REMEMBER WHEN?
50 Years Ago from the files of The Fayette County Record
May 15-19, 1970
Fayette County Deputy Sheriff August Brunner reported that a local couple was victimized by a pair of smooth-talking young women who stole more than $400 from their residence. The women appeared at the door of Mr. and Mrs. John Vana of Flatonia asking for church dues or donations. After the couple gave them $6.50 in cash, the women left, only to return and ask if Mr. and Mrs. Vana needed a receipt. While they were talking, the second woman removed the purse where the Vanas kept their cash. The only clue in the robbery was the ‘slick chicks’ were driving a green car.
The recession, ‘cooling off period’ or ‘tight money cycle’ that was depressing the stock market and troubling the nation’s financiers, seemed to be having no effect on Fayette County’s banks. The first quarter bank call on April 30, 1970, showed that deposits had grown $243,671.93 over the record yearend high of $24,668,474.57. That figure represented a hefty, 13.1% gain over the same quarter in 1969.
La Grange State Bank opened its new, expanded drive-through facilities. Employees also completed a move into temporary quarters in the middle ofthe building so major renovation and expansion could proceed in the front section. The temporary entrance was located on North Washington St.
Funeral services were held for: Milton George Witt, 59, of La Grange; Harry L.E. Gaertner, 51, of La Grange; John C. Zatopek, 77, of Ellinger; and Ben C. Diebel, 74, of La Grange.
La Grange City Council officially entered into an agreement with the La Grange Housing Authority, which was applying to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal (HUD) for a $400,000 loan to build a 100-unit low-rent housing project. The application requested monies for 70 low-rent housing units, plus 30 specifically designated for the elderly. Houston architect Edward Mattingly discussed six possible suitable sites for the project and noted that not all units would necessarily be located on the same plat of ground.
The Brenham Cubs added fuel to their newly won District 10-3A baseball championship at Fair Park by shutting out the La Grange Leopards, 5-0, in the last regularly scheduled game of the campaign. Brenham accumulated 10 base hits off Lep hurler Danny Glaiser, utilizing seven of them in their run scoring. The Leps, meantime, got only five licks off winner Zane Grubbs, all singles, and never more than one to an inning. Glaiser struck out nine Cub batsmen.
Major H.F. Kuhn, a graduate of Round Top-Carmine High School and Syracuse University in New York, was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for his actions in support of the Armed Forces in Vietnam. A veteran of 20 years of active service, he served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Division. Major Kuhn was the son of the late Edwin Kuhn of Round Top and Mrs. A.H. Neumann of Slaton.
William F. Hofmann, the president of the Fayette Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, presented Miss Ida Reichardt, RN, with a jewelry box in recognition and appreciation of her 35 years of service. This was a highlight of National Hospital Week observances by the Fayette Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.
Edward Curtis Hart of La Grange was named a distinguished student in veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University. This honor was awarded to students who had earned at least a 3.25 grade point average during the previous trimester. Hart, the son of Joseph Peck Hart of La Grange, was a second-year student in the College ofVeterinary Medicine.
In Little League action, Round Top-Carmine eked out a 6-5 triumph over the Giants, while the Pirates defeated Fayetteville’s Dodgers, 9-3. RT-C capitalized on six base hits, including doubles by Jody Pohl and Mark Jacob, to overcome the Giants, who had eight safeties of their own. Gaylon Georges was winning pitcher and Ricky Dippel the loser. The Pirates used nine bingles off loser Glen Meineke to register their victory. Winning hurler Arthur Muerer doled out three and fanned six.
E.T. Radenz of Waldeck and Robert Lehmann of Warda, were reelected as directors at the 9th annual membership meeting for Colorado Valley Rural Telephone Cooperative. George Brandt III of Holman was newly elected, succeeding Walter Schaefer of West Point. Other board members were: Arthur H. Brandt of Holman; Fred R. Kasper of Warda; Leonard Steck of Weimar and Kurt H. Tietjen of Rutersville. Manager Jack Campbell announced the Warrenton exchange would be switched over to one-party lines that month.
Betty Markwardt was named valedictorian and Colette Mayer, salutatorian, at Round Top-Carmine High School. Also graduating were: (honors) Marie Wolle, Jackie Finke and Sandra Mertink; (other seniors) Pat Hart, Kenney Hinze Jr., Freida Leonhardt, Larry Levien, Deloris Meinkowsky, Jo Lynn Neutzler, Gary Pohl, Shirley Schmidt, Roy Schulze, Everett Tiedt, Gary Wagner, Janice Wagner and Darlene Zwernemann.
Glenda Moellenberndt was named drum major ofthe 1970-71 La Grange High School Leopard Marching Band. Diane Wagner was selected feature twirler and majorette captain, with Connie Pechal, Melanie Hengst, Jan Scharnberg, Susan Teinert and Lora Blume making up the majorette corps.
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