Remember When?

1976: Sheriff Flournoy Faces an Opponent

Milton E. Zingelmann of Round Top filed his candidacy for Fayette County Sheriff to oppose T.J. (Jim) Flournoy, a former president of the Texas Sheriffs Association. In his announcement, Zingelmann said he was a native of La Grange and had 12½ years of law enforcement experience. Fayette County’s most heated political race was a five-man field for Precinct 3 commissioner, Flatonia. Longtime incumbent Eddie Zouzalik was not standing for reelection. Those seeking the job were: John J. Merecka, 54, of Flatonia; Edward T. Mica, 46, of Flatonia; Herbert H. Surman, 46, of Schulenburg; S.H. “Shep” Werlein, 50, of Elm Grove; and Alvin Holstein, 52, of Muldoon.

Rain fell on Fayette County Monday night for the first time in 26 days. It wasn’t enough – not nearly enough – to dispel the winter drought plaguing hard-pressed cattlemen, according to County Extension Agent Clinton R. Bippert.

Sheriff T. J. Flournoy went to Caldwell on Sunday night to apprehend a man wanted for allegedly passing a hot check at the livestock auction barn in La Grange. The subject was released after paying his fine and the amount of the check.

Chromcik Council Knights of Columbus, No. 2574, was sponsoring two benefits for Arnold Svrcek, who had recently undergone extensive high-cost surgery. Profits from a chicken barbecue and a benefit party would help defray those medical expenses.

Schulenburg ISD Superintendent Ben Sustr reported total enrollment in Schulenburg Public Schools stood at 641, an increase of about 20 to 25 students over the same prior year period.

Firefighters were called to douse two grass fires, with both alarms coming in at midafternoon Monday. The first was on State Hwy. 71 near the Reuben Maas property, where only a small area burned and no damage was done. The next call was to the Grant Williams farm at Prairie Valley, where a grass blaze threatened a barn. The fire was under control by the time firefighters arrived.

For the Schulenburg Public Schools, the 1975 football season was a big winner at the box office as well as on the field. Superintendent Ben Sustr said that Schulenburg’s half of the total gate receipts totaled $20,275. This was the biggest gate revenue season ever, surpassing 1972 when the Shorthorns won the state Class A championship. The Shorthorns played 15 games in both 1972 and 1975. Even after expenses such as equipment, transportation, meals, etc., were deducted, Mr. Sustr said the football program was self-supporting.

The La Grange Leopards again cashed in on a big third quarter as they defeated the Hays Rebels, 66-60, at Kyle. The victory gave the Leps a 3-1 District 25AA mark, tying for second place with Smithville and Weimar. Johnnie Johnson paced La Grange with 22 points, Garry Dippel sank 17, and Jeff Lindemann had nine. Johnson also led the rebounders with 17, as the Leps managed to pull down 39 and stay even with the taller Rebels on the boards.

An 88th birthday surprise party honored Mrs. Elvira Saxon and her twin sister, Mrs. Angelina Williams of San Antonio, in the Presbyterian Fellowship Hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Willie E. Bauer observed their 65th wedding anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 10. No special celebration was held. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer were married at Swiss Alp on Jan. 10, 1911. They farmed in that community until 1962, when they retired to La Grange.

Funeral services were held for Miss Anna K. Wiemken, 82, of La Grange, and Mrs. L.A. (Elvira) Wenglar, 59, of Schulenburg.

W.O. Rauch of Carmine and Elo Marburger of Warrenton were re-elected to the board of directors of the Fayette Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 in elections held the previous Saturday.

Fayette County Treasurer Lloyd Dippel reported 201 bounty claims were filed in 1975, representing 414 wolf and 41 bobcat scalps. At $5 a scalp, the total payout was $2,275. In 1974, 363 wolf and 50 bobcat scalps had been turned in for bounty.

The Rev. and Mrs. Marcus Wolfram were pleasantly surprised when Holy Cross Lutheran Church members and visitors honored them with a party on their 25th wedding anniversary. A wishing well for monetary gifts was at the center of the gift table.

Former La Grange resident Herb T. Janssen Jr. joined Port City Bank, Houston, as a vicepresident and lending officer. Previously, Janssen served four years as an assistant vicepresident in residential loan production at First Continental Mortgage Company, Houston.

The La Grange Leopards continued to hold forth in a second-place tie with Weimar in the District 25AA cage race by downing Smithville’s Tigers, 74-47. Garry Matocha grabbed 16 of the rebounds, and Johnny Johnson, in addition to his hot hand at the hoops, snared 11. Johnny dropped in 31 points for the victors, while Kenny Hatfield pumped in 18 and previously high- scoring Garry Dippel, closely guarded by Tiger defenders, came up with 8. Dippel was also slowed somewhat because of early foul problems.

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