REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

Jan. 1-5, 1971

Law officers had little in the way of leads after at least two places in Fayette County – a business and a home – were burglarized during the holidays. Flatonia Gas Company, operated by Barney Wotipka, lost approximately $1,000 worth of merchandise that included four portable TV sets, 10 radios, four mixers, four electric irons, an electric clock and a used adding machine. Entry was gained by breaking the glass panel in a door at the rear of the service room. The other theft occurred at JBL Ranch, owned by Mrs. J.B. Light. Stolen from the weekend residence on Hwy. 237 near Warrenton were a vacuum cleaner, a tape recorder, Polaroid black and white and color cameras, three box cameras, a movie screen, a western hat, an electric heater, a box of summer clothing, assorted tools, fishing rods and reels, fishing tackle, three electric saws and other items. Entry was gained by prying a padlock off the front door.

Rainfall for 1970 in La Grange exceeded the normal average for the area by six inches for a total of 42.69 inches compared to the average of 36.52 inches. May, the heaviest rainfall month with 9.52 inches, recorded 5.79 inches in one day. The temperature high was a 100-degree reading on Aug. 19, although there were six daily readings of 99 degrees. The lowest temperature was a nippy 17 degrees on the morning of Jan. 7 and the mercury dropped to 27 degrees on Nov. 16 for the first killing frost of the fall.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Wilhelmina Marek, 79, of Industry; Mrs. Cora Abbott, 86, a former La Grange resident; John Bolfik, 81, of La Grange; Mrs. Anna Ullrich, 91, of Carmine; Joseph James Shaeffer, 18, of Schulenburg; and Mrs. Helene Jahnz, 89, of Round Top.

If it had not been for two major commercial projects begun early in 1970, La Grange’s building permit total would have wound up at only $166,250, according to city hall records in the office of Mrs. Margaret S. Mason, city secretary. However, the two construction permits, one for La Grange State Bank and the other for the Hermes Cartwheel Lodge, totaled $626,850, which brought the calendar year’s sum up to an attractive $795,100. Fourth quarter permits included: R.O. McDonnell, N. Main St., carport; Lee Kruse, S. College St., garage; Albert Seifert, E. Pecan St., carport; Otto F. Tiedt, N. Monroe St., rent house remodel; Farmers Lumber Company, E. Colorado St., storage shed; James Freudenberg, N. Madison St., residence remodel; E.A. Giese, E. Lower Line St., rent property remodel; Rev. A.E. Flathmann, N. Horton St., utility room; Lester von Rosenberg, E. Pecan St., rent house; Alvin Weikel (Bon Ton Cafe), E. Colorado St., lighted sign; Mrs. Mary Pilchiek, N. Monroe, garage/remodeling; and Sigmor Distributing Service, S. Jefferson St., commercial/service station. In 1970, Fayette County Clerk

John A. Kubena issued 141 marriage licenses. Cupid’s arrow only hit on 129 occasions in 1969.

Marie Helen Hajovsky and Leon H. Teinert Jr. of La Grange received Bachelor of Science degrees from Southwest Texas State University. Marie, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie C. Hajovsky, earned her degree in elementary education, while Leon’s was in industrial arts. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon H. Teinert.

The first new arrival of 1971 at Fayette Memorial Hospital arrived on New Year’s Day. The honor went to the 6-pound, 14-ounce daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Etie of Waelder. The baby’s father was a ranch foreman.

The New Year was just one hour old when Fayette County chalked up its first traffic accident for 1971. A two-car head-on collision just east of Round Top at 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day claimed the life of an 18-year-old Houston youth.

South Central Savings Association of Brenham offered a special gift to customers who opened a new account or added to an existing one. Available in a wide choice of colors and shades, the promotional item was a wig that was free to those who deposited $5,000 or more. The cost of the hairpiece was $10.50 for those making deposits ranging from $1 to $250.

The Round Top Rifle Association was hosting a skat tournament at the hall on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Games for the ladies also were planned.

A massive die-off of whitetailed deer in many areas of Texas was a possibility due to a stubborn drought that continued to retard growth of forage and cover in 1970. According to reports from field personnel of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, quail and turkey populations also were threatened. More deer would likely die of starvation than would be killed during the hunting season.

For more great stories, visit Elaine online at www.elainethomaswriter.com/blog/ or call her at 979-263-5031.