A BELL TOLLS ONCE AGAIN AFTER CHURCH BURGLARY; UNION PACIFIC DONATES NEW BELL Two rusty bolts were all that was left of a 300 pound cast iron bell after thieves stole it from the spot it hung for 60 years at the Retta Baptist Church. "We were pretty sad that someone would steal a bell over a holiday like Thanksgiving, and around the Christmas holiday from a church," said Bob Meade, a church member. "...That's pretty low." However, one company decided to bring the sound of the bell back. "It was sorry for somebody to do what they did," said Don Ellison, Union Pacific Railroad. So, instead of waiting for the bell to be returned, Ellison took measurements for a new bell to take its place. "I thought this is something that we could possibly help this church out, because originally the bell came from T & P," he said. T & P stands for the Texas Pacific Railroad, which is now owned by the company replacing the original steam engine bell, Union Pacific Railroad. The company donated the original bell decades ago, and is now replacing it with a diesel bell. "There's some things you think need to be done," Ellison said. Meade was pleasantly surprised to here of the donation. "That's a real pretty bell," he said. "Ours was old and well used by the weather. [This] is nice and shinny and beautiful. It's a great replacement." Photo here: [www.kvue.com] ' Jim Wicker, pastor of Retta Baptist Church said the return of the bell is a symbol. "Of course it's just an object," he said. "It's just a thing, and what's important is what it represents and that is making a joyful noise unto the Lord." So, the bell tolls once again. - Darla Miles, WFAA-ABC8, Dallas, TX
