La Grange Firemen Rush from Fair Parade to Fight Warda House Fire

Sept. 1-5, 1972

A frame home in Winchester owned and occupied by R.C. Franke and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Traugott Franke, was destroyed by fire about mid-afternoon on Saturday. A faulty television set was given as the cause of the blaze. La Grange firemen, who answered the call and responded with the department’s booster truck that was already lined up for the Fayette County Fair street parade, said the family was unable to save much of anything. Local firemen concentrated their efforts on saving a nearby barn containing 3,000 bales of hay, as well as a smokehouse. Firemen from Smithville and Giddings joined those from La Grange in fighting the fire. In other old news, the Little Rascals of Mortgage Hill copped the first prize ribbon for the most original entry in the Fayette County Fair parade. Riding the little flag-bedecked car were Ken and Philip Ebel with Greg and Keith Matocha in the trailer. They were the children of Dr. and Mrs. C.E. Ebel and Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Matocha Jr. U.S. Representative J.J. (Jake) Pickle, who was in town for the Fayette County Fair, announced that bids would be open soon for the new La Grange Low-Rent Housing Project. La Grange Mayor L.W. Stolz Jr. responded, “This is indeed good news for La Grange. The development will contain 40 badly needed units, one-third of which will be reserved for the elderly.” After the fair, Pickle was returning to Washington for the remainder of the 92nd Congress.

A visiting teacher program for students confined to their homes and unable to attend school was authorized by La Grange school trustees. Superintendent C.A. Lemmons explained that a few students could not come to school because of serious illnesses or pregnancy. In the past, lessons had been sent home and a teacher visited the homebound students once a week. Under the new program, the teacher would work full-time with these pupils.

Milton Roeder of Schulenburg was serving as second vice president of the Texas Tenpin Bowling League when it awarded the 1974 state tournament to the Schulenburg Tri-Association Bowling Club. The last time the Schulenburg club had hosted the event was 1961.

A formal agreement for construction of a sterile fly plant in Mexico was signed in Mexico City to eradicate the screwworm livestock pest from that country and prevent further infestation in the U.S.

Fayette County Sheriff T.J. Flournoy reported that August his office jailed 47 prisoners and collected $1,25124, plus $1,257 for the county and state in fines and fees.

Fayette County graduation candidates from the Blinn College Vocational Nursing Program in Brenham were: Shirley M. Kolenovsky, Peggy Melcher, Betty J. Trlicek, Carolyn I. Wessels, Orine J. Wood and Lana J. Labay.

A farm welding short course for adult farmers was scheduled at Round Top-Carmine High School at Carmine. Superintendent C.L. Curry and vocational agriculture teacher Otto L. Fuchs Jr. said the course would run four nights, starting at 7:30. Participants were to pay a $5 fee for the program. According to Mr. Fuchs, the instructor was also available to assist farmers with individual problems and provide on-the-farm instruction.

La Grange Leopard cheerleaders were: Debbie Bippert, Maecile Henderson, Denise Roberts, Elaine Matocha, Rita Struve and Susan Prause. World-famous heart surgeon Dr. Michael E. DeBakey chose Fayette County for his country retreat when he purchased the 876.569-acre Rocking R Ranch from Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Rhemann Jr. In addition to an 1851 stone ranch house, the property offered numerous spectacular landscape views featuring huge live oak groves and fine pastures. To consolidate the road frontage on FM 1291, Dr. DeBakey also purchased an adjoining 98.852 acre tract from Mr. and Mrs. MackA.Wade. Both transactions were handled by Round Top Realty. U.S. Air Force First Lieutenant John J. Maroul Jr., the son of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Smrkovsky of Schulenburg, received the Air Medal at Da Nang Air Force Base inVietnam. Pilot Maroul was cited for his outstanding airmanship and courage on successful missions completed under hazardous conditions.

Funeral services were held for Verna Bruns, 71, of West Point and Leo J. Piwetz, 70, a native of Fayetteville.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter. com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.