1975: Law Officers on the Trail of Weekend Burglars

August 15-19, 1975

A rash of weekend breakins had Fayette County sheriff’s officers working around the clock. Two of the burglaries occurred Friday night. One was at Eichler’s Drive-in at Carmine, where an old (empty) cash register and two cases of beer were reported missing. The other incident occurred at the W.M. Mitchell Ranch in the Haw Creek community, where more than $7,500 worth of items were missing. Stolen were seven saddles, 15 bridles and halters, a chainsaw, an electric drill, an electric skill saw, a small dune buggy, an air compressor, a go-kart, a Mercury 9.8-horsepower boat motor, a pair of clippers, a tent, a wheelbarrow and five horse blankets. “The dirtiest and most low-down break-in,” according to Sheriff T.J. Flournoy, “took place at Waldeck Lutheran Church where a 1951 model Baldwin sonic church organ and two small gas heaters were taken.”

Fayetteville school trustees hired three more teachers for the new term, leaving only one position unfilled. Employed were Clay Shannon as head coach and athletic director; Miss Linda Davis, high school English; and Miss Mary Northrup, kindergarten (half days). The only vacant position was remedial math instructor. The board also accepted the resignation of Leonard Dominey as a board member.

The Fayette Heritage Library/ Museum fund received a pledge of $10,000 from the estate of John and Louise Schroeder by the couple’s daughter, Mrs. Marguerite Willmann. Total funds dedicated to the project had surpassed the $300,000 mark.

Funeral services were held for: Leon Charles Lampe Jr., 55, a La Grange native; Dolman A. Blankenship, 70, of La Grange; Rudy Vitek, 51, a La Grange native; Jack A. Taylor, 54, of La Grange; Waldemar H. Simmank, 74, of Shelby; and Leslie E. Cole, 64, of West Point.

U.S. Senator John G. Tower announced that Fayette County farmers could apply through the Farmers Home Administration for emergency loan assistance to cover losses resulting from excessive rainfall in March.

Operation of the Mid-Tex Bookmobile, which had served Caldwell and Fayette counties since 1962, would not be renewed in Caldwell. Without the bookmobile, Caldwell County rural residents would have no facility from which to obtain library books. Nearly 2,500 books were circulated in that county from April 1 to June 1. An additional 4,000 volumes were distributed in Fayette County in the same timeframe. Commissioners here would be deciding the bookmobile’s local fate at their next meeting.

An additional contribution of $1,500 was approved by La Grange City Council to begin operating the Shared Project Plan II of the Fayette County Community Service for theAging Program. Topping the list of services to be offered was transportation by two station wagons and, hopefully, a 12-passenger bus to be obtained through the Texas State Human Services Delivery System. Other local assistance was to include information and referrals, telephone reassurance, outreach, recreation and coordination.

At the Columbus Open Horse Show, Gaylon Georges placed first in tie-down calf roping and third in breakaway roping, while Carrie Ullrich was first in western riding and fifth in reining. Other Fayette County participants were Jerri Ann Diggs, who was ninth in barrels and 10th in poles, and Kelly Smith, who scored seventh in barrels and ninth in poles.

Mr. and Mrs. Anton Recek of La Grange celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on August 10 at the Sacred Heart School cafeteria. The Rev. Harry Mazurkiewicz gave the blessing before the barbecued beef and sausage meal. The couple was married August 7, 1950, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church by Rev. Edward Jansky of Hostyn. Members of the original wedding party who were present included Mrs. Fred Machac, Matt Muras, Joseph Kokes and Paul Machac.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Noak celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sat., August 9, in the Carmine Hall. Pastor Ronnie Mueller offered a short devotional and table prayer before the meal of barbecued beef and sausage for 275 relatives and close friends was served. Herbert Noak and Clara Keng were married on July 19, 1925, at the home of the groom’s parents by the Rev. A.H. Falkenberg of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Round Top. The Noaks, who had lived in Carmine their entire married life, had operated a filling station and garage there for over 50 years.

James D. Legler, Carolyn C. Czichos, Beverly A, Kubala, and Debora A. Fietsam were selected to receive one-year March of Dimes health career awards.

Jeanette W. Selman, Howard Stephen Lindemann and Rebecca Susan Munsch were among the degree candidates receiving diplomas from Southwest Texas State University.

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