1973: Flatonia Family Injured by Hot Water Heater Blast

The head football coach at Flatonia High School and four members of his family were hurt when the hot water heater in their downtown home exploded. Hurt were Richard Watson, his wife, Mary Ann, and their three sons, Bradley, 3, Ron 1½, and Jason, three months. Mr. and Mrs. Watson and the baby were transferred to Breckenridge Hospital in Austin where Jason’s condition was listed as critical. The two older boys were treated and released at the Weimar Hospital. Deputy Sheriff Eric Bauch of Schulenburg, Deputy Sheriff August Brunner and Police Chief Robert Stoner, who investigated the accident, said the frame house had practically been destroyed, but did not catch fire. One wall had blown out, all the windows were smashed, the furniture was wrecked and a piece of the water heater ended up on a neighbor’s property. Mr. and Mrs.Watson and Jason were asleep in a rear bedroom when the blast occurred.

HolyCrossLutheranChurch at Warda was planning its 100th anniversary on Sun., March 18, according to the Rev. Marcus Wolfram, pastor and chair of the centennial committee. A German- English service at 10 a.m. was to take place at the site of the first church, across the road from the Henry Dunk residence in Lee County. The unveiling of an official state historical marker was planned during that observance. Special services were to continue at the present Fayette County church at 11, followed by a chicken barbecue dinner. Plates cost $1 and $1.75. After the 2 o’clock service, refreshments were to be served in the parish hall where visitors could browse through displays of old pictures. In the church history were pictures of the three church buildings, schools, pastors, teachers, parsonages, etc. Holy Cross had been served by seven pastors, seven vacancy pastors and 22 teachers and assistant teachers. During its first century, the church had recorded 1,682 baptisms, 467 marriages and 670 funerals. On its 100th anniversary in March 1972, membership stood at 244.

Funeral services were held for: Henry Rainosek, 84, of La Grange; August C. Koss, 67, a La Grange native; Hugo Dippel, 86, a native of Round Top; Joseph L. Novosad, 80, who immigrated from Czechoslovakia to Fayette County at the age of 17; August J. Wendler, 68, of Schulenburg; Rudolf Mynar, 76, of Fayetteville; John Belota, 80, of West Point; Miss Amanda Kasper, 88, of Warda; Angelina Gonzales, 15, of Plum; and Mrs. Emilie Hallmann, 73, who was buried at the Florida Chapel Cemetery.

Flatonia natives Major and Mrs. Ervan Zouzalik attended President Nixon’s inaugural ball at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Highlights of the evening were visits by Vice President Agnew and his wife and President Nixon and his family. The Zouzaliks were only a few feet from President Nixon when he stepped down from the stage to dance with several guests. Major Zouzalik was one of 30 U.S. Army officers selected to act as a military aide at the inaugural functions. He also attended the Salute to the States Vice President’s Reception, and concerts where he greeted many dignitaries and had the opportunity to talk with Vice President Agnew, Presidential Aide Henry Kissinger, former Texas Governor John Connally, Bob Hope and other celebrities. Major Zouzalik was the son of Fayette County Commissioner Eddie Zouzalik and Mrs. Zouzalik was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Zapalac, all of Flatonia.

Sheriff T.J. Flournoy reported that no traffic fatalities were recorded in Fayette County during January 1973, a trend he hoped would continue. In his monthly report, he noted that several persons were jailed for DWI, two were jailed for fighting at a Swiss Alp dance, one deputy participated in a stakeout, two burglary cases were investigated and two run-away boys were arrested. Sheriff Flournoy went to Columbus to check on stolen guns and he and his deputies worked traffic for several funerals. He noted that during the severe cold snap of Jan. 9-10 local law enforcement mainly tried to keep warm.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Svoboda of Ellinger observed their 25th wedding anniversary on Sat., Jan. 20 with a Mass said for their intention at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The couple was married in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Plum on Jan. 20, 1948. They had five children: Edward of Houston, Mrs. Walter Ritchie of Laredo and Eugene, Clarence and Michael of Ellinger. They also had three grandchildren. At a reception at the Ellinger C of C Hall, a barbecued beef meal was served.

The La Grange Junior High 8th graders won the Round Top-Carmine tourney championship. Coach W.O. (Red) Miller’s team included: Thomas Supak, Larry Scott, Mark Ashley, Sherman Jackson, Louis Glen, Thomas Matocha, Bert Vasut, Richard Cernoch, Stanley Henderson, Billy Dunk, Pat Smith, Curtis Ray, Charles Hensel and Chris Janda. Cheerleaders were: Teresa Wilson, Sandra Sulak, Sandy Hensel and Linda Hrncir.

Carolyn Ruth Wessels of Rutersville and Doris Marie Vaclavik of La Grange graduated from The University of Texas College of Education with bachelor’s degrees.

James Roy Wessels of La Grange showed the best of variety in Black Old English Game Bantams at the American Bantam Association’s national meet held in conjunction with the Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth.

Fayette County residents were reminded to call the sheriff’s office in La Grange to request an ambulance. Calls would then be transmitted to the ambulance station in La Grange or Schulenburg, whichever location was closer. In a joint statement, Koenig Funeral Home of La Grange, Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg and Smith Funeral Home in Flatonia pledged to fulfill their responsibilities with all the dignity and dedication possible, even though they no longer provided ambulance services.

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