JIM'S HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER IS SILENT ABOUT GREGORY CONTROVERSY

News of the scandal involving Ed Gregory and his wife, Vonna Jo, has travelled around the world, appearing in publications large and small, as well as on TV and radio -- even making headlines in France. But strangely, the place it hasn't been covered is in Jim's hometown newspaper, the Panola Watchman (Carthage, Texas). Wonder why? The paper comes out twice weekly, and three issues have been published since the news broke. Still, not a line has been run, even though Mr. Gregory now controls the Jim Reeves Memorial park just outside of Carthage, as well as the late hometown boy's entire estate.

Could it be that the erstwhile publishers of the Watchman are wanting to spare local officials a little embarrassment? After all, the mayor and some of the city fathers were hobnobbing with the rich and famous Mr. Gregory a couple of years ago at an August function -- as well as singing Mr. Gregory's praises in public ceremonies. (See below). They were singing a different tune later when they got stuck with a big bill for the wing-ding that they had thought Mr. G. was going to pay for.

There's no one more shy than a public official who's caught breaking bread with someone who later is the target of swirling controversy. It's always helpful when your hometown paper puts the lid on the story and doesn't tell the local folks about it.

Carthage Mayor Carson Joines and other city officials pay rapt attention to Ed Gregory as he speaks during a ceremony honoring Jim Reeves' induction into the Texas County Music Hall of Fame.

Gregory and Mayor Joines talk with Jim's sisters, Vergie and Luie.

No, it's not Elvis -- it's the Rev -- Bill White, that is, Mary's nephew, singing songs made famous by Jim Reeves. This is the man who told the court he felt his Aunt Mary did, indeed, want to rescind her trust agreement and share millions of dollars with Terry Davis (the man who had abused her). White also insisted Mary would have wanted to forsake the entire Jim Reeves legacy which she had worked so hard for more than 30 years to preserve. Thus he facilitated the sale of Jim's legacy to United Shows of America, Inc. chairman Ed Gregory -- convicted felon -- who is currently being accused in probate court of conspiring with White to defraud the Reeves estate.

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