In the Family. In Ripley, Tenn., after running for mayor and getting only 57 out of 1,163 votes cast, Dr. J. Louie Freeman announced that he would contest the election, demand a recount: "I have more than 57 relatives . . . who I know voted for me."

Time Limit. In Edmonton, Alberta, the Journal printed a classified ad: "Old beat-up house must be sold before it collapses. Give us a cash offer ..."

Sunday Service. In Santa Rosa, Calif., while Police Sergeant Jack Plover was in church, five prisoners broke out of the county jail, walked a mile through the city streets, found Plover's parked car and drove off.

Halfway Mark. In Houston, pleading guilty to forging some $177,000 in bad checks in 44 states, Frederick D. George defiantly told the judge: "I planned every hot check I wrote. My only regret is that I didn't write twice as many ..."

Invitation to Learning. In San Francisco, the Ralph-Hutchison Motors firm advertises: "Come on in, browse around. Kick the tires."

Father's View. In Hartford, Conn., the municipal housing authority evicted Tenant Louis Maile after he kicked a hole in the kitchen wall, explained that his four children could then run from one room to another without passing in front of his living room TV set.

Just Pals. In Wellington, New Zealand, ex-Warder John Hall of Witako Prison got a six-month sentence after police found that he had given three prisoners five nights of liberty in one month, even lent one prisoner his bicycle to visit a girl friend.

Rosy Dawn. In Jacksonville, the Florida Times-Union carried a personal announcement: "IN RETRACTION to a statement made previously in this column, I wish to state that I am [again] privileged to be responsible for my lovely wife's debts. Robert A. Colson ..."

The Good Companion. In North Sacramento, charged with drunken driving, Daniel Bean pleaded innocent, was asked if he had any witnesses to support his plea, got six months in jail when he replied: "No sir, judge. They were all drunker than I was."

Another Year, Perhaps? In Atlanta, the women's chamber of commerce decided to postpone Noise Abatement Week when it learned that its antilittering committee had already scheduled a parade, with ten brass bands, 125 marching units, a garbage truck, and eight National Guard jets for low air cover.

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