Train brings toxic fumes

Springwood area evacuated

August 2, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer



At 1:56 p.m. Wednesday, emergency personnel could finally breathe easy.
Up until then, the air being breathed near a certain CSX railcar near Uptown Greenwood was certainly in question.
Dozens of emergency personnel rushed to the railroad tracks running parallel to Edgefield Street and behind Greenwood County Detention Center near Uptown Greenwood on Wednesday morning after a CSX tanker railcar was reported to be emanating anhydrous ammonia fumes.
Responding were Greenwood Police Department, Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood City Fire Department, EMS workers, representatives from the American Red Cross, CSX and Hepaco environmental services. Hepaco is contracted by CSX.
A local resident was the first to report the leaking vapors, said DHEC spokesman Thom Berry and Greenwood Fire Chief Terry Strange.
“The train was apparently moving at the time,” Berry said. “Someone was driving on a nearby street, on an overpass, and smelled what they thought was ammonia or some type of chemical and then called it in.”
That call came in sometime before 10 a.m.
After setting up a command post near the detention center, Greenwood fire personnel began developing a reconnaissance plan for the seeping vapors. Strange said they determined the rail car in question was about 35 cars back from the engine.
“We sent our recon team in, and they determined there was a small leak at that point,” Strange said. “We did a non-mandatory evacuation of the Springwood community that is in close proximity. We also did a non-mandatory evacuation of an area near Connie Maxwell (Children’s Home).”
According to Berry, all people who voluntarily evacuated their homes were officially cleared to go back at about 2 p.m. Connie Maxwell president Ben Davis talked about the evacuation, in which he said 30 people in cottages on one side of the home’s campus were asked to move to the church sanctuary.
“We trust that it is a minor thing and won’t be a real problem for a long period of time,” Davis said. “Obviously (the fire department’s) concern is ours. We don’t want our kids in any danger.
“So if there was any idea that (the vapors) may have been a problem, we wanted to evacuate the kids from those cottages into a church setting.”
Davis said more kids would have been evacuated, but several are away at camp this week and another large group was at Dickinson Cinema enjoying a movie.
Davis added the evacuation went smoothly, as a plan was already in place.
“With as many kids as we have and with our concern for them, we pretty much have preparedness plans for anything that may happen,” Davis said. “Whether it’s a train spill or anything else, we have plans for almost all of that.”
Barbara Turnburke, operations center manager for the local Red Cross, discussed her organization’s role Wednesday.
“At first we opened up an evacuation center for people from the Washington Street and Spring Street area at Main Street United Methodist Church,” Turnburke said. “After that, we came down here to see about the firemen and emergency responders and offered them canteen services.”
Meanwhile, back at the command post, Hepaco arrived around noon and prepared to send in a group of workers to assess the situation. Berry said Hepaco workers determined the rail car was releasing anhydrous ammonia vapors on a “sporadic basis” and described what the workers did to get the leak stopped.
“Apparently, it was a safety valve,” Berry said. “They took it off, cleaned it, repositioned it and tightened it up, and it’s working properly as of 1:56 p.m.”
Berry said there were no injuries he knew of stemming from the vapors. However, he did say an emergency worker was taken to Self Regional Medical Center for heat stress treatment.
Following a meeting among Hepaco officials, DHEC and local law and fire enforcement, it was determined the train was ready to continue to its destination in North Carolina.
“The valve was repaired, not just patched,” Strange said. “It’s ready to go.”

Railcar leak could have posed threat

August 2, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Fortunately, Wednesday’s toxic release of anhydrous ammonia fumes near Uptown Greenwood was minimal.
But had it been truly uncontrolled — say, from a ruptured tank rather than a safety valve — the vapors could have caused health problems for thousands of residents in the greater Greenwood area.
According to several sources — including North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota online archives — anhydrous ammonia is most often utilized as a nitrogen-based fertilizer.
The NDSU site says the chemical agent is “a clear, colorless gas ... and has a very characteristic odor. The odor is the strongest safety feature of the product. At only 50 parts per million concentration, one sniff tells what is in the air. Normally, the odor will drive a person away from the area.”
This description follows the timeline of Wednesday’s events, after a passerby first detected the vapor leak as a strong odor emanating from a car on train passing through Greenwood.
The limited release — because of a loose safety valve — was fortunate, as the NDSU adds that “a concentration of more than 5,000 parts per million will disable a person so that escape is impossible and suffocation results.”
Anhydrous is a Greek word meaning “without water.”
The chemical is formed from a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen. When the agent does contact water, it forms ammonium hydroxide.
The combination can prove dangerous for human beings, as site information says “living tissue is quickly dehydrated and the cells destroyed. It attacks any part of the body that is moist — eyes, ears, nose, throat, bronchia, lungs, any moist skin. Any tissue that contains moisture is chemically burned.”
Contact with the vapors — through the eyes or any sweat that could have accumulated on the skin — would be quite painful at the very least.
Extended exposure could leave lasting damage to eyes and skin.
“Anhydrous ammonia, depending upon the concentration, has very strong vapors associated with it,” Thom Berry, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control media relations director, told reporters Wednesday. “That’s really the concern, as an inhalation hazard, because it can burn the eyes, ears, nose and throat.
“It’s a situation where you want to be careful. Anybody that has been around household ammonia can tell you what kind of odor it has, and that is a very weak solution — less than 3 percent.
“It’s mostly water, so you can imagine what it could be like to smell ammonia at around 20 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent or even 80 or 90 percent concentration.”
The exact concentration of Wednesday’s release from the CSX Railroad train was unknown. The train was en route to North Carolina.
Another concern for safety officials was the high daytime heat.
Those cleaning up around the train car had to wear bulky, insulated suits to keep their skin and air supply secure from agent exposure.
Combined with elevated temperatures, heat exhaustion was a real threat.
“The concern was also of the high heat that the workers have been experiencing,” Berry said. “They are wearing those protective suits, so the concern for the workers is twofold, from release and the heat.”
Berry said one worker was taken to Self Regional Medical Center because of “heat stress.” The worker was the incident’s lone casualty.

Students present design for park

August 2, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer



Clemson University’s Landscape Architect Department took on a project last semester to design an accessible park for Greenwood’s Burton Center for Disabilities and Special Needs and the Burton Center Foundation.
The resulting master plan was presented to the center Tuesday in the center’s training room.
“To develop an accessible park has long been a dream of the Burton Center,” Felton Burton said. “This park is being designed specifically for people with disabilities and special needs and will be available to the surrounding communities.”
According to Burton, the plan calls for trails, picnic shelters, fish pond, barn, orchard, greenhouse, gardens, athletic fields and chapel. The extensive park will be developed on 76 acres surrounding the center’s new site on Highway 72/221.
Burton Center community relations specialist Kathryn Smith said the park will be developed in an entirely different way.
“Parks are normally made and then customized,” Smith said. “This is being developed especially for special-needs individuals — both physically and mentally.”
Clemson professor Mary Beth McCubbin, who is also the external projects coordinator for the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, and department chair Dan Nadenicek opened the presentation by thanking the center for the opportunity to develop the plan.
“The opportunity to work on this has been a tremendous gain for us and our students,” Nadenicek said.
Students in two classes worked on the plan. Nadenicek said 16 students contributed.
Two students made the PowerPoint presentation to the center.
Second-year graduate student Chris Haynes said that for his site design studio class, the project took up about half of the class time throughout the semester. Third-year graduate student Helen Kimsey’s parks and recreation class spent about a third of its time on the project.
“I’ve never seen a buzz like that about a project,” Haynes said.
He mentioned students were simply inspired to contribute to a project with life-changing potential. Not only will that potential be available to staff and the center’s clients, but the opportunity will also be there for the community, too. The park will be open to the public.
As far as a timeline, Burton said projects will be done in stages as the center gets the money. He also said the center will begin work on the first athletic field — a softball field — within weeks.
“We think most of it will happen,” Burton said. “We think it’s a doable thing.”
With representatives from local and regional politicians on hand, Burton expressed his pleasure with the master plan.
“We are excited about the master plan and our dream becoming a reality. This park will be a showcase for the Southeast.
Over the years we have been successful in providing quality services due to the tremendous outpouring of support we have received.”

Obituaries

‘Shorty’ Callison

Talmadge Peter “Shorty” Callison, 82, resident of 2719 County Farm Road, husband of Sara Ellis Callison, died Aug. 1, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, Dec. 9, 1924, he was a son of the late Alden Talmadge and Mary Sue McKellar Callison. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and Erskine College. Mr. Callison was also a graduate of the Air War College and attended Clemson College. He was a US Army Air Corps Veteran of WW II, where he was held as a prisoner of war in Austria. He also attained the rank of Colonel in the US Air Force Reserves and served as Commander of the 51st Aerial Port Squadron and Commander of the 8th Military Support Squad, both at Charleston Air Force Base. Mr. Callison authored a book “Hit the Silk” which details his experiences during World War II.
Mr. Callison retired as a sales representative from Greenwood Packing Plant and more recently owned and operated Callison’s Country Store at Five Points.
A member of Main Street United Methodist Church and the Mason Sunday School Class, he was also a longtime member of the Civitan Club, the V.F.W. and American Legion Post No. 20.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter, Susan C. Pinckney of Greenwood; a son, Talmadge P. “Pete” Callison, Jr. of Lincolnton, NC; a sister, Adeline C. Johnson of Warrenton, VA; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Main Street United Methodist Church, with Rev. James D. Dennis, Jr. officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Charles Buist, Jim Buist, Mike Buist, Jay Thompson, Matthew Pinckney, Ryan Pinckney, Jim Klauber and Chris Eubanks.
Honorary escort will be members of the Mason Sunday School Class.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family is at the home on County Farm Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Thursday evening.
The family requests that flowers be omitted and memorials be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 211 N. Main St., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the charity of one’s choice.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Callison family.

Emma Lee Harp Coleman

SALUDA — Emma Lee Harp Coleman, 84, died on July 28, 2007.
She was born in Saluda County, daughter of the late Willie and Sarah Lee Stevens Harp. She was a member of the Pine Pleasant CME Church. She was president of Women’s Home Aide Society No. 40, an Eastern Star and a retired employee of Saluda Nursing Center.
She is survived by two sons, George W. Coleman, Marysville, CA, and Louis Coleman, Saluda, SC; four daughters, Barbara J. Butler, Trenton, SC, Jonell Hopkins, Upper Marlboro, MD, Sara A. McGraw and Greta Gallman of Saluda, SC; two brothers, Johnny F. Harp, Columbia, SC, and Charlie Harp, Saluda, SC; two sisters, Fannie B. Carson and Sarah E. Caldwell, both of Columbia, SC; 22 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Pine Pleasant CME Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Victoria Cruz Gallman

SALUDA — Victoria Cruz Gallman, 50, of 1394 Newberry Highway, died Monday, July 30, 2007, at her home.
The family is at the home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Wade Edward Lipe

McCORMICK — Wade Edward Lipe, 72, died Aug. 1, 2007 in Self Regional Medical Center.
He was a member of Church of God and Local 470 Operating Engineers. He was a heavy equipment operator and had made his home in McCormick for 25 years.
Survivors include his wife, Roberta McKee Lipe; a son, Billy Ray Lipe, Rock Hill, SC; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Jessey Ray Lipe, Greenwood, SC; 6 sisters, Eva Mae Baker, York, SC, Betty Elkins, Gastonia, NC, Myrtle Ayers, Greensboro, NC, Edna Poole, Katie Osborne and Pansy Ayers, all of Fort Mill, SC.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Saturday in Overbrook Cemetery, with Rev. Robert Dorn and Rev. Tenaphy Carter.
Pallbearers are Dave Nelson, Barney Dorn, Ricky Blackwell, Jason Wilson, Butch King and Clifton White.
Honorary pallbearers are all the nieces.
The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Friday at Strom Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, Highway 378 East.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Thaije Morice Norman

CALHOUN FALLS — Thaije Morice Norman, of 633 Barnwell St., infant son of Betty Jean Tate and Charlie Heed, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Friendly Funeral Home is in charge.

Martha J. Patterson

McCORMICK — Martha J. Patterson, 92, widow of George W. Patterson, Sr., passed away Aug. 1, 2007 at the Edgefield County Hospital after an extended illness. Mrs. Patterson was born May 8, 1915 in Edgefield, SC, a daughter of the late Ellen McWhite and Lynwood M. Johnson, Sr. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Lynn Lenning of Greenwood, SC; sons, Clarence C. Patterson and George W. Patterson, Jr. and his wife, her beloved daughter-in-law, Catherine G. Patterson, all of McCormick, SC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Brian and Shannon Patterson, Jason and Pollyann Patterson, Jamie Lynn Patterson, Chandra P. and Michael Bratcher, all of Greenwood, SC, Amy P. and Heyward Hilliard of Anderson, SC, Anna P. and Chad Morgan of Easley, SC; and her sister-in-law, Betty G. Johnson of Edisto Beach, SC. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is predeceased by her brother Col. (USAR) Lynwood M. Johnson and wife, Lillian A. Johnson, her brother William C. Johnson, her sister Ann J. Alford and husband, Gordon Alford, and son-in-law, Mark A. Lenning.
Mrs. Patterson was a faithful member of McCormick First Baptist Church, where she taught the Deborah Sunday School Class for many years. She received her BA degree in history from Lander College and her Masters in Education from Clemson University. She served in the field of education for 34 years and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Epsilon Chapter.
Never losing her devotion to the history of her community, state and country, she was a member of the McCormick Historical Society, Edgefield Genealogical Society, a former member of John Gary Chapter and Ann Carter Chapter of the UDC, the American Legion Auxiliary, the McCormick Garden Club and the Study Club. She was a founding member of the Long Cane Chapter of the NSDAR, where she served as regent as well as holding other offices and held the State Office of Chaplain. She served on the Board of the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee for the Upper Savannah Council of Government and contributed much to the founding of the state’s Heritage Corridor. Mrs. Patterson received many honors and accolades locally and state-wide. She was awarded The Order of the Palmetto by Governor Mark Sanford in August of 2006.
Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007 at McCormick First Baptist Church from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and funeral services will be at the church on Aug. 3, 2007 at 2 p.m. Services will be conducted by Reverend Dennis Lynn and Reverend Doug Kauffmann. Interment will follow at McCormick City Cemetery.
The family will be at the home at 209 Walnut Street, McCormick, SC. Memorials may be made to McCormick First Baptist Church, Tamassee DAR School or the McCormick Humane Society.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Carlton Simms

WATERLOO — A celebration of life memorial service for Charles Carlton Simms of Waterloo will be held on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 at 4 p.m. at the Rolling “S” Golf Club in Waterloo. The family would like to invite all of Carlton’s colleagues and friends to join them in this celebration of life service. Dress casual.
Gray Funeral Home, Laurens, SC, is in charge.

Opinion

Talmadge P. Callison ... genuine American hero

August 2, 2007

His name is Talmadge P. Callison, but he was affectionately called “Shorty.” The nickname might have referred to a distinction of stature, perhaps, but this was an American patriot who cast a giant shadow.
He didn’t particularly like the name Shorty, but he understood why people used it and that it carried with it their greatest esteem, not to mention the kind of respect that only comes with the highest degree of likability. He was a legitimate, honest-to-God hero, the kind that perseveres in the face of extreme circumstances and under the toughest of conditions. He was the essence of the American trooper who refuses to shrink from danger and the duties demanded by honor, courage and devotion to honest beliefs, coupled with love of God, family, community, state and country.

SHORTY CALLISON, WHO DIED Wednesday at age 82, had been in declining health. He had been active in American Legion Post 20 and VFW concerns, as well as numerous other church (Main Street Methodist), civic and community affairs.
Shorty Callison’s record of service in times of peace and war is the stuff of legends ..... and a legend he was, having made a daring and risky escape from his German captors in World War II.
The escape was the kind of story that gives Hollywood the reality that sometimes seems stranger than fiction. It contained all the ingredients that create the complete drama, filled with deception, excitement, thrills, and fear. Heroes always face the specter of fear - natural fear - that every hero confronts and overcomes before he rises to the challenge of the moment.

SHORTY DID THAT, WITHOUT a doubt. His book, “Hit the Silk,” lays out a vivid description of an escape that creates for the reader the mental image that has a theatrical quality worthy of the best directors the Silver Screen has to offer.
His was a life that typified an era, a time when the cold realities, the sacrifices and the brutal demands of war rocked the entire world. It was a life that provided a fundamental history of what Americans did in the darkest times ..... and how they kept the faith.
Shorty Callison, in effect, was the essence of America and, without question, represented all the good of a time in our lives when freedom was hanging in the balance. His kind are few and far between.