Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Dixson's very thankful for assistance received

BY JOHN MILLER

A hand up is what David and Janice Dixson sought when they had to leave Vidor, Texas, in the wake of Hurricane Rita.

However, what they found surprised them beyond belief. They found open arms and people willing to help when they arrived in Prescott, though it wasnt their original destination.

Dixson said they have a place on Toledo Lake where they fish. When Rita was going through Galveston, they decided to camp there until the storm blew itself out. His initial thought was they would only be at the camp a day or two.

He was wrong.

Problems started when they arrived as the air conditioning in the trailer was out. This was followed by the electricity being knocked out for more than 12 hours. However, Dixson had a generator that was hooked to the trailer. But, after two-and-a-half hours it quit. He found gas in the oil.

At this point Rita changed direction and headed toward the Galveston/Port Author area, which is where Vidor is located. The Dixsons called some friends to come to the lake and wait out the storm, but as the weather worsened, they learned they would have to leave.

We left two trucks at the camp, got in the van. Our friends got in their car and followed, he said. We heard there was nothing available except above Little Rock.

About this time fate stepped in and lent a helping hand. Dixsons grandfather, G.W. Mitchell, once owned a service station in Prescott where Dixson, who grew up in Camden, spent time as a youngster. He has other relatives still living in the area as well.

When the troop got to Marshall, Texas, fighting bumper-to-bumper traffic all the way as all four lanes were packed, he took a wrong turn, getting on Highway 79 instead of Highway 59. Hwy. 59 would have taken them into Texarkana, while 79 headed them toward Shreveport, La.

The wrong turn was fortuitous as they ran into a trucker who gave them directions back to Hwy. 59, and they found a station with gasoline. After topping off their tanks, they were able to make the rest of the trip to Prescott without incident.

Fates next helping hand turned up when he found his aunts, Lita May Spencer, phone number and called her. She didnt have room for all of us, but told us to come on. I thought wed stop and see her, then go on, he said. The call was placed while they were still in Marshall.

Once again, what he expected isnt what happened. Spencer got in touch with her son, Tommy Glass, who called his mother-in-law, Evelyn Wilson, who manages the Hawthorne Apartments. Wilson said there were some empty apartments they could stay in. She worked getting them furnished and found air conditioners for them so the apartment would be ready when the refugees arrived.

Shes been an angel to us, Dixson said. She has helped us in so many ways.

Having a roof, being warm and dry was just the start. The Dixsons and their friends went to the temporary emergency shelter at the Potlatch Building, where they were able to eat a few meals, until the shelter closed. Mike Forman and David Roach, area ministers, dropped by and helped them out as well. First Baptist Church, he said, offered them clothing, as most of their clothes are still in Vidor.

Wilson continued helping, directing the Dixsons to the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce, where Mary Godwin and Carol Newton pitched in. There they were given supplies collected for Katrina victims and other assistance.

They were good to us, making phone calls and arrangements, just helping us in every way they could.

Irma Sue Purtle, director of the Hamilton-Blakely Senior Adult Center, dropped by Hawthorne Apartments with some groceries for the evacuees, and told them they could take meals at the Center while theyre here.

We dont like being on the receiving end of things, Dixson said. But we cant say how much we appreciate the money, the food, the hospitality and friendliness weve received since weve been here.

Weve run into people who knew my relatives. Prescott has always had a spot in my heart. Weve vacationed here many times.

In fact, Dixson used to bring his mother here to visit Spencer, an Alta ORourke, a second cousin, and other relatives while she was alive.

It could be a while before the Dixsons and their friends are able to return to Vidor. Wilson, he said, called the Prescott Police Department, with the PPD calling the Vidor PD. They were told no one is allowed back for health reasons yet. Vidor is still without electricity and conditions are unsanitary at this time.

Dixson said they havent been able to find out if the area is still flooded or not. I hope were not here any longer than we need to be. When we get electricity at the camp or home and can sustain ourselves well go back. Were in a state of confusion right now and dont know how to thank everyone.

The Dixsons are here with their son and grandson, DeWayne and Jonathan.

Wed like to give special thanks to Roach, Forman, Purtle, Glass, Wilbur Wesson, and Dwayne and Pam Edmonson and everyone whos helped us while were here, he said. Wed also like to thank everyone at the shelter for all theyve done and all the churches for their help.