REMEMBER WHEN?
50 Years Ago from the files of the Fayette County Record
May 1-5, 1970
Fayette and Austin county sheriffs’ officers were continuing their investigation into a burnedout 1968 Dodge discovered on the side of FM 954 between Warrenton and Willow Springs on Sunday morning. Fayette County Deputy Sheriff C.A. Prilop said a check revealed the car, owned by a Brenham man, had been stolen from a dance at Shelby around midnight.
A total of 497 members registered at the afternoon annual meeting of Fayette Electric Cooperative held at the Fayette County Fairgrounds. L.A. Giese of Warda, who had served as president of the board for 25 years, declined reelection to that post due to health issues. Vice president C.W. Meyer of Freyburg stepped up to become president. Edwin Kruppa of Hostyn was named vice president and Edmund Thiede of Cistern was reelected secretary-treasurer. Directors with new terms included Mr. Giese and George B. Pesek of Moulton. In other business, members approved an amendment to the bylaws to hold the annual membership meeting at night beginning in 1971.
Two La Grange High School students, Robert Arthur (Bucky) Schott and Scott Lee Smith, received appointments to the United States Air Force Academy beginning with the 1970-71 school year. U.S. Senator Ralph W. Yarborough nominated Smith, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lee Smith. Schott, the son of Mrs. Peggy Schott and the late Col. E.E. (Pete) Schott, received the appointment because he was the son of a deceased veteran.
Leona Urban, a La Grange High School junior, placed second in the nation in a business spelling contest. Her office education teacher was Mrs. Bernice Elzey.
The following La Grange High School students took part in the UIL Region III regional meet held at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville: Rox Ann Albrecht, Gwendolyn A. Bell, Helen M. Frerichs, Theresa A. Janacek, Rebecca Munsch, Catherine Smith, Paulett Tielsch, Katherine A. Urban and Karen B. Williams.
Two Fayette County office holders were defeated and one was reelected in Saturday’s primary election. Mrs. Leona C. Giese, who was seeking her first elective term as district clerk, was defeated by West Point farmer-rancher Walter Schaefer. The other loser was Clinton P. Krause of Warrenton, who was bidding for his second four-year term as Precinct 2 commissioner. The victor was Round Top meat market owneroperator Paul Jaster. A.V. Smith of La Grange, Precinct 1 justice of the peace, won easily over retired schoolteacher E.H. Patton.
Although he had no opposition in the Democratic Primary, incumbent county judge David M. Murray would go up against La Grange auto dealer W.L. (Wes) Snyder, who won the Republication nomination in the November general election. In the U.S. Senate race, Fayette County backed Lloyd Bentsen over incumbent Ralph W. Yarborough. Bentsen would face GOP nominee George Bush in November.
The La Grange High School classes of 1926, 1927 and 1928 were planning a class reunion on July 11, 1970, at the Cottonwood Inn. G.A. Koenig and C.V. Creuzbaur were general committee chairmen. Ludwig Kucera would serve as master of ceremonies and Kermit Voelkel had agreed to present the various contest prizes. Chairs of the various classes were: Mrs. Leona Cernosek, 1926; E.W. Meiners, 1927; and Mrs. Benita Creuzbaur, 1928.
Results of the 1969-70 Mr. and Miss LHS election were announced the day the new Leopard Spots yearbook arrived. Elected Miss LHS was Lucy Todd. Gene Kruppa was named Mr. LHS. Runners-up were: first, Peggy Altmann and Scott Smith; second, Connie Warnken and Danny Glaiser; third, Karen Williams and Ronnie Riehs; and fourth, Susan Morgan and Ricky Schielack. Named most likely to succeed were Karen Williams and Jimmy Legler. Selected as most active were Peggy Altmann and Russell Friemel. Connie Warnken and Gene Kruppa took the most likeable title. Most athletic honors went to Peggy Altmann and Danny Glaiser. Barbara Hodde and Jimmy Legler received the title of most dependable, while Lucy Todd and Russell Friemel were elected best all-around.
La Grange received a major boost in its campaign for tourist trade when it was listed by Better Homes & Gardens as one of the 200 outstanding attractions along U.S. interstate highways. The leading national magazine estimated that tourists would need several hours to see the Bavarian Frisch Auf Village, Kreische Brewery and home, the graves of the Mier Expedition casualties and the N.W. Faison home while visiting La Grange.
Danny Muzny’s towering homerun over the left field wall on the first pitch of the eighth inning gave the La Grange Leopards their sixth District 10-3A shutout victory at Kemp. Muzny’s clout was one of the only two hits allowed by the Bears and the same number given up by La Grange’s southpawing Danny Glasier.
Blasting out 14 base knocks, including three round trippers and one for two bases, the Schroeder Drug Demons of La Grange downed Wharton, 10-4, in the South Central Texas Amateur League baseball opener at Wharton. James Karstedt was the Demons’ big gun, socking a homer and two singles, good for three RBIs. Other circuit clouts were by Edwin Bowles and Ken Schroeder.
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