REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago from The Fayette County Record

Jan. 18-21, 1972

Texas Governor Preston Smith and the Criminal Justice Council approved a grant of $13,335 on Fayette County’s application for funds to operate a 24-hour radio dispatcher service from the county sheriff’s office in the courthouse.

Bounty payments for 331 wolf and 49 bobcat scalps totaled $2,060 in 1971, according to Fayette County Treasurer Lloyd Dippel. That was considerably less than the 1970 sum of $3,337, which likely was due to the county commissioners’ decision to lower the payment from $7.50 to $5. Fayette County’s bounty program began in May 1959.

La Grange’s Leopard cagers came close but not close enough to win their first District 10-3A encounter. The outcome left the host A&M Consolidated Tigers with the 60-51 victory, leaving the Leps still seeking their first conference triumph. They were 0-3 in district. La Grange at one time was behind by 20 points, but staged a third quarter rally that elevated this purple and gold into a 39-39 tie by the end of the stanza. However, the hometown Tigers made the best of it in the final eight minutes to annex the victory. The Leopard Junior Varsity also dropped the opener, 45-41, a title that also wasn’t decided until the waning minutes.

The City of La Grange hoped to receive as much as $319,125 in federal funds for city improvements over a three-year period. City council authorized Mayor L. W. Stolz Jr. to formally sign the application for HUD funds as soon as several ordinances updating codes were approved. The funds were to be spent on street improvements, including resealing, cleanup of vacant buildings and lots and rodent control.

A handful of the 300 tickets for the annual La Grange Chamber of Commerce banquet still were available, according to President Aubrey (Red) Voelkel. The tickets, which cost $2.50 per person, were on sale at local banks, drug stores and the chamber office. The event was set for Thurs., Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

U.S. Rep. Jake Pickle announced he would seek reelection to the 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was running for his fifth two-year term. Pickle had served as chair of the Texas Democratic delegation in Congress and in the prior year had spearheaded a drive for additional funds for rural electric co-ops.

Under the direction of Wilbur W. Johnson, the La Grange High School band was presenting a pop concert in the La Grange High School Auditorium. Some of the program numbers were: Streets of Athens, Director’s Choice, Coeds on Parade, Seven Lonely Days and the theme from the TV show Dragnet.

Edward T. Mica, 41, a Flatonia farmer and rancher, announced his candidacy for Fayette County Commissioner of Precinct 3. The incumbent, Eddie Zouzalik, had previously announced his intention to stand for reelection. All candidates running for office were required to pay a $50 fee when they officially filed with Alfred H. Blume, secretary of the Fayette County Democratic Executive Committee.

Funeral services were held for: Fritz Alberta Peters, 83, of Carmine; William John Orsak, 81, of Fayetteville; Mrs. Emil P. Mueller, 74, of La Bahia; and Mrs. Sophie Petras, 74, a native of Holman.

Oakridge Smokehouse Restaurant at I-10 and Hwy. 77 in Schulenburg advertised a Monday night buffet all-you-can-eat special of barbecue chicken with all the trimmings for $1.59.

At its annual meeting, the Ellinger Fire Department elected a new slate of officers. Raymond Pavlicek was named president; Daniel Kocian, vice president; D.A. Juren, secretary; Ed Tobias, treasurer; Emil Koehl, fire chief; Gilbert Vrazel, assistant fire chief; John Smidovec, first assistant chief; and Alvin Kotria, chaplain.

Absenteeism in the La Grange schools due to colds, flu and other respiratory infections was not yet cause for alarm, according to Superintendent C.A. Lemmons. About 10% of the students in the three public schools were absent Wednesday, more than on any other day. However, in nearby Smithville, Superintendent George Mabe closed the schools at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday for the rest of the week because an influenza epidemic had absenteeism running from between 15 % and 25%.

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