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1976: Flournoy Clarifies Settlement Details

April 16-20, 1976

Fayette County Sheriff T.J. (Jim) Flournoy issued a public statement clarifying the reason he was unable to disclose the amount of the settlement in the Zindler case, as well as quashing other rumors. The settlement document stated, “I, Marvin Zindler, do hereby release and forever discharge and acquit all claims known or unknown arising out of the occurrence Dec. 30, 1974, in La Grange, Fayette County, Texas, whether such claims or cause of action known or to hereafter arise in the County of Fayette, and any of their heirs or assignees. It is in further consideration of this release that said parties and myself (Zindler) do bind ourselves to not disclose the amount of the settlement nor the source of said settlement funds.” In his statement to The Record, Sheriff Flournoy added he had not used $1 of the defense fund money raised for his own personal use. A certified public accountant could attest to that, he added. Sheriff Flournoy also explained that if there was money left over after the settlement was finalized, it would be used for some worthwhile Fayette County community purposes.

The City of Austin had another month to decide if it wanted to join the second multimillion- dollar coal plant project proposed for Fayette County. Officials at the Lower Colorado River Authority asked the Austin City Council for a decision on whether it wanted to participate in Fayette II, a $162 million venture. The city had the first option to join on a 50-50 basis with LCRA, which had received strong interest from three other electric utilities should Austin decide to pass on the opportunity.

Fayette County Republican Chair John Yarling Sr. reminded voters that if they wanted to make a choice between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan for president, they could vote in the May 1 Republican Primary. Voting precincts across the county were being combined into centralized locations in La Grange and Schulenburg.

Rainfall, an item that was pretty scarce for just about half a year in Fayette County, suddenly began to fall. The total of 7.59 inches gauged here in April was more than the grand sum of moisture for the previous five months.

A four-man Katy crew that came on at Smithville Thursday morning had no reason to suspect any trouble when the train started out on the haul to the gravel yards at Georgetown. As the train of empty cars headed out, pulled by four MKT engines, the engineer eased down to 10 miles an hour under a slow order when approaching a trestle coming into the Rosanky bottom. As the engines crossed the bridge, a support beam snapped, allowing the rails to sag and set the engines dancing. After the engineer and head brakeman quickly released the coupling between the fourth and fifth cars pulled by the four engines, they went on down the track, leaving the remainder of the train with the rear brakeman and conductor safe in the caboose on the still firm section of the trestle and the track leading up to it. Fortunately, no cars derailed, and a repair crew was able to dig out the uprights under the splintered beam and shore up the sagging track.

An 815-pound Limousin steer exhibited by Ralph Besetzny was judged grand champion of the 12th annual Bishop Forest 4-H Club show. It sold at auction to Galipp Supermarket of Schulenburg for $730.

A get-tough policy was adopted by Fayette County’s commissioners and County Attorney Dan Beck regarding illegal dumping of trash and destruction of public property. Illegal trash disposition came under criminal mischief, with fines up to $200.

The Round Top-Carmine High School classes of 1970 and 1971 were holding their first combined reunion at the Carmine Hall on March 20. The event was planned by Everett Tiedt and Gary Pohl of the class of 1970 and by Cheryl Pohl Rohde and Wanda Neutzler Pohl of the 1971 class.

The state Selective Service director announced that all local draft boards in Texas would be terminated on May 8. Similar actions would occur in all states as the Selective Service continued to reduce its operational capability. On February 28, all draft board offices closed. Texas had 525 members assigned to the 96 draft boards. Only a small standby draft organization would remain to maintain emergency plans and train a small pool of reserve and National Guard officers in procedures for restoring the Selective Service system in the event of a national emergency.

Gilbert H. Eck, a retired Fayette County taxman, was recognized for many years of devoted service when he was presented with a 50-year service award by Lafayette Lodge No. 34 A.F. & A.M. Mr. Eck had served in the county tax office for 60 years when he retired in 1975.

Funeral services were held for: Alfred Kuhn, 85, of Round Top and La Grange; Rev. H.F. Wolber, former Fayetteville Lutheran pastor; Mrs. Lena Byars, 70, a Fayette County native; and Mrs. Pauline Crook, 77, who was buried in La Grange.

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Below are ads from 1976