B. Slaymaker.
Dinah, thank you for your research and excellent editorial.
Peabody firefighters, thank you for you service and dedication.
Russell Crawford
