REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago

July 17-21, 1970

Fayette County Commissioners adopted an order increasing elected county officials’ salaries by 10% and upping those of the four justices of the peace by 10% or more. Before the vote was taken, a dozen people turned out for the public hearing, although no opposition was voiced. The new annual salary schedule was: county judge, county attorney, county sheriff and county clerk - $7,260; county tax assessor/collector - $7,500; county treasurer and county commissioners - $6,352.50; Precinct 1 justice of the peace - $4,748.70; Precinct 2 justice - $1,020; Precinct 3 justice - $1,800; and Precinct 4 justice, $3,600.

The board of trustees of the La Grange Independent School District’s raised the school tax rate to the maximum $2 and transferred junior high school classes to the high school. The junior high school building on Pearl Street was to be closed permanently unless other school facilities became overcrowded in the future. Both moves were prompted by a 1970- 71 budget projected at $901,648, compared to $727,196 for the 1969-70 term. School superintendent C.A. Lemmons told trustees that the hike from $1.90 to $2 was not enough, but would have to do.

Fayetteville Bank increased its capital from $75,000 to $100,000 and the surplus was increased from $75,000 to $100,000. In addition, the board of directors declared a one-for-three stock dividend. Bank deposits as of the June 30, 1970, call were $3,080,926.07.

John D. Marburger resumed the practice of law in the offices of Marburger & Marburger in La Grange. A graduate of the University of Texas with a BBA degree and the University of Texas School of Law with an LLB degree, he practiced briefly in La Grange before attending Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He then graduated from Naval Justice School and served as legal officer and officer of the deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph for 20 months. He next served one year in Vietnam before being discharged as a lieutenant (junior grade) in December 1969.

The La Grange Braves won the 1970 championship of the Tri-County Teenage Baseball League by defeating their hometown counterpart, the Ravens. In the top of the sixth, the Braves broke the game open with a three-run rally that erased a 2-2 stalemate. The victors combined singles by Brian Prause and Stan Pechal, a field choice, wild pitch and two Raven errors for the tell-tale markers. Both Bill Miller, hurling for the Braves, and Raven tosser Charles Koether permitted seven base hits with Miller fanning 10 and Koether whiffing seven. Miller and Terry Dippel led the Braves with the stick, each getting two singles. David Zatopek did likewise for the Ravens, whose Jimmy Quinn doubled for the game’s only extra-base lick.

Feed grain and cotton producers in Fayette County were receiving more than $1 million in the form of 3,000 farm payment checks. William W. Wilson, the office manager for the local Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Committee, said program payments had been made on 1,048 grain and 854 cotton farms.

Mrs. Verna Reichert entertained a group of friends and relatives in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Frank H. Reichert’s 25th wedding anniversary. The party was held in Mrs. Reichert’s backyard, where lights were placed at vantage points. Under a large oak tree, the table holding the punch and cake was decorated with crepe myrtle arrangements. On a long table in the center of the driveway were sandwiches, assorted cold cuts, cheese, deviled eggs and pickles. Elsewhere in the yard were refreshments of iced drinks and snacks. The ladies of the Walhalla Home Demonstration Club were co-hostesses.

Country antiques and crafts, plus home-cooked food were to be featured at the annual festival and homecoming on Sunday, July 19, sponsored by United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Swiss Alp. The 103-year-old church’s congregation was combing attics, backrooms and old barns for the antique auction. Among the items collected were an old telephone, bottles and jars, horse collars and harness, 24 dark oak church pews and an old handmade white and gold altar and lectern.

Funeral services were held for: Mrs. Lorena Ernestine Simank Matchett, 71, a native of Industry; David A. Doerr, 77, of Round Top; Mrs. Cecilia Kallus, 76, of Hostyn; Mrs. Julia Chovanec, 86, of Fayetteville; Miss Bertie A. Hart, 88, of Winchester; Peter J. Bednar, 68, of La Grange; and Joe L. Syptak, 76, of Ellinger.

Fifteen-year-old blonde-haired Rose Mary Teinert, who liked to sew and cook, was crowned Miss La Grange of 1970-71 at the annual La Grange Recreation Association aqua show. Succeeding Pam Menking, the new Miss La Grange, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Teinert, was entering her sophomore year at La Grange High School. She was sponsored by Kovar Gift & Art Shop.

Fayette County commissioners asked the two bidders on the courthouse roof project to resubmit their bids on contract forms being mailed to them. Apparently basing their estimates on different specifications, Adolph Matocha Jr. of La Grange priced the job at $7,600, while Bohlmann, Inc. of Schulenburg, submitted a proposal totaling $20,992.

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