REMEMBER WHEN?

50 Years Ago from The Fayette County Record

May 9, 1972

La Grange received 4.15 inches of rainfall – the most for a 24-hour period since October 1970 – between 3 a.m. and high noon on Sunday. That pushed the city’s annual accumulation up to 11.98 inches. La Grange had received 5.05 inches of rainfall since the first of May. Several roads in the Schulenburg area were closed because of flash flooding. This included FM 1579 (the old Weimar highway) and FM 957 (the St. John Road). Schulenburg resident Pete Wagner was rescued by boat after his car was swept off FM 1579. Fortunately, Mr. Wagner did not suffer any harm.

Fayette County voters elected a new county attorney, favored the successful opponents of the incumbent state representative by a small margin and helped to reelect the incumbent district attorney in Saturday’s Democratic primaries. In precinct three, voters sent their incumbent commissioner into a June 3 runoff election, while those in precinct two reelected their constable by a wide margin. Across the board, Fayette Countians, some 5,256 voters, favored successful state office candidates.

La Grange businessmanrancher John Wilson, a newcomer to politics, unseated Charlie H. Jungmichel in the latter’s bid for a fourth term in the Texas State Legislature as representative of District 30. Wilson polled 2,674 votes to 2,459 for incumbent Jungmichel. Incomplete returns from the five-county district gave Wilson 8,765 votes to 6,819 for Jungmichel.

Young Flatonia attorney Dan R. Beck defeated incumbent Fayette County Attorney L.L. (Pop) Warner, polling 3,997 votes to 1,116 for Warner, who was seeking his first four-year elective term. District Attorney Oliver S. Kitzman of Brookshire, bidding for his second term, won handily in Fayette County, polling 3,110 votes to 1,774 for Sealy attorney Warren Conner.

County commissioner Eddie Zouzalik of Flatonia was forced into a runoff with Flatonia area farmer-rancher Edward T. Mica. Zouzalik polled 651 votes and Mica received 500. The third candidate in the race, Gilbert Richards of Kirtley, chalked up 338 votes.

Fred Knippel Jr. of Fayetteville was reelected constable of recently redistricted Precinct two by a better than 4-1 vote against Fayetteville dairyman W. D. (Dub) Toddy.

A total of 45 votes were cast in the Republican primary election held at three polling places in the county on Saturday. The GOP ballot listed no local races in 1972.

The La Grange Leopards, west zone District 10-3A baseball titlists, added more frosting to the cake with a convincing 17-0 shutout over Houston Elmore at home. Coach Paul Hoelscher’s Leopards blasted out 15 base knocks in downing Elmore, got at least one safety in every inning and scored in every stanza save one. The Leps spiked the plate four times in the very first frame, plated four more in the second, one in the third, five in the fifth and ended the marathon with a trio in the last of the sixth. Charles Koether and Dennis Winkler combined hill efforts to shut the gates on the Houstonians. Koether, who toiled five innings, tossed hitless ball and Winkler permitted two harmless hits in two. The duo fanned 15 between them. Wielding the big sticks for the victors were Jim Quinn with four RBIs on three singles, and Mark Cook with three runs batted in by way of a double and a single.

Funeral services were held for: Charles F. Chovanec, 70, of Park; Edward J. Hilsher, 74, of Schulenburg; Luver J. Speckels, 57, of Waldeck; and Mrs. Annie Volcik, 68, of Ellinger.

When the Alamo Area Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association’s X-ray unit visited La Grange on Thursday, 465 persons had their chests X-rayed. The unit operator said the number was well above average compared to surrounding areas. Donations amounted to $432.50. The Fayette Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was praised for the fine job members did in registering and handling patients. Volunteers were: Mrs. Gino Schiavone, Mrs. C.J. Cernosek, Mrs. H.A. Engbrock, Mrs. Clinton Harbers, Mrs. I.C. Hardcastle, Mrs. J.D. Legler, Mrs. Henry C. Paine, Mrs. Alex von Rosenberg, Mrs. W.E. Schulze, Mrs. D.C. Wiley and Mrs. Leland F. Zatopek.

Plans for the proposed new KJT state home office building at the corner of E. Colorado and N. Franklin Sts. preserved just about every tree on the property.

The Leopardettes of La Grange High School hosted the Leopard Luau for the annual sports banquet at the Hermes cafeteria. High school principal H.C. Giese gave the invocation and head cheerleader Donna Zapalac gave the welcome. Cheerleader Denise Roberts presented the coaches who in turn introduced the players and gave awards to the lettermen.

A notice in the classified ads inserted by Retama Manor Nursing Centers, Inc., which had recently purchased a La Grange nursing home, stated it was the company’s policy to admit and treat all patients without regard to race, color or national origin. The same requirements for admission also were applied to all with patients assigned within the home without regard to race, color or national origin.

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