California was not the first gold rush in American history. North Carolina’s 17-pound gold nugget find proceeded the California Sutter’s Mill find by fifty years. However, the massive migration of settlers during the California gold rush increased the non-native American population of California from 800 to 100,000 between mid-1848 and 1850. These settlers were from all over the world and were mainly men. La Grange residents were not immune to these get-rich-quick gold stories. Various newspapers printed exciting stories of discoveries of gold treasures which had young and old alike infatuated with gold fever. John Murchison’s teen age son, Duncan Alexander Murchison, pleaded with his father to allow him to join one of the parties bound for the gold fields of California. Unwilling to let his young son, Duncan, head to California alone, John made the decision to form a wagon train with military organization and rules. This group would leave from La Grange for the California gold area on May 1st of 1849.

The Record traveled to Midvale, Idaho and is pictured off of Cindy’s back porch. Pictured left to right; Margaret Malina, Cindy Castello, and Connie Jakobeit..

Young Farmers Family Night RT-C Young Farmers annual family night will be Thursday, July 21. All members and their families are invited to enjoy a catered chicken fried steak meal at a cost of $5 per person.

The gas war in Schulenburg continued this week with the price of unleaded dropping below $3.50 a gallon at some locations. The battle broke out two weeks ago when the new Texan Convenience Store opened at the corner of US 77 and Interstate 10.

The Great Promise Dancers of Great Promise for American Indians performed at the Historic Casino Hall in La Grange on Wednesday, July 13, as a part of the Fayette Public Library’s summer reading program. The performance included American Indians from across the state of Texas dressed in various authentic powwow attire, dancing to traditional songs. Photos by MaKenzie Givan

A unique exhibition of paintings by John Schaeffer opens at the ARTS Gorman Gallery in Schulenburg on Saturday, July 16 at 4 p.m. The exhibit, Reflections, is a visual journey across light and surface where the eye is teased and reality lies in the depth of other reality. In the exhibit, La Grange artist, John Schaeffer, expresses his passion is to paint compositions where reflections, depth, and dramatic lighting are prominent. Figurative and automotive themes are his preferred subject matter, but he periodically enjoys creating nature-themed paintings as a form of relaxation

The Flatonia Fire & Rescue along with the Muldoon Volunteer Fire Department battled a fire on Three Mile Rd. in these extreme temperatures on Sunday, July 10. Fayette County EMS was present as well as Air Evac, who conducted a flyover. The Texas Forest Service also assisted.

“Downtown” Terry Brown and wife enjoyed Naples, New York in the Finger Lakes with The Record..

Neighbors Night Out will be held on Wednesday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Zilss Hall. An ice cream social will be hosted by Rhoda and Sherwood Gersch. Bring your favorite ice cream, topping, or dessert to serve with ice cream and enjoy fellowship with your neighbors.

Fayette County Commissioners Court signed a proclamation on June 23 recognizing Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area for 35 years of service to Fayette County. Workforce Solutions provides a variety of services for both employers looking to hire and workers seeking employment. Pictured (back, from left) are Brian Hernandez, WSRCA Chief Storyteller; Carl Braun, WSRCA Business Services Manager; Cherisa Price-Wells, Regional Director; EquusKelly Moreno, WSRCA Director of Community Engagement; Rachel Genzer, WSRCA Business Solutions Consultant; Roberto Perez, WSRCA Project Director; Jaime Rodriguez, WSRCA East Area Manager; (front) Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann; Pct. 3 Commission Harvey Berckenhoff; Fayette County Judge Joe Weber; Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel; and Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. Photo by Andy Behlen